By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter
December 31rst, 2024
For the first part of 2024, the Vancouver Canucks played very well, had an established identity and consisistenty, and played well enough to make the 2024 playoffs and win the Pacific Division. They advanced past the first round of the playoffs in a non-pandemic season, the first time since the 2011 full season.
But the last half of 2024, not so good
….the Canucks…through a variety of lineup challenges in the first half of this season, have failed many nights to play to the standard and identity of last season’s team.
At 17-10-8, the Canucks have been able to scrape points in the standings and maintain a wildcard playoff position despite winning just 5 of 13 games in December (5-3-5). And they have yet to win consecutive home games this season.
Iain MacIntyre@imacSportsnet Q&A: Canucks GM Patrik Allvin expects more from top players in 2025
In a recent interview with Canucks GM Patrik Allvin, Iain MacIntyre of Sportsnet.ca, Allvin acknowledged his unhappiness with the Canucks so-called best players, and the inconsistency of his team.
Patrik Allvin:
I think it’s fair to say that you expect your best players to be the difference-makers, and the best players when you need them.
And unfortunately, I think we haven’t got the most out of those specific guys. If those guys would have performed to their capability, I think. . . we probably would have won a couple of more games. So it’s hard.
Do I expect more from them? Absolutely. I think we’ve been very fortunate up to this point that some of the other players have actually chipped in and helped us out a lot.
“You’re have to play under pressure “: Head Coach Rick Tocchet
Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet is getting contributions from within his roster from the likes of Conor Garland, Kiefer Sherwood, Teddy Blueger, Danton Heinen and Pius Suter and while that is a pleasant situation for Allvin, it is not enough
I think those guys that you mentioned have performed well, understanding how we need to play. But you still need a final punch with the top players being there to close out a game.
Patrik Allvin Canucks GM
Head Coach Rick Tocchet explains how he wants team to play without Quinn Hughes
The Canucks General Manager was dumbfounded and perplexed at the December 28th game against Seattle
Was Saturday’s 5-4 overtime loss to Seattle, in which you blew a three-goal lead in the final five minutes or regulation time, the toughest one so far?
Yes, 100 per cent the hardest one.
We’re up 4-1 with five minutes to play.
Like, why is it? Is it the pressure that hits the players? That’s something that Toc always talks about, meeting pressure with pressure. And I think in those environments, you should thrive, like, ‘Let’s lock down the game here.’
Patrik Allvin Canucks GM
With missing key players at key points like Thatcher Demko, Dakota Joshua, Brock Boeser, J. T. Miller, Conor Garland, Quinn Hughes, Filip Hronek, Derek Forbort, Elias Pettersson, the Vancouver Canucks have not had a successful season so far
MacIntyre: Beyond that, Tocchet said it has been hard to explain the team’s inconsistency. What do you think?
Allvin:
I think, again, it comes back to expectations and preparation, how you prepare yourself.
J.T. Miller Says Team Needs To Step Up, In Underwhelming Interview
Patrik Allvin does have a 2025 New Year Wish.
Is it wishful thinking without changes to roster in light of injuries and other physical and mental health issues, and personality conflicts?
Remains to be seen.
Our identity has been very vague this (season). It hasn’t been a clear path.
If you don’t have that, success is not sustainable long term.
So what I would say is, I would like to see us playing our style and brand of hockey on a more consistent basis.
I don’t like to drive to the game, and I don’t know what I’m going to get.
We need to play a certain way every night to be successful, and when we do, we’re a good team.
I would like to see us find our identity and consistency more. And then everything else will take care of itself.
Patrik Allvin Vancouver Canucks GM
