Quinn Hughes' future could hinge on the Canucks' next move: 'The superstar defenceman will ask out'
The future of Quinn Hughes in Vancouver appears to hinge on what the next move of the Canucks is, and it may or may not push the superstar defenseman out.
Less than a week after Quinn Hughes joked that the only "noise" he hears about his future in Vancouver is in his own head, that noise suddenly got a lot louder in the media.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Monday that the Canucks have let other NHL teams know that they are willing to listen to trade offers for their veteran players.
What could lead to Quinn Hughes heading for an early exit from Vancouver
Hughes isn't among those being shopped, as he and Filip Hronek were listed as "untouchables," but management's decisions over the next few months could directly impact whether he stays in Vancouver long-term.
"Any changes general manager Patrik Allvin and team president Jim Rutherford make that weaken the Canucks in the short term likely increase the chances that the superstar defenceman will ask out this summer or sooner..."
Hughes is entering the final year of his deal next season and could become a UFA during that summer.
He's expected to decide this summer whether he wants to stay in Vancouver or pursue an opportunity to join his brothers, Jack and Luke, in New Jersey, as those rumors have been rampant for months now.
Team president Jim Rutherford previously said keeping Hughes would be the organization's priority, yet Vancouver's 9-12-2 start has complicated that.
Rutherford insists there is no plan for a full-on rebuild, even if Hughes leaves, and Friedman added that the team's objective is to get younger through various trades.
Why Quinn Hughes would leave the Canucks if the team moves key players
Moving key players for future assets would only increase the likelihood that Hughes chooses a different path, one that better positions him to chase a Stanley Cup, as he will not want to sit around and wait for one in Vancouver.
Among Vancouver's movable players, winger Kiefer Sherwood stands out as the most valuable on an expiring contract. The organization has until March 6 to decide whether to trade him or risk losing him for absolutely nothing.
With Vancouver's season already hanging in the balance, the coming weeks will reveal whether the team is retooling or instead pushing its franchise cornerstone toward the exit doors.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 25 | 308 ANSWERS Quinn Hughes' future could hinge on the Canucks' next move: 'The superstar defenceman will ask out' Will this be Quinn Hughes' last season with the Canucks? | ||
| Yes | 234 | 76 % |
| No | 74 | 24 % |
| List of polls | ||