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Quinn Hughes' Canucks Future Gets Crucial Update from Elliotte Friedman

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Apr 24, 2025 7:35 AM ET

A turbulent offseason has cast doubt on the long-term future of Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes.

Canucks president Jim Rutherford spoke about Hughes' future during the team’s end-of-season media availability on Monday when he was asked about the possibility of signing the blueliner to a long-term contract extension.

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

Hughes, 25, is signed through the 2026–27 season with a $7.85 million cap hit after he signed his current six-year, $47.1 million contract in Oct. 2021.

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Speaking on Wednesday's episode of the "32 Thoughts" podcast, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman said recent comments from Rutherford suggest the organization is bracing for the possibility that Hughes may not be a Canuck for life.

“I would say to me the bigger thing about that was, that was Jim Rutherford warning his fan base that it’s possible Quinn Hughes might not be a lifelong Canuck,” Friedman said. “That’s what that told me.”

Rutherford then added that extending Hughes may not come down to money.

“He said before, he wants to play with his brothers,” Rutherford said before quickly backing off for potential tampering repercussions. “Well, we gotta be careful with tampering here, so we’ll just leave it at that.”

Friedman said that while fans may dream of the Canucks acquiring Quinn's brothers Jack and Luke Hughes from the New Jersey Devils, a trade for his brothers is unlikely.

“I think the New Jersey Devils know that Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes aren’t really eager to be traded to the Vancouver Canucks,” Friedman said.

The implication, Friedman added, is that if the Canucks fail to stabilize their on-ice results and their coaching situation, Hughes could eventually seek a move himself with his brothers not coming to Canada.

“If it’s not solid there, I think they know they could lose him,” Friedman said. “That’s what that was about.”

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

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