The exact quote from Dhaliwal is, “You know how Canucks and Philadelphia are talking trade? Someone told me the Canucks really like Owen Tippett in Philly, but that would be a hard get.” When Don Taylor pressed him for more information, specifically asking if he meant Tippett would be in a possible Sherwood trade, Dhaliwal pushed back saying, “No, not for Sherwood, for other stuff.” Very interesting that Tippett’s name is being brought up in a different possible trade.
Elliotte Friedman did mention, however, on Friday’s edition of ‘32 Thoughts: The Podcast’ that the Flyers are trying to quiet down trade rumors on Tippett, but the Canucks have inquired about him.
“Owen Tippett has been a name around a lot, and I kind of looked into this one a little bit,” said Friedman. “I think the Flyers are trying to do everything they can to calm the noise around him. I think it’s bothered him a little bit. I think he’s definitely heard it. I think the Flyers are trying to say, ‘Look, like, this is not our doing.’ And I do think the Canucks asked about him. I don’t think that’s gonna be happening.”
Now, if the Flyers and Canucks were able to make a move involving Quinn Hughes, what would a realistic package look like? Well I have three packages that are considered realistic, and one that is my pipe dream for fun at the end.
1) VAN: Tyson Foerster, Jett Luchanko, Oliver Bonk, TOR 2027 1st, PHI 2026 2nd – PHI: Quinn Hughes
This is most likely the best trade package the Canucks will get from the Flyers. Foerster (even though he is injured right now) is seen as a clear cut top six winger with first line potential. Foerster’s defense, elite shot, and age will make him a blue chip piece in any trade the Flyers want to make in the future. Personally, I want Foerster on the Flyers his entire career, but sometimes you have to move out talent to acquire elite talent. Vancouver was reportedly interested in Jett Luchanko when the Flyers took him back in 2024, so adding him to this deal will help, especially since Vancouver might be looking for a center. Oliver Bonk would be a defensive prospect the Canucks could develop to eventually replace Hughes. While it’s not a guarantee he’ll be anything special, he is seen as a minimum top-four defenseman in the NHL in the future. Then there are a first and second round pick because, come on… it’s Quinn Hughes people, he’s not going to be cheap to acquire.
2) VAN: Owen Tippett, Cam York, PHI 2026 1st – PHI: Quinn Hughes
As mentioned before, there are reports that the Canucks really like Tippett. With a reasonable contract and a ceiling that is about as high as ceilings go due to his speed and shot, Jim Rutherford could make the mistake of trying to rebuild on the fly by trying to acquire NHL caliber talent in a Hughes deal. To go along with Tippett, York could slot right in to the Vancouver top four. With Hughes gone, that also opens up the power play QB spot that York would thrive in. Add in a first round pick this year and that could be a very solid deal for both sides. A current top-six winger and top-four defenseman, both with high ceilings, and a first round pick. If Rutherford was looking to take a risky swing to save his job, this could be the trade to do that.
3) VAN: Jack Nesbitt, Alex Bump, Denver Barkey, Oliver Bonk, PHI 2026 1st, TOR 2027 1st, PHI 2027 2nd – PHI: Quinn Hughes
This is the least likely of the “realistic” packages. Jack Nesbitt is another center who Vancouver seemingly had their eyes on until the Flyers jumped them in the draft to take him. Alex Bump was one of the best NCAA players last season, and is looking like a future middle-six winger with a ceiling of top-six. Denver Barkey has been getting Brad Marchand comparisons, which is a bit much for me, but the talent and leadership qualities are all there. And Oliver Bonk is here again; I already went over why he would be a good fit. This trade is a pure “the Canucks are ACTUALLY rebuilding so send as many prospects and picks as possible” trade. That is why there is an extra first thrown in, as none of the guys in this trade are NHL ready nor have NHL experience, so they’re mostly lottery tickets right now. Like I said before, this is the least likely of the “realistic” packages, but if Vancouver really is planning on rebuilding, four solid prospects and three picks in the first two rounds of the next two drafts isn’t a bad place to start.
4) VAN: Travis Konecny, Jamie Drysdale, Jett Luchanko, Oliver Bonk, PHI 2026 1st, TOR 2027 1st – PHI: Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson
Okay, this is the pipe dream trade I was talking about earlier. Now I know this has a 0% chance of happening for multiple reasons (Tocchet and Pettersson’s relationship, Vancouver’s need for a center, Travis Konecny‘s NMC, and a bunch of other things as well), but how cool would it be for the Flyers to get the two big pieces that they’ve been missing in the same trade??? Vancouver would be getting an about a point per game winger under contract for the next eight years, a defenseman who was taken top six in his draft that has finally found his NHL game this year, a center prospect they were interested in before the Flyers took him, a defensive prospect with a very high floor, and two first round picks. I know, I know, this is not going to happen at all, but let me have fun with it. The hockey season is long, might as well have some daydream moments throughout it to make it more fun.
No one knows if the Canucks will even trade Hughes this year. Rutherford could dig his heels into the ground and keep him for one more offseason before offloading him at the 2027 trade deadline. If he does get moved though, watch out for the Flyers. They have the pieces to make the big splash of the NHL season.
