Elias Pettersson says he hopes Quinn Hughes gets a good reception when the defenseman returns to Vancouver with the Wild on Sunday.
“I hope it's a good reception for him,” Pettersson told The Hockey News.
La Presse noted Hughes was one of several stars who wanted out of a Canadian market over the past year.
Whatever led to the exit, Vancouver fans should save the boos for the team's current skid.
It's like an ex walking into the family barbecue. Everybody stays polite, but the whole yard is watching.
Hughes has 13 points in 11 games for Minnesota.
Eleven of those are assists, and he sits at +6.
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Canucks fans face a delicate moment after Elias Pettersson weighs in on Quinn Hughes
The 27-year-old carries a $7,850,000 cap hit.
He also has a power-play goal and a game-winner for the Wild.
The Wild visit Seattle tonight before arriving in Vancouver for the second half of a back-to-back.
Minnesota is 6-3-2 but has dropped two straight.
The Wild are perfect at 4-0-0 at home but just 2-3-2 on the road.
Kirill Kaprizov leads the team with 11 goals, including 2 game-winners.
Jesper Wallstedt sits at .915 with 6 wins.
Vancouver is 2-9-1, last in the league, and has lost nine straight.
The Canucks have allowed 56 goals in 12 games.
Pettersson leads the Canucks with 12 points, including 4 power-play goals.
Brock Boeser called the start embarrassing earlier this week.
Filip Hronek sits at -9 on the blue line Hughes left behind.
Kevin Lankinen sits at .807 without a regulation win, while Leevi Merilainen has been better at .917.
The teams meet again Nov. 21 in Vancouver and Jan. 26 in Minnesota.
Manny Malhotra needs a response, and a visit from a familiar face could light a fire under this group.
Ryan Johnson's front office already traded Aatu Räty earlier this month.
Cheers, boos or a little of both on Sunday?
Pettersson asked for kindness. A building watching its team lose night after night might not be in a generous mood.
Should Canucks fans cheer Quinn Hughes on Sunday?
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