The Vancouver Canucks are banking on a new head coach trying to revive their painful season and have already put Bruce Boudreau out of their minds as they believe a new phase has begun.
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The British Columbia organization fired Boudreau on Sunday and hired Rick Tocchet, who will officiate his first game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.
Some will say the damage is too great to hope for playoff qualification, but the club’s players want to find their way to victory first.
With 10 defeats in regular time in the last 11 games, it is difficult to assess the day-to-day work. Forward JT Miller says he’s ready to give the runner a chance and is excited.
“It’s not about disrespecting Bruce. I had a great relationship with him and it’s sad that he’s leaving training. However, we are professionals and I think Bruce will understand that now we have to move on and take care of the foundation that we want to build here. We want to start a new era on the right foot,” he told NHL.com.
Good luck tocchet
Nevertheless, Tocchet’s task promises to be complicated for all his good will. Vancouver is 16 points behind in a playoff-entry spot. In defense, the team ranks 31st in the National Hockey League with a goals-against average of 3.96. Its outnumbered is the worst on the race track with an efficiency of 65.9%.
There is a way out of the swamp for the new pilot: intensity and determination must prevail in the game of his herd. Without these elements, likely to establish a renewed chemistry, any new strategy will be in vain.
“This sport is all about the relationship. Yes, there are “X’s” and “O’s” and everything else, but players should have a strong voice and act in partnership. Some elements related to mental health are also non-negotiable,” he said.
“He’s a guy with great energy and is committed to a solid structure,” added defense attorney Oliver Ekman-Larsson of his new boss, who he knew when he was in charge of the Coyotes of the Arizona from 2017-2021. He will enforce a lot of the rules and be hard on us. He wants us to play with a lot of pace and intelligence while we work hard. I think it will skate a lot and stagnate less. Our group will benefit from this.”
The Hawks-Canucks game will air at 10 p.m. on TVA Sports Channel.
Canucks: Bruce Boudreau wanted to stay
Shortly after losing his job as the Vancouver Canucks head coach, Bruce Boudreau said he never considered quitting his job.
Speaking on SiriusXM Monday, Boudreau said there was “absolutely no question” about handing in his resignation.
“Do you want me to go? Let me go but I will never give up because if you do that you give up on the players and we have to move on. So what kind of message would I send if I was the one giving up? So it wouldn’t happen,” he said.
The 68-year-old’s reign lasted 13 months before being replaced by Rick Tocchet last Sunday. Under him, the Canucks went 50-40-13. Moreover, according to broadcaster TSN, Tocchet would have signed his contract as head coach during Boudreau’s last week of work.
The former British Columbia formation pilot was unwilling to express his feelings about the Canucks’ general manager Patrik Allvin’s management of the situation.
“At some point I might feel compelled to say certain things. I will keep this information private for now and turn to another matter,” said the former coach.
Rutherford apologizes
Canuck’s vice president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford has apologized to his former coach for the organization’s handling of the coaching change. Boudreau’s departure had become an open secret even in the eyes of the main prospect, who is also due a farewell to the crowd at Rogers Arena on Saturday.
“Unfortunately, that’s how it happened. Nobody is very proud of it. I’ve known Bruce for a long time. He was a friend and I feel very bad about it. If I offended anyone, I personally apologize on behalf of the Canucks,” the Vancouver franchise’s big boss said at a news conference on Sunday.
The Rick Tocchet era with the Canucks begins Tuesday night when his charges host the Chicago Blackhawks.