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Some quotes age well. Some are cringe worthy. When University of Michigan assistant coach Jeff Tambellini got his first good look at free-wheeling, laser-like passing Wolverines rookie defenceman Quinn Hughes , he couldn’t help but draw a comparison to an NHL legend and eight-time Norris Trophy winner.

“People always ask me who does he (Hughes) play like? You’re not going to want to hear this — and I’m not saying he is — but he plays like Bobby Orr,” Tambellini, a former Vancouver Canucks winger, gushed to this reporter in advance of the 2018 NHL Draft. “I’ve never seen a guy possess the puck and skate his own problems away. “He’s so deceptive coming up the ice and has such a mind for the game.



He baits forecheckers and his details are off the charts.” Fast forward and that quote wasn’t a reach. It was the reality of today’s time and place where a smaller yet elite blueliner can dominate.

The manner in which the Canucks captain quickly pivots to avoid pressure, can place a long lead pass on the tape, run the power play like a star quarterback, and pile up points, is why he’s a finalist for the Norris Trophy to be awarded Thursday in Las Vegas (4 p.m., SN Pacific).

Hughes, 24, led all NHL defenders in scoring this season and is up against 2022 winner Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators. He is also the first in franchise history to vie for the award and is the front-runner. A panel of 15 NHL.

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