Rick Tocchet took over the Vancouver Canucks a year ago, with the team struggling to find wins and consistency in how it played.

Bruce Boudreau had been fired following a period of extended speculation around his job security after Vancouver found itself 18-25-3 to start the 2022-23 season.

That record came despite BoudreauB次元官网网址檚 pre-season proclamation that failing to make the playoffs would be B次元官网网址渄isastrousB次元官网网址� for the team.

Now, with Tocchet espousing a style of play that he calls B次元官网网址減redictableB次元官网网址� but effective, the Canucks sit atop the NHL standings with 68 points.

B次元官网网址淲e try to buy into the defensive system. We know weB次元官网网址檙e going to have our breakdowns and stuff like that but most of the guys have bought into the structure,B次元官网网址� he said after MondayB次元官网网址檚 2-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

He has repeatedly spoken of the CanucksB次元官网网址� Bible being quicker defensive reactions in the neutral zone combined with stronger puck battles along the boards.

Tocchet is quick to spread around praise for his teamB次元官网网址檚 performance since taking over, adding that heB次元官网网址檚 pleased with the way players outside of the CanucksB次元官网网址� top lines have grown during his year in charge.

B次元官网网址淒evelopment of guys. Guys like (Nils) Hoglander, the way (Connor) GarlandB次元官网网址檚 developed this year, Dakota Joshua, Noah Juulsen, Tyler Myers, I think thatB次元官网网址檚 one thing us coaches are proud of,B次元官网网址� he said on Tuesday.

B次元官网网址淥bviously (Elias) Pettersson, (J.T.) Miller, theyB次元官网网址檝e had an outstanding year, theyB次元官网网址檙e all-star guys, but I think itB次元官网网址檚 the other guys who have really stepped up their game and bought into the puzzle we have here.B次元官网网址�

Tocchet took over on Jan. 22, 2023, saying he wanted his team to work together to pull out of its struggles.

The Canucks struggled defensively under Boudreau, with Tocchet promising at his hiring to prioritize fixing the teamB次元官网网址檚 back end.

That has been the case this season, with Vancouver giving up 119 goals so far B次元官网网址� third lowest in the league B次元官网网址� with a goal differential of plus-59.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e chipping away at it and trying to be a hard team to play against, being smart in our own end,B次元官网网址� Tocchet said. B次元官网网址淚f weB次元官网网址檙e going to give them stuff, give outside shots. WeB次元官网网址檙e still learning. ThereB次元官网网址檚 still some times when weB次元官网网址檙e giving the puck away when we shouldnB次元官网网址檛 but I think thatB次元官网网址檚 part of the maturation to get to the next level.B次元官网网址�

Tocchet has compiled a 52-23-8 record since coming to Vancouver, with players like Quinn Hughes and Brock Boeser undergoing a resurgence in form.

Hughes leads NHL defencemen in points (57) and scored his 12th goal of the season on Monday.

Boeser, who had faced speculation about his future in Vancouver, has 46 points this season and two hat tricks.

Miller leads the Canucks in points (63) with 21 goals and 42 assists.

Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford said TocchetB次元官网网址檚 dedication to holding everyone to the same standard is admirable.

B次元官网网址淚t doesnB次元官网网址檛 matter if itB次元官网网址檚 the top player on the team or the bottom player in the lineup, he makes everybody accountable and I really respect that consistency when you do it with players,B次元官网网址� Rutherford said.

That has been the case with Tocchet labelling his top lineB次元官网网址檚 recent performances as B次元官网网址渏ust OKB次元官网网址� and said heB次元官网网址檚 there to support them.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e coming up with big goals. ItB次元官网网址檚 not liking theyB次元官网网址檙e getting anything when theyB次元官网网址檙e playing average. TheyB次元官网网址檝e raised the bar,B次元官网网址� he said.

Rutherford said recently the timing of BoudreauB次元官网网址檚 firing meant Tocchet had more time to implement his own style of playing and get his ideas across to players, which has paid off this season.

B次元官网网址淲e wanted the coach to have a head start on this season in putting in his system and getting the players to understand what he expected from them and their work ethic,B次元官网网址� Rutherford said.

B次元官网网址淗e worked very hard telling players what he wanted in the off-season.B次元官网网址�

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