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Devils Game 33, Guinea Pigs; Lines, Notes, & How to Watch vs. Canucks
James Nichols
TheNew Jersey Devils(18-13-1) will be the Guinea Pigs for the new-look Vancouver Canucks (11-17-3) after a blockbuster deal on Friday night sentQuinn Hughes New Jersey Hockey Now is led by credentialed reporter James Nichols, delivering timely Devils news, game analysis, roster updates, and trade insight. His on-the-ground reporting gives fans clear, reliable coverage of every major storyline all season. Quinn Hughes TheNew Jersey Devilscould use a fix, and this can certainly fix everything. According to Elliotte Friedman, the Devils and Vancouver Canucks have had at least one conversation regardingQuinn Hughesin a potential trade. Before you get too excited, Friedman stressed that he doesn’t believe anything to be on the horizon. In fact, it could have been more of a check-in than anything. “I do not believe there is anything imminent,” Friedman said, viaSaturday Night Headlineson Hockey Night in Canada. “I don’t even know that they’re anywhere far along. But I do believe that a conversation was had about where things stand and where they might be going.” Regardless, it’s certainly a big development as the Canucks are open for business, selling their pending free agents, and as things continue to get worse in Vancouver, a full-fledge re-tool could be ahead for Quinn’s current team who occupy 32nd place in the NHL. Quinn, 26, is the eldest Hughes brother. Ever since Canucks President of Hockey Operations, Jim Rutherford, explained the Vancouver captain would someday like to play with his brothers—Jack HughesandLuke Hughes—the trade rumors linking him to the Devils have been rampant. Well, consider the rumors rife at this point, as contact between the Devils and Canucks at least means one or both sides are considering their options. In 23 games this season, Quinn’s recorded two goals and 22 points, averaging 27.5 minutes of ice-time per night. Quinn is a two-time All-Star, 2023-24 Norris Trophy winner, and was named to the 2019-20 All-Rookie team. In the 2023-24 season, Quinn registered a 17 goal and 92-point season, en route to his first Norris Trophy. On another note, Friedman mentioned the Devils have been working the phones on potential deals for players likeSteven Stamkosand Ryan O’Reilly. On Friday night, the Minnesota Wild swooped in and made a massive offer for the former Vancouver Canucks captain, sending forwards Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren, as well as defenseman Zeev Buium and a 2026 first round pick in exchange for what’s widely believed to be the second-best defenseman in the NHL. According to Pierre LeBrun via X (formerly Twitter), the Devils “made what they feel was a strong first offer to Vancouver on Quinn Hughes, but it didn’t generate enough traction, obviously.” Further, the Canucks fielded offers from upwards of six teams for Quinn, according to LeBrun. Over the summer, Canucks President, Jim Rutherford, fueled speculation that Quinn would be traded to the Devils when he explained he wants to play with his brothers,Jack HughesandLuke Hughes. Then last weekend, Elliotte Friedman confirmed the Devils and Canucks had at least one conversation about Quinn after Vancouver put out the memo that they were open for business on some of their expiring unrestricted free agents. “I do not believe there is anything imminent,” Friedman said, viaSaturday Night Headlineson Hockey Night in Canada. “I don’t even know that they’re anywhere far along. But I do believe that a conversation was had about where things stand and where they might be going.” Later in the week, Nick Kypreos confirmed that the Devils and Canucks have been talking since last summer, and even established some Devils names that could go the other way. Most believed it would be the Detroit Red Wings that could beat the Devils in a potential offer. However, the Wild ultimately won out. Michael Russo of The Athletic confirmed that the Quinn trade comes with no commitment of an extension. Quinn is not eligible to sign an extension until July 1st, anyway. However, it’s believed there’s been no discussions of a potential verbal agreement to be penned later. Thus, if Quinn is to ever play with his brothers, Jack and Luke, in New Jersey, that can has been kicked down a 1.5-year road. Quinn Hughesis not going to theNew Jersey Devils. At least, not yet. On Friday night, the Minnesota Wild swooped in and made a massive offer for the former Vancouver Canucks captain, sending forwards Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren, as well as defenseman Zeev Buium and a 2026 first round pick in exchange for what’s widely believed to be the second-best defenseman in the NHL. According to Pierre LeBrun via X (formerly Twitter), the Devils “made what they feel was a strong first offer to Vancouver on Quinn Hughes, but it didn’t generate enough traction, obviously.” Further, the Canucks fielded offers from upwards of six teams for Quinn, according to LeBrun. Over the summer, Canucks President, Jim Rutherford, fueled speculation that Quinn would be traded to the Devils when he explained he wants to play with his brothers,Jack HughesandLuke Hughes. Then last weekend, Elliotte Friedman confirmed the Devils and Canucks had at least one conversation about Quinn after Vancouver put out the memo that they were open for business on some of their expiring unrestricted free agents. “I do not believe there is anything imminent,” Friedman said, viaSaturday Night Headlineson Hockey Night in Canada. “I don’t even know that they’re anywhere far along. But I do believe that a conversation was had about where things stand and where they might be going.” Later in the week, Nick Kypreos confirmed that the Devils and Canucks have been talking since last summer, and even established some Devils names that could go the other way. Most believed it would be the Detroit Red Wings that could beat the Devils in a potential offer. However, the Wild ultimately won out. Michael Russo of The Athletic confirmed that the Quinn trade comes with no commitment of an extension. Quinn is not eligible to sign an extension until July 1st, anyway. However, it’s believed there’s been no discussions of a potential verbal agreement to be penned later. Thus, if Quinn is to ever play with his brothers, Jack and Luke, in New Jersey, that can has been kicked down a 1.5-year road.
