LATEST | Canucks' coach Rick Tocchet calls out the team and its owners

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Felip Gosselin
August 30, 2023 (5:41 PM)

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We're just a little over 40 days until the season opener and even fewer days before the teams kick off their respective training camps. It's not unusual for veterans to get to the city a little before things start in order to get back to their routine and get the band back together.

Rick Tocchet spoke to Sportsnet earlier today and sent a clear message to the organization, pointing out what they lack. Tocchet pointed out that the team still hasn't figured out their way around the practice facility, and it became hard to practice with the club when Rogers Arena was under construction or when it hoisted different events:

�'We don't have a practice facility (and) Rogers Arena was under construction. There's a lot of things that we just don't have, so I can't really blame the players.[] �' I can't be disappointed players were not here in mid-August because they probably had a facility or something where they were. [] We want players to stay and train under our umbrella, under our roof. The best teams do that.�'

Tocchet definitely used his interview to send a clear message to the organization. He noted that every top organization in this league finds ways to reunite their players in august to get things started, As pointed out, it's hard to pin that on the players since Vancouver couldn't offer its players such a thing.

The issue was later discussed on Sekeres & Price, and the opinions were lopsided; they all agreed that an organization of that calibre should have an appropriate training facility.

The question at that point remains whether or not the ownership group will be taking matters into their own hands to resolve this issue. When the NHL's top free agents are shopping for their new teams, you can be sure that the team's facilities are one thing they consider.