Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes is facing questions about his future with the team, especially with two years remaining before he is eligible for unrestricted free agency. At the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour in Nevada, Hughes addressed speculation and reaffirmed his commitment to helping the Canucks return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Hughes's future has been a topic of discussion since Canucks president Jim Rutherford mentioned the possibility of Hughes joining his brothers, Jack and Luke, on the New Jersey Devils. This adds pressure as Hughes approaches unrestricted free agency, leading to speculation that the Canucks might consider trading him if they can't secure a contract extension next summer.

Hughes, however, remains focused on the present. "I'm really looking forward to this year in Vancouver," he stated, emphasizing the challenge of creating a successful year and building a successful organization. He acknowledged the impact of the upcoming season on his future actions, stating, "As far as that question, I'll answer that with my actions next summer".

When asked directly if the Canucks have a chance of retaining him, Hughes offered appreciative words but stopped short of a definitive commitment. He expressed gratitude for his experiences in Vancouver, acknowledging the role of management and coaching in his development. He said, "I mean, I really enjoy Vancouver. I'm very thankful, I mean, when I came to Vancouver, I don't think anyone thought I was going to become what I've become. That's because of the people in Vancouver, management coachin,g you know…".

Hughes emphasized the importance of the team's performance in the upcoming season, suggesting it would heavily influence his decision. He noted, "Anything can change. If we have a terrible year, that's probably not going to be very fun. But if we have a terrific year, that's what we want". He wants to see how well the team performs in 2025-26 and that will impact his actions.

Despite the external noise and the allure of potentially playing with his brothers, Hughes remains dedicated to his role as captain of the Canucks. Named captain on September 11, 2023, he takes the responsibility seriously and aims to repay the faith shown in him by the organization.

He also touched on the topic of potentially playing with his brothers. While acknowledging the appeal, he reiterated that they are all under contract with their respective teams. "We have contracts," Hughes stated. "He's on a different team. Would it be fun to play with those guys at some point? Of course".

Looking ahead, Hughes is determined to put the previous season behind him, calling it "a failure". He aims to elevate his game and contribute to a more successful outcome for the team. He is setting a team goal narrowed to the first 10 games and believes a 6-4 or 7-3 start under new head coach Adam Foote will help propel the Canucks down the right path.