MAJOR | Four elite NHL coach open up about the Tocchet effect in Vancouver: That's extremely promising

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Felip Gosselin
November 2, 2023 (8:33 PM)

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The Canucks have been a whole new team ever since Rick Tocchet took over. There was uncertainty that last year's vibe wasn't going to carry over to this year, but their 7-2-1 record suggests otherwise.

TOCCHET PRAISED BY HIS PEERS

Four renowned NHL coaches were asked about the Canucks and the Tocchet effect and it definitely says a lot about the interaction the coach has with his players:

Paul Maurice: «I thought they had an incredibly consistent game that night. You know, we don't see them enough. We only played them twice last year. We lost (Oct. 21), it was a tie game late � they had a two-goal lead and we tied it and then lost it late. You hate losing but I wasn't overly upset with my team because I thought they (the Canucks) played a hell of a game.

«They were good. Very, very structured. They look like they're all on the same page. They played a very consistent game for 60 minutes.»

Jon Cooper: «Well-balanced team. High-end skill surrounded by workers. The goalie gives them confidence, and the coach gets the best out of them.»

Andrew Brunette «They have gotten complete buy-in from their group, and especially their higher-skilled players. They have been the best team we have seen this year in pressuring both sides of the puck, taking time and space away.»

Craig Berube «Their three best players are driving the bus right now. Strong goaltending. But Tocc has the team playing with urgency and pace and they are competitive.»

Tocchet has done an excellent job with the team thus far, Friedman even went as far as calling them the best team in Canada. They definitely look like a whole new team and Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford are certainly like guys who know their stuff right about now.

SOURCE: Pierre LeBrun The Athletic