‘All about winning’: Hughes unwilling to concede season amid Canucks trade noise

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes confirmed Thursday that he was completely unaware of what team president Jim Rutherford had for breakfast.

But as for hockey matters and the “transition” of the National Hockey League team that Rutherford and general manager Patrick Allan are trying to make, Hughes, the captain, said he speaks regularly with Rutherford and has a great relationship with the Canucks’ hockey operations boss.

“Me and Jim have a really good relationship, and I have a lot of respect for Jim,” Hughes said after the Canucks practiced here on Thursday. “He’s a Hall of Fame GM, and absolutely, yes, I talk to him.

“I don’t know about always being in the same boat or anything like that, but I know that I have a lot of respect for Jim and I don’t have a problem talking to Jim and vice versa. He’s been a resource for me, and it’s been a good relationship for me. So he knows how I feel (and) I know how he feels.”

That said, Hughes was unaware until the story broke publicly this week — then confirmed by Rutherford — that the Canucks had notified other NHL teams that Vancouver players eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer were now available for trade.

That buzzsaw spotlighted winger Kiefer Sherwood, who is easily the best and most marketable Canuck on an expiring contract. The 30-year-old also becomes the team’s top goalscorer this season with 24 in 12 games.

Sherwood thoughtfully and professionally answered SportsNet’s questions about the uncomfortable situation Wednesday morning, then had another solid game as his struggling team beat the Anaheim Mighty Ducks 5-4 on the night.

“You know, I love it here and I love this group here, and I just want to keep it going day by day,” Sherwood told us. “I think that’s just part of the gig. You have to be professional and you have a job to play. You try to have a good mindset through it all.”

SportsNet insider Elliot Friedman first reported the story Monday night. In an interview with The Post on Tuesday, Rutherford reiterated the Canucks’ need to get young and made it clear that he is seeking interest in his UEFA-eligible players — Sherwood, Evander Kane, Teddy Bluger and Derek Forbert — and that “it’s not just about looking at a trade.”

“I mean, I think it’s all about winning games,” Hughes said Thursday, referring to the Canucks’ 10-12-2 record and position near the bottom of the standings. “If we were winning games, Jim wouldn’t have said that. I don’t know what he said because I’m not on Twitter or anything, but I heard the gist of it, and I think, like I said, if we were winning games, there wouldn’t be a conversation about it.”

After Vancouver opened the season with the sole goal of returning to the Stanley Cup playoffs, injuries quickly reached a critical mass, the defensive play collapsed and the team began to lose. The win against the Pacific Division-leading Ducks was just the Canucks’ second in eight games, but still moved them five points out of a playoff spot in the U.S. Thanksgiving.

The Canucks flew to San Jose after Thursday’s practice and played Friday’s game there against the Sharks, another rebuilding team that has come into contention after years of being deliberately poor.

Hughes, of course, is eligible for free agency after next season, and the best player in Canucks history is expected to decide this summer whether to sign an extension or seek a trade to the New Jersey Devils to play with younger brothers Jack and Luke.

Within this subplot of the Canucks’ season, every move will be viewed by many as how Kane Hughes feels about it.

“It’s not like Jim tells me what he had for breakfast,” Hughes said. “But, I mean, we talk and we have a good relationship. I know our coaches are working hard and working hard, and we work very hard (as players). We just have to keep going.”

“Obviously … it’s all about winning, so I was happy that we won last night. You want to be competitive and you never want to lose on your home ice like we did a few nights ago (5-2 against the Calgary Flames on Sunday). It’s a bad feeling. But as far as what happens next, I can only control, like my game and attitude, like my game and attitude, try to feel my game and attitude. It’s as good as it gets.” So, that’s all I can do.

Anyone who thinks Hughes is writing complaints to Rutherford — or making management demands to agent Pete Burson — probably underestimates the superstar’s steady professionalism.

“I mean, I have moments where I’m not a pro,” Hughes smiled. “Like, you can ask the guys here; I have my moments. But as far as, like, the main thing is your game. And last night, I felt like I created eight or nine or 10 scoring chances. That’s all you can do. And defend hard. Everything else is just people talking.

“We had a good win last night, and all we can do is get as many points as we can on this road trip.”

Hughes said he doesn’t believe moving trade talks ahead of the March 6 trade deadline affects the team because the players, especially the UFAs, “have grown up” and understand that the NHL is a business.

He also doesn’t see it as a concession on the weather.

“We have to believe (in ourselves),” Hughes said. “I mean, we have to approach every game like it’s our last. Or how we approach the first game of the year, with that kind of enthusiasm. We have to approach tomorrow’s game like that. I don’t know why anything would change. I think it’s just being a professional.”

• Coach Adam Foote made one change for Thursday’s practice, inserting Lucas Rachel in the middle of the fourth line while center Ato Rati skated as an extra. With one assist in 13 games since his trade from the Chicago Blackhawks, Rachel got healthy and missed the last three games. Foote said Rati could use “a little break.” Center Max Sasson was promoted from the fourth line to replace Retty between Sherwood and Drew O’Connor, while Rachel practiced with wingers Linus Carlson and Arsdeep Baines.