Someday, as Quinn Hughes hung up the skates of a rich NHL career, the hockey world will celebrate him as one of the most gifted offensive defensemen of this generation.

Write it down, remember it, or take a screenshot – I’d bet anything I own on these words come true.

Hughes’ lasting memories will be built on his elite skating magic, passing and offensive zone. All of this is true and yet it is ironically the progression of his defensive play that will determine whether there is an asterisk next to his name or not when we look back on his career.

Hughes will compete for the Norris Trophies as a scoring player if he is able to consolidate his defensive game.

Hughes will be more Keith Yandle than the first Erik Karlsson if he is not able to consolidate his defensive game.

The prized Vancouver defenseman will be a great player regardless, but defensive stability makes the difference between being an elite No.1 defenseman or an excellent power play specialist who is not trustworthy on a par. Its defense is decisive for reputation. It will have huge implications just four months from now when USA Hockey decides how much they can trust Hughes on a loaded blue line at the Olympics.

So far we have seen both sides of the coin. As a 20-year-old rookie, Hughes absorbed game minutes against the other team’s top players.