Canucks’ President gives blunt response on reason behind Quinn Hughes’ trade
Jim Rutherford offered a blunt explanation for Quinn Hughes’ departure from the Vancouver Canucks, pushing back against the idea that team struggles forced the move. Speaking at the end-of-season press conference, Rutherford made it clear that Hughes’ exit was part of a larger personal decision rather than purely hockey results. “I’m gonna answer it in a different way than you expect.
Some people think Quinn left here because the team wasn’t any good. He was leaving anyways, okay? ” Rutherford, the Canucks’ president of hockey operations, said.
“The best example I can give you is Matthew Tkachuk. He was in Calgary. They had a good team.
He wanted to go back to the US, and he went. This is not gonna be the last guy in Quinn Hughes that decides he’s gonna leave. ” MORE: Jim Rutherford reacts to disappointing season after Canucks fire their GM Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) looks on at American Airlines Center.
Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Hughes was traded to the Minnesota Wild in December 2025 after informing management he would not re-sign. Vancouver received a package of young talent, including prospects and a first-round pick, signaling a full rebuild. Rutherford emphasized that player choice and free agency play a major role in today’s NHL.