Thomas Drance on the Canucks two game road trip, Miller/Pettersson and more
December 20, 2024
Thomas Drance on the Canucks two game road trip, Miller/Pettersson and more
Thomas Drance from The Athletic joined the guys and recapped the Canucks performance in Utah and Vegas and also touched on the Miller/Pettersson dynamic.
46 comments
Tired of people making excuses for EP, he's showing no signs of life and turning things around.
I love both players man, I just don’t understand what’s going on. I don’t wanna believe the drama but also why aren’t they both on PP1? That’s a no brainer
Canucks have become a dysfunctional team. When you have Elias Petterson making $3 million more than Miller, Boeser, Hughes, Hronek etc —- and totally NOT living up to expectations as their leading franchise superstar that he was signed to be —- then you have problems. Last year Miller was in the Top 10-15 League Leaders for goals/assists all season long, but now his personal issues have dropped him down to #144. Boeser is only at #142. Petterson is at #68, which is really poor for one of the Top 10 Highest Paid Players in the NHL. Only Quinn Hughes has been producing consistently and is at #22. The third and fourth line guys like Sherwood and Blueger and Heinen have been scoring all the goals lately. ??? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see where the problems are, and why this team is not going to make the playoffs this year.
Quinn Hughes is the only thing keeping the Canucks from being in the same conversation about the disasters happening with the Sabres and Rangers. I don't have a lot of sympathy for spoiled millionaires who don't feel like showing up to work because they aren't all soul mates, when so many people who are just getting by show up for work every day and they still manage get the job done even if they don't love everyone they work with.
speaking of dinosaurs….
Petterson is the most useless superstar in the league and anyone that disagree’s is delusional. He’s the only one that is this bad
At the end of the day, it is the "team" that wins hockey games and gives you "Compete". I must admit some of Petterson's self-indulging, pouty media interviews have rubbed me the wrong way, as well as the fact that he all but disappeared in the Playoffs last year and, in fact, the latter part of the season since signing his "franchise player" contract.
It makes sense to keep the player who is most passionate about winning– like Vancouver fans– and shows up when it counts. I do not hold competitiveness over Miller's head as at the end of the day hockey is a competitive sport and Vancouver is a competitive hockey market; however, if his personality is indeed overwhelming the rest of the team as some analysts seem to suggest then I would resign myself to moving Miller as long as the Canucks mgmt. make a SMART trade that truly improves the TEAM.
2 man children getting paid millions and can’t put their egos aside. Honestly it’s embarrassing, and childish af.
Top 6 look totally lost out there. Can’t make a play on the rush or anywhere else for that matter. Can only rim pucks and get it back to the point. Just sad to watch.
5 game pointless streak from an 11.5 mill player is unacceptable. The writing was on the wall during the oilers series where he was completely invisible. He needs to be traded before it’s too late
How could someone with any respect be playing as lazy as petey is playing right after signing superstar level contract.
Lots of good moves but some bad ones over the last two years. First off I know that there are issues between players on teams but I never heard of one having to take a leave of absence over it. Come on JT man up and just play.
EP is wise between his ears as he has the best snake oil Salesman Player Agent in the League. Every player is judged/valued by their plus minus ratings and primarily how well they contribute and are willing to sacrifice their body during the Playoffs. He still is weak on his skates and on the puck and would rather dish off to anyone rather than try to carry / drive end to end as an offensive super star can. Who in their right business mind would come out in public last year and offer the protracted red carpet treatment to sign this brooding chap and then pay him the highest amount in Canuck history over an 8 year NTC contract at 11.6 per year based on his past hot and cold performances? Total regular Season points don't mean that much when they are scored against weaker teams or when the entire team is on a scoring roll. His demure personality isn't socially suited to lead the pack on the ice, nor speak fluidly to the media with an A on his Jersey.. Will Millar, the actual heart and soul of this team ask for a trade at the end of this season to an actual Cup Contender if Petey isn't moved or will Tocchet throw in the white towel? If Management can pawn him ( bloated contract) off this season or in the off season for a griity North American first line forward and a bonafide # 2 defenseman, they might save themselves and the beleagered fans the protracted headaches of a Contract that rivals R. Louongo's last steal of a deal. Placing individual Stars on long term Franshise Pedistals at the expense of the team's long term salary cap hit is a fools game many teams get mired down with. As it stands right now, if Hughes goes down with even a one month injury, we won't make the playoffs. Home game attendance is already showing big gaps in the lower bowl. etc etc.
Petterson was playing great without miller in the line up then hw comes back and all of a sudden the only core player that gives a dam is hughes
Time to trade EP & Hoglander
Trading Petey would bite the Canucks on the butt. Look at his numbers away from Miller. He scored 15 points in those 10 games, and goes quiet when Miller returns.
If two superstars being paid multi-million dollars cannot decide to work together on the ice for the common goal, the problem lies with both these men, the leadership group, and the coaching staff. No one says you have to be best friends away from playing, but they are pros, and need to act in a professional fashion when working together. The dysfunction on the ice has been quite evident – when Sherwood, Blueger, and Heinen are your best forwards for several games in a row now, you have a MAJOR problem happening.
Miller Boeser and Petey all three of these clowns need to get going
They can't spend 70% of each game trapped in their own end and they can't play Hughes 30 minutes every night and expect to make the playoffs. They need a couple of forwards who can lead the rush with some speed and stickhandling ability. Gee, where are Miller and Pettersson when you need them? Maybe they are the NY Rangers (west coast version), on the cusp of starting a 10 game losing streak. If so, just get on with it guys so we can write the season off now and get on with our lives.
