Canucks: Entertaining the idea of trading for Jack Hughes

With all the advantages the Sedin twins brought the Vancouver Canucks as brothers, would management consider the same approach by trading for Jack Hughes?

From the very first chapter, all the way to their closing act 18 years later, the story of Henrik and Daniel Sedin playing together for the Vancouver Canucks was nothing short of a fairytale.

Two brothers, identical twins. What an incredible advantage that could be, and thanks to a tremendous string of Draft Day trades by Brian Burke in 1999, it was. Early on he saw the possibility of a “connection” that only brothers could possess from a lifetime of playing together. That connection eventually translated to the NHL game and for 18 seasons in the National Hockey League, Daniel and Henrik shared a magical combination of symmetry that was unparalleled whenever they danced with the puck.

As the only two brothers in history to both reach the incredible feat of 1,000 career points playing in the best league in the world, it quickly became obvious how important it was that these two players had spent their entire lives not only playing hockey on the same team but playing on the same line (It was even rumored that they had a trade clause that bound them together as one if they were ever traded). Burke did his homework here.

The chemistry they formed was unmatched and the twins playing style was never before seen. Their bond was so powerful, so strong it changed the game completely. No matter how much the opponent studied their game, it was never enough. Even though they were slow on their skates, the advantage of always playing together made them untouchable and they went on to win back-to-back Art Ross trophies (Henrik 2009-10, Daniel 2010-11).

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That in itself played a huge role in their dominance during their prime years and the twins were able to play the game in ways defenders had never anticipated. It was magical to witness as a fan, you felt how special it was, how “once in a lifetime” it really was. With that being said, you have to think that with the Canucks already in possession of an elite Quinn Hughes, were presented with a teasing opportunity of another brother connection at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The Canucks have to at least be considering the idea of going after his younger brother and last summer’s 1st overall draft pick Jack Hughes in an attempt to repeat history.

Accomplishing this trade without it costing an arm and a leg seems pretty close to impossible, but Burke did the impossible on Draft Day in 1999. I know Jim Benning is no Burke, his resume doesn’t stack up overall, but you have to give him credit for his trade history over the last year and a half. The additions of  Tyler Toffoli, J.T. Miller, and Tanner Pearson will attest to that. So, who’s to say it can’t happen?

Acquiring top-level talent is not easy, especially at such a young age. History would indicate that GMs tend to hold a monkey-like death grip on their young guns. The Canucks would have to give up more than they would realistically want to, but Vancouver has an impressive cupboard of prospects that is deep enough to survive being the buyers of a blockbuster trade.

Quinn and Jack are like Henrik and Daniel in more ways than one, but a big difference is that Quinn plays defense. As a Canucks fan though, that’s what’s so mouthwatering about the idea of uniting the Hughes brothers in Vancouver. Although the chances are slim, Canucks management has an opportunity to turn a once in a lifetime experience into a back-to-back delight that hopefully, this time results in a Stanley Cup championship. The Sedin twins were incredible players no doubt, but I for one think that if the Hughes brothers were given the chance to play together, they have the potential to become the NHL’s best brother duo of all-time.

What do you think Canucks fans? Should Benning and Vancouver take a run at repeating history by striking a trade for the New Jersey Devil’s most exciting player? You can’t deny the fact that it sparks the imagination of what could be.