As captain of the Vancouver Canucks, Quinn Hughes has set his sights excessive for the 2024-25 season. Identified for his elite puck-moving expertise and unbelievable skating skill, Hughes has turn into one of many NHL’s prime offensive defensemen. Final season, he received the Norris Memorial Trophy because the NHL’s prime defenseman. Nonetheless, he needs to take his recreation to the subsequent stage this season by specializing in goal-scoring. Hughes is on hitting the 20-goal mark, an formidable however achievable goal for a defenseman of his calibre.
Within the following video, Hughes weighs in on his objectives for the approaching season and his ideas in regards to the workforce that can hit the ice.
Hughes Shares His Private Scoring Objectives
When requested about his scoring objectives, Hughes mentioned he would “positively proceed engaged on my goal-scoring. I feel I can get to that 20-goal mark, hopefully. I’ve labored just a little bit on that this offseason, and I feel we should always be capable of see extra of that. I’m assured it’ll come collectively.”
Associated: Tocchet’s Canucks Teaching Genius Mirrors Ali’s Rope-a-Dope
Past his private objectives, Hughes is happy in regards to the Canucks’ path as an entire. The workforce has made a number of key offseason strikes and have obtained depth and expertise to bolster their lineup. Hughes is optimistic in regards to the new items and the way they’ll contribute to the Canucks’ success, particularly within the playoffs, the place expertise and depth are essential.
Hughes is especially within the workforce including veteran gamers who can carry out underneath stress, just like the newly-acquired ahead Jake DeBrusk, previously of the Boston Bruins. He believes these gamers could make a major distinction and assist the workforce gel as they purpose to enhance on final season’s efficiency.
About DeBrusk, Hughes famous: “I feel we added quite a lot of depth, and I’m proud of the items we’ve introduced in. DeBrusk has been a very good participant in Boston for a very long time, and we’re fortunate to have him. He is aware of play within the playoffs, and that’s one thing we are able to positively profit from. All the blokes we’ve added convey one thing necessary. I feel we’re a greater workforce than we have been final 12 months.”
Hughes’ Management as Captain
Because the workforce’s captain, Hughes additionally acknowledges the significance of fostering chemistry inside the group. His management extends past his on-ice efficiency as he builds belief and camaraderie amongst his teammates. Hughes understands that success this season will rely upon how properly the Canucks can come collectively as a unit, particularly with new gamers adjusting to the system.
Associated: Vancouver Canucks 2024-25 Stat Leaders Predictions
When discussing workforce chemistry and management, Hughes famous, “We simply need to maintain transferring ahead and proceed to gel as a workforce. I’m pleased with the group we have now right here, and I feel we have now the potential to do one thing particular. I’ll maintain engaged on main by instance, each in my recreation and the way I assist the blokes round me.”
For Hughes, the last word aim stays playoff success. He is aware of that for the Canucks to make a deep postseason run, everybody might want to elevate their recreation, himself included. With a deal with bettering his ending skill and driving offense from the blue line, Hughes is set to not solely assist the Canucks attain the playoffs but additionally make an impression as soon as they get there.
Hughes additionally spoke in regards to the workforce’s playoff aspirations: “I wish to capitalize extra within the playoffs… I feel I’ve discovered rather a lot from our previous playoff experiences, and I do know I can convey extra when it issues most. That’s one other factor I’m engaged on—ensuring I’m prepared for when the video games really matter.”
The Backside Line for Hughes and the Canucks
From his remarks, it’s simple to see that Hughes is about for a pivotal season with the Canucks. His objectives embody reaching the 20-goal mark and a powerful need to guide his workforce to higher heights. As he continues to develop his management expertise and enhance his offensive manufacturing, Canucks followers can look ahead to seeing him take one other step ahead, each as a person participant and because the captain of a workforce with playoff aspirations.