Chris Patrick confirms Capitals checked in on Quinn Hughes but did not want to give up Cole Hutson in any trade: 'That wasn't a piece that I was willing to move'

"I really like Cole Hutson, and I want to see what he can do in a Washington Capitals sweater. So that wasn't a piece that I was willing to move in that kind of trade. And also, you know, Quinn Hughes is an elite player, for sure. But when you have Jakob Chychrun and John Carlson and Cole Hutson coming, to me,"

"Hutson, who the Capitals took in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft, is again a point-per-game player for Boston University this season, notching 21 points (7g, 14a) in 21 games. Hutson recently played for Team USA at the 2026 World Juniors, appearing in just three games after suffering a scary injury that required him to be stretchered off the ice. He has since returned to BU, where he'll hope to make a run for a national championship in April."

Washington Capitals general manager Chris Patrick confirmed the team checked in on star defenseman Quinn Hughes but would not move top prospect Cole Hutson. Hughes was traded from Vancouver to Minnesota for Zeev Buium, Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren and a 2026 first-round pick. Patrick emphasized his desire to keep Hutson and questioned whether the trade price fit Washington's roster and prospect structure alongside Jakob Chychrun and John Carlson. Cole Hutson, a 19-year-old second-round pick in 2024, has 21 points in 21 games for Boston University and returned to BU after a World Juniors injury.

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