Quinn Hughes Sits One Assist Away From Joining Exclusive List
Hughes' 74 assists this season are tied for the 16th most by a defenceman in NHL history.
Photo by Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports - Quinn Hughes Sits One Assist Away From Joining Exclusive ListWith one more assist, the Vancouver Canucks captain will accomplish something only done once other time since the 1993-94 season. Sitting on 74 assists this year, Hughes has the chance to become the eighth defenceman in NHL history to record 75 assists in a season. Once Hughes hits the milestone, he will join Bobby Orr, Paul Coffey, Brian Leetch, Phil Housley, Sergei Zubov, Erik Karlsson and Al MacInnis on the exclusive list.
With three games remaining, Hughes should not only hit the 75-assist mark but surpass it. He is two assists off Erik Karlsson's total of 76 from last season, while if he gets six assists, he would tie Brian Leetch and Bobby Orr for ninth all-time with 80 assists. With 91 points on the season, Hughes should also continue to climb the all-time points by a defenceman in a season list and could get into the top 20 with a strong push to end the season.
Hughes is putting together not just one of the best seasons in franchise history but one of the most impressive by a defenceman in the last 30 years. Since the 1993-94 season, only two defencemen have more points than Hughes, while his plus/minus of +40 ranks second among the top 20 campaigns. While there is some debate, he deserves to be this year's Norris Trophy winner and may even receive some Hart Trophy votes this year.
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