Elliotte Friedman shoots down Canucks’ fans dreams of bringing Hughes brothers to Vancouver

It's been a tough year for Vancouver Canucks fans.

One year removed from a tremendous regular season and playoff run that saw them fall one game short of the Western Conference finals, Vancouver missed the postseason altogether. The J.T. Miller–Elias Pettersson rift created far too much drama, and the team was never able to recover.

One of the few positives in 2024-25 was the play of superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes. The captain was dominant all season, even while battling through various injuries. However, more drama emerged when President Jim Rutherford hinted during his year-end media availability Tuesday that Hughes may want to play with his brothers.

That would either mean Quinn joining Jack and Luke Hughes in New Jersey, or the Canucks somehow bringing the two to Vancouver. Canucks fans undoubtedly prefer the second option. However, Sportsnet NHL insider Elliotte Friedman quickly shot down that dream scenario on Wednesday’s edition of "32 Thoughts: The Podcast."

"I think the New Jersey Devils know that Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes aren't really eager to be traded to the Vancouver Canucks," Friedman said (1:12:50).

Jack Hughes is under contract for five more years on an eight-year, $64 million deal with New Jersey, while Luke Hughes is a pending restricted free agent entering the final season of his three-year, $2.775 million entry-level contract.

The Canucks face an offseason full of uncertainty as they attempt to please Quinn Hughes

The Vancouver Canucks have plenty of questions to answer this summer.

Star winger Brock Boeser is an unrestricted free agent and appears likely to walk, leaving a big hole in Vancouver’s forward group. Then there’s star center Elias Pettersson and goaltender Thatcher Demko, both of whom have struggled in recent years and could land on the trade block.

Most importantly, Quinn Hughes has two years remaining on his six-year, $47.1 million contract. The 25-year-old won’t be eligible for an extension until July 1, 2026, but rumors are already swirling about his potential departure — especially if the Canucks don’t improve in 2025-26.

Not to mention, coach Rick Tocchet remains without a new contract, creating further uncertainty behind the bench. General manager Patrik Allvin and president Jim Rutherford have a slew of critical decisions to make this offseason, which could ultimately determine whether Quinn Hughes stays in Vancouver long-term.