Welcome back to WDYTT, the only hockey column on the internet that can turn literally anything into fodder for discussion.
Speaking of turning literally anything into fodder for discussion, if you didn’t think that included the nine-game Canucks career of one Daniel Sprong, well, then you didn’t know us very well at all.
Nine games isn’t all that much in the grand scheme of things. But it’s not nothing, either. At this point, sure, we could probably categorize the Sprong signing as one that ‘didn’t work out.’ But with Sprong signed for less than $1 million and then shipped off for future considerations without further consequence, it’s tough to call it a bad signing.
Really, it’s more of a non-event than anything. And Sprong did provide us with some fun, particularly in the form of a memorable preseason performance.
Not that it’s going to earn him many votes in today’s discussion.
Sprong joins an ever-growing list of extremely short-term Vancouver Canucks. Hockey is a business, after all, and not every player who arrives in town is set for a lengthy stay of employment.
Most of these extremely short-term Canucks wind up being even less memorable than Sprong. Others, however, manage to make a genuine impression despite only being here for a good time, not a long time.
It’s the latter crowd we’re after today.
This week, we’re asking you:
Who is your favourite extremely short-term Canuck?
Let it be known in the comment section.
Where does Quinn Hughes currently rank among all-time Canucks, and where do you think he will rank when all is said and done?
You answered below!
Hawks:
Quinn is the Canucks’ best player right now as he dominates most of his shifts. If he continues on this path, he will end up the best player ever to play for the Canucks. All the others that were mentioned couldn’t consistently dominate like Hughes can. He is a special player for sure. He’s so special he could end up being a top-ten NHL player of all-time.
Leo Union:
This player is one of the best to play his position, we are very fortunate to have him captain our team. Easly the top player all-time for this franchise. Canucks have never drafted 1st overall; Hughes going 7th in his class is insane. He is young and has more to give and grow. The next stage is playoffs success. If he can find that he could go down not only as the franchise’s best player, but leaguewide best players.
Magic Head:
Right now, Quinn Hughes is #2 in all-time greatest Canucks player. #1 will always be Pavel Bure, as GM Place was the house that Bure built. That ranking will change if Quinn brings a Cup to Vancouver, until then he’s #2.
kanucked:
He’s on my Mount Rushmore of Canucks. For me, it’s Henrik, Linden, Bure, and then Hughes.
bruce donice:
Quinn Hughes is already the best player the Canucks have ever had. QH plays defense, and controls offense. The only if he could lead the power play, and direct the power play, Hughes will become one of the most dominant players in the league. QH is just another player on the PP; if he could start directing the PP, the team would be tough to beat.
bill nazzy:
All-time, currently, I’d say 5th, behind Bure, Naslund, and the Sedins… however, he is just getting started and could very well grab that top spot in short time. He is very fun to watch, as were the aforementioned.
Dogbreath:
(Winner of the author’s weekly award for eloquence)
If he plays the bulk of his career as a Canuck, there will be no reasonable debate that he is the greatest Canuck of all-time. No single Canuck dictates the play like he does. Bure had a comparable high-end to Hughes, but limited defence and character. The twins’ strength was as a collective, Naslund was a great finisher (only), and Luongo’s poorly timed bad games undermined his impressive legacy.
Craig McManus:
In the past, the team has benefited from excellent forwards and great goaltenders, but they have never had a defenseman like Quinn Hughes. The gap between Hughes and the second-best defenseman all-time for the Canucks is so massive, it boggles the mind. For that reason, he’s going down as the greatest Canuck of all-time.
RagnarokOroboros:
It is too early to truly rank Hughes amongst the Canucks’ greats, though I am comfortable saying he will be at least top-five all-time.
Right now, I will place him 4th, after Bure, Henrik Sedin, and Daniel Sedin. Those first three have a proven history, and Hughes is still writing his story.
sixpax:
After winning a Norris, I would say Hughes has passed Bure for 3rd place, behind only the legendary twins. He will be #1 well before his career is over.
Quinns Quest:
Quinn Hughes will one day be a first ballot Hall of Famer. There is no doubt because of his achievements to date already rank him in that class.
As for greatest Canuck of all-time, that will be forged in the playoffs. Get this team to a Game 7 SCF, and you rival the list of greats mentioned. Being the first to raise the Cup as a Canuck is a guarantee for greatest player for all-time.
defenceman factory:
If Hughes was traded off the Canucks tomorrow his collective accomplishments still rank below at least a dozen former Canucks. His jersey doesn’t get retired and he shouldn’t go in the Ring of Honour. While he always showed promise, he is really only in his 4th season of having a huge impact. He was a -24 in ‘20/21 and it wasn’t difficult to tell why.
If Hughes plays for several more years, at this calibre, with the Canucks and leads them on some deep playoff runs, he will take his place among the top-five greatest Canucks of all-time. He will be in every debate old guys often have on the topic.
Hughes does not have the pure excitement value Bure did and he doesn’t have any playoff heroics on his resume so far. The best is yet to come, so here’s hoping he challenges Bure for that top spot.
It’s safe to say right now Hughes is the most talented D-man in Canuck history.
Jibsys:
I have no opinion on this and there is a reason for that. It is obvious that Hughes is among the best Canucks, but I defer a discussion on ranking until he retires or is no longer a Canuck.
For now, the best thing is to enjoy the ride. We obviously have an elite superstar in our midst. Much like other Canuck greats, such as Bure, whom we look back on fondly, just remember we are in the moment now. So, now is when the memories are being created, so have fun with the show.
Kearnsie:
Now that he has surpassed the great Dennis Kearns as best ever d-man, Quinn Hughes is well on his way to being best Canuck ever!
He can claim that title by the end of his current contract.
Richard Hickey:
It’s a simple question, because you only have to decide if he is better than Bure. I think he is. I mean, if not for Makar, Hughes would be filling his case with Norris Trophies going forward, and who knows, he may garner a Hart one day.
I don’t see him leaving the team before his late 30s. His resume and play on the ice will go down as the greatest Canuck of all-time, hands down, when it’s all done and dusted.
That we have had a Hart Trophy winner to date is no small consideration. However, Hughes has been a revelation since day one, and will continue to be. That the twins peaked for a couple years isn’t enough to supplant Bure, and certainly not Captain Quinn.
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