The Vancouver Canucks performance on the ice this season as a team has been disastrous, to say the least. But one silver-lining through the Canucks first 23 games of the season is the individual play from Quinn Hughes.
The 22-year-old blueliner notched his 100th career assist in last night’s contest against the Montreal Canadiens. The feat took Hughes just 151 games, and in terms of team history, he’s already the quickest Canucks defenceman reach that milestone. He currently sits 17th in Canucks all-time assists by a blueliner, and could creep his way into the top 15 by the New Year.
#Canucks Hughes picked up 100th #NHL assist last night. In 50+ years of franchise, he's already 17th among all Dmen & by Christmas will be top 15. He's played 151 career games
— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) November 30, 2021
Unlike the rest of Vancouver’s top players, Hughes is actually performing to standards, if not slightly above. His ability to create offence has always been there, yet he’s finding another gear while the rest of his linemates struggle.
The team’s best defenceman has worked hard to be where he’s at – leading all blueliners on his team in points (2 goals, 14 assists), and currently sitting in third amongst all linemates, trailing only J.T. Miller and Conor Garland.
He was a ghastly minus 24 through 56 games last season but holds a plus 1 rating through the 2021-22 campaign. His noticeable improvements in the defensive end have paid dividends, making it much easier for him to break out with the puck, and make a good first pass out of the zone – ultimately leading to more opportunities to create offence and add to that assist total.
Hughes has registered just 2 assists through his last five games played, but he’ll look to further improve that stat in the final road game of the team’s current five-game road trip when the Canucks battle the bottom-feeding Ottawa Senators on Wednesday.
What are your thoughts on the recent play of number 43? Leave a comment below to get involved in the conversation, and be sure to tune in to the game on Wednesday. Puck drops at 4:30 Pacific.