DEAL ACCEPTED: Vancouver Canucks Ice Hockey Team Defenseman Quinn Hughes Signs a 8-year Contract With the Vancouver Canucks Worth $129 Million as Their New…. See more..

Rumors spread like wildfire this week as headlines claimed that Vancouver Canucks defenseman and captain Quinn Hughes had signed an eight-year, $129 million contract extension with the team. The reported deal would have made him the highest-paid defenseman in NHL history and one of the top earners league-wide. However, a closer examination reveals that, while contract discussions are likely underway, no such deal has been finalized or officially announced.

Hughes, 25, is coming off another stellar season in which he not only repeated as a Norris Trophy finalist but continued to solidify his place among the NHL’s elite. As the leader of the Canucks’ blue line and the face of the franchise, he has become a symbol of Vancouver’s competitive resurgence. With his current contract running through the 2026–27 season, speculation is mounting about how and when the Canucks will secure his long-term future.

Hughes’ Current Deal and Performance

Hughes is currently in the fourth year of a six-year, $47.1 million deal signed in 2021, carrying a cap hit of $7.85 million annually. Since signing that contract, he has transformed into one of the most productive defensemen in league history, setting team records for points and assists by a blueliner.

In 2023–24, he posted 92 points—the highest single-season total for a defenseman in Canucks history—and followed that with 85 points in 2024–25. His elite skating, vision, and offensive instincts have made him a foundational piece for Vancouver and a leader in the locker room. In 2023, he was named team captain, becoming the youngest player in franchise history to wear the “C.”

New CBA Implications

While Hughes’ value is undisputed, recent changes in the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) limit what Vancouver can offer. As of July 1, 2025, teams are now only permitted to sign their own players to a maximum of seven-year extensions, reducing the previously allowed eight-year term.

This development directly impacts any potential Hughes extension. If the Canucks were hoping to lock in their captain through 2035, they would have needed to reach an agreement before July 1. With that deadline passed, any future deal—regardless of salary—must be capped at seven years.

Potential Contract Numbers

NHL insiders project that Hughes’ next contract could land between $14 million and $17 million per year, reflecting both his market value and the rising salary cap. That puts a potential seven-year deal in the range of $98 million to $119 million.

Such a contract would place him in the company of the league’s highest-paid players, alongside stars like Auston Matthews and Nathan MacKinnon. It would also represent a massive commitment from Vancouver—a sign that they’re building their future around Hughes.

The Canucks’ Position

Canucks president Jim Rutherford has repeatedly emphasized the organization’s desire to retain Hughes long-term. “He’s the kind of player you build around,” Rutherford said earlier this year. “There is no price too high for a captain like that.”

With key pieces like Elias Pettersson and Thatcher Demko also under contract, Vancouver’s competitive window is wide open. Securing Hughes beyond 2027 would be a major step toward building a perennial contender.

Looking Ahead

While the headline of an eight-year, $129 million deal is premature, the core truth remains: Quinn Hughes is in line for a landmark contract. The Canucks know what they have—a generational defenseman and leader—and the priority now is navigating the timing and terms within the new CBA framework.

Whether the deal happens this summer or closer to 2026, all signs point to a massive payday for Hughes. The Canucks must now ensure that Vancouver remains the place where he wants to chase a Stanley Cup—for the rest of his prime.