Elliotte Friedman linked the Capitals to a massive NHL star

Quinn Hughes is the name of this trade season, a 26 year old, puck driving Vancouver Canucks captain stranded on a sinking team.

He has 22 points in 25 games for a group sitting 11 16 3, one of the worst records in the league this year.

On Tuesday, Elliotte Friedman mentioned the Capitals by name while discussing Hughes on NHL Network's First Shift podcast with Mike Kelly and EJ Hradek.

From a contract angle, Hughes is the rare superstar who fits. He is signed through 2026 27 at a 7.85 million cap hit, with no trade protection, and cannot sign an extension until July.

Washington currently shows a little over 3.3 million in usable space, projected to roughly 10.2 million in deadline room, before any long term injured reserve maneuver with Pierre Luc Dubois.

That is more than enough to absorb Hughes if the front office wants to get aggressive.

Any realistic offer probably starts with one of Connor McMichael, Hendrix Lapierre or Aliaksei Protas, plus a premium blue line prospect.

The obvious defensive chip is Cole Hutson, the 43rd overall pick in 2024, a 5 foot 10 offensive lefty who already draws Hughes style comps.

Washington also has Leon Muggli and Ryan Chesley in the pipeline, so they could technically afford to move one high end defender.

Vancouver will want a center back, a defenseman to replace Hughes and more futures, because this is a 92 point, Norris level blueliner in his prime.

They will also have New Jersey, Detroit, Carolina and Chicago pushing, and the Devils angle includes Jack Hughes openly dreaming about playing with his brothers.

The real downside for Washington is not the price, it is the calendar. Trade now, and you still have no guarantee Hughes signs beyond next season, which means you could watch a huge package walk away after one playoff run.