Kevin Bieksa slams Canucks over treatment of Quinn Hughes.

The Vancouver Canucks had a good night on Saturday night against the league leading Washington Capitals, but that didn't spare them from being the target of criticism from one of their former players.

During Saturday night's Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, former Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa took the opportunity to question the actions of the players on his former team, specifically as it pertains to Canucks captain Quinn Hughes. Bieksa wasn't critical of Hughes himself, but wondered why the reigning Norris trophy winner wasn't being better protected by his teammates.

"Quinn Hughes is an untouchable for Vancouver, he's your one untouchable," stated Bieksa on Hockey Night in Canada.

Bieksa made it clear that he doesn't feel the role of protecting Hughes should fall on one player, but instead suggested there should be a team commitment to protecting the young star.

"I don't care who you are on the Canucks, when your captain is being treated like that you drop whatever you're doing and you gang tackle whoever that guy is going after him," said a fired up Bieksa.

Bieksa argued that a player of Hughes' caliber should never be expected to fight or engage in any physical battles of that nature of the ice.

"You just don't expect Quinn Hughes to fight or have to even fight that battle," said Bieksa. "There's 4 other guys on the ice plus a goalie that's one where everybody jumps in no matter what and you defend your captain."

Bieksa wasn't alone in his opinion either with his co-panelist Elliotte Friedman making it clear that he also found it difficult to stomach how Hughes gets pummeled on a nightly basis with no response from his teammates to be seen.

"I just haven't enjoyed watching it how he is getting it over and over again," said Friedman. "It's been tough for me to watch this how their star is getting mauled every game and it's not being repaid."

Perhaps a public shaming from a former player will be enough to get the other Canucks players to take notice.