Overview

• President Jim Rutherford said Vancouver will try to keep its captain but cannot control his eventual choice, noting talk of a possible reunion with brothers Jack and Luke is speculation rather than a certainty.
• GM Patrik Allvin said the club is "open for business," having pursued a second-line center this summer before balking at high prices, as management weighs trading picks and prospects against safeguarding the future.
• Hughes is signed through 2027, cannot sign an extension until July 1, and would be eligible for unrestricted free agency when his current deal expires.
• Rival interest is expected to track the situation, with reporting citing teams such as the Red Wings monitoring developments and uncertainty over whether the Devils will engage.
• Hughes remains central on the ice as a projected Norris contender and Team USA Olympian, while summer additions like Evander Kane underscore Vancouver’s effort to ice a stronger lineup.