Quinn Hughes leads the Vancouver Canucks in scoring with 42 points.

Quinn Hughes is on another level. The reigning Norris Trophy winner is on pace to set a new career high in points and has even entered the Hart Trophy conversation. On top of this, Hughes is only 35 points away from becoming the franchise's all-time leader in points by a defenceman, which he should have no problem hitting before the start of the season.

There is little doubt that Brock Boeser agree with this line of thinking. After the Vancouver Canucks dropped a 5-4 decision in overtime against the Ottawa Senators last Saturday, a reporter asked the Burnsville, Minn., product about Hughes' play in the contest. "Does it surprise you anymore? He's an amazing hockey player," Boeser said. "We're witnessing greatness from a defenceman right in front of our eyes."

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That greatness has resulted in the defencemen co-leading the NHL in points since Nov. 25 with 23 alongside Brayden Point. Aside from Vancouver's captain, no defender has cracked the top 25 in points scored during that time. 

Hughes' 2024-25 campaign has been nothing short of spectacular. Through the NHL's holiday break, he leads the Canucks in scoring by a wide margin. His 42 points are 14 higher than second-place Elias Pettersson and 33 above the next highest-scoring Vancouver defender, which is the injured Filip Hronek, who's notched nine on the season.

Given that Pettersson and J.T. Miller are producing below their usual point-per-game clip, Hughes' high offensive output is especially important for the team.

Hughes' dynamic play is magnified with Hronek sidelined. The Canucks are in dire need of offence from their blue line, and Hughes is providing exactly that thanks to his exceptional transition game, play-driving ability and offensive IQ.

He's also taking on the bulk of the workload for Vancouver, playing over 100 minutes more than his next closest teammate. His average shift length of 51 seconds is seven higher than Pettersson, who sits in second. 

At five-on-five, the Canucks have scored 39 goals with Hughes on the ice. Hughes co-leads the NHL alongside Thomas Chabot in this category. But the Ottawa Senators have let up 27 goals with Chabot on the ice versus Hughes' 21 with Vancouver. The Canucks have outshot opponents 358-272 with their captain on the ice, and individually, he is sporting a 57.36 xGF% and a 58.73 CF%, per Natural Stat Trick.

His 39 Goals For while on the ice are particularly impressive given Hronek — who only played 21 games so far— is second on the team.  

According to PuckIQ, these numbers are coming while Hughes splits his workload relatively evenly between what it considers "Elite," "Middle," and "Gritensity" competition. He's seen 68.6% of his TOI against Middle and Gritensity opposition and has shelled opposing sides during this time. Vancouver is outscoring opponents 28-11, while Hughes is on the ice against these two types. 

The Norris Race

Last season, Hughes won the Norris Trophy by scoring a career-high 17 goals and 92 points, playing impressive two-way hockey, and leading his team to first place in the Pacific Division. This year, Hughes is on pace to break 100 points and come within reach of 20 goals. If Hughes stays on his current clip, he would be the first defenceman to hit triple-digit scoring since Erik Karlsson in 2022-23 and become the seventh different defenceman in NHL history to accomplish this feat.

Around the league, Cale Makar is undoubtedly making a case for the award. His 45 points through 36 games leads all defencemen in scoring and, like Hughes, puts him on pace for a 100-point season. Overall, the contest for the Norris is a two-horse race with little margin for error in the back half of the 2024-25 season. 

The strong play of Hughes will keep the Canucks in the postseason picture and the hunt for a divisional playoff spot as some of his star teammates try and get back into elite form.