Quinn Hughes Drops a Bombshell: Is Vancouver’s Future Suddenly in Jeopardy?

When a seasoned hockey executive like Jim Rutherford drops a hint about a star player’s intentions, you’d better pay attention—because he’s not just flapping his gums for fun. Vancouver Canucks’ president recently stirred the pot by suggesting that Quinn Hughes might be eyeing a reunion on the ice with his brothers. Now, this isn’t one of those passing locker room comments tossed out lightly. Laurence Gilman, who’s worn the front office hat for multiple NHL teams, weighed in on the Sekeres and Price show with some sharp insights. His take? The Hughes camp—be it Quinn himself or his agent, Pat Brisson—has quietly issued an ultimatum: turn this team’s fortunes around before Quinn’s contract wraps up or face a potential player departure seeking family ties elsewhere. The clock’s ticking, with just about a year left to avoid an awkward “last-year-of-contract” standoff—the kind that’s burned teams like the Flames before. And, if you ask me, this could open the door to some serious trade talks, maybe even with a talent-rich squad like the New Jersey Devils. It’s a ticking time bomb for Canucks brass, and the ripple effects could be felt far beyond Vancouver.
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Sekeres and Price: Laurence Gilman (former AGM of the Maple Leafs, Canucks, Phoenix) on the Sekeres and Price Show on Vancovuer Canucks president Jim Rutherford’s comments about Quinn Hughes wanting to play with his brothers.

“Jim Rutherford, this is not his first rodeo. He’s obviously a very veteran General Manager, and veteran general managers don’t say things off the cuff.

My initial thought in hearing that and seeing that was that they’ve been put on notice by the Hughes camp. Whether it’s by the player or whether it’s by his agent, Pat Brisson, that if they don’t turn the fortunes of this hockey club around within two, within two year period when Quinn’s contract expires, that he is going to seek to play with his brothers.

And you know, if you look at it, that they have a year to sort this out. Because if they go into the last year of that deal, and this guy’s not done, and he’s told them, this is where I’m headed, they’re, they’re, they’re in the same boat that Calgary, the Calgary Flames were in with, with, with, with Matthew Tkachuk a few years ago.

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So thought it was incredibly interesting. I would not be altogether shocked if they get a phone call from the New Jersey Devils, basically saying, So what’s it going to take? And you know, if you’re talking to the Devils, they’re a team that has a plethora of good young players and prospects.

You know, there could be the makings of a deal there. Not that, I’m not that. I think it’s going to happen anytime soon, but they’re a team that does have the assets to make a trade like that.”

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