The New Jersey Devils want Quinn Hughes to join his brothers in New Jersey. That much became clear this week when Jack Hughes publicly expressed his desire to play alongside the Vancouver Canucks captain.
“Honestly, I’m not afraid to say it. Yeah, I would love for Quinn to – eventually I’d love to play with him,” Jack told reporters at the NHL/NHLPA player media tour Tuesday, according to The Score. “And whether that’s in New Jersey or at what time that takes, at some point, I want to play with Quinn.”
Quinn downplayed his brother’s comments on Wednesday, The Score reported.
But the speculation makes sense. Quinn turns 26 in October and won the Norris Trophy in 2024. He was a finalist last season despite missing 14 games with injury.
Any team would want him. His brother’s team especially wants him.
Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford acknowledged the challenge in April. He admitted retaining the team’s captain would be easier “if we brought his brothers here.”
That’s not happening. Jack has five years left on his contract at $8 million per season. Luke Hughes, 22, remains under team control in New Jersey until 2030 as a restricted free agent.
Quinn becomes an unrestricted free agent in two years.
He could force his way out by refusing to sign an extension when he becomes eligible July 1, 2026. The Canucks would have no choice but to trade him.
If he’s only willing to sign with New Jersey, Vancouver wouldn’t get fair value for one of the game’s best players.
The Canucks’ Window
Vancouver has one path to keep Hughes: win games.
The Canucks won the Pacific Division in 2023-24. They pushed Edmonton to Game 7 in the second round. That showed Hughes the team could compete.
If they bounce back to that form, Hughes might believe they’re close to breaking through.
He could sign a three-year extension next summer. That would make him a free agent in 2030 – the same year Jack’s contract expires and Luke is no longer under team control.
It’s the best of both worlds. Hughes gets to finish what he started in Vancouver but still has a path to play with his brothers.
But if the Canucks miss the playoffs again, his decision becomes easier.
Last season, Vancouver failed to make the postseason. Hughes would have to choose between staying with a mediocre team or chasing a Stanley Cup with his brothers on an improving Devils squad.
The noise in Vancouver will only grow louder if the team starts slowly.
That puts pressure on the Canucks to come out strong in 2025-26. It’s not easy for a club with first-time head coach Adam Foote and question marks at center, right defense, and in net.
The team was clearly affected by last season’s rift between Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller.
Can the Canucks block out the noise this time? The answer might determine whether they extend or trade their franchise player a year from now.
