Canucks trade plans made clear over fears of losing Quinn Hughes

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes. Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Vancouver Canucks trade plans made clear over fears they may lose captain Quinn Hughes

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jan 28, 2025 10:17 PM ET

The Vancouver Canucks are preparing to make some big trades, and according to Jim Rutherford, they'll play a big role in Quinn Hughes' future with the team, as they want to keep the captain in Vancouver for life.

For weeks now, fans have eagerly anticipated at least one blockbuster trade from the Vancouver Canucks, and after Jim Rutherford expressed frustration with the two stars at the center of a public feud, the possibility and likelihood of a trade increased.

However, the Canucks demands have not been met, as they are still seemingly seeking NHL pieces in return for either/both Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, rather than traditionally tearing it down for a rebuild by getting draft picks and future prospects in return.

Now, the reason behind that philosophy has been revealed, as president Jim Rutherford noted that if they go for the rebuild rather than a retool, it could and likely would ultimately lead to the departure of Quinn Hughes in free agency.

"If we were going to completely start over, that means [Quinn Hughes] goes and we'd like to figure out a way that he's here forever."

Rutherford confirming what everyone has been thinking about Hughes

“If we were going to completely start over that means he goes,” Rutherford told the Globe. “And we’d like to figure out a way that he’s here forever.”
— Dominic Šramaty (@DomSramaty) January 28, 2025

Amid all this drama, Hughes has been fantastic on the ice for Vancouver this season, single-handedly keeping this team in the Stanley Cup playoff race, with the team now within striking distance of the Calgary Flames and the second wild-card spot.

Ultimately, it's only a matter of time until Rutherford, Patrik Allvin and the Canucks pull the trigger on a blockbuster with the trade deadline now six weeks away, but for those of you that were expecting the team to sell off and move into a rebuild, the team is looking to go in a much different direction with the hopes of keeping Hughes a Canuck for life.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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