Coach Travis Green was not happy with his team after the Calgary 4-1 loss Saturday night and his team underachieving 1-2 record in preseason play.

“I don’t think we played very well tonight,” Green said. “I just didn’t think we had a very good game. We didn’t have a lot of very good hockey players. We deserved to lose tonight.”

While Green is aware of the lineup shortcomings with his team, his focus has been evaluating the team he has to work with and he is concerned by what he sees.

“We’re also watching individual play and how guys perform under the pressure, how far up they can play if they’re on the team, and whether or not they can play in the league at all. Sometimes you’re going to lose and that’s fine in an exhibition, but I didn’t think we played sharp enough tonight.”

But Friday was also a reminder that the Canucks have operated since training camp began without five players expected to be lineup regulars: stars Pettersson and Hughes, injured fourth-line penalty-killers Tyler Motte and Brandon Sutter, and top-four defenceman Travis Hamonic, who remains home in Manitoba on a personal leave as he tries to decide if or how he might play the NHL’s third season with COVID-19 restrictions.

And now the team is also without first-line winger Brock Boeser, whom Green confirmed will miss about a week with an undisclosed injury. Pettersson and Hughes can’t get to Vancouver soon enough.

Iain MacIntyre Canucks notebook: Coach Travis Green not impressed with team in Calgary

Everybody needs to take a deep breath and chill out.

The Vancouver Canucks have been, and continue to be, under extreme stress, both as an organization and individuals; whether hockey players or supporting employees and staff.

They are the Vancouver Canucks. They are also, first and foremost, human beings, with health and wellness priorities, that are more important than the game.

As human beings, can we not recognize the Vancouver Canucks personal needs as we do ours, and put them ahead of the game, as we do ours?

The Canucks open their 2021-2022 season on September 13 in Edmonton, the start of a 6 game road trip to begin their season.

Until the season begins, as true, long suffering, dedicated, Vancouver Canucks fans: Breathe, Believe, Balance.

Breathe to calm yourself, believe in yourself, and Balance in life to keep going through all the ups and downs.

Breathe Believe Balance by Shayamal Vallabhjee