Quinn Hughes is having a season for the ages—but is it Norris Trophy-worthy? Now, legendary defenseman Chris Pronger weighs in on the debate, and in his mind, there isn’t much question about who the best defenseman in the league is.
Hughes is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in the NHL and has been for some time. He’s the Vancouver Canucks’ top defenseman and team captain, but if there’s been one knock on his game in previous years, it’s his goal-scoring. However, he’s now just one goal away from matching his career high of 17, set last season.
With 63 points in 53 games, Hughes continues to be the driving force behind the Canucks’ success. But is it enough to win the Norris Trophy and dethrone Colorado Avalanche superstar Cale Makar as the league’s best defenseman? It’s a hot topic in the hockey world—but Chris Pronger has a clear answer.
Pronger responds on Quinn Hughes debate
Pronger, one of the greatest defensemen of his generation, recorded 698 points in 1,167 games. He won the Norris Trophy in 2000, captured the Stanley Cup in 2010, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015. Needless to say, he knows what he’s talking about.
Answering fan questions on his X account Monday, Pronger was asked whether Hughes is better than Makar—and he didn’t hesitate.
“Absolutely not,” he said.
“I think Quinn Hughes has taken his game to a whole new level, but there are things that Makar can do that Hughes just cannot. Play with a physical edge, etc. And defensively, they do not compare. Both are dynamic offensively, though.”
It’s hard to argue with that assessment. Makar has 25 goals and 78 points this season, with 414 points in 383 career games—compared to Hughes’ 396 points in 418 games. The Avs blueliner remains the favorite to win the Norris Trophy this summer, and the numbers back it up.
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