Canucks President Admits Quinn Hughes Didn't Return Call After Coaching Move

The Vancouver Canucks are officially searching for a new head coach, but the bigger question might be how their captain feels about it.

Canucks president Jim Rutherford admitted during Tuesday’s announcement of Rick Tocchet’s exit that he never heard back from Quinn Hughes after calling the defenseman to inform him of Tocchet’s departure.

“I hope he’s playing golf because he usually returns my calls right away,” Rutherford said. “I called him within half an hour after I talked to Rick. He hasn’t called me back yet.”

Tocchet stepped down from his position, citing personal reasons and a desire to move closer to family.

Rutherford also acknowledged the strong relationship between player and coach, although he believes Hughes’ maturity will allow the franchise to navigate the situation without much trouble.

“Knowing how he feels about the coach and that he’s a sensitive guy, I would suspect that he feels like I do,” Rutherford said. “We’re disappointed. But knowing the maturity of Quinn, he will make the adjustment necessary.

“But they did have a very strong relationship, a very good one, and Quinn had a lot of respect for him and Tocch had a lot of respect for Quinn, so there will definitely be an adjustment there.”

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) during a stop in play at Rogers Arena.Bob Frid-Imagn Images

The 25-year-old Norris Trophy finalist—as the NHL announced Tuesday—did publicly praise Tocchet at the end of the season and backed his return.

Hughes’ silence, as revealed by Rutherford at the time of his press conference, comes amid growing uncertainty about his long-term future in Vancouver.

Although Hughes is signed through the 2026–27 season with a $7.85 million cap hit as part of the six-year, $47.1 million extension he inked in October 2021, there are doubts about the blueliner’s long-term plans.

Rutherford has repeatedly hinted that the player’s eventual decision could be influenced by non-financial factors, including his well-known desire to one day play with his brothers, Jack and Luke, both currently with the New Jersey Devils.

“This franchise cannot afford to lose a guy like Quinn Hughes,” Rutherford said. “We will do everything we can to keep him here, but at the end of the day, it’ll be his decision.”

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Canucks President Admits Quinn Hughes Didn’t Return Call After Coaching Move

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