2023 Draft Class Thriving & Joshua Finding Success With Tocchet
Welcome to the THW Vancouver Canucks Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Canucks writers.
In today’s edition, we have the latest news & rumours from Vancouver, a check-in on the 2023 Draft class, Dakota Joshua’s success under Rick Tocchet, lack of production from the top line, and more.
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Canucks’ 2023 Draft Class Thriving Early This Season
November 24, 2023 by Matthew Zator
It’s been great to be a Vancouver Canucks fan early on this season. The parent club is hovering around the top of the NHL at a surprising 13-5-1, their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate the Abbotsford Canucks are 10-4-1, and a number of prospects are having breakout seasons in their respective leagues. More specifically, their 2023 Draft class has been turning a lot of heads, so I thought it was a good time to take a look at each of their seasons so far.
Canucks’ Dakota Joshua Finding Success in Rick Tocchet’s System
November 24, 2023 by The Old Prof
Give Dakota Joshua credit. He’s determined. His path to where he currently is right now has been less than easy. Yet, the 27-year-old Michigan native keeps hanging in there. This season, it seems to be paying off.
Joshua’s path to the NHL includes stints in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the U.S. National Development Team and the Sioux Falls Stampede. There he showed his scoring abilities and his physical play. His collegiate years at Ohio State University in the Big-10 conference further improved his skills; and, he gained more success every season.
Canucks Need Top Line to Start Producing
November 24, 2023 by Sartaaj Bhullar
The Vancouver Canucks have lost four of their last seven games after their hot start to the regulation. However, it isn’t time for the team to panic as they still sit second in the Pacific Division and fourth in the league with their 13-6-1 record.
What the Canucks do need is their top line to produce. The club has been getting points from their top players, Quinn Hughes, J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson, and Brock Boeser, for most of the season. However, Pettersson and his linemates, Andrei Kuzmenko and Ilya Mikheyev, have slowed down lately. Over the past seven games, the trio has combined for eight points. Four of those eight points have come at even strength, and the trio has combined for one goal over the seven-game stretch. Head coach Rick Tocchet commented on the lines play.
If all three players can start to produce, the Canucks can get back to their winning ways. The team has received continued production from Hughes and Miller, while Pettersson has slowed down.
Canucks News & Rumors: Tocchet, Hughes & Hoglander
November 22, 2023 by Sartaaj Bhullar
In the edition of the Vancouver Canucks News & Rumors, it might be time for head coach Rick Tocchet to change his forward lines. Meanwhile, Quinn Hughes reaches the 30-point mark and continues his impressive season. Also, Nils Hoglander gets fined for a slew foot.