Quinn Hughes found himself at the center of controversy ahead of his first game against the Vancouver Canucks since his blockbuster move to the Minnesota Wild. What began as a routine media session soon turned into a talking point across the NHL.

Hughes tried to downplay the moment, saying the reunion would not feel real until puck drop. He also noted that facing former teammates is something he has handled before. However, one comment stood out and drew immediate reaction.

“Honestly, I don’t even really know a lot of their guys,” Hughes said, referencing the current Canucks roster.

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While he pointed out roster turnover since his departure, the remark did not sit well with some analysts.

NHL analyst Wyatt Arndt took to social media, saying, “Two years ago I would have never imagined we’d have Quinn Hughes trying to track down Mark Messier as most disliked ex-captain lol.” The comparison carries weight, given Messier’s controversial tenure with the franchise.

Hockey writer Adam Kierszenblat also criticized Hughes’ statement, arguing it reflected poorly on a former captain. He later clarified that Hughes had actually played with the majority of the current roster.

“Players on the #Canucks active roster that Hughes has played with: 20 Players on the Canucks active roster that Hughes has not play with: 4,” Kierszenblat said.

The backlash shows the emotional connection between Vancouver fans and their former leaders. Captains are often seen as cultural anchors, and any perceived disconnect can quickly become a flashpoint.

Quinn Hughes and the Wild are going into the NHL playoffs

On the ice, Hughes continues to perform at an elite level and has helped his new team secure a playoff spot. He recorded an assist in a 5-2 win over Vancouver and remains one of the league’s top offensive defensemen this season.

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So far this season, Hughes has registered 73 points in 69 games and has recently played his 500th NHL game.

Still, the focus has temporarily moved from his play to his words. As the Wild push toward the playoffs, Hughes now faces added scrutiny every time he speaks about his former team.

The NHL saw one of the wildest games of the season as the Vancouver Canucks stunned the league-leading Colorado Avalanche 8-6.

The Avalanche outshot the Canucks 30-26, but it was the first and second period which made the big difference. The Canucks scored three goals each in the first and the second period and then finished the final period with two goals to claim the win. This win helped them end their six-game losing streak.

Soon after the final buzzer, the league posted on X, writing, “CANUCKS WIN!! WHAT A GAME!! 😱.”

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The result even drew reactions from fans across the platform. One fan predicted trouble ahead, saying, “Colorado’s gonna be upset in the first round. Bank on it!”

Another user joked about beating the top team, saying, “If we beat the number 1 team… do we become number 1?”

One fan mentioned the point difference between the two teams, saying, “Canucks with 50 pts just beat the Avalanche with 108 pts. That’s hockey, baby!”

A fan shared his perspective on how the Avalanche lost the game. He said, “Imma be honest, I feel like the Avs came into the game thinking too much about the Dallas game again, and then it got away from them. They battled back in the 3rd, but a bounce shook them off their roll.”

A fan reacted, calling the game, “The biggest upset of the season. Worst beats first.”

One fan reacted to Canukcs’ goalie Kevin Lankinen and Avalanche’s Mackenzie Blackwood, who was later replaced by Scott Wedgewood, saying, “Did the goalies forget they had a game tonight?”

The Avalanche lost despite their strong third-period push

The Avalanche pushed hard in the third period and outshot the Canucks 17-6. Goals from Parker Kelly and Brent Burns reduced the deficit, and Sam Malinski tied the game 6-6 during a four-goal run. However, Vancouver answered instantly as Marcus Pettersson restored the lead just 23 seconds later.

Despite blowing a four-goal advantage, the Canucks held firm in the closing minutes. Boeser’s final goal sealed a dramatic victory, thus snapping their six-game losing streak.

The result stands out given the teams’ contrasting seasons. Vancouver entered last in the standings with major defensive issues and low scoring output, but Brock Boeser’s hat trick made the difference. Colorado, led by Nathan MacKinnon, has dominated with balance and consistency.

This upset showed Vancouver’s attacking ability and hinted at potential despite a difficult campaign.