Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet attracted attention when he benched one of his star players JT Miller in the third period of Sunday’s Canucks 5-3 loss to the Nashville Predators.
Tocchet did not mince words when he explained why he did it. He wants high-performing players on the ice.
Rick Tocchet addressed benching J.T. Miller down the stretch of the Canucks’ 5-3 loss to the Predators. pic.twitter.com/ZFW37yDyew
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 18, 2024
Some have said that Miller’s style is similar to Tocchet’s during his playing days so perhaps he has higher expectations of Miller.
Others have said that Miller is dealing with an injury so his performance could have been injury-related even though Tocchet discounted that theory.
Tocchet benches Miller for almost an entire period and then calls him out in the post-game media scrum after.
Mentions benching had nothing to do with any injury.
What a legend. My coach.
— Taj (@taj1944) November 18, 2024
Canucks Have Not Played Their Best Hockey Yet
The Canucks are 9-5-3, but hockey fans have not seen them play their best. This is a team that surprised many with its playoff run last season. As a result, Tocchet won the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year.
Tocchet wants to get this team back to the playoffs. Except for Anaheim and San Jose, every team in the Pacific Division has at least nine wins. It will be a tightly contested division between Vegas, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Seattle.
Tocchet Is Seeking To Motivate His Locker Room
🗣 Is Tocchet concerned about being able to motivate these guys? That’s the vibe I get…
👉 @JamieDodd & @ThomasDrance talk about the Canucks’ inconsistent efforts this season.
— Sportsnet 650 (@Sportsnet650) November 18, 2024
Most likely, Rich Tocchet was sending a message to the entire Canucks locker room and not singling out JT Miller exclusively. He needs everyone to play better so this team can build on its 2023-2024 success. In that respect, benching Miller was appropriate and a wake-up call to all.
Vancouver has seen this JT Miller before, the one who isn’t engaged physically or defensively. He can still produce points like this, but the overall 200 foot game just isn’t there.
Rick one of the first coaches to call him out on it.
(JT Miller will be fine)
— Wyatt Arndt (@TheStanchion) November 18, 2024
Fans will see if Rick Tocchet’s plan worked as the Canucks host the 11-4-1 New York Rangers on Tuesday, November 19 at 10 PM EST.
