Rick Tocchet finally reveals his �A' lineup: Raty's spot surprises
With preseason winding down and the regular season just around the corner, the Vancouver Canucks are starting to show their cards. Today's practice lineup gave us a stronger indication of what the opening night roster might look like.
Notably absent from the lines are the injured Dakota Joshua and Pius Suter, leaving room for some intriguing changes. It seems like a few players have seized the opportunity to solidify their spots.
It's a little surprising seeing Danton Heinen slotted on the first line with Boeser and Miller. I think he will get his shot, and it will come down to him and Nils Hoglander battling for that spot. Hoglander has more upside and potential, while Heinen brings more size and experience.
One of the standout stories from this preseason was Daniel Sprong's emergence. After a strong showing during training camp, where he flashed his offensive talent and versatile skillset, it's no surprise to see him skating on the second line today alongside Elias Pettersson and Jake DeBrusk. Sprong has shown great chemistry with Pettersson, and his ability to finish plays makes him a natural fit in the top six. His rise has been one of the more exciting developments, and fans will be eager to see if he can maintain this momentum when the real games begin.
On the third line, Aatu Raty has also turned heads during camp. Räty has been allowed to prove his worth and hasn't disappointed. His strong two-way game and some offensive flashes have made a compelling case for his inclusion in the lineup. It will be interesting to see how things shake out once Joshua and Suter return, as the Canucks will have some difficult decisions to make. Many believe that when Joshua returns, he'll slide back into his regular spot on the third line alongside Conor Garland. That leaves Räty, Suter, and Teddy Blueger battling for the coveted third-line center position.
| POLL | ||
Who do you think will play alongside Miller and Boeser for the majority of the season? | ||
| Danton Heinen | 172 | 52.3 % |
| Nils Hoglander | 137 | 41.6 % |
| Other | 20 | 6.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
