Dec 14, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Vasily Podkolzin (92) and forward Nils Hoglander (21) and head coach Bruce Boudreau celebrate their victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third period at Rogers Arena. Vancouver Won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
The Vancouver Canucks are enduring a much needed resurgence under new head coach Bruce Boudreau. Despite a COVID-19 related stoppage across the entire NHL which has halted all games until December 27th, the Canucks are a wagon right now, picking up six wins from the six games they’ve played under the new regime. This streak is tied for second in NHL history in terms of the longest winning streak from a head coach starting his tenure with a new team.
Through the first 25 games of the regular season under previous coach Travis Green, Vancouver looked lifeless, and as a result stumbled to a 8-15-2 record. The team looked destined for a top lottery pick, and a potential fire sale of players at the trade deadline.
In the small sample size of games with Boudreau at the helm, the Canucks have been the hottest team in the league, scoring 21 goals and only conceding 10. With the showings in these games, the Canucks have taken their record to 14-15-2, and look more like a team capable of making the postseason.
As seen in previous examples of teams having success immediately after a coaching change, certain players up their level of play in fear of the consequences which may result from poor play under new leadership. Lots of players become tired of the old methods and strategies implemented by previous coaches, and feel re-energized through the ideas of incoming staff.
In this article we’ll take a look at three players who have benefitted, and subsequently improved their game thus far under Bruce Boudreau’s watch.
1. Brock Boeser
Through the early days of Bruce Boudreau’s tenure, Brock Boeser has been the most improved Canucks player.
Boeser has embraced his role on the Canucks 2nd line with J.T. Miller centring him, whilst also occupying the net front role on the first power play unit.
The results of six games show that he has incurred over 90 seconds of extra ice time each night compared to his time under Travis Green, and his offensive statistics reflect the boost in playing time. Boeser has registered 20 shots on net during his hot play, tallying seven points in six games, which includes five goals.
Prior to Boudreau taking over at the helm, the 24 year old American had only managed ten points through the season’s first 21 games.
Being in a contract year, Boeser’s play has come at a much needed time for himself as he looks to play himself into a long-term big money deal in the offseason.
Dec 14, 2021; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson (40) skates against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third period at Rogers Arena. Vancouver Won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports /
2. Elias Pettersson
After a sluggish start to a year in which personal expectations were high, Elias Pettersson has begun to round into form and slowly live up to his three year, $22.050 million dollar contract he signed in October.
Pettersson looked largely unengaged and lackadaisical during the season’s beginning with Green at the helm, leading to lots of fans calling him out for his play. After signing the aforementioned contract during the offseason, Pettersson was expected to return to his number one centre role at the top of the Vancouver lineup and hopefully emerge as an elite player in the NHL.
Despite his very poor form, Pettersson has rallied his play lately under Boudreau’s new system. Through six games, the Swede has yet to record a negative plus/minus, has scored two goals, and earned two further assists.
Despite fluctuating ice time, Pettersson should continue to see his role develop with further games, and sooner rather than later his offensive numbers will reflect his talent ability.
OTTAWA, ONTARIO – DECEMBER 01: Bo Horvat #53 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on December 01, 2021 in Ottawa, Ontario. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images) /
3. Bo Horvat
Despite not playing poorly during the early portion of the campaign, Vancouver Canucks captain Bo Horvat has embraced a new role under Bruce Boudreau and subsequently upped his level of play.
Playing alongside Nils Hoglander on the right wing, and a rotation of players on the left wing, Horvat has embraced his role of being a “veteran” leader, whilst playing physical, gritty hockey on both ends of the rink.
Despite playing nearly two minutes less per game under Boudreau compared to his time under Green, Horvat has played a different and bigger role on the power play, occupying the ‘flank’ role instead of his normal ‘bumper’ position, whilst he has doubled his time on the penalty kill, averaging 1:09 minutes on the ice per penalty kill.
The captain has embraced his new role on the team, displaying his happiness during interviews, and his on-ice statistics reflect that. Horvat has tallied six points in six games under the new regime, scoring three goals to go alongside his three assists.
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What are your thoughts on the Canucks turnaround so far under Bruce Boudreau? Is there anyone else you think deserves to be on this list? Let us know your thoughts and feelings down below in the comment section!
