What level of defenseman is Quinn Hughes currently?

[ZachaFlockaFlame]

2D, wouldn’t be shocked if he develops into a 1D though. Him and Makar, to an extent Miro, need defensive dmen to be the elite rover types that they are.

 

[CanadienShark]

Tough call. Has the talent of a #1 and plays the role. Not sure he's actually there yet though.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

He’s about a 4. He’ll give up the offense he creates with how bad he defends. The offense and defense right about evens itself out for a league average defenseman. I also think we can’t say these are all general defensive concerns. I think he has below average hockey sense. Some of the plays he tries to make with the puck are shocking. This has been a problem for years. I haven’t seen it improve.

He should eventually get better in most areas as he gets closer to his prime, so he’ll probably become a 3 or possibly a 2.

 

[82Ninety42011]

He's Phil Housley at this stage of his career.

Most here probably don't know who Phil was but yes I agree.

 

[wetcoast]

He's Phil Housley at this stage of his career.

I hadn't thought of Quinn that way but yes that's a very good way to put it.

 

[Wierzbowski426]

Voted #2. Defense isn't good enough for the No1.

 

[HugeInTheShire]

Went with #3 just because to be a 1-2 you've got to be comfortable playing him late in a game with a 1 goal lead... He's not there yet, but he'll get better and will undoubtedly be a #1

 

[Captain97]

Number 2 atm. Expect him to be a 1 once he's in his prime. Kid is only 21.

 

[hockeyisgud]

Vancouver's best player. Though that isn't the highest bar atm.

 

[SouthWest]

High end #2, he needs to develop his defensive game to get into the bonafide #1 category, but his offensive skills are unbelievable. Anyone saying he's a #3 is completely out of their mind, I couldn't list 64 Dmen that are better than he is.

 

[North Cole]

I would say between a 2/3. I see him as another Tyson Barrie, very good offensive weapon but can struggle immensely in the wrong situations.

 

[Ace of Hades]

Vancouver's best player. Though that isn't the highest bar atm.

No, Pettersson is.

Voted #2 D as of now.

 

[Shane Diesel]

#4

He's Tyson Barrie on steroids.

 

[loosemoose]

He was the worst defenceman in the league to start the season but improved a lot towards the end. Tough to say where he stands right now. Young Tyson Barrie seems about right.

 

[Volica]

Honestly kind of more of a middle pairing guy who you feed 65+% offensive time and PP to.

If I see another teams' top line jump over the boards, I want nothing to do with him on the ice.

 

[DJJones]

Subjective but if you can't anchor a line and prop up your partner you are not a #1 to me.

Obviously he's gifted offensively but without a partner that can cover his faults is anyone afraid to play against him? You'll probably score more on him than the other way.

Give him a Slavin and could be a top pairing in the league.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Several tiers ahead of Adam Fox, obv

 

[Lays]

He is a #1 by virtue of his offensive abilities. But he needs a solid defensive-minded #2 to balance out his defensive weakness.

Nope. A true #1 doesn’t need an anchor to carry him. Quinn is closer to a 3D than a 1D. How is he any different from DeAngelo 2 seasons ago right now?

 

[The Kingslayer]

He's Phil Housley at this stage of his career.

Pretty good comparison honestly. Phil could run a PP and make tremendous passes but the rest of his game left a lot to be desired.

 

[majormajor]

He’s about a 4. He’ll give up the offense he creates with how bad he defends. The offense and defense right about evens itself out for a league average defenseman. I also think we can’t say these are all general defensive concerns. I think he has below average hockey sense. Some of the plays he tries to make with the puck are shocking. This has been a problem for years. I haven’t seen it improve.

He should eventually get better in most areas as he gets closer to his prime, so he’ll probably become a 3 or possibly a 2.

I think this takes the critique too far.

He's more valuable than a league average D-man, even if you have to shelter him much of the time. Put Quinn Hughes out there when you're down a goal and he will provide you with a big edge. "Below average hockey sense" is clearly not applicable in the offensive zone.

 

[DS7]

This is the poll where I don't mind if Hughes is rated lower if it means he is cheaper lol

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think this takes the critique too far.

He's more valuable than a league average D-man, even if you have to shelter him much of the time. Put Quinn Hughes out there when you're down a goal and he will provide you with a big edge. "Below average hockey sense" is clearly not applicable in the offensive zone.

Hockey sense with the puck, in my opinion, is not only seeing certain passes others don’t see. If that’s all is being discussed, that’s playmaking. Hockey sense also involves puck management, and being able to process the decisions of teammates and defenders. I think Hughes struggles a lot with those areas. His puck management is really bad.

 

[majormajor]

Hockey sense with the puck, in my opinion, is not only seeing certain passes others don’t see. If that’s all is being discussed, that’s playmaking. Hockey sense also involves puck management, and being able to process the decisions of teammates and defenders. I think Hughes struggles a lot with those areas. His puck management is really bad.

His puck management is remarkably good in the offensive zone. I don't agree one bit.

 

[hockeyisgud]

This is the poll where I don't mind if Hughes is rated lower if it means he is cheaper lol

This. I think both Hughes and the Canucks know how valuable he is though so I don't know if how he's viewed leaguewide will end up in a discount. One can hope

 

[Regal]

His puck management is remarkably good in the offensive zone. I don't agree one bit.

In the offensive zone it is. In transition his decision-making can be really bad at times, though I think it's small things that can be worked on rather than just poor IQ. One thing he does that's incredibly infuriating is that he almost never offers support after he makes his first pass. He'll throw these passes to the neutral zone while gliding backwards then turn his back to the play and do a loose circle in his own zone before finally turning up ice. So he neither offers an outlet back nor does he position himself to defend a potential turnover as the last man back. He willfully takes himself out of the play. He'll also overhandle the puck trying to lose a forechecker rather than make a safe play and it gets him in trouble frequently, especially because he usually tries to beat him by carrying it back deep in his own zone first. Sometimes you want your most talented players to take those risks, but he still needs to learn when to do it