Devils, Canucks Discuss Quinn Hughes Trade | Report
Devils Lose Quinn Hughes Sweepstakes; Blockbuster Details
Although disappointed they didn’t land him, the Devils put the situation behind them, and went on to defeat the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday 4-1, which came as a shock due to all the injuries.
They’re right back at it today with the Canucks in town, hoping to sweep on home ice for the weekend.
Let’s dive into tonight’s matchup.
What to Know vs. Canucks
—The Devils and Vancouver meet for the first time this season, and play next on Jan. 23, 2026, at Vancouver.
— The Devils record against Vancouver last season was 1-0-1.
— Nico Hischier led the Devils with four points (1g-3a) against Vancouver last season.
— The Devils are 5-2-1 against Vancouver since 2021-22.
2025-26 vs. Canucks
12/14/25 12:30 P.M. ET Prudential Center
1/23/26 10:00 P.M. ET Rogers Arena
Devils vs. Canucks
All-time Record: 40-40-5-5
All-time Home Record: 21-19-3-2
All-time Road Record: 19-21-2-3
Projected Devils Lineup*
Forwards
Jesper Bratt –Nico Hischier– Dawson Mercer
Ondrej Palat – Cody Glass – Connor Brown
Paul Cotter – Juho Lammikko – Stefan Noesen
Angus Crookshank – Luke Glendening – Xavier Parent
Defensemen
Jonas Siegenthaler – Dougie Hamilton
Brenden Dillon –Luke Hughes
Colton White – Simon Nemec
Goaltenders
Jacob Markstrom
Jake Allen
*Lineup subject to change
Current Injuries: Jack Hughes (finger, out), Zack MacEwen (lower-body, out), Evgenii Dadonov (undisclosed, out), Brett Pesce (upper-body, out), Johnathan Kovacevic (knee, out), Marc McLaughlin (undisclosed, out), Simon Nemec (lower-body, out),Timo Meier New Jersey Hockey Now is led by credentialed reporter James Nichols, delivering timely Devils news, game analysis, roster updates, and trade insight. His on-the-ground reporting gives fans clear, reliable coverage of every major storyline all season. TheNew Jersey Devilswill continue to battle adversity, this time, without their leading goalscorer. On Thursday, the Devils announcedTimo Meieris taking a personal leave to attend to a family health matter. The Devils’ statement added: “The entire organization supports Timo and his family and appreciates everyone respecting their privacy at this time.” It’s a tough loss for the Devils who are already minusJack Hughes While theNew Jersey Devilsand Team USA deal with the fallout from the freak injury to Jack Hughes at a team dinner, the details of what actually happened have been sketchy. How does a player get injured at dinner? During theHeadlines Segment of Hockey Night in CanadaSaturday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported he heard from multiple sources that the basis for the incident was that Hughes slipped and fell. “I’ve heard it from multiple places, Hughes slipped and fell and cut himself on some glass,” Friedman said. Friedman also reported that the Devils and Team USA consider Hughes’s eight-week timeline to be good news, as he should return in January for the NHL squad and be fully ready for the Olympics in Milan in February. The Devils confirmed via media release that Hughes underwent successful finger surgery: “The procedure was performed by Dr. Robert Hotchkiss at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. The expected return to play timeline is eight weeks, and he will be re-evaluated at the six-week mark.” Coach Sheldon Keefe also confirmed the team had spoken to other players and members of the training staff who were at the dinner and were satisfied “that it could have happened to anyone.” However, the Devils have largely been mum on the full story. This season, Hughes was off to a strong start, scoring 10 goals with 10 assists in just 17 games. Dawson Mercer will likely elevate in the lineup to fill Hughes’ spot for the next two months, though additional moves remain a possibility. Through 30 games in the 