“I just feel like you’re so day-to-day, and the season is flying by. Like, so much has happened. You don’t even really think about it until it’s here,” Hughes commented on his return to Vancouver, via Rink Wide: Vancouver’s Jeff Paterson. “Probably won’t feel real until warmups. It’s been such a long year, you don’t even process everything that’s going on.”

Hughes was drafted by the Canucks with the 7th overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. He quickly became a franchise cornerstone and blossomed into arguably the best defenseman in the league. In the 2022–23 season, he won the James Norris Memorial Trophy. Now, he returns to an arena he used to call home, only this time he will be wearing a different jersey.

For Hughes, it will also be his first game on Canadian ice since winning gold with Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Whether that memory will play a role in how the home fans greet him at Rogers Arena remains to be seen. One thing is clear, though: the stage is set for an emotional return by all accounts.

Hughes’ numbers this season

With Vancouver spiraling out of control, it became clear that Hughes’ time with the organization would run out soon in the 2025-26 season. On December 12, 2025, the Wild acquired Hughes, and the defenseman has been nothing short of lights-out ever since.

Hughes had registered 23 points in 26 games with Vancouver this season. Since being dealt to Minnesota, he has put up 49 points (four goals and 45 assists) in 42 outings. Against the Canucks, Hughes will look to record his 50th career point with the Wild.

Clinching scenario for Wild against Canucks

The realities couldn’t be more different for Minnesota and Vancouver. As they go head-to-head, that contrast is on full display. The Wild can clinch a playoff spot with just one point against Vancouver, while the Canucks would lock in last place in the league standings with a loss of any kind.

There are other scenarios around the league that could lead to the same outcome, but that’s the bottom line. If Hughes and his new team walk away with a win in Vancouver, they will punch their ticket to the postseason while also ensuring the Canucks finish at the bottom of the standings—and, in turn, secure the best odds of landing the first overall pick in the NHL Draft Lottery.

The injury occurred during Colorado’s 9–2 win over Calgary, where he still managed to record three assists before exiting in the second period. He left that game early after taking a hit and did not return.

Reports indicate the concern stems from an upper-body issue, with early speculation ranging from minor discomfort to a possible shoulder injury, though multiple insiders have suggested it is not believed to be serious at this stage.

How did Cale Makar get injured?

Cale Makar suffered an upper-body injury after taking a hit during the Colorado Avalanche’s 9–2 win. The play occurred late in the second period when the star defenseman was checked by Flames forward Adam Klapka, after which he briefly stayed in the game but was visibly affected and did not return for the third period.

Before leaving the ice, the defenseman had already been one of the standout performers of the night, recording three assists and continuing his dominant offensive form from the blue line.

However, the hit led the team’s medical staff to pull him out for precautionary evaluation, and he was officially ruled out for the remainder of the game with what the club labeled an upper-body injury.

When could Cale Makar return to play?

Cale Makar is currently considered day-to-day, meaning his return to the Colorado Avalanche could come as soon as the next game, but it will ultimately depend on how he responds to treatment and pregame testing.

Medical updates suggest the organization is treating the situation cautiously, especially with the playoffs approaching and the Avalanche in a strong position in the standings.

For now, his status remains a true game-time decision heading into upcoming matchups, including the scheduled clash against the Vancouver Canucks, with final confirmation expected closer to puck drop depending on warmups and coaching evaluation.

How has Cale Makar performed this season?

Cale Makar is once again delivering a Norris Trophy–caliber season for the Colorado Avalanche, posting 66 points (19 goals and 47 assists) in 57 games so far in 2025–26.

The elite defenseman remains one of the most productive blue-liners in the entire NHL, ranking near the top among defensemen in both points and plus-minus while playing heavy minutes in all situations.

His offensive impact has been especially consistent in recent weeks, including multi-point performances that have helped the Avalanche maintain one of the strongest records in the Western Conference.

The Avalanche consistently control possession and scoring chances with him leading the breakout game and stabilizing defensive matchups against top opponents, reinforcing why he is considered a central piece of their Stanley Cup aspirations heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

With the NHL trade deadline (March 6) grabbing the spotlight around the league, the Canucks are not exempt from the noise. They may be dead last in the standings, but they can still hear the loud buzz from the basement. Moreover, as teams in the penthouse prepare for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, they look down at the disheartened Canucks in search of a diamond in the rough.

