Quinn Hughes knows the questions aren’t going away. The Vancouver Canucks captain faced familiar territory when he sat down at the NHL player media tour, pressed once again about his long-term future. Calm and measured, he didn’t give away much, but he made it clear he’s aware of the noise surrounding him.
Will Quinn Hughes Choose Vancouver or Family Ties?
The speculation began months ago, following team president Jim Rutherford’s comments suggesting Hughes might eventually want to play with his brothers, Jack and Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils.
Rutherford noted Hughes still has two years left on his deal but suggested that family might factor into his future decisions. “He’s said before he wants to play with his brothers,” Rutherford remarked, a line that quickly spread across Vancouver.
When asked about those remarks, Hughes offered a careful answer. “I don’t know … Jim’s a smart guy. Jim’s doing, you know, what he wants to do. I’ve got a lot of respect for Jim, so I’ll just leave it at that,” Hughes said [via ESPN.com].
Fans immediately started wondering if their captain’s path could lead elsewhere, and the chatter hasn’t quieted since.
Hughes admitted those words may have shaped how fans view him. “Possibly. But I can’t control that,” he said.
The topic gained more traction when Jack Hughes, a star forward with the Devils, didn’t hide his own feelings.
“Honestly, I’m not afraid to say it. Eventually I’d love to play with him. And whether that’s in New Jersey or at what time that takes, at some point, I want to play with Quinn,” Jack told reporters.
I asked Jack Hughes about whether he talks to his brother Quinn about his future and possibly playing together.
“This is the headline question, you know?,” Jack smiled back.
“Honestly, I’m not afraid to say it. Yeah, I would love for Quinn to — eventually I’d love to play…— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 9, 2025
Quinn’s response was candid but steady. “I think if you guys have brothers, you guys would say the same thing. But we do have contracts. I’m excited to be in Vancouver, and I feel like last year was a little bit of a failure,” he said.
Quinn Hughes met with our media group this morning here in Vegas. He was asked about his brother’s comment. Said the Canucks captain:
“I mean, he’s my brother. What’s he supposed to say, first of all? `Like, I don’t want to play with him, you know?’ … I mean, we have contracts… https://t.co/iwHdTnAMiB— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) September 10, 2025
“So I feel like I got things to do there. And I know Jack loves, he loves Jersey, and he’s got stuff to do also,” he added.
What Do Hughes’ Performance and Contract Mean for Vancouver?
On the ice, Hughes continues to be the centerpiece of Vancouver’s blue line. During the 2024-25 season, despite missing time with an injury, he put up 76 points in 68 games. That production earned him the Norris Trophy in 2024 and secured his place on the first wave of names for Team USA’s 2026 Olympic roster.
From a contract perspective, Hughes has two years remaining on a six-year, $47.1 million deal. He’ll be eligible for an extension next summer. Whether he signs quickly or waits could depend heavily on how the Canucks perform in the next two seasons.
The questions won’t disappear anytime soon. Vancouver faces a clear challenge with his brothers thriving in New Jersey and his contract clock ticking toward 2027. The Canucks need to build a contender strong enough to keep their franchise defenseman, or risk watching him walk away when his current deal expires.
