Quinn Hughes responds to bombshell rumor confirming Canucks-Devils' conversation about star defenseman's move out of Vancouver

Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes addressed a circulating trade-related rumor head-on Saturday night confirming that a conversation between the Canucks and New Jersey Devils’ front office did in fact occur, while stressing he was not involved in it.

The clarification came after Vancouver’s 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild, when Hughes was directly asked about the rumor suggesting Vancouver and New Jersey had discussed a framework involving the Canucks captain.

“I mean, no,” Hughes said at first. “I’m doing what I can. I’m on the ice. It’s not like me, Jim + Fitzy hopped on a call, I wasn’t a part of that.”

He then acknowledged being aware that such conversations can take place.

“Obviously, I’m aware that things like that could happen for sure.”

Thomas Drance

@ThomasDrance

“It’s not like me, Jim + Fitzy hopped on a call, I wasn’t a part of that,” said Quinn Hughes when I asked for his reaction to HNIC report about conversations about his future occurring between the #Canucks and Devils. “But obviously I’m aware that things like that could happen.”

The 26-year-old remains signed through 2026–27 on a six-year $47.1-million deal carrying a $7.85 million cap hit. He is eligible to sign an extension beginning July 1, 2026 and the current CBA gives Vancouver a narrow two-month window next summer to offer the longest possible term in an eight-year extension before new CBA limits shorten the maximum contract length.

Hughes will become a UFA in 2027 which naturally heightens scrutiny any time his name comes up in speculation with the persistent rumors linking him to his brothers Jack and Luke Hughes in New Jersey.

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Quinn Hughes heaps praise on Tom Willander’s first NHL goal

The win came after a tough stretch of losses for Vancouver. The game saw the shorthanded Canucks lean heavily on depth players while rookie Tom Willander net his first NHL goal.

Willander, a 2023 second-round pick, scored at 9:29 of the second period to tie the game 1-1. The goal came off a precise cross-ice pass from Linus Karlsson allowing Willander to fire a wrist shot past Minnesota goalie Jesper Wallstedt.

Quinn Hughes praised both the play and its significance for the rookie during the postgame presser.

“Happy for him. Obviously, Willie with his first goal, it's a special moment for him and it was a really nice shot. Happy for him obviously. That's one he'll remember.”

Hughes also pointed out that finally getting rewarded mattered for a team that has continued to compete through adversity.

“Yeah, I mean I think for the most part it’s been close games,” he said. “It was nice to get the win tonight.”

Vancouver now seeks to navigate a challenging Pacific Division as the Canucks currently sit near the bottom with an 11-15-3 record after the win.