Former Defenseman Takes Harsh Shot at Quinn Hughes' Ability to Lead the Vancouver Canucks
Photo credit: NHL
A long-time NHL defenseman and Olympian doesn't believe that Vancouver Canucks will be able to win a Stanley Cup with captain Quinn Hughes as their best blueliner.
It's been a whirlwind of an offseason for Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes, who has been mentioned in trade rumors this summer after the team's President of Hockey Operations, Jim Rutherford, made comments about his captain's future with the club.
"It may not boil down to money with [Quinn]. He said before he wants to play with his brothers. That would be partly out of our control. In our control if we brought his brothers here." Rutherford said.
The 25-year-old was one of very few bright spots on the Canucks last year, with the club missing out on the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but with some new additions to their roster and players returning to full health, the Canucks are hoping for a return to the postseason in 2026, but one former NHLer doesn't believe Quinn Hughes has what it takes to win at the most important time of the year.
Former NHLer doesn't believe Vancouver Canucks can win a Stanley Cup with Quinn Hughes
During a recent edition of the Empty Netters podcast former National Hockey League defenseman and 2018 Olympian James Wisniewski had some bold words regarding the Vancouver Canucks and captain Quinn Hughes.
When discussing mobile, puck-moving defenseman currently in the NHL, including guys like Lane Hutson, Adam Fox and Cale Makar, Wisniewski not only doesn't believe he should be mentioned in that same group, he doesn't think the Vancouver Canucks can win a Stanley Cup "with a guy like him".
"If you want my personal opinion, I don't think you win a [Stanley] Cup with that man," Wisniewski said.
He added, "Dude, this kid is unbelievable. He's way better than me. I'm not saying anything. I'm just saying as an all-around game, as a winner that's not your Zdeno Chara, right?"
He added, "Dude, this kid is unbelievable. He's way better than me. I'm not saying anything. I'm just saying as an all-around game, as a winner that's not your Zdeno Chara, right?"
Hughes, who has appeared in six more Stanley Cup Playoff games than Wisniewski already in his career, doesn't have to be a Zdeno Chara-type to win a Stanley Cup.
From a leadership standpoint, sure, Hughes might not be the most vocal guy on the ice, but he leads by example, recording 75+ points in each of the last three seasons and quite frankly, is someone like Adam Fox more of a Zdeno Chara-type than the Canucks captain, if that's what Wisniewski is trying to imply, no disrespect to the former NHLer, but it's very hard to believe that.
Previously on CanucksDaily
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