The Vancouver Canucks are finally play at home tonight.
We’re already two weeks into the 2022-23 NHL season, and the Canucks have yet to play at Rogers Arena. Five games into the season, they hold a record of 0-3-2, despite having held leads in every game, so there’s no doubt that the team is hoping that the return home will allow them to regroup and reset.
The Canucks will be facing off against the incoming Buffalo Sabres, who have had the opposite fortune so far this season.
With a record of 3-1-0, they’ve beaten the Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, while only losing to the Florida Panthers, so the Sabres will be looking to add the Canucks to their list of Canadian teams they’ve defeated in this young season.
One player to watch for the Canucks is J.T. Miller.
Shortly before the season started, he signed a seven-year, $56 million contract extension. To this point in the season, however, the 29-year-old is massively underperforming.
Despite his moderate offensive success of two goals and an assist through five games, Miller definitely isn’t playing up to the expectations of the fans, the coaches, or himself.
He currently sits at a minus 5 and, according to Hockey Reference, has a negative defensive point share. Miller has never finished a season with a negative defensive point share to this date.
The Sabres have lots of exciting young players to keep an eye on, but perhaps the most significant at the moment is Rasmus Dahlin. Many have labelled the 2018 first-overall pick as underwhelming, judging off of the first few years of his career, but it appears things have changed.
Dahlin finished with 13 goals and 40 assists last year — respectable numbers from the blue line. Through four games this year, he sits at four goals and six points — an average of a point and a half per game. He’s also been solid defensively, and is looking to prove himself as a top defenceman in the NHL.
As the Canucks search for their first win of the season, Miller has a message of hope for the fans.
“It’s not that bad — it’s five games,” Miller told media yesterday. “We’re trending in the right direction whether people realize it or not.”
He went on to say that situations like this are good for the growth of the team and the development of the young players.
"“I think at the end of the day, it’s going to make us a more mentally tough team later in the year.”"
The Canucks also announced some personnel changes early Saturday morning, sending Nils Höglander back down to Abbotsford.
GM Patrik Allvin announced today that F Nils Höglander has been assigned to Abbotsford (AHL), and D Noah Juulsen has been recalled from Abbotsford.
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) October 22, 2022
This is now the second straight contest that Höglander will be sitting, with the AHL demotion further pushing him out of the line-up. However, according to head coach Bruce Boudreau, we should expect to see the Swedish sophomore back with the NHL club very soon.
Boudreau calls the Höglander reassignment a “paper transaction” designed to make room for an extra defender on the roster in case it’s needed - depending on Poolman/Hughes’ status. #Canucks
— Thomas Drance (@ThomasDrance) October 22, 2022
Quinn Hughes is not on the ice for #Canucks optional morning skate. @Sportsnet650
— Brendan Batchelor (@BatchHockey) October 22, 2022
With Höglander in Abbotsford, the team was able to recall defenceman Noah Juulsen on an emergency basis. Boudreau also mentioned that Jack Rathbone will likely slot into the line-up as well.
Puck drop is set for 7:00pm PST.
What are your thoughts heading into Saturday’s game against Buffalo? Let us know in the comments!