2025-26 season, Meier’s netted 11 goals (ranked first in New Jersey) and 23 points, skating alongsideNico HischierandJesper Brattor Stefan Noesen at even strength. It appears Bratt and Noesen will play on Hischier’s line Thursday night. In a corresponding move, the Devils placed Evgenii Dadonov on injured reserve retroactive to November 24th. Theyrecalled forwardXavier Parent from the American Hockey League, Utica Comets. Parent is expected to make his NHL debut against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, projected to skate next to Luke Glendening and Angus Crookshank. The 24-year-old winger is Utica’s leading scorer in 2025-26, scoring six goals and six assists for 12 points in 20 games. The Devils signed Parent after a breakout season in 2021-22 in the QMJHL, after scoring 101 points, netting 51 goals and dishing 55 assists. Since Hughes has gone down with injury, Meier has led the Devils in the offensive zone with six goals and nine points in 13 games. The Devils have accrued a 5-9-0 record in that span, recently losing five games in a row, four of those losses coming on home ice in their most recent homestand. The recent struggles have plummeted the Devils from the top of the Metropolitan Division, to outside the playoff picture in a tight Eastern Conference race. TheNew Jersey Devilswill continue to battle adversity, this time, without their leading goalscorer. On Thursday, the Devils announcedTimo Meieris taking a personal leave to attend to a family health matter. The Devils’ statement added: “The entire organization supports Timo and his family and appreciates everyone respecting their privacy at this time.” It’s a tough loss for the Devils who are already minusJack Hughes, who was among their leading scorers before he became injured. Through 30 games in the 2025-26 season, Meier’s netted 11 goals (ranked first in New Jersey) and 23 points, skating alongsideNico HischierandJesper Brattor Stefan Noesen at even strength. It appears Bratt and Noesen will play on Hischier’s line Thursday night. In a corresponding move, the Devils placed Evgenii Dadonov on injured reserve retroactive to November 24th. Theyrecalled forwardXavier Parent from the American Hockey League, Utica Comets. Parent is expected to make his NHL debut against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, projected to skate next to Luke Glendening and Angus Crookshank. The 24-year-old winger is Utica’s leading scorer in 2025-26, scoring six goals and six assists for 12 points in 20 games. The Devils signed Parent after a breakout season in 2021-22 in the QMJHL, after scoring 101 points, netting 51 goals and dishing 55 assists. Since Hughes has gone down with injury, Meier has led the Devils in the offensive zone with six goals and nine points in 13 games. The Devils have accrued a 5-9-0 record in that span, recently losing five games in a row, four of those losses coming on home ice in their most recent homestand. The recent struggles have plummeted the Devils from the top of the Metropolitan Division, to outside the playoff picture in a tight Eastern Conference race.
Details Emerge on Devils Jack Hughes’s ‘Freak Injury’
Devils Leading Scorer Takes Personal Leave, Corresponding Moves Made
2025-26 Total Man-Games Lost: 171
Projected Canucks Lineup*
Forwards
Jake DeBrusk – Marco Rossi – Brock Boeser
Nils Hoglander – David Kampf – Conor Garland
Evander Kane – Drew O’Connor – Kiefer Sherwood
Liam Ohgren – Max Sasson – Linus Karlsson
Defensemen
Marcus Pettersson – Filip Hronek
Zeev Buium– Tyler Myers
Elias Pettersson – Tom Willander
Goaltenders
Thatcher Demko
Kevin Lankinen
*Lineup subject to change
How to Watch the Devils Game — 12:30 P.M. ET
Watch: MSGSN
Radio:DEVILS HOCKEY NET
Next Up
Wed., Dec. 17 At VGK 10:00 P.M. E.T.
Fri., Dec. 19 At UTA 9:00 P.M. E.T.
Sun., Dec. 21 Vs BUF 7:00 P.M. E.T.
Tue., Dec. 23 At NYI 7:00 P.M. E.T.
