The problem with some fans is they get to emotionally attached to certain players and can't let go, then find excuse after excuse to defend them when it's clear as day they're not playing or producing at the level they're supposed to be doing.
Quite true.
Like the slow starts for an example, it's something that has been happening under the last 3 coaches, but for some reason I keep seeing posts from people saying the Canucks need to get ride of Tocchet and bring in a new coach. Let's not blame the core players who have been playing under those 3 coaches, just blame the coach again. This kind of logic is just getting old and sad, again because some just like certain players too much, and can't accept it's time to move on from some.
A team of coach killers? For me moving on from Tocchet is due to his restritive system of dump and pray. Battle like hell in the dzone to get possession, quck pass out to a forward, give possession awy and try to battle to get possession back. Good for eating up the clock but skilled scoring chances?
The core is old, Boeser, Demko, Pettersson, Hughes, Miller have had 6 years together to become consistent, unfortuneately they have but not at a "contender" level more a pretender level.
Another example Canucks PP has been mediocre for the last 4-5 years, we all see it, too much passing trying to make the perfect play, slow not quick enough with these players. The one thing that stood out in that Ottawa game was how dominant their powerplay looked, and they're not a top team in the league, but their powerplay looked like a top team. What's even more funny about that is 2 of their coaches are ex Canucks coaches, yet I don't remember seeing the Canucks core players looking that dominant on the PP under those coaches when they were here. The core of the Canucks is not the right fit, it's time to move on from them, and some just need to start accepting this.
Some of the best PP's use a system, repeated practices. Pretty sure most know that Dras is getting the puck or Hyman on the door step, Stamkos or Kurcherov were going to be set up for a onetimer, for awhile, Horvat in the bumper spot. Having Hughes skate around all over holding the puck is useflul if they get it to the right play, play meaning shot. Right now it is bsically get to the net and fight for it, which works too but with Hughes dancing around all over the place looking like it is a make it up as you go, the practice is less effective IMO.
While much of what you have said is true, it’s kind of the opposite of what is happening here.
I don’t think anyone here is saying he is playing well.
Many here noticed how he looked last year in his slump and said he was injured. Then the other side declared he was not, and even after a ton of evidence they said he wasn’t injured and it was just Petey being a malcontent. Then it came out he actually was injured.
An injury that was never told anyone, no team personnel were aware until he mentioned it at year end which got a stunned response from the GM, Allvin of I didn't know or he is? Never sought treatment for tendonitis which is rest, not working out.
If injured at all why would his hit total soar?
He has had a slow start this year, no doubt, again I don’t think anyone would disagree.
But you have many of the same people from last year saying it is just mental, and he is a malcontent. While there is no doubt some will come from confidence and be mental, you have many noting it seems to be from recovery from said injury. Pointing to skating stats shooting stats. Then going on to say this is being also compounded by the complete lack of puck moving defense.
The defence does move the puck, to a forward who gives it up with a tip into the other zone. Dzone to Ozone to dump in. Not much skill needed.
IMO IF Pettersson is reccovering from an injury it is a type that affects mood, fatigue, timing and poor decisions. Two I can think of, Long Covid and post concussion syndrome. Either can take years to over come. IMHO it is the latter. He has had his bell wrung a few times. They don't advertise this but shaking your head after a hit, (clearing the cobwebs), missing one timers and bad passes. These will improve over time if not getting the bell rung but each time it becomes more severe with less impact. Crosby needed just about a year off. It took Naslund a year, Daniel months. They played but were just not quite the same.
I don’t think it would be nearly as big of a debate if it wasn’t largely the same crowd from last year saying the same thing even after being proven wrong. Then it gets even more compounded by a huge double standard on other players.
I think everyone in here can agree Pettersson can be better. It’s the why that is most in contention.
The simple and most obvious is that the "core" just isn't enough as it is. It needs neew blood and a coach that will adjust for skill.
Tocchet's present system seems to be to get to a tie or OT, they certainly seem to have enough of those this season. Just about as many already as ALL last season.
I think Pettersson's already earned reputation of being a top player will get a very good return and his 11+ cap hit, if he plays for a coach that helps his skill set, will be manageable before hs ages out.
But he doesn't fourish under what Green had to work with and subsequent system of Tocchet's system. He is not a dump and pray player.
