Former NHL defenseman James Wisniewski expressed skepticism about Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes’ potential to lead a team to Stanley Cup glory during a recent conversation on The Empty Netters podcast. Hughes, the current Norris Trophy winner recognized as the league’s top defenseman, has drawn attention amid rumors linking him to a possible trade, especially with the New Jersey Devils where his brothers Jack and Luke Hughes play. However, Wisniewski warned that despite Hughes’ impressive skill set, he might not be the missing piece for a championship-winning roster.
Wisniewski, who played over 500 games across 11 NHL seasons, highlighted the differences between Hughes and other elite defensemen, drawing a sharp comparison with Columbus Blue Jackets’ Zach Werenski. He argued that Werenski’s physical stature and playing style bring a higher level of impact necessary to win at the highest level.
If you want my personal opinion, I don’t think you win a Cup with that man,
Wisniewski said.
Now, he’s a f****** hell of a defenseman. I don’t think he’s next level to make you… take a guy like Zach Werenski. He’s next level, you win with that guy.
—James Wisniewski
You’re gonna see, they’re somewhat the same player, but Zach is like, 6’4″, 210 (lbs). Listen, I’m not a ginormous person, I’m 5’11,
he added, emphasizing the size advantage Werenski holds over Hughes.
Hughes remains under contract with the Canucks for two more seasons, earning an annual salary of $7.85 million. The ongoing chatter regarding a trade to the Devils revolves around the allure of playing alongside his brothers, though Hughes has not commented publicly on these trade speculation reports.
Comparing Contract Decisions: Wisniewski Critiques Oilers’ Commitment to Evan Bouchard
The conversation on The Empty Netters podcast also turned toward the broader topic of defensive signings in the NHL, notably following the Edmonton Oilers’ run to the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. The Oilers recently extended Evan Bouchard’s contract for four years with a significant $10.5 million salary cap hit, a move that Wisniewski sharply criticized as a misstep if Edmonton aims to contend seriously for a championship again.
Highlighting the importance of judicious salary allocation on a Stanley Cup-caliber team, Wisniewski argued that Bouchard’s contract does not represent the value needed for a defensive player to push a team further. While acknowledging Bouchard’s offensive prowess and power-play contributions, he expressed concerns about the practicality of the contract in relation to other roster needs and salary cap limits.
I don’t think that Bouchard at $10.5 million is the right play,
Wisniewski stated.
If you want to f****** win, that is not the guy that you’re going to sign to go to the next level. And I’m not taking credit away from him by being like a really good offensive defenseman, but he’s eating up $10.5 million of your salary,
he explained.
Wisniewski further suggested a more balanced approach to signing defensemen, recommending a split between an affordable power-play specialist and a shutdown defenseman rather than dedicating over $10 million to a single player who may offer limited value beyond special teams.
He’s not that good other than that. Sign a $5 million power play guy, and then you have $5.5 million for a shutdown guy. Now you got two ‘D’ for the price of one.
—James Wisniewski
This perspective holds particular weight given the Oilers’ existing salary commitments to superstars Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, both commanding massive contracts that further restrict the team’s cap flexibility.
Insights from a Veteran with Experience On and Off the Ice
James Wisniewski’s opinions emerge from a long NHL career and his current role as associate head coach for Ohio State’s women’s hockey team in Columbus, near where he played with the Blue Jackets. His dual exposure to the game as a player and a coach informs his assessments about what types of defensemen can push teams toward Stanley Cup contention.
His blunt critique of Quinn Hughes and Evan Bouchard highlights the challenges NHL teams face when balancing talent, size, and salary cap management, especially in the context of building championship-winning rosters. These trade rumors and contract debates underline the ongoing pressure on NHL front offices to make savvy personnel decisions.
For Vancouver and other teams intrigued by a Quinn Hughes Stanley Cup trade, Wisniewski’s views suggest that acquiring him might not guarantee the defensive boost necessary to secure postseason success, emphasizing the complexity of roster construction in today’s NHL.