Hughes has played 48:46 on the power play so far this season, Alexander Edler has played 46:22. Both of them have been split between the first and second units.
With Hughes on the ice in power-play situations, the Canucks are generating 140 shot attempts per hour, over 76 shots per hour and are scoring 11 goals per hour. With Edler on the ice in power-play situations, the Canucks are generating 78 shot attempts per hour, over 36 shots per hour and are scoring 5 goals per hour.
It’s not just the on-ice results or the eye test that demonstrate Hughes’ value. It’s also the bottom line.
Among all NHL defensemen this season who have logged at least 20 five-on-four minutes, Hughes currently ranks second in individual points rate.
Fewer than 20 games into his NHL career, Hughes is already a super elite power-play piece. And there are nuances to the game that he’s still learning. He could be just getting started, which should be a terrifying prospect for opposition penalty killers.
E l i t e