"You got to earn your ice time around here"- Rick Tocchet Has Some Strong Words for Elias Pettersson
Photo credit: NHL.com
Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet was asked by reporters post-game why three key forwards saw their ice time reduced during the loss against Dallas.
The Vancouver Canucks continued their four-game homestand last night as they faced the Dallas Stars, who were without Roope Hintz after he was taken to hospital on Saturday night due to taking a puck to the face against Edmonton.
It was a frustrating game to say the least for the Vancouver Canucks, one that saw Rick Tocchet lose his cool on the officials due to some questionable penalties that were called.
Rick Tocchet explains reduced ice time for three of his key forwards
During his post-game presser, Rick Tocchet was asked why Brock Boeser, Jake DeBrusk and Elias Pettersson saw their ice time reduced, especially with the team trailing throughout the game.
"You got to earn your ice time. You got to earn your ice time around here. That's how you win. So you guys can stir it up all you want, You have to earn your ice time. I don't care how long you've been here, you got to earn your ice time. That's the way it works, that's how you win Stanley Cups." Tocchet said.
Rick Tocchet is spot on with his comments last night as any player in this league needs to earn their ice time, even those who might be considered stars or first-line players, everyone has to prove that they're deserving of that TOI.
Jake DeBrusk had the second-lowest TOI total of any forward on the Vancouver Canucks last night at 12:45, tied with Jonathan Lekkerimaki and 1:10 more than Dakota Joshua.
It marked DeBrusk's lowest ice time of the 2024-25 season and his first time below 14 minutes since December 14th's 5-1 loss to the Boston Bruins, his former club.
As for Brock Boeser (15:49) and Elias Pettersson (16:05), both came in nearly two minutes lower than their 2024-25 season average for ice time in the loss against Dallas last night.
Pettersson is showing signs of turning things around, which is good news for the Vancouver Canucks and despite his reduction in ice time last night, he still finished third among forwards on the team.
The trio of Boeser, DeBrusk and Pettersson will hope for more ice time on Tuesday night as the Vancouver Canucks host the Montreal Canadiens in an all-Canadian matchup at Rogers Arena, with puck drop set for 7 pm PT on Sportsnet Pacific.
Previously on CanucksDaily
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