New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes has ignited a flurry of speculation by openly expressing his desire to play alongside his older brother, Quinn Hughes, currently the captain of the Vancouver Canucks. While brotherly aspirations are common in the NHL, Jack's recent comments have raised eyebrows due to the implication that he might be willing to leave New Jersey to make it happen.
During an NHL Player Media Tour interview, Jack Hughes responded to a question about the possibility of playing with Quinn by stating, "This is the headline question, you know? Honestly, I'm not afraid to say it. Yeah, I would love for Quinn to—eventually I'd love to play with him. And whether that's in New Jersey or at what time that takes, at some point, I want to play with Quinn". The key phrase that has fueled the rumor mill is "Whether that's in New Jersey or...". This suggests a willingness to consider options beyond his current team, the Devils.
Jack Hughes is currently under an 8-year, $64 million contract with the Devils, carrying an $8 million cap hit per season, which expires at the end of the 2029-30 season. In 2025-26, Hughes will earn a base salary of $8.5 million. While he is locked in with the Devils for the foreseeable future, his recent statement opens the door to the possibility of a future move.
Quinn Hughes, on the other hand, is the captain and a star defenseman for the Vancouver Canucks. He was named the 15th captain in Canucks history. He is under contract with the Canucks for two more seasons. Hughes is eligible to sign a contract extension with the club starting on July 1st, 2026. There is speculation that it will take a lot for the Canucks to convince him not to test free agency. In the 2023-24 season, Quinn Hughes won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman. He finished the regular season with 92 points, leading all defensemen in the league.
Adding another layer to the situation is the status of the youngest Hughes brother, Luke, who is currently a restricted free agent (RFA) with the New Jersey Devils. Luke is reportedly seeking a five-year deal, which would align his contract's expiration with Jack's, further fueling speculation about a potential future for all three brothers on the same team.
Canucks president Jim Rutherford added fuel to the fire earlier this year when he acknowledged Quinn's desire to play with his brothers, stating that it would be easier to re-sign Quinn if Vancouver "brought his brothers here".
While Jack's comments may simply be an expression of a brotherly dream, they have inevitably sparked significant discussion and speculation. The possibility of the Hughes brothers uniting on one team, whether in New Jersey or Vancouver, remains a tantalizing prospect for fans and a storyline to watch in the coming years.
