On this version of the Vancouver Canucks Information & Rumors, Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Marcus Pettersson has emerged as a high commerce goal for the group. Additionally, head coach Rick Tocchet benched J.T. Miller in a detailed recreation. Moreover, an replace on Brock Boeser and Thatcher Demko.
TSN’s Darren Dreger reported the Canucks have an interest in buying a defenceman however don’t have a powerful eagerness to take action. There are reviews from across the NHL that the group is excited about including Penguins blueliner Pettersson. The Athletic’s Josh Yohe stated the Penguins are in promote mode, and the blueliner can be one of many gamers the membership strikes earlier than the commerce deadline (from ‘What I’m listening to concerning the Penguins: Extra trades are coming,’ The Athletic, November 19, 2024).
“Marcus Pettersson is the most certainly candidate to be on the transfer. League sources stated the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks have curiosity within the lanky defenseman, and there’s each purpose to imagine different groups will covet him. Within the ultimate 12 months of his contract, Pettersson is about to interrupt the financial institution when free company opens subsequent summer time.”
Over the 2 years with President of hockey operations Jim Rutherford and normal supervisor Patrik Allvin on the helm, one factor is clear, the Canucks should not afraid to make a transfer that they imagine will enhance their roster. The Penguins acquired the defenceman in 2018 when Rutherford was the membership’s GM and Allvin was the director of scouting. Moreover, the Canucks aren’t afraid so as to add a rental, as they made two helpful strikes final season by including Nikita Zadorov in December 2023 and Elias Lindholm in February 2024.
The Canucks blue line wants assist, as it’s their greatest weak spot. Nevertheless, they do have depth items, which have proven they will play. The membership traded for Erik Brannstrom, who has proven off his talent set and is comfy in his function. Moreover, the group has defenceman Elias Pettersson, presently the seventh defender for the membership. If the Swedish rookie will get a possibility and exhibits he can play within the NHL, the blue line might look somewhat completely different.
Miller Taking Depart of Absence
The Canucks introduced ahead Miller is taking an indefinite go away of absence for private causes. A number of reviews counsel the ahead’s go away is just not associated to substance or alcohol abuse however as a substitute a psychological reset. Miller is an ultra-competitive participant and has appeared off in current weeks. The ahead was not too long ago benched and has been coping with accidents.
Within the Canucks’ 5-3 loss to the Nashville Predators on Nov. 17, Tocchet benched Miller. The ahead solely noticed the ice thrice in the course of the ultimate interval and performed a low of 11:41 time on ice (TOI), his lowest since arriving in Vancouver. Tocchet advised the media why he benched one of many group’s high gamers in a detailed recreation.
“I went with the blokes I believed might get us again within the recreation.”
Associated: Canucks’ 3 Up, 3 Down: Miller, Pettersson, Brannstrom, Lacking Identification & Extra
The obvious purpose Tocchet benched Miller was resulting from his lack of effort. Throughout Steven Stamkos’ second power-play objective, which gave Nashville a 4-2 lead, Miller wasn’t transferring his ft. Moreover, He hasn’t been on the high of his recreation over the previous month, which leads some to imagine he’s coping with an damage. Rick Dhaliwal stated some individuals assume he’s coping with a shoulder damage or an damage in that space.
The membership will really feel Miller’s absence his impression is felt on and off the ice for the membership. The ahead is tied for the group lead in objective with six and is second in factors with 16 in 17 video games.
Boeser and Demko Harm Replace
The Canucks are patiently ready for Demko and Boeser to return to the lineup amidst their early season struggles. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman offered an replace on Boeser on Nov. 18. He stated Boeser is coping with a head/whiplash damage, and the Canucks have to attend for him to really feel okay. The excellent news for the group is the ahead skated on Nov. 19. Friedman stated the group gained’t rush any participant again from damage, and Boeser will seemingly return to motion every week or two after he begins skating.
Additionally, Dreger advised Sekeres and Value that Demko’s return to motion is imminent. The goalie is a full participant, which is sweet information for the membership, however there nonetheless isn’t a selected date for his return.
“The one indication I used to be given this morning is that he seems to be good they usually’d wish to see him get extra reps to get absolutely as much as NHL common season recreation velocity, however they like what they’re seeing in follow, so it does really feel prefer it’s inside days now.”
Demko’s return can be large for the group, as he was an necessary a part of the membership’s success final season. Kevin Lankinen has achieved an awesome job of holding down the for in Demko’s absence, however he has struggled in three of his final 4 video games, dropping all three matchups and giving up 15 objectives in these losses.