In that regard, Pettersson may very well be a key addition for any organization with Stanley Cup hopes. Still, his personality is often frowned upon around the league, and it could steer teams away from him. When asked about the rumors surrounding his name, Pettersson delivered a stern response—one that only reinforced that perception.

“I mean, it’s you guys who make the trade rumors so ask yourself,” Elias Pettersson told reporters after practice on Monday, via Adam Kierszenblat of The Hockey News.

Could Pettersson be traded?

It feels like there is always drama surrounding Pettersson in Vancouver. Last offseason, the Canucks’ front office made a choice they can’t take back. During the 2023-24 season, Vancouver re-signed Pettersson to an eight-year, $92.8 million extension—an $11.6 million annual cap hit running through 2032.

However, the Canucks had only a narrow window to move him without restrictions. By keeping him on the roster past July 1, 2025, they allowed his full No-Movement Clause (NMC) to kick in. Now, if Vancouver wants to ship Pettersson out, he must waive that clause for a trade to happen.

The Canucks had their chance to control the narrative, but now Pettersson is the one firmly in the driver’s seat. It feels as though the steering wheel was handed to him the moment J.T. Miller was traded and Rick Tocchet stepped aside. However, Vancouver has only headed downhill. If he wants out and the team is keen on moving him, a deal is possible. But if he’s content to stay in British Columbia, the front office is essentially powerless.

Some cases emerged from expansion imbalance, weak divisions, and formats that favored survival over excellence. The records were ugly, the margins thin, and the logic often questionable, with losing streaks telling the real story.

Years later, those playoff entries still stand out. They weren’t memorable for long runs or trophies, but for how low the bar once sat—and how the postseason occasionally welcomed teams that barely held it together.

The worst records ever to make the NHL playoffs

Vancouver Canucks (1978–79)

The 1978–79 Vancouver Canucks are a fascinating snapshot of how league structure can rewrite competitive fairness. In an era when nearly two-thirds of NHL clubs qualified for the postseason, they managed to earn a Stanley Cup Playoffs spot despite a 25-42-13 record (63 points).

Their qualification was less about success and more about the Smythe Division’s collective weakness; Vancouver’s point total was second only to division mate Chicago, whose own record was barely above .500.

On ice, they were an inconsistent outfit. Though Ron Sedlbauer cracked 40 goals and served as a rare bright spot, the team’s –74 goal differential reflected defensive instability and offensive stagnation against stronger opponents.

In the playoffs, Vancouver proved why their regular season results weren’t a fluke: they were eliminated in the preliminary round by the Philadelphia Flyers in a best-of-three, managing just one win before bowing out.

Oakland Seals (1969–70)

If early NHL expansion had a poster child for competitive futility, it would be the 1969–70 Oakland Seals. In just their third season, they limped to a 22–40–14 record (58 points) and finished dead last among playoff qualifiers — a team that, under modern formats, would have been nowhere near postseason contention.

But the context is key: the NHL’s post-1967 expansion divisions were notoriously uneven. Teams simply didn’t have enough talent depth to keep up with longstanding franchises, and the West Division in particular was an early battleground for instability.

Oakland’s offense sputtered (169 goals scored), their defense was porous (243 allowed), and the club’s roster featured few impact stars. Ted Hampson led the club with just 52 points, and Carol Vadnais paced the team with 24 goals — modest totals even for that era.

Their playoff run was short and bitter: swept 4-0 by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the quarterfinals. But the Seals’ mere presence in the playoffs remains one of the more surreal snapshots of how expansion growing pains could catapult underachieving teams into April hockey.

Los Angeles Kings (1968–69)

Two years before the Oakland Seals’ playoff appearance, the Los Angeles Kings of 1968–69 embodied the same paradox: a club with poor results but postseason access. Their 24–42–10 record and 58 points look bleak on paper, yet Los Angeles finished fourth in the West Division and qualified for playoff action.

This was a formative NHL era, shortly after the league doubled in size. Competitive balance hadn’t caught up to rapid expansion, and divisions like the West were composed of teams still finding their identities.

