The Toronto Maple Leafs were scared of making a Quinn Hughes trade for one simple reason
Photo credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
It has been reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs were interested in a Quinn Hughes trade, although we now know why the team refused to follow through on a deal.
Quinn Hughes is one of, if not the best, defenseman in the entire NHL. He was growing tired of the Vancouver Canucks, and on Friday last week, he was traded to the Minnesota Wild.
There were numerous teams looking to make a deal for Hughes, including the New Jersey Devils and the Detroit Red Wings. However, any team in the NHL would be happy to have Hughes on its team.
As we previously reported, the Toronto Maple Leafs had interest in Hughes, and had a deal been made, they probably would have traded Easton Cowan and Matthew Knies.
However, according to a new report from Elliotte Friedman, we now know why the Maple Leafs and others decided not to go full steam ahead on a Hughes deal.
Quinn Hughes scared off the Maple Leafs and others
Hughes' current contract expires during the Summer of 2027, and at this time, Hughes is not interested in committing long-term to anyone.
The only teams who didn't seem to mind this were the Wild and the Devils, although the Wild just so happened to have the better trade package.
A number of teams were really scared off...about that fact that [he] would not provide a long term commitment; there were two teams that weren't really afraid of that...Minnesota; New Jersey
It makes sense for the Leafs to avoid a deal. Knies is locked up for a few years, and Cowan is someone who has a very bright future in the NHL.
Getting rid of them prematurely probably would have angered a whole bunch of fans, and rightfully so, especially if Hughes was going to walk in a few seasons anyway.
Only time will tell whether or not the Hughes trade works out for the Wild. If they win the Stanley Cup, then it will certainly have been the right move.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 16 | 407 ANSWERS The Toronto Maple Leafs were scared of making a Quinn Hughes trade for one simple reason Do you believe the Toronto Maple Leafs should have acquired Quinn Hughes? | ||
| YES | 192 | 47.2 % |
| NO | 215 | 52.8 % |
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