Post-Game Talk: GM 17 | Preds def. Canucks | 5-3 (Raty, Pettersson, Sherwood) | Pain.

[arttk]

Yikes. Looks like we're seeing the return of the other side of JT Miller.

I think he’s injured, seems like the same thing they did with Petey, play them despite injury because they “can”.

 

[orcatown]

You lose 2 players off your top line and any team is in trouble. Injuries this year have been critical and with Miller like he is, this team is obvioulsy in trouble. Good third period effort but overall team looked tired and were penned in their own end far too much

Some good for the team in this game

Pettersson shot showed he's still got it. But again not good enough around the net.

Raty again showed he has NHL potential.

Sherwood is a great pick up. Heart and soul player. Put Garland in that category as well.

Hughes is all-world. Him and Hronek did all they could to give forwards a chance to do something

Better game out of Juulsen. One of the better efforts by our sixth d-man this year. (not saying much however)

Branstrom ice coverage again very good

Some bad in this game

Lankanin not able to carry them. Maybe over worked or Preds knew something. Stops the 4th goal and Canucks got a real chance. That's the save he's been making all year, but didn't in this one. Maybe the work toll is adding up.

Has to be clear worry about Hogalnder being NHL standard. Disaster of a shift early in the second helped create the momentum Nashville needed. (couldn't get the puck out which was similar to most of the game) and then next shift puts the puck over the glass. Looks terrible. At this point Bains might be better although don't believe Bains is an NHL player. Makes you wonder about just keeping Podkolzin and not giving Hoglander the big increase.

Myers was hopeless at times. People recommending shuffling the defense (such as putting Branstrom with Myers together) may have a point.

deBrusk looks like a mistake. Flubs up most every chance he gets. Knocked on his butt with ease. Can't create anything or complete anything. Just a non factor.

Blueger line got burnt.

Lekkermaki not ready

Big concern after the last spate of games is what to do with Miller. Hasn't been right all year - I'd say right from the start of training camp.

 

[arttk]

I actually feel a little sorry for Juulsen......he's expected to come out of the press-box every five or six games, and then step in as if he hasn't miss any time.

At times the game must seem like it's coming at him at 100 mph. But his track record is that when he plays a few games in a row, he starts to play better. And he's been more than 'adequate' in the past two nights.

At his pay-grade, he's not the problem. It's the guys earning a lot more in front of him.

soucy’s game is super concerning

 

[credulous]

Tocchet says Miller benching wasn't injury related

Rick Dhaliwal (@dhaliwalsports.bsky.social)

Rick Tochett says Miller was benched in the 3rd - just 2 shifts. It is not injury related.

bsky.app

Brendan Batchelor (@batchhockey.bsky.social)

Rick Tocchet said “I just went with the guys that I thought could get us back in the game” when asked about JT Miller’s limited ice time in the 3rd period. When asked if it had to do with any sort of injury to Miller, Tocchet answered with a blunt “no” #Canucks @sportsnet650.bsky.social

bsky.app

looking forward to 3000 posts arguing whether he's injured or whether he just hates the city, the fans, his teammates and playing hockey for a living

 

[Rick Rocket]

I thought Hoglander played pretty good, he just made a few very noticable mistakes.

 

[dez]

Miller wasnt happy about losing Tanev, Toffoli, Markstrom and his play dipped this feels like a repeat, losing Lindy and Zads.

 

[MS]

soucy’s game is super concerning

His first ~10 games were poor but for the most part I think he's been much better since the California road trip. Right now honestly his biggest problem is Tyler Myers who has been absolutely god-f***ing-awful for his last few games.

 

[Megaterio Llamas]

I actually feel a little sorry for Juulsen......he's expected to come out of the press-box every five or six games, and then step in as if he hasn't miss any time.

At times the game must seem like it's coming at him at 100 mph. But his track record is that when he plays a few games in a row, he starts to play better. And he's been more than 'adequate' in the past two nights.

At his pay-grade, he's not the problem. It's the guys earning a lot more in front of him.

