With season over, Hughes finds himself on elite list

With the announcement from league commissioner Gary Bettman yesterday that the NHL season is over, it meant that Vancouver Canucks rookie defenceman Quinn Hughes led all rookies in scoring this season.

The 20-year-old superstar defenceman had an incredible rookie season, posting eight goals and 53 points in just 68 games. With that season, he joins Hall of Fame defencemen Brian Leetch and Bobby Orr as the only defencemen over the last 80 seasons to lead all rookies in points. It was already evident before this stat just how incredible Hughes has been, but this brings it to a whole new level. Bobby Orr is highly regarded as the best defenceman to ever play the game, and Leetch was also one of the best to ever do it.

With that incredible stat, along with his totals, it may seem that Hughes has the Calder Trophy for the leagues top rookie wrapped up. However, that isn't quite the case, as Colorado Avalanche defenceman Cale Makar may still win the award. Makar, 21, had a phenomenal season as well, posting 12 goals and 50 points in 57 games.

Regardless of what does end up happening with the Calder Trophy, Hughes has more important things to worry about right now. With yesterday's announcement of a 24-team playoff format, he and his Canucks teammates will be taking on the Minnesota Wild in the first-round, though there is not yet an official date announced for when it will begin.

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