The Vancouver Canucks picked up their first two wins of 2022-23 this week, ending a seven-game losing streak, but the concerning start to the season remains on the collective mind of team management.
According to Elliotte Friedman, Canucks brass made it clear to some of their players that if there were to be changes made that it wouldn’t just be potentially head coach Bruce Boudreau, who took over for Travis Green midway through 2021-22.
“I heard what they told some players were this: We’ve had two coaches now with this group, it isn’t working so far, so if anyone thinks that we’re going to sit back and wait and say ‘OK that’s going to be the change we’re going to make,’ you might be mistaken and the changes might be with the roster,” Friedman explained during Hockey Night in Canada’s 32 Thoughts segment. “So I think the players got that message loud and clear. We’ll see where this goes.”
Vancouver acquired defenceman Ethan Bear plus minor league forward Lane Pederson from the Carolina Hurricanes earlier this week in exchange for a 2023 fifth-round draft pick. The team also acquired forward Jack Studnicka from the Bruins for prospects Michael DiPietro and Jonathan Myrenberg.
The Canucks return to action Tuesday at home against the Devils before finishing off their current homestand against the Ducks and Predators.
