Canucks: Why Quinn Hughes may be on Lady Byng path

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The list of Lady Byng Award winners is long and distinguished.

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The criteria for the annual NHL honour speaks to everything any coach would want in a player — sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct and high standard of playing ability — and it’s why legends Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita, Johnny Bucyk, Marcel Dionne, Wayne Gretzky, Mike Bossy, Ron Francis, Joe Sakic and Martin St. Louis are among recipients.

However, in 100 years since inception of the award, only six defenceman have captured the Lady Byng. Bobby Orr, Brian Leetch, Paul Coffey and Gary Suter are not on that list. Quinn Hughes could be if the Vancouver Canucks captain continues to check the boxes for being a prime example with a respectful and resilient manner in which he approaches every game.

On Tuesday in Anaheim, Hughes had three assists, three shots and 10 attempts in a 5-1 triumph to reach another notable plateau by reaching 300 career assists in 376 games. Only Orr (348) and Leetch (368) have done it quicker.

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“He obviously controls a lot of the play. A special player and he gets a lot of shots off and that’s hard to do when teams are keying on you,” said Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet. “I’m not shocked. He’s a pleasure to coach and always tries to work on his game. That’s what I love about him.”

Tocchet has compared Hughes to Sidney Crosby with a devotion to chase perfection. And in comparison with Carolina Hurricanes blueliner Jacob Slavin, who earned the Lady Byng last season and in 2020-21, it’s not a stretch to suggest Hughes is already tracking well for consideration — even though it’s very early.

Slavin had 37 points last season (6-31) and just eight penalty minutes. In 2020-21, he had 15 points (3-12) and just one minor. And because the award always recognizes the ability to play hard and fair — especially blueliners who are always in the crosshairs of forecheckers — Hughes has an early leg up on his peers.

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The fleet-footed and laser-like passing defenceman has a dozen points (2-10) in 11 games, is averaging 25 minutes per outing and logged a career high 31:29 on Oct. 11 against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Hughes is also the get-out-jail-free card with zone exits to trigger the transition. His top speed this season has been clocked at 21.94 miles per hour (35.30 kph), compared to a league average of 21.5 mph. And his vastly improved and heavier shot has hit 92.70 mph (149.18 kph), exceeding the NHL average of 86.38 mph.

Hughes knows points and accolades are a product of will and skill and devotion to a total team game. He’ll be hard pressed to match a career 92 points last season (17-75) that earned the Norris Trophy, but that’s okay.

“My goal isn’t the Norris, it’s the process,” stressed Hughes. “If I’m competing and attacking the way I want every game, good things will happen. Consistency is the sign of a great player.”

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So, where are we going with all this data?

It’s an important part of the picture, but strength, stamina and resolve to play hard and clean is a rare trait. It’s only natural to respond to a heavy hit, and especially a cheap shot, with a slash or crosscheck.

Hughes had 10 assists in 13 playoffs games last spring as teams took time and space away. He’s a target again this campaign but better equipped to handle scrutiny.

He was doubled-teamed by the Nashville Predators in the opening round of the playoffs last spring and absorbed heavy hits along the endboards.

The series reached a painful point in Game 5. Hughes was pounded in the defensive zone by Anthony Beauvillier and then jammed up hard between forecheckers Jason Zucker and Colton Sissons. He winced and was doubled over in discomfort and missed his next shift.

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Hughes was hit five times in the first two periods that night and was drilled more than a dozen occasions in the series. He took just three minors in 13 postseason games.

“I felt good enough to play my best and that’s what I tried to do,” he said of extra attention. It was a focal point for them (opposition) to be physical and quick, and you have to find a way to make that one extra play.

“I thought for the most part, we did a really good job of that throughout the playoffs, but it didn’t get us over the (second round) hump.”

That’s Lady Byng stuff.

Canucks assistant coach Adam Foote has an appreciation of Hughes. Foote won two Stanley Cups with Colorado as a big and imposing presence on the back end. His No. 52 jersey was retired by the Avalanche, and that could happen to Hughes in Vancouver because of the work he puts in every day.

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“That’s what good players do,” reasoned Foote. “You play a long time, you always have to keep getting better, but also study and adjust to what the opponent is going to do to you.

“They are going after him (Hughes) and they should. You have to make it hard going back for pucks, and he’s been thinking about that and we’re going to work on it.”

bkuzma@postmedia.com

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