MAJOR | Tocchet makes a promising statement regarding Quinn Hughes

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Felip Gosselin
May 1, 2023 (8:50 PM)

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The team's new bench boss, Rick Tocchet, spent some time today on the popular Missing Curfew podcast. Coach Tocchet shared some promising information on the team's development, Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes particularly.

Quinn Hughes' game has only been evolving ever since he joined from the NCAA. A top draft selection in the 2018 Amateur Draft, the Canucks still daydream about how he fell onto their lap.

Ever since he joined the ride, Tocchet has been very fond of Hughes. Tocchet was quite impressed with the defenceman's strong will and hopes for the future. On the podcast today, he revealed that being good wasn't going to be enough for the number 43's will:

''He wants to be in the top three for defense. He wants to be included in Norris Trophy talks every year and he can get there.''

While his offensive production of 76 points in 78 games hasn't caused that big of a surprise, the way he's handled himself in his own zone definitely put his name atop every conversation for the league's best d-man. Hughes logged more ice time than any other Canucks and showed a +15 differential even though the team displayed a -26 stat in that column.

Tocchet did not fail to mention how Hughes grew into a vocal leader in the team's locker room:

''He was more vocal, you hear him in the year-end meeting and he was incredible. Some of the stuff that he told me that he wants to do and some insight on our team.''

SOURCE: Missing Curfew podacst