Bando Calrissian

March 10th, 2019 at 8:08 PM ^

This happens every year with star players on most teams. The second they're done, they're signing the contract if they're going pro. They'll work out arrangements to finish their courses and go. Coaches know, players know, and it's no big deal. 

In other words, it says nothing about anything.

Harbaugh's Lef…

March 10th, 2019 at 8:24 PM ^

Says nothing about nothing! Every single year, within a day or two of a players team, who is going to be going to the NHL, is eliminated from postseason play, they either sign their entry-level deal or an ATO with their AHL affiliate.

But please, continue to make dumb comments about stuff you have no idea about, it says something about something!

rob f

March 10th, 2019 at 8:59 PM ^

Actually, it says everything about everything.

It says he's done everything he committed to doing for himself, his coach, and his teammates,  and that everything he's dreamed of doing his entire life is now directly in front of him---an NHL career.

Best of luck, Quinn.  Now go out into the world and fulfill your dreams!

 

The Process

March 10th, 2019 at 9:27 PM ^

Highly rated players leaving for NHL immediately after their NCAA season completes is very common.  Off the top of my head, Dan Dekeyser did this just a few years ago; played 35 games withe WMU and immediately joined the Wings after his season was over.  Source

Reggie Dunlop

March 11th, 2019 at 9:29 AM ^

He can play up to 10 games this season without this year counting on his entry level contract. Basically a free "get your feet wet" test run for both Hughes and Vancouver. The Canucks only have 13 games left. It benefited everyone to get to Vancouver quickly.

It says something about the structure of NHL rookie contracts.

ak47

March 10th, 2019 at 7:53 PM ^

It says literally nothing about anything. He came back this year, played his ass off for the team including playing clearly injured at the end of the year but it was also clear this was the last year he would be in college. The season ended and he took the next step. 

stephenrjking

March 11th, 2019 at 1:04 AM ^

Some people would rather that players lie and pretend that they’re just there for school and sports is a hobby. 

I’m in favor of truth. Which Quinn has told basically the entirety of the past year. He openly said that he’d make his decision whether to go pro last summer based upon what the NHL franchise wanted. He spoke pretty frankly about going pro after this season while the year was in progress.

Michigan lost, he signed, he’s going to go on and keep playing. Everyone was an open book about it.

Don

March 11th, 2019 at 10:26 AM ^

"Some people would rather that players lie and pretend that they’re just there for school and sports is a hobby."

Given that Hughes made it clear he was never going to stay more than two seasons at Michigan, why did he come here in the first place? If playing professionally has always been his #1 goal, why not go pro and bypass college? 

Reggie Dunlop

March 11th, 2019 at 11:04 AM ^

He came to Michigan last year because he was 17 and not draft eligible. Playing professionally wasn't an option.

He came back this year instead of spending this year in the AHL as rookies often do to delay the start of their rookie contract. He trained with Vancouver in the offseason after being taken #7 overall. The plan was obvious. Marinate for one more year and then go to the big club.  He chose Michigan over the minor professional league.

As was the plan all along if you read any of the billion Hughes articles originating out of Vancouver all year,  he is now rushing out to British Columbia to play his 10-game limit before the end of the NHL season.

(https://www.vancourier.com/pass-it-to-bulis/quinn-hughes-could-still-play-in-a-canucks-jersey-this-season-1.23384216)

(https://www.thefourthperiod.com/feb-2019/hughes-expected-to-join-canucks-in-march)

There is nothing weird or sinister about any of this.