Canucks Game Day: Jack Hughes takes sibling rivalry to new heights

© Provided by The Province Quinn Hughes evades younger brother, Jack, Hughes, during their first NHL game against each other on Oct..19, 2019 in New Jersey.

Vancouver Canucks (20-26-3, 6th in Pacific) at

New Jersey Devils (32-13-4, 2nd in Metropolitan)

Monday, 4:30 p.m., Prudential Center

TV: SN Pacific. Radio: Sportsnet 650

When Jack Hughes had but one secondary assist through his first seven NHL rookie games, the New Jersey Devils centre was asked by this reporter about getting his dynamic game to come around.

The first selection in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft bristled at the query. And his response spoke of confidence, swagger and a strong family sporting lineage of hockey excellence.

“My game is not coming around, it’s been there for all the games,” he stressed. “I’m happy where my game is at and I just couldn’t buy a goal or a point. Now, that I’m on the board, they will come.”

Oh, and how they have come.

Hughes heads into a Monday sibling clash with his older brother, Quinn, on a real heater. He has 15 goals in his last 14 outings, his 33 goals through 49 games rank fifth and his 64 points are ninth best overall. Wayne Gretzky said Jack is capable of closing a 28-point gap to catch league points leader Connor McDavid.

That’s some praise.

Jack packs the speed, creativity and laser-like passing of Quinn, who is fourth among league defenceman with 40 assists. Quinn knew a year ago Jack was destined for greatness because commitment led to 26 goals and 56 points over 49 games in the 2021-22 season. Jack’s season was cut short in early April by a knee injury.

“I know how good he is and how hard he works,” said Quinn. “We work out in the summer and I see the dedication he has with his game. He’s playing like a star in the league right now and he’s just got to keep going.

“There are things that he does that I watch and try to implement and hopefully I can do the same for him.”

With centre Nico Hischier, who has 21 goals, and Hughes forming a strong one-two punch down the middle, the Canucks will be taxed in matchup roles.

The trade departure of Bo Horvat will put more pressure on Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller. The Canucks also recalled rookie centre Nils Aman on Saturday from Abbotsford of the AHL to add speed, a defensive positioning presence and penalty kill ability to the fourth line. Sheldon Dries is expected to centre the third line.

Hoglander staying on farm

Nils Hoglander didn’t get the recall Saturday, but Vasily Podkolzin and Phil DiGiuseppe did.

You can look at it two ways.  

Hoglander had but nine points (3-6) in 12:03 of average ice time over 25 games — and gaping holes in his defensive game that required attention — and is better off under the tutelage of head coach Jeremy Colliton in Abbotsford. Hoglander has responded with 13 points (6-7) in 20 AHL games.

The Swedish winger 22, is also a restricted free agent after this season and may not fit into the future roster. The arrival of Anthony Beauvillier in the Horvat trade, and Ilya Mikheyev returning next season following knee surgery last week, adds to the glut of wingers.

Hoglander could be dealt in advance of the March 3 NHL trade deadline.

bkuzma@postmedia.com

twitter.com/benkuzma

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