When Rick Tocchet took over as head coach for the Vancouver Canucks, fans were cautiously optimistic. After years of defensive struggles and inconsistency, the hope was that Tocchet’s experience and focus on structure could bring some much-needed stability. Now, in the 2024-25 season, it’s time to ask the question: has Tocchet truly solidified the Canucks' defense, or are we still stuck in the same frustrating cycle?
A New Focus on Structure
From day one, Tocchet emphasized structure, accountability, and yes- defense. One of the most noticeable improvements under his leadership has been the penalty kill. Last season, it was a glaring weak spot, with the Canucks frequently giving up goals at key moments. Since Tocchet’s arrival, the penalty kill has been far more aggressive and consistent, giving fans hope that Vancouver might finally have a reliable defense to complement their offensive firepower.
However, the Canucks’ defensive improvements haven’t been without hiccups. There are nights where the team executes Tocchet’s system perfectly—players blocking shots, making smart reads, and avoiding risky plays. Then there are nights where defensive breakdowns creep back in, leading to costly goals and chaotic moments in front of the net.
Key Players Stepping Up
One of the players that has most bought into Tocchet’s system has been Quinn Hughes. In my opinion, Hughes has embraced a more complete, defensively sound game under Tocchet. He’s still an elite puck-mover, but his positioning and decision-making in the defensive zone have improved noticeably. While I don’t think he’ll ever be a physical force, Hughes has become a much more reliable player when the Canucks don’t have the puck.
Hronek has also fit in well under Tocchet’s guidance. His physicality and ability to break up plays have added a much-needed element of grit to Vancouver’s defense, especially with Hughes as his partner. Together, they’ve formed a top pairing that, on good nights, can shut down top lines and control the pace of play.
Consistency Still a Struggle
While Tocchet’s influence has clearly brought some improvements, the Canucks still struggle with one thing: consistency. On some nights, they look like a team that’s fully bought into Tocchet’s system—playing disciplined, defensively sound hockey. But on other nights, they regress into the same frustrating habits that have plagued them before. Defensive lapses, poor coverage, and questionable decision-making have still popped up.
The first few games of the season have been a reflection of this problem. In one game, Vancouver looks defensively solid, keeping opponents to the perimeter and supporting their goaltender well. In the next, defensive breakdowns lead to easy goals and leave the team scrambling to catch up.
The Tocchet Identity: Still a Work in Progress
So, has Rick Tocchet’s impact been about defensive gains or more of the same? It’s a bit of both. There’s no denying that Tocchet’s system has led to improvements, especially in areas like the penalty kill and the play of certain key players. The team has shown flashes of defensive maturity that simply weren’t there before.
But the inconsistency is still a problem, and with Demko injured, those defensive issues are magnified. Tocchet has helped turn the Canucks in the right direction, but there’s still work to be done if Vancouver is going to truly shore up its defense and become a more reliable team on a night-to-night basis.
The good news for Canucks fans is that the potential is there. The challenge now is for Tocchet to get his message to stick, even when the team is without key players like Demko. If they can tighten things up and maintain consistency, the Canucks might finally be able to break out of their defensive funk. Until then, it’s another season of cautious optimism and hoping that Tocchet’s influence can help them turn the corner.