NHL analysts outline the five most likely destinations should Quinn Hughes be traded

Quinn Hughes has become the center of NHL speculation as talk grows about what would happen if the Vancouver Canucks ever reached a breaking point with their franchise defenseman and decided to trade him.

The idea of him joining his brothers, Jack and Luke, in New Jersey always attracts attention, but the hockey fit is questionable. So, imagine a scenario where Hughes asks out, which landing spots make the most sense?

NHL analyst Matt Larkin points to the Philadelphia Flyers. Few markets create more energy when their team is relevant, and adding a superstar on the back end would accelerate Philadelphia's rise and bring it back into the spotlight.

Mike Gould offers a creative angle involving the Colorado Avalanche. If Colorado wins the Stanley Cup, which they very well may this season, and Cale Makar eventually chooses to return home to Calgary, the Avalanche would need a new franchise defenseman.

That scenario could push Colorado to target Hughes as the replacement centerpiece to take over Makar's legacy.

Anthony Trudeau highlights the Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago has a ton of cap space, a growing young core, and the ability to make a significant offer without sacrificing its foundational pieces, and Hughes on the back end with Connor Bedard up front would be lethal.

Paul Pidutti leans toward the San Jose Sharks. San Jose offers minutes, opportunity, and the chance to become the face of a rebuild. Plus, Hughes would get to enjoy that California sun.

Scott Maxwell chooses the Detroit Red Wings. Detroit's blue line has improved, but adding Hughes would elevate the group immediately and help open a genuine contention window, and Hughes would get to play in the Eastern Conference, closer to his brothers.

If the Canucks ever faced the unthinkable, the market for Hughes would be massive, and these five destinations would rise to the top of the leaguewide conversation in a heartbeat.