Not many gave this team a chance heading into the 2023-24 season, with some saying that they may not even make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Canucks used that as fuel and finished the regular season as Pacific Division champions and took out the Nashville Predators in the first round, before losing to Edmonton in seven games in round two.
Hughes, 24, had a strong 2023-24 season, which was his first as captain of the Vancouver Canucks. He set new career highs in goals, assists, points and plus/minus, earning himself a nomination for the Norris Trophy. In 82 regular season games, Hughes had 92 points (17 goals, 75 assists), and added ten assists in 13 games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Canucks have some work to do this summer in terms of their roster and which free agents they'll re-sign and who they'll decide to let go. It's going to be interesting what Patrik Allvin and his group do, but regardless, with this core, the Canucks are going to be competitive for many years to come.