In a twist of fate, this Kings squad actually won a playoff game and pushed their quarterfinal series to seven games, an unexpected achievement given their regular season struggles, before an eventual defeat.

Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88)

When discussing the worst teams to make the NHL playoffs, no story hits harder than the 1987–88 Toronto Maple Leafs. This club finished the season 21–49–10, accumulating just 52 points — the fewest of any team ever to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs in a full season since the modern era began.

Toronto’s plight was a perfect storm of structural advantage and on-ice ineptitude. They were part of the Norris Division, widely viewed as the weakest in the league that year, and took advantage of a format that advanced four teams from each division regardless of overall performance.

Statistically, this Maple Leafs team was a sieve defensively (outscored 345–273) and scraped out wins only sporadically. Eddie Olczyk’s 42 goals were a lone offensive bright spot in a season most fans would rather forget.

They clinched their playoff berth by a hair, edging the Minnesota North Stars by a single point, only to be dispatched in the opening round. Even decades later, the ’87-88 Leafs are the benchmark for how low a seasonal win total can be and still result in playoff hockey.

Which teams have the most losses in the NHL playoffs?

Though many believed Hughes’ departure would only be the beginning of the end for the Canucks, goaltender Thatcher Demko still believes in Vancouver. According to a report around the NHL, the 30-year-old netminder has no plans to leave Pettersson and the Nucks.

“Demko made clear after the Hughes trade that he does not want out,” Rick Dhaliwal stated on the latest episode of Donnie and Dhali – The Team. Demko recently agreed to a contract extension with Vancouver.

Demko’s contract

As he was set to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) in the summer of 2026, Demko and the Canucks committed to a long-term extension during the latest NHL offseason. Following the 2025–26 campaign, Demko’s new deal will go into effect.

The former second-round selection agreed to a three-year, $25.5 million contract extension ($8.5 million cap hit) with the Canucks, running through the 2028–29 season. Demko is currently playing the final season of his five-year, $25 million deal ($5 million cap hit).

Or forever hold your peace

Though Demko is staying put in Vancouver, he still has time to reconsider his stance. With the Canucks trending toward the NHL’s basement, now may be the best time to raise his hand and ask out of the organization. Any later may be too late.

Moreover, Demko’s expiring contract carries no trade protection, whereas his new deal for the 2026–27 season includes a full no-movement clause (NMC). Of course, that clause works in Demko’s favor, as he can waive it at any time. Still, it’s easier to work out a deal when such a provision isn’t in place.

Vancouver’s frustrations culminated in a blockbuster trade, sending Hughes to the Minnesota Wild. In return, the Canucks acquired young forwards Marco Rossi and Liam Ohgren, defenseman Zeev Buium, and a 2026 first-round pick.

The move marked the end of Hughes’ long tenure in Vancouver and signaled a clear reset in organizational direction. Hughes’ contract, carrying a $7.85 million cap hit through the 2026–27 season, factored heavily into discussions leading up to the trade.

While the deal was monumental, Hughes’ future beyond his current contract remained uncertain. His agent, Pat Brisson, emphasized a firm stance on negotiations: “The one thing I made certain about was that under no circumstances could we guarantee a contract extension with anyone,” he said, according to Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre.

Hughes himself acknowledged the human side of the transition but kept his focus on performance: “I mean, I’m obviously human, and I feel stuff.” He said according to dailyhive.com. “But for me, I feel more the results, where we are in standings… I’m trying to bring it every night and be a good teammate, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

How will Hughes fit into Minnesota’s system?

In Minnesota, Hughes is expected to take on a familiar role, driving transitions, handling top matchups, and contributing offensively from the blue line. The Wild are counting on him to maintain his impact while adjusting to new teammates and systems. His presence is seen as a critical piece in stabilizing the team’s defensive and transitional play.

When will Hughes make his Wild debut?

Hughes is set to debut with the Wild on Sunday at home against the Boston Bruins. Minnesota is giving him a day to acclimate, ensuring he arrives prepared to take the ice and integrate seamlessly with his new lineup.

Ever since drafting Jack and Luke Hughes, the Devils have felt a need to go after Quinn and reunite the three siblings in New Jersey. For many NHL seasons, it felt more like a utopia than a real possibility. However, with the Canucks struggling dearly, the window to acquire Hughes may have opened. Still, Vancouver won’t make negotiations easy for New Jersey.

