Canucks: 3 takeaways from the 5-0 loss to the Winnipeg Jets

Let the kids play

We’ve said it before, and we’ve said it again.

Many of us were scratching our heads early Tuesday afternoon when the team’s projected line-up was officially released.

Aside from a swap between the pipes, the forward line and defensive pairings remained identical to Monday night’s tilt.

Normally, this would be considered a smart hockey move. The team was coming off a strong, hard-fought win, so why wouldn’t you want to go with the same players who gave you those two points, right?

Wrong.

This season is a wash, and has been for the past few weeks. The mathematical postseason elimination was just the official and much-expected cherry on top, and it’s time for coaches and management to accept that.

Forward Jonah Gadjovich, who was expected to make his NHL debut at some point in this series, remains just a morning skate participant.

Kole Lind sat out for his second straight game, with Matthew Highmore filling his spot on the top line alongside Bo Horvat and Tanner Pearson. The former second round pick has yet to register a point in his first six professional games, but appeared to be holding his ground on both ends of the ice in those appearances.

Defencemen Olli Juolevi was also on the outside looking in, with head coach Travis Green going with veteran Alex Edler, instead of a youthful left-sided blueline consisting of Juolevi, Quinn Hughes and Jack Rathbone, a trio that could become a realistic possibility next season.

There’s no surprise that management and coaches have made a plethora of mistakes and poor decisions this past year. But if they continue to sit their young guns who, at this point, could simply benefit from the on-ice development and NHL exposure, it might be the last nail in the coffin for this fanbase.