LATEST | Rick Tocchet shares what he wants from Vancouver's fourth line
Fourth lines are essential in the National Hockey League. , for the most part, a third line consists of role players and, in some instances, rookies. Players on fourth lines can set the tone when the coach taps them on the shoulder to head out over the boards, whether by dropping the mitts, playing physically, or just trying to apply pressure in the other team's end to force a turnover and score.
In a recent interview with Jeff Paterson of The Hockey News, Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet shared what he would like from his team's fourth line, which looks like it will consist of Teddy Blueger, Nils Aman and Jack Studnicka when they take to the ice in Edmonton on October 11th.
"That line has brought a little bit of an identity," Tocchet said. "They've done a nice job in a checking role. Teddy Blueger has had a couple of brilliant hockey games. I think if we get Ams (Aman) stronger on the puck and with his speed, and I think Studs (Studnicka) has done a nice job and get him a little stronger, I think that could be a perfect line."
He added, "Let's face it, we need some scoring. We've got to get to the net more. There are attributes of some of our players that have to get better. We need more goal-scoring from certain people; it can't just be two or three guys. That's a challenge. But as you're building that up, you can't get scored against, and you can't be a liability. That's the key. Right now, if you're not scoring goals, you better be neutral, and wear the other teams down. If you're not scoring and getting scored against every night, then you're in trouble. That's what it comes down to."
He added, "Let's face it, we need some scoring. We've got to get to the net more. There are attributes of some of our players that have to get better. We need more goal-scoring from certain people; it can't just be two or three guys. That's a challenge. But as you're building that up, you can't get scored against, and you can't be a liability. That's the key. Right now, if you're not scoring goals, you better be neutral, and wear the other teams down. If you're not scoring and getting scored against every night, then you're in trouble. That's what it comes down to."
Blueger, Aman and Studnicka will get a couple more opportunities in the preseason to show Rick Tocchet that they're capable of being the Canucks' fourth line, at least to start the 2023-24 season. The Canucks are set to take on the Seattle Kraken tonight before wrapping up the preseason on Friday night against the Calgary Flames.
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Blueger, Aman and Studnicka is the right fourth line for the Canucks? | ||
| Yes | 213 | 45.6 % |
| No | 120 | 25.7 % |
| Not Sure | 134 | 28.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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