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Craig Button Dismisses Contract Distraction Concerns Around Canucks' Quinn Hughes

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Oct 6, 2025 12:30 PM ET

Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes enters the new season facing renewed speculation about his long-term future with the franchise.

Hughes, 25, will become eligible for an extension in July 2026 as he's entering the second-to-last season of his six-year, $47.1 million deal.

TSN analyst Craig Button, however, has insisted the All-Star defenseman will not allow contract talk to distract him or his team.

“Anybody that wants to suggest that Quinn Hughes is going to be a distraction when his contract is up in two years, I’m not buying it,” Button said. “He’s the captain. He cares about winning. He’s focused on helping this team.”

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Despite ongoing chatter about a possible reunion with his brothers Jack and Luke Hughes in New Jersey, Button believes Vancouver’s leader will only concern himself with performance and results.

“Quinn Hughes is not going to let that seep into any type of drama for the Vancouver Canucks this season,” Button said.

Hughes himself echoed that mindset during training camp, telling Sportsnet that his biggest concern is maintaining his level of play, not contract speculation.

“That’s probably my biggest stress, where I put so much pressure on myself — making sure that I do everything that I’m supposed to do for the team,” Hughes said. “I never think I’m good enough, so that’s always driving me.”

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) during a stop in play.Bob Frid-Imagn Images

The two-time Norris Trophy finalist said that any real distraction will come from losing games, not from his off-ice situation.

“The noise hasn’t been much,” Hughes said. “I think the noise will be if we lose three in a row, or we lose the first two games of the season. We’re going to have to remain mentally strong.”

Vancouver finished six points out of the playoffs last year after a 38-30-14 campaign, and Button said the captain’s approach will set the tone.

“He’s not going to let any of this take away from the goal of winning,” Button said.

The Canucks will get their 2025-26 season going with a game against the Calgary Flames on Thursday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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