Q&A: Tocchet on Canucks’ off-season moves, leadership and Pettersson’s future

[IBatch]

17 minutes ago, DrJockitch said:

I am all for small players but they need to put in a position to succeed. Surrounding them with a dozen other small players is not that. 
our TDL moves are more directed at showing STH that we should be better next year, so we buy when we are out.  It is a crazy way to do things but that is the Aquillini way. 

Absolutely.   We are also like minds in this way (putting them in a position to succeed).  The one guy I hoped we'd get this summer, we did, wanted him for two years.   Actually wanted both him and Hartman since we played them in the bubble.   Was impressed with Soucy then.    Crushing guys in the corner, and standing them up too.   Brock took a hit to make a play against Soucy,  his face was pink after it - could tell his cage was rattled.    Hartman was exactly the type of guy I hoped our bottom six would have too.   Do think it's a stretch to just slot Soucy in as a top four guy.    But sure am glad we have him.   Also think he can score some goals for us.   He's going to get the chance anyways, playing 20-22 minutes a night.    10 goals is no small feet, especially 9 even strength ones, playing bottom pairing minutes.    You and I will enjoy this guy regardless.   

 

Only time I remember us buying since the rebuild at the deadline, was TT, and unlike others, wasn't a huge fan of doing that.    Correct me if i'm wrong ... when was the last time we bought before him? 

 

Edit:  As far as selling.   If the tent folds, this time it won't be Schenn or Vanek or Motte.   And never felt those guys were going to get us a boatload either, which they didn't. 

Edited August 30, 2023 by IBatch

[Jester13]

37 minutes ago, DeNiro said:

Lower the goals against and we’ll be good. That will have to come from an improved pk and a healthy Demko.

 

We have enough offense to win games, even if we sacrifice a bit to play better defensively.

 

Teams that make the playoffs typically have at least seven or eight 15+ goal scorers.

 

How many do we have?

 

Petey

Miller

Kuzmenko

Boeser

Beauvillier

Garland

Mikheyev

Suter?

 

Can Podkolzin or Hoglander reach that level? Can Hughes up his goal totals?

Considering Hughes didn't have a goal last year until half the season was over and then still ended up with 7, I'd say he'll hit 10 this year for sure. Hronek can also pop in 10 (he's an empty net specialist, which we haven't had since King LE). 

[Dr. Crossbar]

This is everything, really, and so, SO needed in every facet of the team and organization ... 

 

Tocchet: This team is capable of success. It’s a matter of making everyone understand how hard it is to win. To be a winner, you’ve got to do a lot of uncomfortable things. I was only there 30-something games. . . but I can see there are some players, I don’t know if they realize where we have to go. It’s going to be very uncomfortable to go where we want to go. But if we have that mindset and we’re prepared and we’re willing to go there, we’ll have success. Is that to make the playoffs or win one round? I don’t know. For me, it’s: Are we willing to be uncomfortable as an organization to get to the next level?

[IBatch]

39 minutes ago, DeNiro said:

Lower the goals against and we’ll be good. That will have to come from an improved pk and a healthy Demko.

 

We have enough offense to win games, even if we sacrifice a bit to play better defensively.

 

Teams that make the playoffs typically have at least seven or eight 15+ goal scorers.

 

How many do we have?

 

Petey

Miller

Kuzmenko

Boeser

Beauvillier

Garland

Mikheyev

Suter?

 

Can Podkolzin or Hoglander reach that level? Can Hughes up his goal totals?

Either that or they are top heavy.   Agree goal scoring won't be a problem.   Maybe we've added 10-15 goals from the back end once the guys who lost their spots are replaced by Cole, Hronek and Soucy.    Which will help for sure.   We weren't exactly a top offensive team either though.    So the leash has to be somewhat thoughtful.    Believe we will end up back to one goal games like the Green era.    Tochett did talk about players being willing to sacrifice their personal stats, and no more 13-14 grade a scoring chances plus allowing 40 shots etc.    Not that he ever did since he arrived either - using an AHL defense minus QHs and Myers.    Think they've brought system guys in for that reason.   Expect a lot more 3-2 games then 5-4 ones next year. 

[DrJockitch]

6 minutes ago, Dr. Crossbar said:

This is everything, really, and so, SO needed in every facet of the team and organization ... 

 

Tocchet: This team is capable of success. It’s a matter of making everyone understand how hard it is to win. To be a winner, you’ve got to do a lot of uncomfortable things. I was only there 30-something games. . . but I can see there are some players, I don’t know if they realize where we have to go. It’s going to be very uncomfortable to go where we want to go. But if we have that mindset and we’re prepared and we’re willing to go there, we’ll have success. Is that to make the playoffs or win one round? I don’t know. For me, it’s: Are we willing to be uncomfortable as an organization to get to the next level?

I take this to mean get ready for dump and chase, clog the middle boring hockey. 

