There has been A LOT of change in Vancouver over the past few days. The old brass, headlined by former GM Jim Benning and head coach Travis Green, has been shown the door, and a new group, led by new President and interim GM Jim Rutherford and head coach Bruce Boudreau, is in.
While the Rutherford news is still very fresh, we’re starting to see change implemented by the new coaching staff.
Since Boudreau took over, the Canucks are 2-0 while outscoring their opponents 6-1 in the process. While it’s too early to call the new hires a resounding success, it is certainly nice to see Vancouver succeeding in the short term. One tangible difference Boudreau and his staff have implemented is to use Quinn Hughes in more versatile ways, including on the penalty kill.
Speaking with the media after logging 1:21 of PK time Wednesday evening, Hughes expressed gratitude towards the new coaching staff for affording him the opportunity to showcase a more well-rounded game.
While Hughes acknowledges that he isn’t expecting to become one of the league’s premier defensive players, he wants to shake off the label of being solely an offensive defenceman.
Hughes’ 1:21 of PK time ranked 4th amongst the team’s defencemen, trailing Luke Schenn (3:59), Tyler Myers (2:45), and Tucker Poolman (1:31). Meanwhile, Hughes still led the way on the Canucks power-play, clocking 4:07 in that department.
(H/T Vancouver Canucks)
