Armchair GM Thread 2025/26

[bustaheims]

That's also true of the three way version of this trade. Both are the same for Vancouver and if they were willing to do the three way, then it's better for the Leafs to cut out Jersey.

And that trade is also not happening without Vancouver getting more, whether it's from the Leafs or the Devils (in that case, it should be mostly on the Devils, since they're getting the best player).

 

[CarltonTheBear]

And that trade is also not happening without Vancouver getting more, whether it's from the Leafs or the Devils (in that case, it should be mostly on the Devils, since they're getting the best player).

Also the only reason this is even a somewhat plausible scenario is because it's so widely assumed that Hughes will be joining his brothers in New Jersey eventually that even Vancouver's front office has openly commented on it. We're talking about a 25-year old with back to back Norris nominations under his belt (one of which he won of course). If he's fully available he could be the most valuable player traded in the cap era. But without an extension, which he's not eligible to sign for another year, his value is a little nerfed because of all that. It's unlikely any team other than New Jersey would be willing to give up a significant amount for him know they only have him for 2 seasons, and that's assuming he's traded this offseason which there isn't really any indication of that happening. And that of course would give the Devils a lot of leverage in trade negotiations too.