Quinn Hughes Joined Elite Company Alongside Josi With Assist Mark

There are only three active defensemen in the NHL that have recorded 70 assists in a season and the Nashville Predators' captain Roman Josi is one of them. Of the three who have done so and are still playing in the NHL, Josi's came first in 2021-22 when he finished the season with 23 goals, 73 assists, and 96 points in just 80 games.

Quinn Hughes is the latest member to join that elite group as the other defenseman to do so was Erik Karlsson in 2022-23 with 76.

Hughes just reached the 70-assist mark in his 76th game of the season and is up to 16 goals and 86 points on the season. He was so close last season, finishing with 69 assists.

To record 70 assists in a single season is impressive on its own, but for a defenseman it is very rare. There have only been 12 players to accomplish this feat, done so 26 times. Beyond the three active d-men to do so, the last season in which 70 assists in a season was reached was in 1995-96 by Brian Leetch.

While it is impressive that Hughes reached this mark at such a young age, it is just as impressive that Josi and Karlsson did so in their 30s as the league has gotten a lot younger and faster. It it's feasible for Josi to reach 70 assists this season with 13 needed in seven games, but he could very well next season as unlikely as it may be.

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