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Luke Hughes, New Jersey Devils (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Canucks Tampering Talk & More NHL Rumours and News

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Jim Parsons | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 12:30 PM ET

In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the Vancouver Canucks hinted that Quinn Hughes might only stay in Vancouver if he can play with his brothers. In making those comments, did Jim Rutherford cross a tampering line? Meanwhile, Anthony Stolarz returned to the ice for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Why was he missing from practice on Monday? Finally, why did the Edmonton Oilers hold Evander Kane out of Game 1 between the Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings? Is the NHL looking into Kane’s injury situation?

Rutherford Says Hughes Wants to Play With His Brothers

Vancouver Canucks president Jim Rutherford sparked tampering concerns after commenting that star defenseman Quinn Hughes wants to play with his brothers, Jack and Luke — both under contract with the New Jersey Devils.

While speaking with the media on Monday, the Canucks’ confirmed it was a priority to re-sign Hughes long-term and Rutherford remarked that the team can’t afford to lose their captain and superstar defenseman. He suggested that they would keep enough cap space open to pay him, but it wasn’t just all about money. Acquiring his brothers would potentially be part of the team’s game plan. Rutherford noted keeping Quinn was “partly out of our control — in our control, if we brought his brothers here.”

The NHL strictly prohibits even public suggestions of interest in players signed to other teams, and Rutherford himself admitted, “I probably crossed the line.”

It will be intriguing to see if the NHL pursues formal punishment, and if the comments placed added pressure on Hughes, who’s already under immense scrutiny as team captain. The fact the organization hinted that Quinn might leave if the Canucks are unsuccessful if acquiring Luke (a pending RFA) or Jack (locked in until 2030 with the Devils) is something the team probably didn’t need to put out into the world.

More news on Rick Tocchet surfaced after the Canucks said they wouldn’t exercise the option on his contract. Rick Dhaliwal reports he believes Tocchet wants more than $4 million per season.

Stolarz Returns to the Ice For the Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz returned to the ice for Toronto on Tuesday. This was after taking a rest day on Monday, and some concern that he might have been injured after being run into by Ridly Greig. Stolarz said he was fine, but annoyed. Head coach Craig Berube stated that his goaltender’s absence from practice on Monday was intended to give him rest, and there were no injury concerns to report.

It is believed Stolarz will be the starter for tonight’s Game 2 matchup against the Ottawa Senators.

Oilers and Evander Kane On NHL’s Radar

In a follow-up to the report that Evander Kane would not play in Game 1 for the Edmonton Oilers, it now appears that the reason has less to do with his injury situation and more to do with the optics of bringing him back in the first game of the playoffs.

Elliotte Friedman reported during the second intermission of Game 1 that the NHL scrutinized multiple teams who were in LTIR deep into the season, and the Oilers were among them. Friedman said he wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Evander Kane in Game 2.

Oilers fans were all over the idea that the NHL is finally looking more closely at LTIR cases, and of course, just as the Oilers try to use the loophole that other teams have taken advantage of for years.