NHL insider confirms bombshell trade rumor involving Quinn Hughes.

A top National Hockey League insider has dropped a bombshell when it comes to one of the NHL's truly elite players.

There are rumblings coming out of Vancouver that suggest that the Vancouver Canucks may be looking to move on from their captain, star defenseman Quinn Hughes, sooner rather than later. Rather than letting the situation go down to the wire next season, there is talk that the Canucks could seek to move Hughes as early as this season in order to maximize their return.

When he was asked about the rumors on a podcast this week, Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal began by suggesting that the idea did make some sense.

"If you get to a situation where he wants out, do it quicker than later," said Dhaliwal during the most recent episode of Canucks Talk.

Dhaliwal even made the argument that ripping the bandaid off now could be preferable to dragging things out next season in front of the cameras with Hughes on an expiring contract.

"If you do it next year it becomes a gong show, remember he's the captain," said Dhaliwal.

When it comes more specifically to the rumor that the Canucks will look to move Hughes this season if they fail to secure a long term commitment from the player, Dhaliwal confirmed that those reports were accurate.

"I do believe that's accurate," confirmed Dhaliwal. "I do believe that they internally do think that it's better to move him this year if he doesn't want to commit to the franchise long term."

While the idea of trading a player like Hughes is never going to be a popular decision when it comes to your fan base, Dhaliwal believes it could be what is best for the long term health of the franchise.

"Maybe you get more for him this year than maybe next year," admitted Dhaliwal.

The Canucks would be giving up one of the best defensemen in the league in the prime of his career, and doing so with a year of term left on his contract. There's no question that there is tremendous value in a proposition of that nature, but whether or not the Canucks could manage to get a return that satisfies their fan base is another matter entirely given just how popular Hughes has become in that market.

Be sure to stay tuned on this developing story.