Player Discussion Quinn Hughes, Pt. VI

[Jyrki21]

Before I even finished reading your post, Dougie Hamilton popped into my head right away. Hamilton is beloved in Carolina and I really haven't seen any gripes with him not being more physical on their board. As long as he is leading the charge on the backend, there isn't much to complain about - he was in talks for the Norris, how could you be upset with his play?

But then it is already his third stop, after a couple (less progressive?) organizations. I don't actually know, was he criticized earlier in his career for not pushing guys around?

I think the days of a bigger player NEEDING to be physical is going away rather quick, actually. If you can be an effective player without it, should anyone really care? Besides, being uber-physical takes a toll on a players body. Dishing out hits can typical take a bigger chunk out of yourself rather than the actual player being hit.

Oh I totally agree, and acknowledge that it tends to be thrown as a criticism more at guys who aren't producing (like Brad Isbister or early-career Bertuzzi) than ones who are, for obvious reasons, but I still feel that certain analysts can't get past it.

 

[F A N]

But then it is already his third stop, after a couple (less progressive?) organizations. I don't actually know, was he criticized earlier in his career for not pushing guys around?

I thought it was his love for museums rather than team dinners that he was criticized for.

 

[PG Canuck]

But then it is already his third stop, after a couple (less progressive?) organizations. I don't actually know, was he criticized earlier in his career for not pushing guys around?


Oh I totally agree, and acknowledge that it tends to be thrown as a criticism more at guys who aren't producing (like Brad Isbister or early-career Bertuzzi) than ones who are, for obvious reasons, but I still feel that certain analysts can't get past it.

Dougie Hamilton being hated is one of the dumbest things in hockey. He has other interests and hobbies and it didn’t clash with recent locker rooms. The Canes have embraced him as a person and player and he was having a career year. Plus, he’s also being utilized properly and deployed where he can be a great player.

 

[Jay Cee]

I don't think there is a player quite like Quinn Hughes. He is a defensive zone exit specialist who plays offense and defense well and he will only get better at both.

 

[bandwagonesque]

Dougie Hamilton being hated is one of the dumbest things in hockey. He has other interests and hobbies and it didn’t clash with recent locker rooms. The Canes have embraced him as a person and player and he was having a career year. Plus, he’s also being utilized properly and deployed where he can be a great player.

I get that sense that relatively normal young men who happen to be quiet and aloof/shy sometimes get ostracized in NHL locker rooms. Like Dustin Brown getting bullied for having a normal-looking girlfriend.

 

[PG Canuck]

I get that sense that relatively normal young men who happen to be quiet and aloof/shy sometimes get ostracized in NHL locker rooms. Like Dustin Brown getting bullied for having a normal-looking girlfriend.

Probably not as much now, with teams being younger and younger. Boston was a very veteran deployed team and they have had the same culture that has been around since 2010-ish for sure. Calgary was a bit younger I think but he didn’t work there either.

I follow Carolina really close, for fantasy reasons, and I post on their board quite a bit because they’re a really cool fanbase - anyways my point is, Hamilton is now with a younger team that accepts him and he seems really close with some guys on the team and he’s beloved in the room.

I don’t really understand his whole situation and I think it’s probably overblown with a mix of people looking for him having some kind of “issue”. It’s not like his play was the best either.

 

[mossey3535]

I wonder how much of Hughes' success can be attributed to being paired with Tanev. You'd think with most other partners, he'd likely spend more time defending and have less points as a result.

It's a fairly similar pairing to the Rielly - Tanev pairing at the WC a few years back when they weren't on the ice for a goal against all tournament.

Not an overly huge amount IMO. Early in the season I was posting in GDTs that Tanev was over compensating for Hughes and covering for him unnecessarily, which would put him out of position. Now that he basically just trusts Hughes to do his job, the pairing looks a lot better.

 

[Fatass]

I don't think there is a player quite like Quinn Hughes. He is a defensive zone exit specialist who plays offense and defense well and he will only get better at both.

If we win that draft lotto do we have the phenom, or does JB make the same mistake the Sabres did?

 

[DonnyNucker]

If we win that draft lotto do we have the phenom, or does JB make the same mistake the Sabres did?

Wow. The sabres did not make a mistake lol. Homer!

 

[vadim sharifijanov]

Dougie Hamilton being hated is one of the dumbest things in hockey. He has other interests and hobbies and it didn’t clash with recent locker rooms. The Canes have embraced him as a person and player and he was having a career year. Plus, he’s also being utilized properly and deployed where he can be a great player.

no different from ffff gillis what he thinks he’s better than me?

 

[Addison Rae]

This kid is utterly insane, the notion that Makar is leaps and bounds better is out of this world.

I was high on Hughes dating back to his draft year but he’s exceeding my expectations.

Pettersson and Hughes are franchise changing talents.

 

[polarbearcub]

How often does Quinn get run over ? I can’t even remember . Maybe count it on one hand?

