Donnie and the kids: When Jeff Patterson was asked, after watching the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs, what areas would the Vancouver Canucks have to tackle to get to this level?
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Rick Dhaliwal: “Geoff, I watch every year in the playoffs. And in the first 48 hours, you see the speed, the pace, the determination, the toughness. Look at the number of goals that get scored. The last two days, right in front of the net, the guys were making cross checks and still scoring .
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When you watch the playoffs and then the Canucks, how, what areas do they need to improve to get into the playoffs?
Jeff Patterson: “Is Today a Four Hour Show, Rick? One of those extended versions.
I watch the playoffs and ask myself, does this team have enough advantage? Does she have enough bite? Does she have enough pain-in-the-ass players to play against?
I would suggest here, for now, the answer is no. JT Miller could be that kind of player but beyond? I mean Dakota Joshua, I still think there’s an element of him that could evolve that side of his game. I want it too. I hope he gets his heart out of… It was a good story for the Canucks. He is a legitimate player in the National Hockey League. But it’s one of the largest bodies they’ve ever had. He must use this trait and use it effectively.
But I’m not sure this group ever got together, especially with a coach who has made his career out of being one of the toughest guys to play against. I wonder what’s on his wish list now that they’ve started getting into organizational meetings and trying to identify weaknesses. I wonder if this…
The game has changed. I got it. I don’t expect him to go out there and find all the fighters in the NHL. That’s not what I’m saying.
But you are right. In the end it is hockey. hockey match. It’s a contact sport and when you get to the post-season you need some players who are ready to take on the opponents. Willing to be a pain in the ass after the whistle. Now, you don’t need to be Michael Banting overtly, there is a line you have to be careful not to cross.
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But I think that’s an area this team could have a little bit more fun with. I’d like to see the Canucks kind of incorporate that into their game for next season.