Canucks: 3 takeaways from Quinn Hughes’ rookie season

He’s a magician on the power play

Canucks fans never knew what it was like to have a true power play quarterback until this year. And now, Vancouver possesses arguably one of the best man-advantage specialists from across the entire 31-team league. Seriously, Hughes was nothing short of spectacular on the power play.

Nobody can deny the impact that Hughes has had on the Canucks’ power play, which becomes apparent when you look at the league leaders in power play points. He tallied 25 points this year while the Canucks were up a man. That’s enough for first place amongst all Vancouver players, third place in all NHL defenders, and tied for 12th across the league. Let that sink in for a minute.

He was the best player on the ice when Vancouver had a power play, but that didn’t stop him from also making sure he improved the game of each and every player around him. His chemistry with J.T. Miller tied the two teammates for most power play points, he often received the primary assist of a Pettersson one-timer, and his loose rebounds often helped Bo Horvat score and lead the man-advantage in goals.

He took an inconsistent power play and turned it into a very consistent top-five threat that held onto the fourth-best position for the majority of the year. He’s impossible to knock off the puck, and he’s the only Canuck capable of a proper double shift. He’s Vancouver’s power play king.