Just because the Devils have Jack and Luke pulling for Quinn behind the scenes doesn’t mean they have any sway in convincing the front office in Vancity. In fact, it might be the opposite. Knowing the Devils are one piece away from boasting the Hughes trio, the ’Nucks may be setting a higher price.

“You’re probably going to have to pay a premium if you’re the Devils. It’s called the ‘Hughes brother’ tax, because they already have two. That’s certainly something to keep in mind as well,” Frank Seravalli stated on Bleacher Report’s Insider Notebook.

Vancouver is not putting Hughes on sale

Vancouver may be giving Jersey a lesson in Economy 101: it all comes down to supply and demand. Unfortunately for New Jersey, there is only one Quinn Hughes in the NHL, and he’s under contract in Vancouver through the 2026-27 season. The more the Devils want something, the more the Canucks will ask in return.

As much as Hughes may despise playing for the Canucks — as the team languishes at the bottom of the standings, the first-year head coach in Adam Foote is not paying dividends, and the organization stares with the eyes of a lost wanderer at its compass — he is still signed for this season and the next.

Hughes can ask for a trade out, but the Canucks are in no obligation to comply. Thus, there are no reasons — other than some from an ethical or moral point of view — for them to essentially give up on Hughes if the return isn’t worth it.

Better now than never

While all the arguments stated before carry weight, there is another fact that can’t be overlooked. The Canucks are seemingly headed nowhere in the NHL. The core is too inconsistent to strike fear into the rest of the league, and this past offseason saw the team lose far more key pieces than it added.

Thus, keeping Hughes might be nice and all—it can lead to jersey sales and whatnot—but one elite blueliner can’t carry a team to a Stanley Cup. Let alone one defenseman who is playing with frustration. Under the current state of the franchise, Hughes can’t lead the Canucks to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.

Hughes is set to hit free agency in 2027

Hughes will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027. It may seem like a long while from today, but it’s really not that much time—certainly not enough for Vancouver to magically find its identity and build a championship-caliber roster. If Hughes is still in town by then, he will most likely opt to test the market in July 2027, when he can decide where he’ll play for the first time in his career.

Thus, the Canucks may be better off shipping him out now while the market is high on Hughes. Vancouver can get a lot in return and truly put itself in a position to rebuild the squad and come back stronger. Obviously, it’s not an easy decision to make.

No going back after it’s done

These are the type of decisions that define executives’ careers. Once the trade goes through, it’s one president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford and general manager Patrik Allvin may never be able to live down.

However, trading Hughes away is a move that must be analyzed over the years to determine the winners and losers. A trade with New Jersey would mean Vancouver is placing its chips on the long-term future, while the Devils are going all in.

Regardless, no one can expect the fanbase to sit and wait idly if they see the Hughes trio playing for Stanley Cups one season after another. Vancouver is truly stuck between a rock and a hard place, but staying put will only assure a slow, torturous agony.

In what could be a major plot twist in the 2025-26 NHL season, the Rangers may swoop in for Hughes, who appears to be running out of patience with Vancouver’s mounting embarrassments.

New York wasn’t considered a serious contender in the Hughes sweepstakes—most rumors have long pointed to the Metro rival New Jersey Devils as the clear favorite. However, a new report has shifted the spotlight toward Sullivan’s Broadway Blueshirts.

“Another team to look out for is the New York Rangers,” reported David Pagnotta on The Fourth Period. “It wouldn’t shock me to see the Blueshirts taking a swing.”

Why the move would make sense for the Rangers

In many ways, trading for Hughes could be exactly what the Rangers need in the 2025–26 season. Acquiring him would revamp their aspirations of hoisting their fifth Stanley Cup (first since 1994). Moreover, with Adam Fox out with an injury, bringing Hughes into the lineup would be the perfect replacement—and could create the best defensive pairing in the NHL once Fox returns to the ice.

Though not strictly related to the on-ice product and New York’s Stanley Cup aspirations, the Rangers would also get a sugar rush from snatching the Devils’ top target away from them. Ever since drafting Jack and Luke Hughes, fans in the Garden State have daydreamed about boasting all three Hughes brothers in the lineup.

