Quinn Hughes downplays Jack's comments: 'What's he supposed to say?'

Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes wasn't exactly shocked by his brother Jack's comments about wanting to play together someday.

Jack, a superstar center for the New Jersey Devils, said Tuesday that he hopes to suit up with the eldest Hughes brother at some point during their NHL careers. The comments added fuel to the fire surrounding Quinn's contract situation, which is already a major talking point in Vancouver. The 2024 Norris Trophy winner is scheduled to be a free agent in 2027 if he doesn't reach an extension with the Canucks once he becomes eligible next July.

"I mean, he's my brother. What's he supposed to say, first of all? Like, 'I don't want to play with him,' you know?" Quinn told reporters Wednesday in Las Vegas, per theScore's John Matisz.

Hughes added, "I mean, we have contracts and whatnot. He's on a different team. Would it be fun to play with those guys at some point? Of course. I think if you guys (reporters) have brothers, you guys would say the same thing. But we do have contracts. I'm excited to be in Vancouver, and I feel like last year was a little bit of failure. So I feel like I got things to do there. And I know Jack loves Jersey, and he's got stuff to do also."

Luke Hughes, the youngest of the three brothers, is also on the Devils. The defenseman is currently in a contract stalemate with New Jersey and reportedly wants his next deal to expire in 2031 - the same year Jack would be a free agent.

Quinn said he isn't upset by the uproar Jack's comments caused and urged Vancouver fans not to read too much into the hypothetical.

"No, I don't care at all," Hughes said. "I think that's just him being authentic, and if a fan base can't understand why he would say that, that makes no sense to me."

Quinn and Jack were both selected for the USA's 4 Nations Face-Off squad, but the former missed the tournament due to injury. They're likely to be key pieces on the American Olympic team in February if healthy.