The Athletic Hockey Show, Dec 8, 2025

Is Quinn Hughes on his way out of Vancouver?
Hosts: Max Bultman & Jesse Granger
Guest: Thomas Drance (Vancouver Canucks beat writer)

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode centers on the swirl of trade speculation around Vancouver Canucks star defenseman Quinn Hughes. The discussion delves into why the Canucks—once expected to be playoff contenders—are floundering near the league's bottom, accelerating difficult conversations about franchise direction. The hosts and guest also break down the impact of salary cap dynamics on the league's star market, Vancouver’s goaltending challenges, and—after the Canucks segment—the midseason favorites for NHL Awards and the looming trade deadline.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Vancouver Canucks: Quinn Hughes Trade Speculation & Franchise Status

[02:12–10:39]

• Never Boring in Vancouver: The Canucks are magnets for drama, whether on- or off-ice (Thomas Drance at [02:34] "Yeah, they're this franchise. They specialize in being never boring."). Trade rumors now swirl around Quinn Hughes after last year’s focus on Elias Pettersson.
• The Friedman Report: Insiders report that the Canucks have had talks with the New Jersey Devils (where Hughes’ brothers play), kicking off league-wide speculation about Hughes' future ([03:40] "Elliot Friedman reporting that the Vancouver Canucks have had at least a conversation with the New Jersey Devils...that's the far bigger deal.").
• Canucks Underperformance Accelerates Tough Choices: Vancouver’s poor season was not anticipated; their struggles force the franchise to make big decisions sooner, increasing the pressure on keeping Hughes.
• The Timing Problem: Hughes is not extension-eligible until July 1. This “pressure point” gives Hughes increased leverage—a dynamic similar to what played out with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Matthew Tkachuk in other franchises ([06:42] Drance: "With Hughes, you've got a player who becomes extension eligible on July 1st...").
• The “Brothers” Factor: Having two high-profile brothers on another team (New Jersey) adds a unique twist and makes speculation feverish. Detroit has also been floated as a possible destination.
• Trade Timing & Leverage: Teams might prefer to wait if Hughes' preferred destination is obvious (i.e., New Jersey) rather than force a move early. However, the Canucks will always have leverage because of Hughes’ elite status ([11:38] Drance: "It's not like your leverage diminishes when you have the thing that everyone wants, right?").
• Market Dynamics Have Shifted: The league era of flat salary caps is ending; cap space is increasing but big trades remain rare. Elite players almost never reach free agency now, which works to Vancouver’s advantage in maintaining trade leverage ([13:28] Bolman: "There is no more of the well, why don't you just let it get to free agency and see then...There is no Quinn Hughes getting to free agency. That works in the Canucks favor here.").
• The Professional-but-Tepid Rutherford Era: Since Jim Rutherford took over in 2021, the Canucks’ management has made smart low-level moves but never committed to a necessary full-scale rebuild, so they're stuck between mediocrity and a total reset ([24:09] Drance: "You'll see like a professionally run hockey team...The problem is, is while a lot of the individual deals...makes sense—in service of this team not pursuing the right big picture direction.").
• Youth Problems: None of the Canucks’ top-10 players by ice time are under 25. Calls for a tear-down are growing among fans—sometimes quite literally on the Jumbotron ([21:28] Drance recounts a fan with a “McKenna” jersey at the arena’s 67-cam attempting a rebuild-message prank).

2. Vancouver's Goaltending Situation

[15:50–21:28]

• Demko Extension Scrutinized: Vancouver signed injury-prone starter Thatcher Demko to a three-year extension despite his inconsistent health; combined with Kevin Lankinen, their goalie spending is among the league's highest ([15:57] Granger).
• Depth & Unpredictability: The Canucks recently got strong backup performances from Nikita Tolopilo in the AHL, highlighting the volatility of investing heavily in multiple goalies ([17:59] Drance: "...my view and value of goaltending sort of runs like that where, you know, like, for me, I'm not surprised right now...").
• Immediate Performance Concerns: Demko's absence (and inconsistent historic workload/playoff track record), coupled with Lankinen’s struggles as the acting starter, leave doubts about both the signings and the team’s short-term prospects ([19:51] Drance: "He hasn't had a season where he plays a workhorse starters workload, performs at an above average clip and is healthy at the end of the season...that's never happened in his career. And he's 30.").