With the Canucks languishing at the bottom of the standings and Quinn Hughes making his frustration crystal clear with the state of the franchise, now seems like the best time for New Jersey to pounce and complete the Hughes gauntlet.

Will Vancouver trade Quinn Hughes?

It’s unclear whether Vancouver will be willing to deal its best defenseman—and arguably the best in the league—just yet. If the Canucks did trade Hughes away, it would seem as if they were waving the white flag on their season—and even on their long-term hopes. For fans in Vancity, Hughes is the biggest beacon of hope.

Watching the best player on the team move on would be the straw that broke the camel’s back for the fanbase in British Columbia. General manager Patrik Allvin and president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford are currently standing on thin ice, and pulling the trigger on such a move could very well be their last decision as employees of the Canucks organization.

Is Quinn Hughes a free agent next season?

No, Quinn Hughes is playing through the fifth season of his six-year, $47.10 million extension with the Vancouver Canucks. Thus, Hughes won’t become an unrestricted free agent until after the 2026-27 NHL campaign.

Therefore, the only shot the Rangers, Devils, or any team has of acquiring him at the moment is through a trade with the Canucks. If not, the rest of the league must wait until the 2027 free agency. Whether Hughes will want out of Vancouver by then remains to be seen.

In the NHL—as in life—nothing comes free. There is a price to pay, and even the languishing Canucks can demand to be compensated accordingly for their best player, Hughes. On that note, not even the Devils—who would complete the Hughes brothers gauntlet with Quinn’s addition—will get to use a discount coupon.

If New Jersey wants to be taken seriously by Vancouver, it must be willing to give up a key piece in return. Most reports indicate defenseman Simon Nemec could be part of the package sent to the Canucks. Thus, in addition to the stress caused by the NHL season, the former 2nd overall pick in 2022 must deal with the anxious fear of potentially being relocated at any given moment. However, when the 21-year-old talent was asked about the recent rumors, he voiced a very mature answer.

“I mean it’s part of being a hockey player,” Nemec admitted, via NJ.com. “Something could always happen. I’m trying not to think about it. I don’t know if it’s true or something. I’m just trying to play hockey and I will see how everything turns out.”

Sheldon Keefe’s message to the team

After a great start to the 2025-26 NHL season, the Devils have hit a slump. New Jersey has now lost five straight games—being shut out in two of them—and is clearly missing Jack Hughes, who has yet to make an appearance after suffering a freak accident during a team dinner.

With their best player out indefinitely and the loud noise surrounding a potential move for arguably the best defenseman in the league, the Devils have a lot on their plates. Being successful in the NHL regular season is all about riding the peaks and valleys, and it sure seems New Jersey needs its coaching staff to bring stability now more than ever. On that note, head coach Sheldon Keefe voiced a powerful comment on cancelling the outside noise.

“For me, to keep them focused is just to keep them focused,” Keefe stated per NJ.com. “We don’t talk about any of that sort of stuff. It’s out of our control as coaches and players. Stuff that goes on in the periphery is just that — noise at this point. Now more than ever we need to stay focused. Anytime that sort of stuff gets out and players overthink it, it can be a challenging situation.”

Update on Jack Hughes

As the Devils hope to have their alternate captain back on the lineup as soon as possible, Keefe and company know better than to rush Hughes’ recovery. “He’s been out on the ice, he was out there again today,” Keefe said about Jack Hughes on Monday. “I would say he’s on schedule but he’s far enough away that they don’t even tell me how he’s doing, I just know because I know what he’s up to.”

The initial timeline on Hughes’ injury suggested an eight-week absence. Halfway through that stretch, the Devils are pleased to see Hughes back on the ice. However, he is still wearing a cast on the pinky finger he injured. As a result, Hughes can’t hold a stick yet, and thus New Jersey is still in the dark when it comes to effectively evaluating how far along he truly is in his recovery.

Needless to say, the Devils can’t sit around and wait for Hughes to return for them to snap their current five-game losing hex. With or without Jack Hughes, New Jersey must get back on track—and it seems it will have to be the latter.

