Devils' Jack Hughes Reacts to Canucks President's Comments on Brother Quinn Hughes

Rutherford acknowledged in April that while Vancouver intends to keep Quinn Hughes long-term, the defenseman’s desire to play with Jack and Luke Hughes eventually could shape the outcome.

“This franchise cannot afford to lose a guy like Quinn Hughes, and we will do everything we can to keep him here,” Rutherford said at the time. “But at the end of the day, it will be his decision.

“He’s said before he wants to play with his brothers, and that would be partly out of our control — in our control if we brought his brothers here. So, there’s many moving parts.”

Jack Hughes, who is under contract with the Devils through 2030, added that Quinn’s immediate focus remains on Vancouver.

“He’s had a lot of great years in Vancouver, and he still likes it there, and wants to have a big year there,” Hughes said. “I mean, that’s his number one focus, is to, you know, lead Vancouver back to the playoffs. That’s where his mindset’s at.”

Quinn Hughes, meanwhile, has two years left on his six-year, $47.1 million contract. He's coming off posting 76 points in 68 regular-season games with the Canucks last year.

The idea of all three brothers reuniting in New Jersey has fueled media chatter, particularly during the summer. Jack himself joked about the frenzy.

“I thought it was just funny, because when was that, in June? Yeah, like the middle of June, everyone’s in the media, like a frenzy, just talking about, like Quinn Hughes [is] on the golf course, like not doing anything,” Hughes said. “Just funny how it all works out.”

The Devils already boast Jack as their top-line center and brother Luke as a rising defenseman, though Luke’s ongoing contract stalemate has kept him out of training camp.