I think Mark Friedman is actually better at coming in cold after a long stint not playing games and giving you a serviceable performance. He reminds me a l;ittle of Alex Biega in this respect.

Of course Friedman had his head taken off by a goon in Abbotsford (no suspension) and is out with a concussion.

 

[arttk]

His first ~10 games were poor but for the most part I think he's been much better since the California road trip. Right now honestly his biggest problem is Tyler Myers who has been absolutely god-f***ing-awful for his last few games.

Well I didn’t say Myers because he is called chaos giraffe for a reason… I really think we need to get a legit LD to babysit that f***er and Soucy hopefully bounce back without him.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

The Stamkos vs Sherwood chatter bit the team in the ass tonight.

How very Canuck.

Don’t care what the record says, this team is not in a good space right now on numerous levels.

 

[Baby Pettersson]

You gotta wonder if there is something bigger in the room going on. When this many different players are clearly playing under expectations you have to assume there is a common denominator.

 

[MS]

Well I didn’t say Myers because he is called chaos giraffe for a reason… I really think we need to get a legit LD to babysit that f***er and Soucy hopefully bounce back without him.

I thought Soucy actually played pretty well tonight. was actually involved in several offensive chances, but ended up stuck on a couple long shifts as a result of failed clears by Myers (and Hoglander) and was on the ice for both PP goals ... which were again bungled by Myers.

 

[crazychimp]

Can those new pairs include new defensemen?

I hope so

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

You lose 2 players off your top line and any team is in trouble. Injuries this year have been critical and with Miller like he is, this team is obvioulsy in trouble. Good third period effort but overall team looked tired and were penned in their own end far too much

Some good for the team in this game

Pettersson shot showed he's still got it. But again not good enough around the net.

Raty again showed he has NHL potential.

Sherwood is a great pick up. Heart and soul player. Put Garland in that category as well.

Hughes is all-world. Him and Hronek did all they could to give forwards a chance to do something

Better game out of Juulsen. One of the better efforts by our sixth d-man this year. (not saying much however)

Branstrom ice coverage again very good

Some bad in this game

Lankanin not able to carry them. Maybe over worked or Preds knew something. Stops the 4th goal and Canucks got a real chance. That's the save he's been making all year, but didn't in this one. Maybe the work toll is adding up.

Has to be clear worry about Hogalnder being NHL standard. Disaster of a shift early in the second helped create the momentum Nashville needed. (couldn't get the puck out which was similar to most of the game) and then next shift puts the puck over the glass. Looks terrible. At this point Bains might be better although don't believe Bains is an NHL player. Makes you wonder about just keeping Podkolzin and not giving Hoglander the big increase.

Myers was hopeless at times. People recommending shuffling the defense (such as putting Branstrom with Myers together) may have a point.

deBrusk looks like a mistake. Flubs up most every chance he gets. Knocked on his butt with ease. Can't create anything or complete anything. Just a non factor.

Blueger line got burnt.

Lekkermaki not ready

Big concern after the last spate of games is what to do with Miller. Hasn't been right all year - I'd say right from the start of training camp.

DeBrusk was the fall back to Guentzel and the difference between the two is enormous.

Lankinen is just getting over work. Hopefully Silovs can show more like last night because they will need it.

Myers tricked everyone based on his play last year but the contract length was a disaster. I understand they likely needed to do it and he would have probably gotten more elsewhere, but he’s a giant boat anchor right now. It might be best to even sit him for a bit but very doubtful that happens.

 

[MS]

You gotta wonder if there is something bigger in the room going on. When this many different players are clearly playing under expectations you have to assume there is a common denominator.

How many players are actually playing under expectations, though?

Miller, who was clearly hurt for much of the season so far even if it isn't being used as an excuse now.

Pettersson and whatever the f*** was going on there dating back to last year but it looks like he's finally coming out of it.

Myers-Soucy pairing.

That's really about it.

 

[VanJack]

We're not even 20 games in and Tocchet is already being forced to ride Hughes like a rented mule. It isn't sustainable over the longer haul.

