I suspect that Canucks management has a “we will promote the player if he’s ready” approach, even if it means dealing with consequences later on.
We’ve seen that with guys like Boeser in the past. “If he’s ready now, he deserves to be here even if it burns an extra year off his ELC.”
”If Motte is NHL calibre, we will waive Gagner and admit to our mistake.”
I think it’s just management style for better or for worse (and for the record, I think this approach is for the better).
As it relates to Hughes, I think management will let Quinn Hughes plays of Quinn Is ready and if Quinn wants to play for the Canucks at the end of the year if his NCAA team is eliminated. Management will then worry about who to protect at a later date.
“if the young guy is ready now, then don’t delay his progress.”