3. The (Im)possibility of a Full Tear-Down in Vancouver

[20:56–28:09]

• Aging Core: Canucks are a “prime-age” roster (many key players 27–30) but lack the young talent pipeline needed for a real rebuild.
• Fanbase Desires: Growing pockets of fans are openly campaigning for a real rebuild—e.g., via viral Jumbotron antics.
• Failure to Commit: Despite improvements since the Benning era, the franchise has been unwilling to truly bottom out, unlike recent rebuild success stories like Montreal or Philadelphia. The result: “If you don't nail the big picture right...it's going to be extraordinarily difficult, especially with how some of these other teams have built.” ([28:09] Drance).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Canucks Drama Guarantee:

  "They specialize in being never boring...if the results are not what we're talking about, then we'll find something else, and the team seems to find a way to give it to us."
  —Thomas Drance ([02:34])

• Trade Leverage Timelines:

  "Until Hughes can properly put his autograph on the paper and commit to someone long-term, that's where his leverage lies anyway."
  —Thomas Drance ([10:11])

• Current Tear-Down Sentiment:

  "We're at the point where grown men are bombing the 67-cam, Canucks games to call for a rebuild with their custom nameplate..."
  —Thomas Drance ([21:28])

• Rebuilding and Cap Era:

  "There is no more of the well, why don't you just let it get to free agency and see then...There is no Quinn Hughes getting to free agency. That works in the Canucks favor here."
  —Max Bolman ([13:28])

NHL Awards Discussion: Mid-Season Leaders

[31:14–41:32]

Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman)

• Kale Makar is the runaway favorite—unless injured, the Norris is his to lose ([31:43–32:13]).
• Rise of Two-Way Defensemen: Sider, Sanderson, Heiskanen, Morrissey, and Chychrun all having strong years, but all lag behind Makar in the public and betting perception ([32:13–34:09]).
• Washington's Secret Sauce: Capitals are getting surprising production/resurrection from players like Chychrun and Strom—credit to their coaching/scouting.

Jack Adams (Coach of the Year)

• Joel Quenneville (Anaheim Ducks) is the betting favorite. His Ducks are first in the Pacific via a run-and-gun system that leverages skill.
• Bednar's Case (Colorado): Could be a “career achievement” year for Bednar if voters want to reward his dominance, but there’s reluctance to award him given Colorado’s talent ([39:19–41:32]).
• Coach & Star Synergy:

  "I don't think you should always count the best player being awesome against the coach. I think sometimes the coach deserves a little bit of credit for that."
  —Jesse Granger ([41:51])

Trade Deadline Watch: Teams & Players to Watch

[44:39–54:29]

• Nashville: Disappointing season likely means veterans (Stamkos, Marchessault, O’Reilly) become trade chips. However, no-move clauses and player preferences complicate returns ([45:29–48:04]).
• Pittsburgh: Instead of sellers, are in a playoff spot; the dilemma is whether to cash in on assets (like Tristan Jarry) or support veterans Crosby/Malkin in a surprise run ([48:28–50:46]).
• Edmonton Oilers: Persistent goaltending question. Debate whether to swing big (for a goalie like Jarry or even Saros) or at least upgrade the tandem behind Skinner ([52:16–54:29]).

  "I've been saying for two years that they need to make a trade..."
  —Jesse Granger ([52:43])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:12–10:39]: Quinn Hughes trade rumors, Canucks’ season context
• [15:50–21:28]: Vancouver’s goaltending: Demko’s contract, Lankanen, pipeline issues
• [20:56–28:09]: Big-picture: Canucks should blow it up? The fan perspective & front office context
• [31:14–34:09]: Norris Trophy race; Makar’s dominance, two-way D emergence
• [36:19–41:32]: Jack Adams: Quenneville and Bednar, coach/star votes
• [44:39–54:29]: Trade deadline preview: Nashville, Pittsburgh, and Edmonton scenarios

Tone & Style

Relaxed, colloquial, and a bit irreverent, matching the conversational energy of hockey insiders. The conversation is informed, self-aware, and laced with dry humor about the Canucks’ cycles of drama and hockey’s award-voting quirks.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode is a comprehensive, insightful look at the Vancouver Canucks’ looming existential question: trade their best player (Quinn Hughes) or finally pick a direction? It’s loaded with context about modern NHL star movement and cap realities, plenty of current-season award talk, and forward-looking trade deadline speculation—delivered in an accessible, banter-filled style. If you want to understand why Vancouver fans are dancing with custom name plates on the Jumbotron and why Hughes-to-Devils rumors are inherently different, this episode will leave you both well-informed and entertained.