Quinn Hughes talks about Canucks offseason additions

Captain Quinn Hughes is excited about the acquisitions the Vancouver Canucks made this offseason.

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There was a clear focus on making the Canucks bigger and more physical by acquiring players like Jake DeBrusk and Kiefer Sherwood.

“I think Kiefer, specifically, is a really good player. We played him in the playoffs last year and you had to know when he was on the ice,” Hughes said. “I think he has more game than people give him credit for. I’m not a coach, but I think he can play in any lineup and I think he’s just a great addition. We’ve had a lot of great additions and I think we’re a better team this year than we were last year.”

The team’s identity underwent a minor overhaul, with a few new additions to the team, and Hughes agreed with teammate Brock Boeser that each player will play an important role in building a winning culture.

“It’s really important if we want to try to be one of the best teams,” Hughes said. “You have to not only be a great team on the ice, but you also have to have that culture off the ice and that special group of people.”

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Hughes has noticed the standard of practice is rising. He attributes that to the maturation of many of the cores and the understanding of what it takes to win in the NHL.

“I don’t know; part of it might be maturity and just getting older and paying attention to detail a little more and being focused,” Hughes explained. “I mean, it’s not like two or three years ago guys weren’t trying. I think we’ve always been into it.”