[Curmudgeon]

4 minutes ago, DrJockitch said:

I take this to mean get ready for dump and chase, clog the middle boring hockey. 

If that's a winning formula, then I'm all in. Tired of losing out year after year. And what is more boring, playing a tight defensive game and winning or playing a wide open Boudreau style that bleeds goals and piles up losses? I'll take tight defence and let whatever happens happen because what they've been doing for the last 12 years clearly hasn't worked.

[Citizen Erased]

I don’t care if they wear grass skirts and juggle torches, if it helps them win, so be it.

[Dr. Crossbar]

16 minutes ago, DrJockitch said:

I take this to mean get ready for dump and chase, clog the middle boring hockey. 

If that gets us winning consistently, more disciplined, more responsible ... so be it. On the flip side, fans also need to embrace the uncomfortable.

 

Tocchet says this earlier in the interview ... 

 

"Getting Cole and Soucy, Blueger and Suter ... these guys are very good penalty killers. They're grittier guys. They're willing to block shots. They don't let pucks through them, they knock pucks down. That's what good penalty killers do."

 

That's the type of uncomfortable and sacrifice it takes to win.

Edited August 30, 2023 by Dr. Crossbar

[wai_lai416]

"This time, however, the coach has the full support of general manager Patrik Allvin — and with it the moral authority to hold players accountable and make whatever changes he deems necessary to build a winning culture."

 

 

lol i guess boudreau doesn't have authority to do anything nor hold players accountable

[spook007]

22 minutes ago, DrJockitch said:

I take this to mean get ready for dump and chase, clog the middle boring hockey. 

The inspired pond hockey didn't get us anything, as entertaining as the games were. 
We may get some boring hockey games, but if we can win them, its a step up. 
Not every game under AV was entertaining (some were calling for him to be sacked). But it gave is a memorable run...

[DeNiro]

37 minutes ago, IBatch said:

Either that or they are top heavy.   Agree goal scoring won't be a problem.   Maybe we've added 10-15 goals from the back end once the guys who lost their spots are replaced by Cole, Hronek and Soucy.    Which will help for sure.   We weren't exactly a top offensive team either though.    So the leash has to be somewhat thoughtful.    Believe we will end up back to one goal games like the Green era.    Tochett did talk about players being willing to sacrifice their personal stats, and no more 13-14 grade a scoring chances plus allowing 40 shots etc.    Not that he ever did since he arrived either - using an AHL defense minus QHs and Myers.    Think they've brought system guys in for that reason.   Expect a lot more 3-2 games then 5-4 ones next year. 

We were 4 goals off being a top 10 team offensively.
 

3 goals less than NYR and 4 goals less than Colorado and LA. Add to that we were only 8 goals less than Toronto and their loaded offense.

 

I would say we were a top offensive team. The question is how will committing more to the defensive side affect those goal outputs, and can some of the younger guys step up and boost those stats? Can they fill the void left by Horvat, and can Kuzmenko keep scoring at the same pace?

 

 

Edited August 30, 2023 by DeNiro

[EdgarM]

14 minutes ago, spook007 said:

The inspired pond hockey didn't get us anything, as entertaining as the games were. 
We may get some boring hockey games, but if we can win them, its a step up. 
Not every game under AV was entertaining (some were calling for him to be sacked). But it gave is a memorable run...

Not to mention this is the type of hockey that gives you wins in the playoffs. Maybe that  why we have Presidents trophies but no Stanley Cups?

[buddhahoodlum]

2 hours ago, Alflives said:

Bingo! There were two elephants in the room and both were moved out. First Horfat Wallet and then OElevator too lazy for stairs. 

Too bad he couldn't OELevate his game. 

[cripplereh]

1 hour ago, DeNiro said:

Lower the goals against and we’ll be good. That will have to come from an improved pk and a healthy Demko.

 

We have enough offense to win games, even if we sacrifice a bit to play better defensively.

 

Teams that make the playoffs typically have at least seven or eight 15+ goal scorers.

 

How many do we have?

 

Petey

Miller

Kuzmenko

Boeser

Beauvillier

Garland

Mikheyev

Suter?

 

Can Podkolzin or Hoglander reach that level? Can Hughes up his goal totals?

Hronek healthy might get 15 plus as well.

[IBatch]

1 hour ago, EdgarM said:

Not to mention this is the type of hockey that gives you wins in the playoffs. Maybe that  why we have Presidents trophies but no Stanley Cups?

That team was awesome.   But I do get it.    We were so close! 

[IBatch]

1 hour ago, DeNiro said:

We were 4 goals off being a top 10 team offensively.
 

3 goals less than NYR and 4 goals less than Colorado and LA. Add to that we were only 8 goals less than Toronto and their loaded offense.

 

I would say we were a top offensive team. The question is how will committing more to the defensive side affect those goal outputs, and can some of the younger guys step up and boost those stats? Can they fill the void left by Horvat, and can Kuzmenko keep scoring at the same pace?

