Quinn Hughes Admits His ‘Biggest Fear’ Amid Doubts Over Canucks Future

Hughes said on Tuesday, via Sportsnet, that his biggest concern heading into the season is not the outside chatter, but the possibility of falling short of his own standards.

“Yeah, that’s probably my biggest stress, where I put so much pressure on myself — making sure that I do everything that I’m supposed to do for the team. And not having a year where I’m not doing the things that I want to do,” Hughes said. “That’s like my biggest fear, anyone’s biggest fear.

“But that’s what always keeps me pushing and keeps me hungry. You know, I never think I’m good enough, so that’s always driving me.”

Quinn has steadily downplayed comments from his brothers and the Canucks' brass, stressing that the only distractions that might affect him will come from the results on the ice.

“The noise hasn’t been much. I don’t really think that that will be the noise,” Hughes said. “I think the noise will be if we lose three in a row, or we lose the first two games of the season. We’re going to have to remain mentally strong.”

Canucks president Jim Rutherford acknowledged the uncertainty but emphasized that Hughes’ future is his own decision.

“Obviously, Quinn’s future is so important to this franchise and this city,” Rutherford said. “At the end of the day, he doesn’t have to make a decision yet. Sometimes in life, you think one thing one month, and another thing another month.”

Hughes' seemingly "bad" season last year still earned him another Norris Trophy nomination after he won the award two years ago. The blueliner said he is grateful for his time in Vancouver but avoided a firm long-term commitment.

“I’ve really enjoyed Vancouver. I’m very thankful,” Hughes told Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. “I will answer that with my actions next summer.”