Quinn Hughes' Ability to Lead Vancouver Canucks to Stanley Cup Called Into Question by Ex-NHLer
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Quinn Hughes' ability to lead the Vancouver Canucks to a Stanley Cup was recently called into question by a former NHL defenseman on the Empty Netters podcast.
While Quinn Hughes might not be the most vocal leader, the Canucks captain has led by example, registering at least 76 points in each of the last three years, along with a 92-point campaign in 2023-24 which earned him a Norris Trophy.
With his future in Vancouver uncertain following comments earlier this year by Jim Rutherford, who suggested that it may not come down to money or term with Quinn Hughes on his next contract, the Canucks are going to do everything in their power to make a push for a Stanley Cup while he's still around, but one former NHLer doesn't believe he has what it takes to lead the team to glory.
Former NHLer questions Quinn Hughes' ability to lead Vancouver Canucks to the Stanley Cup
Earlier this month, former National Hockey League defenseman James Wisniewski was a guest on the Empty Netters Podcast where he spoke about some of the game's top puck-moving defenseman right now.
Wisniewski went on to add, after mentioning players like Cale Makar, Adam Fox and Lane Hutson, that Quinn Hughes doesn't necessarily belong in that group and isn't a player that you can win a Stanley Cup with.
"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?"
All four defenseman that Wisniewski talks about are solid and have won something in their career, but so far, only Cale Makar has been able to raise the Stanley Cup over his head, while someone like Lane Hutson, who just entered the league, could get that shot in the years to come, as could Quinn Hughes and Adam Fox.
But it's not always just about one player and their ability to lead a team to the Stanley Cup as you need all four lines rolling, your three defensive pairings on the top of their game and two goaltenders that are capable of stepping up when their team needs them the most.
Wisniewski's comments are a bit puzzling to say the least and if he believes that Quinn Hughes isn't able to lead Vancouver to a Stanley Cup and doesn't belong in that group with the other three blueliners he mentioned, that seems like a huge oversight and he may want to tune into more Canucks games this season.
Previously on CanucksDaily
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