Jim Rutherford reveals when the Vancouver Canucks first found out Quinn Hughes would not sign an extension
Photo credit: Bob Frid - Imagn Images.
Vancouver Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford revealed on Friday how long the club has known Quinn Hughes wouldn't sign a contract extension.
Friday marked one of the darkest days in Vancouver Canucks franchise history as the team parted ways with their captain and arguably greatest defenseman of all time, Quinn Hughes, who was traded to the Minnesota Wild a little over seven months until he becomes eligible to sign a contract extension.
Unfortunately for Vancouver Canucks fans, it felt like Friday's move was inevitable, especially after Jim Rutherford told reporters back in April that Quinn Hughes wanted to play with his brothers Jack and Luke one day - which will now have to wait until the summer of 2027 - and this week, he drew criticism from an NHL insider for those comments.
"I think it backfired on [Rutherford] somewhat. Not a snow ball's chance that we're dealing with [the Quinn Hughes situation] today if last season [Rutherford] didn't volunteer QH with his brothers. It was something that he did on his own, it did not come out in the media, it wasn't driven anywhere but HE started this. With another year on QH's deal, the noise wouldn't be this loud if he just didn't do that there's a big difference between thinking it wit the media and then hearing someone who has inside information on it.." NHL insider Nick Kypreos said about Jim Rutherford's comments.
Jim Rutherford reveals how long they've known Quinn Hughes wouldn't sign extension
When meeting with reporters after the trade was made official, Jim Rutherford shared that while the club was informed by Quinn Hughes' camp in the offseason that he was leaning towards not signing a contract extension next summer, he's had a hunch for about a year-and-a-half that their captain wasn't going to put pen-to-paper.
"Rutherford got indication 1.5 years ago it was unlikely Quinn would sign here long term. Became more clear in camp." TSN's Farhan Lalji said.
He added, "Rutherford clarified that the indication he got 1.5 years ago was more of a feeling than anything else. But it was communicated to them this off-season by Quinn's camp that it was highly unlikely he would extend here."
He added, "Rutherford clarified that the indication he got 1.5 years ago was more of a feeling than anything else. But it was communicated to them this off-season by Quinn's camp that it was highly unlikely he would extend here."
Given that the Vancouver Canucks knew they had zero chance of signing Quinn Hughes long-term, Friday's move was smart asset management by Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin and given the circumstances, they got a solid return too with Marco Rossi (2C), Liam Ohgren (middle-six potential), Zeev Buium (top pairing potential) and a first round pick in 2026.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 13|2302 ANSWERS Jim Rutherford reveals when the Vancouver Canucks first found out Quinn Hughes would not sign an extension Do you think Quinn Hughes will end up signing a contract extension with the Minnesota Wild in the summer? | ||
| Yes | 791 | 34.4 % |
| No | 1511 | 65.6 % |
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