Canucks: Key takeaways from Travis Green's latest radio interview

1 of 3

Last season was a tough one for the Vancouver Canucks on and off the ice. Now with training camp just a few weeks away, the team and it’s staff are looking to get back into the playoffs and put last year behind them.

One man that is eager to get back into the playoffs is none other than Canucks head coach Travis Green.

There were questions towards the end of last season about Green’s future with his contract running out. However, those were put to bed in May when the Canucks agreed on a two-year extension with Green.

Green joined the morning show on Sportsnet 650 on Friday to discuss numerous topics. Joey Kenword and Adam Forsythe were filling in for Mike Halford and Jason Brough.

You can listen to the full interview here.

Let’s highlight some parts of Green’s Interview.

Speaking to new acquisitions

Green was asked about if he spoke to the Canucks newest acquisitions such as Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Conor Garland and Jason Dickinson.

“I have talked to all of them several times” said Green. “Obviously, right away, when we trade in for them, I talk to each one of them and probably talk to each one of them twice after that. When you first get traded, everything is brand new. Those initial conversations are usually not very detailed, welcoming them to the team. I’ve had calls after that talking about our team, talking about them individually, and I know all all three of those players are excited to to be a Canuck. You know, it’s not just those three guys, we’ve got a lot of other depth players that we’ve signed as well that I think is going to really increase the competition and depth of our group and talk to all those players as well.”

VANCOUVER, BC – JANUARY 20: Head Coach Travis Green of the Vancouver Canucks wears a mask behind the bench during NHL hockey action against the Montreal Canadiens at Rogers Arena on January 20, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /

Excited for training camp. preseason games, fans in the building and the Abbotsford Canucks

Green spoke about how the team is returning to a regular routine this upcoming season with a full 82 game schedule and a normal training camp.

“I think as far as the team goes, it’s as excited as I’ve been coming back to a team,” said Green. “Having a training camp again, it’s important for probably more for certain teams and others that that have a lot of new players and I would put us in that category. That’s going to be nice to get back to that normal, a normal training camp where you can work your way through a lot of different things.”

He was also asked about the return of preseason games.

“Yeah,there was a lot made up last year of not having exhibition games in our schedule,” said Green. “Again, I’m not gonna sit and talk about last season and how that affected us but it was part of it, but we didn’t play well enough to win enough games . You know the full training camp this year you get to work on every part of your game, every facet, you get to try different things in an exhibition games with your group, but also learn from mistakes that maybe you’ve made in the, in the exhibition game, and really I think most players are used to that. That’s the way the NHL has always been. So getting back to the norm is definitely going to be nice. “

The Canucks head coach was also excited about the fact that fans will be returning to Rogers Arena for the first time since March of 2020.

“When you talk about the fans and being able to play in front of our fans again, that’s one of the great things about playing and coaching in the NHL is the excitement level and the passion,not only in our game, but in the fan force.”said Green. “When you talk with fans in Vancouver, and Canada, it’s amazing when you get a chance to play and coach in front of Canadian fans and just the thought of being back in that scenario, again, it’s it feels like it’s been so long and and I know there’s a lot of other people that are excited, but I’m definitely looking forward to that. ”

He also shared enthusiasm of having the AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.

“To have our prospects just on the road, it’s gonna benefit us in a lot of ways,”said Green. “I’ll be able to go and watch some games. Obviously, for call up reasons, it’ll be beneficial and for the fans being able to see our young players live and in person that are on the cusp of making the NHL is going to be exciting for people to go to the game. So, to have our team down there is is is going to be good for our organization all the way around.”

Anticipation for Vasili Podkolzin.

Canucks fans have been eagerly waiting for Vasili Podkolzin’s arrival in Vancouver and to see him wear the blue and green jersey.

Green also shares that excitement.

“‘I’m extremely excited to see him live and in person,” said Green on the Canucks first round pick in 2019. ” I really said it from day one that I tried to keep pressure off young players. I think we’ve done a fairly good job in developing a lot of the young players that have come through and he’ll be no different. We’ll take it day by day with him, I know he’s extremely excited to get over here. I’m expecting him to be in Vancouver sooner than later. He’s a really good young player. I have high hopes for him. I hope that he can play as many minutes as he can handle. Yet, I’m also realistic that there’s a young player that’s got a bright future ahead of them.”

VANCOUVER, BC – JANUARY 4: Head coach Travis Green gestures while shouting instructions to the team on the first day of the Vancouver Canucks NHL Training Camp at Rogers Arena on January 4, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /

Confident deals will be done with Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes

The hottest topics in Canucks land right now is the contracts of Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes.

Both of the team’s young starts are still without contracts and it is a little concerning at this point.

However, Green isn’t too worried about them.

“It’s on your mind, because it’s talked about a lot, but I think I’m not worried that it won’t get done,” said Green optimistically. “I think both players know how important training camp is not just to our team, but to the players involved. I know both these guys love playing hockey and they know the importance of training camp and I’m expecting both players will be in camp. Both of them have a real strong desire to come back and have a better season than we had last season and look forward to getting back to training camp. I’m not losing sleep over it. I believe that they’ll both be there.”

Let’s hope that both Pettersson and Hughes get signed before training camp begins on September 23 at the Abbotsford Centre.

Next. Canucks: 3 storylines heading into training camp and preseason. dark

What are your thoughts on Green’s radio interview? Let us know in the comments below!

Home / Canucks News