The Vancouver Canucks seemed poised to change the narrative when they finished at the zenith of the Pacific Division in the 2023-24 season with 109 points. However, the team failed to keep the momentum going.
Plagued with endless injuries to key players and locker room squabbles, the Canucks slid to fifth place in the 2024-25 season with 90 points.
Brock Boeser has surprisingly re-upped despite qualms about it, and that appears to be sufficient reason to look forward to the next season for redemption. However, Quinn Hughes, the face of the franchise, has not confirmed his prolonged association with the team, leaving room for speculation about his future.
What did Quinn Hughes Say About his Future with the Vancouver Canucks?
It appears Hughes will consider how the Canucks perform in the 2025-26 season before making any decision about his future. Given his stature and performance, Hughes is sure to have many options if he decides to explore the free agency market in 2027. Moreover, the New Jersey Devils appear to be a top destination for the star defenseman after his brothers, Jack and Luke, expressed a strong desire to team up.
Surely, one of the foremost considerations of the Canucks in the near future would be to secure the franchise’s captain. Analysts and insiders around the league have also been closely following the storyline. On Elliotte Friedman’s 32 Thoughts Podcast, Hughes’ comments appear to have struck a nerve, fueling further speculation that a move away from Vancouver may be in the offing.
Speaking about whether the Canucks have a good chance of retaining him, Hughes told Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas that he would rather let his actions speak for themselves on that subject. “As far as that question, I will answer it with my actions next summer.”
Quinn Hughes said how this season plays out will factor into his decision regarding his future in Vancouver 👀
(h/t @FriedgeHNIC, 32 Thoughts) pic.twitter.com/JUjsNhEYj2
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) September 11, 2025
Speaking further on the same topic, the 25-year-old expressed that nothing is set in stone and that whether he will continue his NHL career with the Canucks depends on how the 2025-26 campaign goes. “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.”
Perhaps the only way the Canucks can ensure they hold on to the star defenseman is by shattering every expectation in the 2025-26 season. Hughes finished second to Cale Makar in the NHL’s list of Top 20 Defensemen. He has a world of opportunities ahead of him. It goes without saying that a blueliner like him wants to win more than anything else.
Moreover, Hughes confessed that Vancouver teased out the greatness in him. “I mean, I’ve really enjoyed Vancouver. I’m very thankful. When I came to Vancouver, I don’t think I even thought I was gonna become what I’ve become. That’s happened because of the people in Vancouver — management, coaching. I’ve had great relationships with Bruce (Boudreau) and Rick (Tocchet).”
The Canucks have displayed their faith in the existing roster by handing out contract extensions to Thatcher Demko and Conor Garland. Moreover, the pleasant, albeit unexpected, re-upping of Brock Boeser offers hope of a better season to the Canucks.
