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Vancouver Canucks’ skilled defenseman and team Captain has recently posted comments on social media that have fans of the team worried about the star’s future with the club.
Perhaps the main question the 25-year-old Norris Trophy winner has for his team is, can they demonstrate to be a consistent contender for the Stanley Cup in the near future? Last season, Vancouver did not qualify for the playoffs.
Concerns around his team’s competence raised by superstar defenseman
Though Vancouver advanced to the Western Conference semi-finals in 2023-24, they missed the playoffs for three-straight years before that, and only qualified for the post-season once in the eight-years before that even, dating back to 2016.
The most telling comment, however, that has fans worried, is Quinn Hughes‘ direct reference to his future with the Vancouver Canucks.
Quinn’s is in year 5 of a 6-year contract at a cap hit of $7.85M, a bargain really for one of the game’s top-3, if not 2 defensemen.
Over his six-year career with Vancouver, Hughes has scored 56G and 350A in 433 regular season games, almost a PPG.
He’s also been a finalist for the Norris Trophy twice, once in 2024, when he won the best-defenseman award, and again last season.
While Hughes is eligible to sign an extension starting July 1, 2026, the new NHL CBA, which officially came into effect today, introduces a crucial window for the Canucks to secure an eight-year deal.
If an extension is not signed by September 16, 2026, the maximum contract length will change to seven years for extensions and six years for Unrestricted Free Agents. This change in contract length could significantly reduce the Canucks’ leverage in retaining Hughes.
Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford has acknowledged the possibility of Hughes leaving, even suggesting the team might need to consider trading him if an extension doesn’t materialize before the trade deadline next season.
Previously on Oilers Daily
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Canucks Captain Quinn Hughes gives multiple worrying quotes on his future
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