Photo credit: Sportsnet
After the Vancouver Canucks collapsed against the Calgary Flames in their season opener, the news coming out of practice today was that the team would be shaking up the lines and changing up their strategy.
Vancouver Canucks Lineup Vs. Calgary Flames
Th main narrative was how the team was focusing on defense and defensive strategy with assistant coach Adam Foote. Cleary this had to be the focus as head coach Rick Tocchet told the media yesterday in the post game press conference that they focused too much on their transition game in training camp, and not enough on defense.
not a surprise but Adam Foote at the whiteboard drawing up first #Canucks practice drill. Have a feeling there will be a focus on defence today/
Nils Hoglander Demoted to the 4th line
In other news coming out of practice today was that, surprisingly, Hoglander was demoted down to the fourth line where Pius Suter was slotted into his spot on the 3rd forward group.
Lines in Practice Today
Thursday #Canucks practice lines
Heinen. Miller. Boeser.
DeBrusk. Pettersson. Sprong.
Suter. Räty. Garland.
Höglander. Blueger. Sherwood.
Extras: �man, Bains
Hughes. Hronek.
Soucy. Myers.
Forbort. Juulsen.
Desharnais.
Fans have been vocal on X (formally Twitter) to express their confusion with why the Canucks made this change.
Hoglander on the 4th line is crazy... He was one of the most effective 2 way players in last night's game... Heinen has no business being in the top 6 and Sprong was a defensive liability in the first game. Not sure what the Canucks are doing, but it seems they're going backwards - Ryan Denton
