After several disappointing seasons, the Vancouver Canucks are looking to take the next step under the leadership of new captain Quinn Hughes.
The latter was very vocal on the subject after his team won 5-2 against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. Jack and Luke’s brother played a fantastic game, collecting two goals and three points.
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“We’re not kids anymore,” Hughes said at a news conference. You have destined us to achieve great things and we must achieve this. »
The number 43 here refers to the other core members of the Vancouver club, who are no longer quite as young.
“I’m turning 24 in October, it’s not like I’m 19. Petey [Elias Pettersson] turns 25, Millsy [J.T. Miller] is 30 years old and Demmer [Thatcher Demko] is 27 years old. We’re starting to get old. »
So the urgency seems to be palpable. Miller, Hughes and Demko will all be there for at least the next three seasons. For his part, Pettersson ends this year the final season of his current contract, signed in October 2021.
The team’s success will therefore depend on these four people. Now let’s see if Hughes and his teammates walk the talk.
The playoff race in the Pacific Division won’t be easy, as the Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames and Seattle Kraken are all serious contenders to compete in Spring Ball.
Last year, the Canucks finished sixth in the Pacific with a record of 38-37-7.