Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald Breaks Silence on Rumors of Quinn Hughes Joining New Jersey via Trade
Photo credit: Bob Frid - USA TODAY Sports
New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald has responded to rumors surrounding Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes wanting to eventually play with his brothers.
Following a very disappointing season, the Vancouver Canucks' management staff of Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford met with the media to discuss a wide range of topics including the future of captain Quinn Hughes.
Hughes is under contract for the next two seasons before becoming an unrestricted free agent, with Rutherford sharing that it might not come down to money with their captain as he's expressed his desire to play with his brothers Jack and Luke one day.
Tom Fitzgerald responds to rumors surrounding his team being linked to Quinn Hughes
Rutherford also mentioned the possibility of trading for Luke and Jack Hughes from New Jersey to allow the brothers to play together in Vancouver, before stopping himself from going any further to avoid tampering charges.
Following those comments from Rutherford, social media went wild, with rumors suggesting that Quinn Hughes would be going to join the New Jersey Devils either via trade or as a free agent in the summer of 2027.
When speaking with reporters this week for his own season-ending media availability, New Jersey Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald was asked about Rutherford's comments and understandably, declined to talk about another team's player.
Fitzgerald wanted to avoid any tampering charges, saying that he didn't want to speculate on a player who doesn't play for his club and that he's focused on evaluating his own team and seeing where they need to upgrade heading into the offseason.
"I'm not going to speculate on a comment [about] another team's player. You'd have to ask Jim about the comment. For me, we're going to evaluate our own team, where we need to upgrade and some things. I can't comment on another player." Fitzgerald said.
Rutherford opened up further on Quinn Hughes' future during an appearance on the 100% Hockey podcast with John Shannon and Daren Millard, sharing that if their captain doesn't want to sign an extension with them before the trade deadline in the 2026-27 season then they'll "have to do something", hinting at the possibility of a move.
"We control him for a year and two-thirds because if we get to that trade deadline two years from now and it looks like he doesn't want to stay, then we would have to do something." Rutherford said.
Vancouver Canucks fans are hoping that the team will be able to sign Quinn Hughes to a long-term extension next summer to avoid a doomsday scenario of him leaving the organization, which would be a massive blow and could force them into a rebuild.
Source: Noah Strang/Daily Hive
Devils GM gives smart answer when asked about trading for Vancouver Canucks star Hughes
Devils GM gives smart answer when asked about trading for Vancouver Canucks star Hughes
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