Amid Quinn Hughes trade buzz, Vancouver columnist warns Canucks of hitting ‘lowest point in franchise history’

Trade talk around Quinn Hughes has grown in recent days. NHL columnist Gary Mason said on X that a Hughes trade would mark the lowest point in team history. He believes moving a top player in his prime would hurt the franchise. His comment shows how frustrated many fans feel right now, as the team is facing questions about its direction.

Mason posted on X, writing:

"When the trading of Quinn Hughes happens - and right now it seems inevitable - it will mark the lowest point in the franchise’s history. Giving up a generational talent in his prime can’t be viewed any other way."

Hughes remains the Canucks’ most dependable player this season. He was named captain in 2023 and won the Norris Trophy in 2024. He continues to produce strong numbers with 21 points in 18 games. He also plays heavy minutes in every situation, and has averaged over 27 minutes this season. His performance paints a clear picture of how important he is to the lineup.

Hughes is in the second-to-last year of his 6-year, $47,100,000 contract, making a salary of $7.85 million on average per season. He will become an unrestricted free agent in 2027, but it will be interesting to see if Canucks have to trade him or get him to agree on a new contract before that happens.

Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks have struggled this year, akin to last year's downfall. They hold a 9-12-2 record and sit near the bottom of the Pacific Division, led by the Anaheim Ducks. The team scores 3.00 goals per game but allows 3.74, so clearly they are lacking in their defense and net play.

Additionally, their penalty kill ranks last in the league at 69.7 percent. The power play has been solid, but not enough to fix the problems.

Canucks' Jim Rutherford's comments on Quinn Hughes' extension

Vancouver missed the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and the major media attention was on the rift between Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller. Still, Hughes was again the team's only positive with a 76-point season.

After the season in April, Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford had said that the franchise cannot afford to lose Quinn Hughes.

"This franchise cannot afford to lose a guy like Quinn Hughes, and we will do everything we can to keep him here," Rutherford said, via NHL. "But at the end of the day, it will be his decision."

Now, it will be up to Hughes to decide what he wants to do when the time comes.