Vancouver Canucks' success in 2024-2025 hinges on team culture - But is that enough to win games?

PUBLICATION

Maverick Mitchell
October 9, 2024 (10:27)

SHARE THIS STORY

After an amazing 109-point season for the Vancouver Canucks in 2023-2024, they look to continue that success heading into this year, but is the pressure to win too much for their team culture to handle?

As a part of the Western Conference in the NHL, it is no easy task to make it to the Stanley Cup finals, especially with the powerhouse Edmonton Oilers standing in their way.

According to Sportsnet, on paper, the Canucks have everything in their favor to compete for the ultimate prize, they have speed, youth, size, and depth, but the biggest hurdle will be how the team deals with the expectations of success, just like how the dealt with the disappointment heading into last season.

J.T. Miller comments on the Vancouver Canucks's team culture

«We can't sit around and be like, 'Oh, we had a great year, and that's just how it's going to be from here on out,» Miller, the Canucks' emotional leader, says. «We've got to raise our level, raise our bar, because we failed (last season). Our goal is to win the Cup. We want to win the Cup. And if you look at it like that, we did fail. We did a lot of good things, but we still did not win. So we have to just keep raising the bar.»

Carson Sousy backs J.T. Miller's point of view

«We haven't really accomplished anything yet,» defenseman Carson Soucy says. «Like, we made the playoffs' second round, that's great. But that's not anyone's goal to make the second round of playoffs. I don't think there should be any complacency (because) we didn't get anything done. We won one playoff round... and we were out two weeks after that. I think it's just that we really haven't accomplished anything yet. That's the biggest thing going forward for our mindset.»

It seems that everyone on the Canucks are on the same page and have bought into what head coach Rick Tocchet has been preaching. In his first year as the Canucks head coach, Tocchet won the Jack Adams award for the leagues top coach, and clearly, he has made a major impression on the team and their culture as his players are now reiterating what he has been teaching.

«We've still got to get better every day, and you've got to be the best version of yourself towards the end of the season,» winger Conor Garland says. «So, we've got a long ways to go as a group. But we are a different team. I think the guys that were here (last year) are mentally tougher and more understanding of what playoffs is like, what getting to the playoffs is like. That's a huge benefit to us. I think we know a lot more. That might make us a better team.»