Speculation: Who is the Canucks Best Player?

[82Ninety42011]

Taking EP because even though both are electric in offensive zone Hughes will never get to where EP is in defensive zone.

 

[kcunac]

They are both fantastic players. Hughes is close to Norris cabinet and EP is not quite there yet for forwards. So it has to be Hughes.

 

[biturbo19]

Pete and it's really not even close.

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

Taking EP because even though both are electric in offensive zone Hughes will never get to where EP is in defensive zone.

..but which player has more impact on the ice/game..?..looking at the big picture.

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

They’re both so, so important and such amazing players.

I could go either way. In this one I picked Hughes. Underrated in the NHL, should be a top-5 defender in the league. Our defense without him is a nightmarish thought.

 

[nucksflailtogether]

i think there's an argument that hughes is better at his position (ie. a top-5 defenseman) than petey is (borderline top-5 center, but definitely not a top-5 forward) - and that since hughes plays a more important position, it's him.

at the same time - and maybe this is controversial and not giving QH enough credit - but i think that hughes as a small mostly offensively oriented defenseman / pp qb has a skillset where it is easy to find a replacement that is 75% as effective for 50% or less of the cost (ie. tyson barrie), whereas players like pettersson are the backbone of what makes a team tick.

again, maybe not fully fair to hughes, and maybe this is don cherry-esque, but i look at a guy like marner in the same way. he's a hell of a player, and a top-5 winger in the game. but because of *how* he plays (soft, skilled, cerebral), he just isn't likely going to be the backbone of a team.

I disagree. Quinn Hughes plays an incredible possession game and he can play well 22+ minutes a game. He’s not a bruiser or a crease clearer but far more importantly he’s an ice tilter. That’s different to me than say a Krug or a Marc Andre Bergeron, incredible pp qbs who were small.

 

[82Ninety42011]

..but which player has more impact on the ice/game..?..looking at the big picture.

This is open to question as I see where your going. Hughes does probably control the puck much more and minutes as well. However my thought process is EP is much more valuable without the puck than Hughes but then again Hughes always has the puck so does it really matter. It's a tough question and you really have me thinking here but gonna stick with EP but really they are both teams MVP. You can't go wrong with either.

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

This is open to question as I see where your going. Hughes does probably control the puck much more and minutes as well. However my thought process is EP is much more valuable without the puck than Hughes but then again Hughes always has the puck so does it really matter. It's a tough question and you really have me thinking here but gonna stick with EP but really they are both teams MVP. You can't go wrong with either.

Yeah..EP slightly edges out QH as having the most talent…but QH edges out EP as having the most impact in the game.

Tough choice.

 

[82Ninety42011]

Yeah..EP slightly edges out QH as having the most talent…but QH edges out EP as having the most impact in the game.

Tough choice.

Best duo we've ever had talent wise gotta think. Let's hope we can surround them soon enough so we don't waste this opportunity.

 

[ChilliBilly]

Best duo we've ever had talent wise gotta think. Let's hope we can surround them soon enough so we don't waste this opportunity.

Not sure they surpass the twins.

 

[82Ninety42011]

Not sure they surpass the twins.

I knew someone would bring them up. I think the chemistry the twins had was insane and certainly they were talented. However I think these guys might have the edge but I can't argue if someone was to pick the Sedins over EP and Hughes.

 

[Play]

Billy not quite ready to give the new kids the nod yet.

 

[Petey But Really Jim]

I'd say Hughes by a very slim margin. However, I do wonder how much the fact that he's the first franchise defensemen we've ever had influences my decision.

I'm happy to tell you we had Sami Salo whose only disability was availability. Still a franchise level D.

 

[Josepho]

Pettersson was better last season, Hughes was better the season before. Going with Pettersson now but this is probably going to change every season.

 

[Canuckle1970]

EP is the best skilled player on the team and getting better. A brain with great vision and an amazing shot.

QH is arguably the most valuable by virtue of his position, together with his superior IQ and skating skills.

Aren't we lucky?

 

[DFAC]

I knew someone would bring them up. I think the chemistry the twins had was insane and certainly they were talented. However I think these guys might have the edge but I can't argue if someone was to pick the Sedins over EP and Hughes.

Until the kids win a Hart and/or Art Ross they aren't at the level the Sedins are at IMO

 

[kcunac]

Henrik won the Hart and Art Ross when he was 29 and Daniel the Lindsey when he was 30. There’s still time for Pettersson and Hughes, who are better than the Sedins were at their age.

 

[82Ninety42011]

Until the kids win a Hart and/or Art Ross they aren't at the level the Sedins are at IMO

Jamie Benn won the Ross doesn't mean everything. Heck he was even a finalist for the Hart. You have to weigh the competition for those trophy's as well. Not taking anything away from the twins fabulous players and HOF's. You wanna take them as the most talented I won't argue but for me these kids are better when comparing them at the same age. We're lucky to have had all 4.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

Best? EP

Most important? Healthy Demko

 

[ChilliBilly]

Best player - Bure

Best duo - Sedins

But EP and Huggy certainly have the ability to lead the Canucks to Stanley, certainly the best 2 individual players we have ever had at one time.

 

[sting101]

Until last year the argument was Miller vs Hughes vs Demko even though we have known for awhile that Pettersson was the most talented.

Then the 100pts season happened and EP40s defensive game started to emerge to new levels. Hughes minutes played and level of competency vs his defensive peers makes him the most valuable especially when he has stretches like last seasons 2023. But that's not the question

Best player is Pettersson now. Most skilled, best scorer, most competent in all 3 zones, PK PP OT SO there is really no situations where you wouldn't want him on the ice for at this point if things are on the line. If he can piggy back last season the league will start to take notice as well

 

[Horvat1C]

I don't like the arguement that Pettersson is "tougher" and Hughes is "soft." They are both extremely resilient and proved that over three consecutive Playoff series where they were noticeably targeted physically. Every year after that they've been the ones other teams have focused on shutting down. They both fight through it and don't back down.

Pettersson has the reverse hit in his arsenal and puck protection abilities that are required as a forward that may be more noticeable. He had to get stronger and learn to protect himself and now he's done that.

Hughes has the biggest forwards in the game breathing down his neck and he absorbs hits and makes plays with ruthless efficiency. It doesn't matter if it's Caufield/Yamamoto chasing him or Tkachuk/Benn, he just makes the right play.

You can choose one over the other based on preference or the time of day, but I don't think you can argue that one is softer or tougher than the other.

 

[DFAC]

Best player - Bure

Best duo - Sedins

But EP and Huggy certainly have the ability to lead the Canucks to Stanley, certainly the best 2 individual players we have ever had at one time.

Actually youre right. Bure is probably our best player ever. Guy was electric

1. Bure
2-3. Sedins

 

[VanJack]

Voted Hughes, but it's close. Bottom line is that in today's game, PPG blueliners can drive a team's entire offense.

 

[EXTRAS]

There was a legit case for that in 2021-22

He had 99 points while the next Canucks were like 68. I think it would be difficult coming up with a case where he wasn't the best canuck. Outscoring #2 by nearly 50% is impressive.