On today’s episode of Canucks Conversation, David Quadrelli, Harman Dayal, and show producer Jacob Lazare debated the Vancouver Canucks’ team awards for the 2024-25 season.
The categories up for discussion:
MVP, Best Defenceman, Unsung Hero and Most Exciting Player
Last season, the fans voted J.T. Miller both MVP and Most Exciting Player, Quinn Hughes won Best Defenceman, and Dakota Joshua was named Unsung Hero. This year, the panel had clear choices for some awards but a heated debate over others.
MVP & Best Defenceman: Quinn Hughes (Unanimous Choice)
There was no controversy when it came to the Canucks’ most valuable player and best defenceman — Quinn Hughes ran away with both awards.
“MVP and Best Defenceman — Quinn Hughes,” Quads stated, setting the tone for an obvious conclusion.
There was no argument from Harm, emphasizing just how good Hughes has been this season.
“The gap between him and everyone else on this team is enormous,” Harm said.
The conversation then shifted to a hypothetical — if Hughes wasn’t eligible for MVP, who would be the team’s second-most valuable player?
Harm posed the question: “If you couldn’t vote Quinn MVP, who would you vote as the second-most valuable player on the team?”
Quads had a strong answer: “Kevin Lankinen. Before the 4 Nations, he was the most valuable player to this team without a doubt. Keeping them in the fight before the 4 Nations with Demko out, and even after the tournament — who was more valuable?”
Garland and Hronek were also briefly discussed, but Quads made a compelling case that without Lankinen stepping up in goal, the Canucks wouldn’t have been competitive.
“If they didn’t have Kevin Lankinen,” Quads added, “even Hughes wouldn’t really matter in this conversation because they would’ve had Arturs Silovs and Jiri Patera.”
Harm acknowledged Lankinen’s importance in net but still leaned toward another skater.
“If you’re going value relative because your alternatives are Arturs Silovs, sure,” Harm admitted. “But if we’re talking second-best player on the team this season, it’s probably Garland. In terms of value, fair enough, you can say Lankinen.”
Show producer Jacob Lazare summed it up best:
“The fact you think of all these names and think, ‘OK, maybe,’ just goes to show how valuable Quinn Hughes really was.”
Unsung Hero: Derek Forbort
The guys unanimously agreed that Derek Forbort was this year’s Unsung Hero, taking over the role previously won by Dakota Joshua.
Forbort played hard minutes, contributed to the penalty kill, and provided a steady presence on the blue line without much attention or fanfare. While his impact wasn’t always flashy, his role was crucial to the team’s defensive stability.
Most Exciting Player: Kiefer Sherwood vs. Quinn Hughes
The Most Exciting Player debate sparked the biggest disagreement.
Quads was firm in his belief that Kiefer Sherwood deserved the award, citing his record-breaking physicality and unexpected goal-scoring contributions.
“You don’t break the NHL hits record and not pick up Most Exciting Player,” Quads argued. “This guy is scoring goals for the team and has been a huge bright spot in a season that hasn’t had very many, so he’s my most exciting player.”
Harm wasn’t having it.
“Kiefer Sherwood is not more exciting than Quinn Hughes,” he said bluntly.
Quads countered: “You can’t give Quinn every award.”
Harm pushed back: “Yes, you can. Why not? If he deserves it, give it to him. The gap between him and everyone else on this team is enormous. Sherwood was probably the second most exciting player, but he’s well behind Quinn, who breaks ankles every game — how many players can do that every game?”
Last season, Most Exciting Player went to J.T. Miller, but this year, the debate was clear: should the award go to the dazzling, game-breaking skill of Hughes, or the relentless, physical, high-energy play of Sherwood?
While MVP, Best Defenceman, and Unsung Hero were seemingly easy picks, Most Exciting Player sparked an intense debate.
You can watch the full segment below:
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