Tonight he was expected to carry just about every d-partner. In the third period alone, was out there with Myers, Soucy and even Brannstrom. Hughes needs some help--and fast.

 

[arttk]

I thought Soucy actually played pretty well tonight. was actually involved in several offensive chances, but ended up stuck on a couple long shifts as a result of failed clears by Myers (and Hoglander) and was on the ice for both PP goals ... which were again bungled by Myers.

god we really need to bench Myer, f*** it just bench him and play D Petey. Why the f*** not

 

[wonton15]

Miller is 1000% injured and playing through it while pretending like he’s good enough not to sit out. Unless it’s the popliteus.

 

[racerjoe]

We really just need to bite the bullet and rest Miller until he gets better. His game is getting worse

Surprising. I thought Miller was the least of their problems in the first 40 minutes.

There were a couple games recently where his legs weren't going at all but I didn't think that was the case tonight.

Tocchet has pushed this button before with Miller and it's worked so we'll see what happens.

Pretty clear he is hurt… he said the same thing about Petey last year. This team just doesn’t talk or handle injuries well. I think Soucy and or Myers are injured too.

We weren’t good this game either, but I think I we were a tired team on the second night of a back to back, that had a few guys who played terribly. Not a winning strategy.

 

[VanJack]

In his post-game presser, Tocchet was asked about Raty and Lekerimaki. He stated the obvious: "we have to start getting some younger guys into the lineup".

Clear the decks or D-Petey in the next game.......hopefully Shorty can figure it out in the broadcast booth.

 

[arttk]

How many players are actually playing under expectations, though?

Miller, who was clearly hurt for much of the season so far even if it isn't being used as an excuse now.

Pettersson and whatever the f*** was going on there dating back to last year but it looks like he's finally coming out of it.

Myers-Soucy pairing.

That's really about it.

Feels like we should just rest Miller for 2 weeks, revert back to defensive hockey and ice.

Debrusk - Petey - Lekk
Heinen - Suter - Sherwood
Joshua - Bluegar - Garland
Hog - Raty - Bains

Hughes - Brannstrom
Soucy - Hronek
DP - Myers

And focus on stabilizing the defensive game.

 

[Nuckles]

Bluesky embeds don't show vids but if you click the link you can see why Miller might have been benched (assuming Tocchet isn't lying about it being injury related)

Trent Leith 🏳️‍🌈 (@trentleith.bsky.social)

I have a feeling that this abysmal penalty killing is a large part of why JT Miller got benched. #Canucks

bsky.app

Edit: found the twitter post

https://x.com/i/web/status/1858392664246263980

 

[Baby Pettersson]

How many players are actually playing under expectations, though?

Miller, who was clearly hurt for much of the season so far even if it isn't being used as an excuse now.

Pettersson and whatever the f*** was going on there dating back to last year but it looks like he's finally coming out of it.

Myers-Soucy pairing.

That's really about it.

Miller Pettersson Blueger Joshua Hoglander Myers Soucy Silovs Debrusk

Now obviously there is reasons for alot and maybe they over performed from last year.

But anyone here can safely say this team has another gear in them and it's very frustrating they can't reach it.

Edit: Obviously Joshua just got back but point being that without him at full capacity this team just has to many other players not living up to expectations that we are going to lose to teams like Nashville.

 

[Ernie]

I thought Soucy actually played pretty well tonight. was actually involved in several offensive chances, but ended up stuck on a couple long shifts as a result of failed clears by Myers (and Hoglander) and was on the ice for both PP goals ... which were again bungled by Myers.

He's been fine defensively, but doesn't have that first pass to move the puck. I'd move Brannstrom up to play with him, but that would leave a hole on the left side of the bottom pair.

 

[arttk]

Bluesky embeds don't show vids but if you click the link you can see why Miller might have been benched (assuming Tocchet isn't lying about it being injury related)

Trent Leith 🏳️‍🌈 (@trentleith.bsky.social)

I have a feeling that this abysmal penalty killing is a large part of why JT Miller got benched. #Canucks

bsky.app

Might as well not be there for that PK.