The preseason is less than a week away, but the Vancouver Canucks feel like a team that has been imploding within itself since the offseason started. What started as mere whispers of Captain Quinn Hughes leaving now feels like a reality.
While Hughes remains a cornerstone for the Canucks, Vancouver’s recent playoff struggles and reported interest in joining his brothers in New Jersey have fueled speculation about his future. And now, another voice is adding fuel to those exit rumors.
League Sources Skeptical of Quinn Hughes Staying With the Canucks
Despite Vancouver’s disappointing season, Quinn Hughes was still elite. The defenseman led the Canucks with 76 points (16 goals, 60 assists) while maintaining his status as one of the NHL’s best blueliners.
But with Vancouver’s inability to improve, many expect Hughes to leave once his contract expires. While the defenseman hasn’t commented on his future, insider Rick Dhaliwal reports that most around the league don’t expect him to re-sign with the Canucks.
Dhaliwal appeared on a recent episode of the “Halford and Brough in the Morning” podcast, joining hosts Mike Halford and Jason Brough to discuss the possibility of Hughes remaining in Vancouver once his current contract expires in two years.
He mentioned, “You can’t blame the noise around Quinn Hughes. This week on the Canucks, Jack Hughes said he wants to play with his brother. A day later, Quinn says, ‘I have no issues with that comment.'”
Dhaliwal said it would be naïve to assume that the Hughes family hasn’t discussed the three brothers playing together in New Jersey. “It’s sitting right there in everyone’s face. He’s a UFA in two years. Players work hard all the time to become a UFA,” he told Halford and Brough.
He continued, “Most people you talk to around the league don’t think he’s going to re-sign in Vancouver, but everybody’s guessing; Quinn doesn’t even know right now.”
Rick Dhaliwal: Re Quinn Hughes: Most people you talk to around the league don’t think he’s gonna re-sign in Vancouver, but everybody’s guessing; Quinn doesn’t even know right now – Halford & Brough (9/12)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) September 16, 2025
According to Dhaliwal, Hughes has all the leverage in this situation because of how good he is.
“The reality is the huge story is not going to end until he signs or leaves. There’s no middle ground here. The Canucks can’t even talk contract with him on Jul. 1,” Dhaliwal explained.
Despite having two years left on his deal, the insider noted that speculation about Hughes’ exit is already heating up.
Insider Elliotte Friedman also believes Hughes will monitor Vancouver’s performance closely next season. The defenseman has made it clear that his future hinges on how the franchise performs.
“Anything can change. If we have a terrible year, that’s probably not going to be very fun, but if we have a terrific year, that’s what we want,” Hughes told Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast.
While Hughes hasn’t given a definitive answer, it’s clear that the Canucks will need to impress this season.