It’s tough to compare him to anyone really. He mostly reminds me of Scott niedermayer and rafalski combined

 

[Bleach Clean]

I don't know. I have him with about twice as many points playing with Myers in half the ice time. But basically all of his 5v5 goals have come with Tanev, so that's interesting.

What he's been able to do while being paired with Myers, or actually his impact on Myers' game in turn, makes me think that Tanev is definitely walking to FA. As in, there is a legitimate alternative for the short-term.

I would not have thought so in the offseason.

 

[VancouverJagger]

What he's been able to do while being paired with Myers, or actually his impact on Myers' game in turn, makes me think that Tanev is definitely walking to FA. As in, there is a legitimate alternative for the short-term.

I would not have thought so in the offseason.

Even at the start of this season I would've advocated for letting him walk. However with him playing EVERY single game this year and still clearly showing that he's a top 4 D I'm not soo sure anymore. (I think Hughes has helped a ton in keeping him healthy for various reasons). If we can get him at 2-3 more years at a reasonable cap - taking advantage of what we hope is a desire to stay here - then I think it's a solid move.

As of this point I think the chances are greater that he stays then he leaves. Stetcher is the one I think is gone.

 

[Johnny Canucker]

This kid is utterly insane, the notion that Makar is leaps and bounds better is out of this world.

I was high on Hughes dating back to his draft year but he’s exceeding my expectations.

Pettersson and Hughes are franchise changing talents.

He’s awesome for sure. Something we have not had .... maybe ever. That said, Makar is pretty much head and shoulders better. These people thinking there’s a race for Calder are homers. Makar has same amount of points , with playing TEN less games, is a +12 MORE than QH , has more goals and is a better pure defender. QH can keep pucks in at the line but he puts himself in bad situations sometimes, he gets walked sometimes (see Svechnikov recently). He’s great, but Makar is next level.

 

[ddawg1950]

He’s awesome for sure. Something we have not had .... maybe ever. That said, Makar is pretty much head and shoulders better. These people thinking there’s a race for Calder are homers. Makar has same amount of points , with playing TEN less games, is a +12 MORE than QH , has more goals and is a better pure defender. QH can keep pucks in at the line but he puts himself in bad situations sometimes, he gets walked sometimes (see Svechnikov recently). He’s great, but Makar is next level.

This is weak from you. I expect more.

 

[Frankie Blueberries]

What he's been able to do while being paired with Myers, or actually his impact on Myers' game in turn, makes me think that Tanev is definitely walking to FA. As in, there is a legitimate alternative for the short-term.

I would not have thought so in the offseason.

Same here, I'd hope he would take a small discount to stay here ($4-5 million over 3-4 years) but there's going to be a fair amount of teams that will be making him bigger offers. His injury history won't impact his value that much for teams that can afford to spend to the cap. I could see him joining a team like Winnipeg and help make them a contender again.

 

[clunk]

QH can keep pucks in at the line but he puts himself in bad situations sometimes, he gets walked sometimes (see Svechnikov recently).

So does Makar, though.

I agree Makar is better, but not by the magnitude that you're implying.

 

[Johnny Canucker]

This is weak from you. I expect more.

lower your expectations.

 

[F A N]

He’s awesome for sure. Something we have not had .... maybe ever. That said, Makar is pretty much head and shoulders better. These people thinking there’s a race for Calder are homers. Makar has same amount of points , with playing TEN less games, is a +12 MORE than QH , has more goals and is a better pure defender. QH can keep pucks in at the line but he puts himself in bad situations sometimes, he gets walked sometimes (see Svechnikov recently). He’s great, but Makar is next level.

It's still a race because one guy can pull away from the other. But I am of the opinion that Makar is the front runner.

 

[ddawg1950]

lower your expectations.

If this Canuck team continues to develop and improve, I'm going to have to.

 

[Bleach Clean]

He’s awesome for sure. Something we have not had .... maybe ever. That said, Makar is pretty much head and shoulders better. These people thinking there’s a race for Calder are homers. Makar has same amount of points , with playing TEN less games, is a +12 MORE than QH , has more goals and is a better pure defender. QH can keep pucks in at the line but he puts himself in bad situations sometimes, he gets walked sometimes (see Svechnikov recently). He’s great, but Makar is next level.

Makar is also a year older and plays with a better core group of talent. Hughes also pushes play up the ice better. How does that factor in for you?

Unfortunately, they’re not the same age and so it’s difficult to judge them straight across.

 

[mathonwy]

How often does Quinn get run over ? I can’t even remember . Maybe count it on one hand?

It’s tough to compare him to anyone really. He mostly reminds me of Scott niedermayer and rafalski combined

This is a good comparison.

 

[Raistlin]

This is a good comparison.

Makar is usually compared to Neidermayer too.... I always liked the Housley comp.

 

[bandwagonesque]

Last year, the team didn't have a defenseman that could reliably exit the zone without panicking. Now, we've got Hughes casually rushing the puck end to end without even skating at full speed, using incredible lateral movement and anticipation. I prefer that.