Canucks Rumors: Quinn Hughes Trade Rumblings Escalate With Two Developments

On Friday, Canucks team prez Jim Rutherford said if Quinn Hughes isn’t extended before the '27 trade deadline, a trade could be in order

The departure of head coach Rick Tocchet took away one big anchor that was pinning Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes to the team. Trade rumblings had already begun after we had heard team president Jim Rutherford admit openly that Hughes would like to play with his brothers, Jack and Luke, who both happen to play with the New Jersey Devils.

Could a Canucks/Devils trade be in the offing? With just two years remaining on his contract, speculation started to run rampant about Quinn Hughes' future in Vancouver.

Is a Quinn Hughes trade to the Devils coming?

On Friday, more fuel was thrown on the fire. Canucks beat writer Noah Strang reports on yet another frank and transparent comment by Rutherford on Hughes' future.

Rutherford on Hughes:

"We control him for a year and two-thirds because if we get to that trade deadline two years from now and it looks like he doesn't want to stay, then we would have to do something." #Canucks

(@JShannonhl / 100% Hockey)
— Noah Strang (@noahstrang_) May 2, 2025

"We control him for a year and two-thirds because if we get to that trade deadline two years from now and it looks like he doesn't want to stay, then we would have to do something."

"Do something" of course, translates to "trade him."

Add to that another bit of intel from insider Pierre McGuire, speaking with Daily Faceoff's Jeff Marek on The Sheet. McGuire says there's a connection between the Hughes family and the Devils that not many people know about.

Hughes Trifecta in New Jersey?

Pierre McGuire and @JeffMarek weigh in on the possibility of Quinn Hughes leaving the Vancouver Canucks to join his brothers in New Jersey👀

Presented by @myrvezy #NJDevils #TheSheet pic.twitter.com/CCbBBBeMfz
— The Sheet with Jeff Marek (@thesheethockey) May 2, 2025

"There's a relationship that, I don't know how much our everyday listeners and viewers know: (Devils GM) Tommy Fitzgerald went to Providence College, so did Jimmy Hughes. That's the father of these boys," said McGuire. "So there was a relationship there that was developed back in the mid-1980s that I'm not sure too many people are aware of.

"The other part is, I do think they want to play together... Now, Quinn's out there on the horizon. Do I think he could be a member of the New Jersey Devils? I do, I do. Jimmy (Rutherford) never would've put that out there unless he thought the same thing."

Nervous days coming for Canucks fans, who could very well be at risk of losing their team MVP within the next 18 months.

Hughes, 25, was the Norris Trophy winner for Vancouver in 2024, and a two-time All-Star. He's the oldest of the NHL-playing Hughes trio. Jack, just under two years younger, is already a star for the Devils, while Luke, 21, is developing nicely on the New Jersey blueline.