If you asked the New Jersey Devils whether or not the Vancouver Canucks broke a rule in Monday’s end of season press conference, they’d probably say one word: “J’accuse”, or in English, “Jack Hughes!”.

Canucks president Jim Rutherford made waves when he hinted that Quinn Hughes might see playing with his brothers Jack and Luke as a bigger priority if the Canucks can’t construct a winner around him. But then he kept going, suggesting that the Canucks might need to try and bring Jack and Luke to Vancouver, before walking it back by adding “we gotta be careful of tampering here,” a moment far too late.

And while Rutherford’s not allowed to tamper, we sure are. So let’s live in this fantasy for a moment, shall we?

Let’s say Jack and Luke Hughes were on the table for the Canucks to grab. What kind of trade deal, besides massive, would it take?

The Devils are a team that considers itself at the height of their competitive window, and Jack Hughes is the face of that era. The former first overall pick has led a renaissance in New Jersey, making them one of the most entertaining teams in the NHL to watch. And if not for a shoulder injury ending Jack’s season last month, the Devils would likely be challenging for the Stanley Cup, as opposed to getting stormed by the Carolina Hurricanes without him.

Any package for a player of Jack’s name recognition is going to have to start with a top prospect and a current star player. Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald certainly wouldn’t part with a marquee player like Jack for anyone less than an Elias Pettersson-calibre name back, as a start. The obligatory backpack full of draft picks, with at least one unprotected first-rounder and a few seconds, would still be a price too low.

Tom Willander is probably part of that conversation, too. With Jonathan Lekkerimäki already firmly entrenched in the Canucks’ farm system, Willander’s lack of an NHL contract is the only caveat towards him being a cornerstone prospect in a trade for the Hughes. But Luke’s a 40-point defender in his own right, and Willander likely still needs to marinate in the AHL for a bit. If you’re the Devils, who were already forced to punt on this season with Jack’s season ended by shoulder surgery, is all that enough to scoop both of Quinn’s brothers?

The reality is no. Beyond the on-ice product itself, it’s hard to imagine Devils’ ownership being willing to part with two players who’ve sold the New Jersey product better than any player since Martin Brodeur. And with the two against one vote, they know they’d just need to wait out the clock to take a run at signing Quinn in free agency and locking up one of the best trios in the league long term.

Which means the Canucks are going to have to take the path we already knew they would; aggressively building a titan around Quinn that’s far too talented for him to leave. If Rutherford and Patrik Allvin can be half as bold in the trade market and free agency as they were in that Monday press conference, they’ll put together a team worth staying for. A different kind of brotherhood.