The Canucks are watching a nightmare NHL season unfold under their very eyes. Not only is Vancouver struggling to win consecutive games, the future of its best player is now up in the air.

On that note, Hughes took to the media himself with a clear statement as the rumor mill around the league hints the Devils are working on a move for the former seventh overall selection in the 2018 NHL entry Draft.

“It wasn’t like, if there was a call, me, [Canucks GM Jim Rutherford], and [Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald] hopped on the call,” Hughes told reporters during his media availability on Sunday. “You know, I wasn’t a part of that but obviously I’m aware things like that could happen, for sure.”

Hughes didn’t clear the air

Obviously, Hughes isn’t exempt from the outside noise in Vancity and the rest of the league. Ever since joining the Canucks, the oldest brother of the Hughes trio has grown used to trade rumors. It’s a part of playing in a Canadian market, especially one like Vancouver.

However, fans hoped Hughes would deliver a firm answer stating he is happy to be in Vancouver. That wasn’t the case, and some even pointed to the fact he referred to another general manager in the NHL in such a friendly manner—Tom Fitzgerald of the Devils. For many, the writing is on the wall, and Hughes’ time with the Canucks has its days numbered.

Where could Hughes be traded?

There is no organization in the NHL that wouldn’t take Hughes in a heartbeat. However—realistically speaking—not many can meet the criteria for the Canucks to accept a trade for the star defenseman. Moreover, not every franchise can accommodate Hughes’ $7.85 million cap hit in the middle of the season. Thus, the list of potential suitors shrinks.

According to several reports around the league, it might come down to two up-and-coming teams in the East: the New Jersey Devils or the Detroit Red Wings. It makes sense Vancouver might be more willing to hand arguably the best blueliner in the league to a team on the opposite coast of the continent and one that won’t come across the Canucks’ path as often.

While the Devils seem the most obvious answer and the team Hughes would have no problem joining, it’s not like Quinn has any job security in Vancouver, as his contract doesn’t boast a no-movement clause (NMC). If the Canucks want to send Hughes anywhere, they can, though it seems unlikely for Vancouver not to grant Hughes the courtesy of at least being content with his next destination.

The Canucks knew this would happen. Opposites attract, and they often make for chaotic, abrupt collisions. Vancouver knew its limitations coming into the season—under a new head coach and with an impossible-to-fill void in its depth. However, fans in Vancity will never stop expecting to win the Stanley Cup.

Now, those two polarized forces are crashing together, with Hughes caught in the middle, as the NHL rumor mill suggests he may not remain in British Columbia for much longer. On that note, Hughes’ latest outburst could raise alarms around the locker room—and the city. In more ways than one, it looks like a last-ditch effort from the blueliner to save the season—and perhaps his time in Vancouver.

“I feel like I’ve seen pretty much everything under the sun here—good and bad,” Hughes vividly admitted, as reported by Daily Hive Vancouver’s Trevor Beggs on X. “And you want to win… and losing sucks.”

Hughes can’t hide his frustration

Ever since he entered the NHL as a first-round selection, Hughes has been one to wear his heart on a sleeve. After tough losses, the star blueliner is often seen frustrated during postgame media availability. It makes for funny reactions that go viral in social media, but it also goes to show the competitor in him.

Hughes is no longer a rookie nor a kid in the league. The 26-year-old defenseman wants to taste glory in the NHL. Watching his younger brothers, Jack and Luke, thrive on the other coast of the continent with the New Jersey Devils definitely leads Quinn to wonder if the grass is actually greener on the other side.

Fans may get a kick out of his candid reactions and postgame statements, but Hughes sure doesn’t. If Pettersson and the Canucks keep reaching new lows, sooner or later it may lead to Hughes asking out of Vancouver.

Canucks can’t catch a break

The Canucks are currently dragging a three-game losing skid. Moreover, they have registered just two wins in their last 11 outings. After a 3-1 start to the 2025-26 NHL season, Vancouver hasn’t won consecutive games since.

Additionally, Hughes and company could very well find themselves in last place in the entire league when they take to the ice to face the Utah Mammoth on Dec. 5 at Rogers Arena. Vancouver’s last win on home ice was on Nov. 9, when they defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3. Since then, the Canucks are 0-3-1 in Vancity.