Vancouver Canucks Revamp Power Play Strategy with New Signings

The Vancouver Canucks are looking to enhance their power play strategy this season, bolstered by new signings and strategic shifts. With Jake DeBrusk and Nils Höglander taking on pivotal roles, the team aims to climb the power play ranks significantly from their 11th place finish last season in the NHL.

Jake DeBrusk, a new addition from the Boston Bruins, is expected to play a key role in the Canucks’ power play attack. Last season, DeBrusk primarily served on the Bruins’ second unit, focusing as a net-front presence but with limited opportunities to handle the puck. This season, he has been placed on the Canucks’ first power play unit, which has been notably missing a left-handed shot in the bumper since the trade of Bo Horvat.

“It’s a lucky position to be in and it’s something I’m not taking for granted. I just want to do it right,” DeBrusk commented about his new role. Teammates J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson have expressed optimism about DeBrusk’s ability to enhance their tactical plays.

Nils Höglander, who scored all his 24 goals last season at 5-on-5, will have a chance to boost his scoring rate with more minutes on the second power play unit. Coach Rick Tocchet is optimistic about Höglander’s fit, citing, “I like [Höglander] around the net and he’s a retrieval guy.”

The Canucks have a new power play coach, Yogi Svejkovský, who has already been involved as a skills coach. His approach, according to Tocchet, will be more about fostering a connected and dynamic mindset rather than focusing solely on set plays.

“It’s the mindset, the connection— that’s what this power play needs,” said Tocchet. “They’ve got to be connected and not always focus on setting up a perfect play but scoring off chaos.”

These changes come amid strategic additions in the offseason, including the signing of DeBrusk to a seven-year contract, valued at $38.5 million. The Canucks hope these adjustments will provide more scoring opportunities and drive a significant improvement over last season’s performance.

The team is set for its regular-season opener at Rogers Arena, where fans will get a firsthand look at these new adaptations.