Welcome back to another edition of Around the NHL. We’re into the second week of December, and with the holiday roster freeze on the horizon, general managers throughout the league are trying to make as many calls as possible, to get a sense of the trade market.

Talks have picked up in a major way, and over the weekend, there was a bomb dropped that could turn the whole market on it’s head. There’ no point wasting time this week, there’s plenty to get to. Here’s the very latest from around the NHL.

Canucks, Devils discussing Quinn Hughes trade

This all started last summer when Vancouver Canucks president Jim Rutherford held a media availability, and went on to admit him and captain Quinn Hughes had a discussing about his future, and Hughes made it clear he’d eventually love to play with his two brothers in New Jersey. Fast forward a few months, and now the two teams are working on the deal.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the two teams have indeed been discussing a trade involving the Canucks’ captain. While there hasn’t been many details to surface, expect to see a combination of Dawson Mercer, Simon Nemec, Seamus Casey, Nico Daws, and at least one first-round pick heading to Vancouver when it’s all said and done.

Hughes is signed through next season at $7.8 million AAV, and has posted 22 points in 24 games. The Canucks enter the week second last in the Western Conference with a 11-15-3 record, while the Devils are 16-12-1, one point out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.

The Canucks sent a memo out to the rest of the league a couple of weeks ago and let everyone know they are open for business, so Hughes won’t be the only one moved. Kiefer Sherwood is drawing interest, and the Canucks would like at least a first-round pick for the bang-and-crash forward. Evander Kane is available, Teddy Blueger, David Kampf, and likely even Conor Garland, Jake DeBrusk, Thatcher Demko, and Pierre-Olivier Joseph. It’s only a matter of time before a Canucks deal is announced, and the big shoe could be dropping first, considering how awkward it’s getting in Vancouver.

Here’s Hughes after Saturday’s game, and after Friedman’s report had surfaced regarding trade talks with the Devils. It’s not often a player drops the nickname of an opposing GM:

BarDown

@BarDown

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Quinn Hughes comments on the rumours surrounding him and the New Jersey Devils. (via YT/Vancouver Canucks)

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3:17 AM · Dec 8, 2025

Devils linked to Nashville Predators’ forwards

While all the attention is on Hughes, and rightfully so, the Devils have also been linked to finding some help up front. New Jersey has been monitoring the Nashville Predators trade candidates, including Jonathan Marchessault, Steven Stamkos, Michael Bunting and Ryan O’Reilly.

O’Reilly is likely the biggest target for the Devils, based on the fact they need help down the middle, he can slide down and play the third line once Jack Hughes gets back. O’Reilly is owed $4.5 million AAV this season and next, and while he doesn’t have any trade protection officially on his contract, GM Barry Trotz has told O’Reilly he’ll come to him if talks advance to get his permission to complete the deal.

Stamkos and Marchessault both have no-movement clauses, while Bunting is a pending free agent who can be moved at will. The pesky forward had his two best seasons under Sheldon Keefe in Toronto, so don’t be surprised if he winds up in New Jersey at some point.

Jets hosting Canadiens in 2026 Heritage Classic

The Heritage Classic returns for 2026, when the Winnipeg Jets will play host to the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 25, 2026 at Princess Auto Stadium.

The stadium is home to the Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and back in 2016, hosted an outdoor game between the Jets and Edmonton Oilers.

The Jets and Canadiens game will be the eighth Heritage Classic game and the first one since 2023, when the Oilers hosted the Calgary Flames at Commonwealth Stadium. This will go down as the league’s 46th regular-season outdoor game.

Quick hits from around the NHL

Washington Capitals’ Ryan Leonard will be out for an extended period of time due to a hit from Anaheim Ducks’ Jacob Trouba. Tom Wilson tried to fight Trouba after the hit, and the Ducks’ defenceman wanted no part of it.
The Dallas Stars lost Tyler Seguin for the season to a torn ACL, but they enter the week with a 20-5-5 record on the year, good for 2nd in the NHL.
The NHL continues to monitor the arena being built for the upcoming Olympics, and while it appears it will be a smaller ice surface, there’s been no talks about hosting the hockey portion of the games in North America instead of Italy.
Reports have surfaced stating the Minnesota Wild, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, and Montreal Canadiens have all contacted the Canucks with interest in Kiefer Sherwood.
Friedman reports the Oilers and Penguins have held multiple discussions involving goaltender Tristan Jarry. Friedman mentions the Oilers would like to pair Jarry and Stuart Skinner together moving forward.
The Philadelphia Flyers could become players for Hughes out of Vancouver, and there’s rumblings the Canucks asked for Owen Tippett as part of the package and the Flyers weren’t thrilled about it.