 

 

No argument there.   At the start of last season, we did have 8-9 guys who could score 15 goals.   All on the front end.   This year not making any bold predictions.   Other than we likely score more from the back end which is something we've lacked and likely will continue to lack for awhile yet.   Wouldn't care about that if we had a solid D core.   It's a work in progress for sure.   As in a true top four.  

 

Edit: Brock might be a wild card that can pick up some of Kuzmenko's likely more realistic goal total.    No we won't fill the Horvat void but I think it was also a necessary trade.  

Edited August 30, 2023 by IBatch

[Gawdzukes]

3 hours ago, DrJockitch said:

I take this to mean get ready for dump and chase, clog the middle boring hockey. 

 

2 hours ago, Curmudgeon said:

If that's a winning formula, then I'm all in. Tired of losing out year after year. And what is more boring, playing a tight defensive game and winning or playing a wide open Boudreau style that bleeds goals and piles up losses? I'll take tight defence and let whatever happens happen because what they've been doing for the last 12 years clearly hasn't worked.

Yup, I couldn't care less if the results are there. Winning hockey is fun. I like watching grinding hockey because it's real and dependable.

 

  

2 hours ago, wai_lai416 said:

"This time, however, the coach has the full support of general manager Patrik Allvin — and with it the moral authority to hold players accountable and make whatever changes he deems necessary to build a winning culture."

 

 

lol i guess boudreau doesn't have authority to do anything nor hold players accountable

Boudreau certainly didn't hold people accountable. Whether or not that was an issue in Van it's been his m.o. since he started coaching. Give the best players all the rope they want and don't ever criticize them. We saw that a lot with Miller. Instead of calling him out on his bs he always doubled down and defended him. Thankfully no more of that imo.

 

  

2 hours ago, EdgarM said:

Not to mention this is the type of hockey that gives you wins in the playoffs. Maybe that  why we have Presidents trophies but no Stanley Cups?

Great point regarding playoff hockey.

 

  

Edited August 30, 2023 by Gawdzukes

[BarnBurner]

1 hour ago, IBatch said:

No argument there.   At the start of last season, we did have 8-9 guys who could score 15 goals.   All on the front end.   This year not making any bold predictions.   Other than we likely score more from the back end which is something we've lacked and likely will continue to lack for awhile yet.   Wouldn't care about that if we had a solid D core.   It's a work in progress for sure.   As in a true top four.  

 

Edit: Brock might be a wild card that can pick up some of Kuzmenko's likely more realistic goal total.    No we won't fill the Horvat void but I think it was also a necessary trade.  

I don't believe Bo will fill the Horvat void in Long Island, either. 

[Kragar]

2 hours ago, DeNiro said:

We were 4 goals off being a top 10 team offensively.
 

3 goals less than NYR and 4 goals less than Colorado and LA. Add to that we were only 8 goals less than Toronto and their loaded offense.

 

I would say we were a top offensive team. The question is how will committing more to the defensive side affect those goal outputs, and can some of the younger guys step up and boost those stats? Can they fill the void left by Horvat, and can Kuzmenko keep scoring at the same pace?

 

 

Agreed!  To add, we had 4 guys in top 50 scoring, 6 in the top 150 (7 if you count Horvat's Canuck points), so well better than average on that front, too.  Offense wasn't the problem, looking at the season as a whole.

 

I'm trying to keep my expectations in check, but it is hard to do.  They were quite high going into last year as I rode the Boudreau wave from the previous year, and while I feel better about Tocchet (despite not wanting him here to begin with), I will have that nagging worry that the team will let us down again... until they don't 

 

But, with just some minor improvements over last year (which it seems were/are being made), it's not unreasonable for Petey and Kuz each hitting 50 goals.  If Kuz was a real sophomore, I could see decent odds of a slump, but since he's entering (in?) his prime years I'm not worried about him.  More worried about what his output will do to his next contract, but that's far enough down the road for now.

 

Damn I want hockey back (winning hockey).  Been watching some highlights from last year over the last week or so to tide me through, including this one today:

 

 

[Kragar]

1 hour ago, IBatch said:

No argument there.   At the start of last season, we did have 8-9 guys who could score 15 goals.   All on the front end.   This year not making any bold predictions.   Other than we likely score more from the back end which is something we've lacked and likely will continue to lack for awhile yet.   Wouldn't care about that if we had a solid D core.   It's a work in progress for sure.   As in a true top four.  

 

Edit: Brock might be a wild card that can pick up some of Kuzmenko's likely more realistic goal total.    No we won't fill the Horvat void but I think it was also a necessary trade.  

Makes sense.  I can adjust my prediction above... if Brock finds his way back to form, that could balance things out and perhaps keep Kuzmenko under 50.  Good news for the team if it happens.