Canucks HC Rick Tocchet delivers cryptic Quinn Hughes injury update ahead of away trip

Vancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet provided an update on captain Quinn Hughes' injury ahead of the team's upcoming road trip. Hughes played in the Canucks' 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 23, despite injury concerns. He missed the next game against the Seattle Kraken, which Vancouver lost 5-4 in overtime.

In a video shared by the Canucks’ official X page, Tocchet said,

"Well, he couldn't have hurt what he has anymore. He's just a tough kid, and he won us the game, a couple assists. I don't think him not playing would have made a difference. We're all hockey players. You want to play. He gutted it out for us and we won the game."

Quinn Hughes has been a key player for Vancouver this season, contributing eight goals and 34 assists in 34 games. In wins, Hughes has contributed two goals and 23 assists, with a plus-minus of 19. Even in losses, he has remained effective, with six goals and 11 assists.

Tocchet also confirmed that Hughes would not travel with the team for the upcoming road trip. He said Hughes is "probably week-to-week." Elias Pettersson, who also has an injury, won’t make the trip either.

“They’re not going to make the trip,” Tocchet said after Sunday's practice at Rogers Arena (via Canuck Army), “Petey’s probably a week away, give or take a day here or there, and Quinn is probably week-t0-week. That’s the update we have for them.”

Quinn Hughes’ absence is significant, as he plays an important role on defense and the power play.

Canucks lose 5-4 to Kraken in first game without captain Quinn Hughes

The Vancouver Canucks lost 5-4 to the Seattle Kraken in overtime after leading by three goals late in the third. Tocchet said, per NHL.com,

“We were pretty good for 55 minutes. We needed a couple of composure plays. We didn't get them...We needed somebody to calm the waters down a little bit."

Brock Boeser scored first for the Canucks on a 4-on-3 power play at 16:03 of the first period. In the second, Matty Beniers tied the game at 1-1. Conor Garland put the Canucks back in the lead at 8:36. Boeser scored again at 15:14 to make it 3-1.

In the third, Jake DeBrusk extended the lead to 4-1. The Kraken fought back late. Jaden Schwartz scored to make it 4-2. Vince Dunn added two goals in the final minutes, tying the game and then winning it in overtime. Vancouver lost its first game without captain Quinn Hughes in the lineup.