What Would the Canucks Look Like Without Quinn Hughes?
With rumors circulating about New Jersey wanting to acquire Quinn Hughes when he becomes a free agent and Quinn wanting to play with his brothers, it’s time for the Canucks to seriously consider what’s next for the team if they lose their star. We’ve seen short instances of the team without Hughes during times he was injured, and it’s safe to say it wasn’t great. While nothing is confirmed on whether Hughes is looking to leave Vancouver, the team should be prepared for what would happen if they no longer had their elite defenseman captain to rely on.
It’s no secret to anyone, including the Canucks managers and coaches, that the team has essentially become Quinn Hughes and others. After the 2023-2024 season, in which Hughes led the Canucks to their first playoff run in years, all eyes are truly set on Hughes to guide the way. While the team is stocked with veteran players and newer faces ready to grow, it’s not lost on anyone the power and skill that Hughes brings to the team, and how unfortunate it would be to lose him. As a top NHL defenseman and former Norris Trophy winner, the Canucks will surely feel a little lost if the captain decides he’s ready to play somewhere else, such as New Jersey.
The Canucks have made it abundantly clear that they cannot lose Hughes, and they are ready to do everything they can to keep him on board. Without a strong leader and player on the team, such as Hughes, the Canucks lack a strong core and impressive presence that they would need to be anything near a playoff team. Vancouver fell short of a playoff run this past season, and no doubt losing Hughes for good would mean we probably wouldn’t see them in a fight for the cup again for a while. Hughes was out several games for an injury during the 2024-2025 season, meaning the Canucks had to go on without him for a big chunk of the season. This was enough proof to anyone that the Canucks will have to do everything in their power to get Hughes to sign a contract extension with them when he becomes a free agent in 2027/
Hughes has expressed interest in playing for the New Jersey Devils, and nobody blames him. His younger brothers, Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes, both call the Prudential Center home ice, and Quinn would undoubtedly want to join his brothers on the ice more than a few times each season. New Jersey has also expressed interest in Hughes. Both teams are willing to commit high amounts of their cap space to Quinn, whether it be saving the team from falling off the edge or adding star power to an already impressive lineup. You can expect a fight over the Norris Trophy winner when the time comes. However, one thing is for certain: the Canucks cannot risk losing Quinn Hughes with their current roster. Unless they build up their team and add some stronger, healthier, powerful players to their core, the Canucks will be lost without Hughes.
