Maple Leafs Urged to Pursue Norris Trophy Defenseman with Future in Question

The stunning proposition comes as the Toronto Maple Leafs face a new future with a potential new look team, but as well the possibility of the same coming to the Vancouver Canucks.

Much like the uncertainty surrounding the Leafs and Mitch Marner, who is a pending free agent, the Canucks have their own uncertainty as Quinn Hughes could find himself out of Vancouver if things don't change.

Hughes, 25, has spent his entire seven-year NHL career with the Canucks, but with limited success and consistent dysfunction, especially this past season with off-ice drama leading to the team trading J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers.

The questions swirling around the Canucks challenges this season could allow for the Toronto Maple Leafs to potentially swoop in and take one of the best players in the league.

The Vancouver Canucks could lose a franchise superstar in Quinn Hughes in his prime.

Hughes has been one of the finest defenseman of this decade, and already one of the best defenders in Canucks history.

This season, Hughes broke the Canucks record for most points by a defenseman, passing Alex Edler with his 409th point, his current tally.

Hughes is deeply important to the Canucks makeup, and without him would cause not only a major loss for Vancouver, but a rebuild-starting level move.

The move could not only be a major move for the Canucks, but could be a major swing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Undoubtedly, Quinn Hughes would be a massive addition for the Toronto Maple Leafs, if they can afford him.

A deal would mean a massive return on Vancouver's end. If right away Toronto wants to get a move done, they could sign-and-trade Mitch Marner and deal him to the Canucks, along with picks and a top prospect, which may be Easton Cowan.

Toronto could also offer B.C. native Morgan Rielly as a defensive swap to shed Salary on the Leafs end.

The move would be costly, but would give the Toronto Maple Leafs a franchise defenseman in Quinn Hughes, but at a truly massive cost.

The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Vancouver Canucks could both forge a new identity and provide a mutual deal to bolster their futures long-term, but both sides would have an absolute lot to think about on what would be one of the biggest transactions of all time.