Quinn Hughes injury update: Canucks insider shares new details around star defenceman's return

Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes has missed two games with a lower-body injury. He missed the 4-3 overtime win against the Edmonton Oilers and the 2-0 shutout loss against the New York Rangers.

On Thursday, insider Rick Dhaliwal said on "Donnie and Dhali podcast" that it is a groin injury. He said Hughes is “close” to returning and could join the team soon.

"That's the last guy in the world you want out of your lineup because he's the best player," Dhaliwal said. "I'm told it's a groin injury, but he's close."

General manager Patrik Allvin said Quinn Hughes might travel to Minnesota on Saturday or Nashville the upcoming Monday. But for now, the team has listed him out for Thursday’s game against the St. Louis Blues.

"And like Patrick Elvin said yesterday, he could hop on a plane and go join them either in Minnesota or Nashville." Dhaliwal said.

Quinn Hughes has one goal and six assists in nine games this season. He averages more than 26 minutes of ice time per game. He has been an important part of the power play with five points. In his career, Hughes has 60 goals and 356 assists in 442 NHL games. The Canucks hope to have him back soon to help their defense.

Vancouver has a 5-6-0 record and sits sixth in the Pacific Division. The team has been inconsistent to start the season, and they are struggling with an average of 2.55 goals per game and allowing 3.00 goals against. Conor Garland leads the team with 11 points, and Kiefer Sherwood has six goals.

Dhaliwal also shared updates on other injured players. He said Garland could return within one week from an upper-body injury. Teddy Blueger might come back next week.

"It looks like they could get some of the walking wounded back." Dhaliwal said.

The Canucks have struggled with consistency after the 2023-24 season’s 109-point campaign. They have shown effort, but need stronger defensive and offensive play.

Canucks struggled against Rangers in Quinn Hughes' absence

The Vancouver Canucks lost 2-0 to the New York Rangers without captain Quinn Hughes. Mika Zibanejad scored the first goal late in the first period after a clean passing play with Will Cuylle and Adam Fox. Sam Carrick added an empty-net goal near the end of the game.

Jonathan Quick stopped all 23 shots for his first shutout this season, but canucks goalie Thatcher Demko couldn't help his team win despite making the same number of saves. Demko did not get much scoring help from his team.

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Edited by Ankit Kumar