If father Allvin and mother Rutherford cannot get their children under control, it as much their fault as anyone.
Pettersson is the most invisible "star" I have ever seen on the ice. His nickname should be "the ghost".
The sad part is if one of thoes guys get traded it will be J.T. cause the Canucks have always had a hard on for Swedish players.
So much drama with these guys. Trade both Miller and Pettersson and built the team around Hughes.
Drance kinda seems like a jew
JT Miller 0 shots, Petterson 1 shot. Not much different the previous night. Management hopefully can find a reasonable solution.
Petey put up 15 points in 10 games when he was the guy when JT was out. 120 point pace, somethings gotta give here.
Does JT have a no move clause?
The problem is that we are on a losing streak while teams right behind us in standings are threatening our wildcard spot on winning streaks.
Now to be known as Dino-Dancer 😁
It really isn’t a wild stretch to think a publicly guarded Gen Z manchild who is basically emotionless unless he’s big mad is more than likely the issue here. He gets butthurt over everything.
When Pettersson came into the league he was an offensive genius. Now he’s a defensive genius. Defence wins cups. By the end of January the Canucks will be fighting for top spot in the Pacific division.
I am loving drancer this season. Not negative, just honest reporting
thomas everything you say is a guess, NOT ONE FACTUAL PIECE OF INFORMATION. Pure guessing. The only stat that matters is wins and losses. The rest matters never. just a bunch of statistical baloney
we need offence, dump Petey and Miller for speed, youth and size just what other teams do when they seriously want to go deep in the playoffs
Drance was 7 years old when JPark came out?? I was like 20 and he looks 10 years older than i do….lolol
how did we go from 649 to this :/ i feel like the obvious thought is petey just can’t take the JT criticism and JT is just doing JT things
Petey & Miller will get it together they are professionals and there’s still plenty of time left in the season. Maybe they can fight in the 4 Nations and squash it. What we should be concerned about is the D-core. They don’t have talent to even possibly be good enough. We need to make some trades to upgrade D then I’m confident forwards & goalies are good enough.
3:06 With THIS team? LOL! 2-0 just means the other team is spotting them a couple.
7:52 If it's a real thing, given Toccs is old enough to be their dad, he needs to take each one into his office and have "the talk." And it should not be polite. These boys need to experience some discomfort.
9:23 I can agree with that. It does boggle the mind.
They play a 'cute' game
Few thoughts… I have a tough time believing that EP is a Tocchet type player. I'd imagine he wasn't a big fan of the re-signing. His comments / behavior towards Petey's game at the end of last season reflected this. Miller obv is a Tocchet type guy. And I wonder how Petey's resigning affected him. His play and numbers were much better, but EP was now making the huge bucks. Fast forward to this season and EP still not playing like an 11.6 mill guy. I'm guessing Miller has an 'F This' attitude this year and Tocchet is struggling with who he aligns with. Tocchet probably frustrated with PA as well for not giving him what he thinks he needs to be successful. So I don't believe this is as easy as two players not getting along. I think there's bad vibes all around.
Wasn’t a fan of miller calling the goalie to the bench with those defencemen on the ice. Get the puck up the ice/ dump it in. Change the d , pull the goalie and work ! Miller isn’t the coach. Let the players play and the coach, coach
Canucks will have a better season next year.
Went downhill end of playoffs. This grumpy old man Miller culture is tanking the team (not only EP – check the stats). When you’ve muted your emotion and no one can smile, you’ve already lost.
Canucks seriously need some sort of jolt of life, they look dead.
46 comments
Tired of people making excuses for EP, he's showing no signs of life and turning things around.
I love both players man, I just don’t understand what’s going on. I don’t wanna believe the drama but also why aren’t they both on PP1? That’s a no brainer
Canucks have become a dysfunctional team. When you have Elias Petterson making $3 million more than Miller, Boeser, Hughes, Hronek etc —- and totally NOT living up to expectations as their leading franchise superstar that he was signed to be —- then you have problems. Last year Miller was in the Top 10-15 League Leaders for goals/assists all season long, but now his personal issues have dropped him down to #144. Boeser is only at #142. Petterson is at #68, which is really poor for one of the Top 10 Highest Paid Players in the NHL. Only Quinn Hughes has been producing consistently and is at #22. The third and fourth line guys like Sherwood and Blueger and Heinen have been scoring all the goals lately. ??? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see where the problems are, and why this team is not going to make the playoffs this year.
Quinn Hughes is the only thing keeping the Canucks from being in the same conversation about the disasters happening with the Sabres and Rangers. I don't have a lot of sympathy for spoiled millionaires who don't feel like showing up to work because they aren't all soul mates, when so many people who are just getting by show up for work every day and they still manage get the job done even if they don't love everyone they work with.
speaking of dinosaurs….
Petterson is the most useless superstar in the league and anyone that disagree’s is delusional. He’s the only one that is this bad
#tradebothofthem
At the end of the day, it is the "team" that wins hockey games and gives you "Compete". I must admit some of Petterson's self-indulging, pouty media interviews have rubbed me the wrong way, as well as the fact that he all but disappeared in the Playoffs last year and, in fact, the latter part of the season since signing his "franchise player" contract.
It makes sense to keep the player who is most passionate about winning– like Vancouver fans– and shows up when it counts. I do not hold competitiveness over Miller's head as at the end of the day hockey is a competitive sport and Vancouver is a competitive hockey market; however, if his personality is indeed overwhelming the rest of the team as some analysts seem to suggest then I would resign myself to moving Miller as long as the Canucks mgmt. make a SMART trade that truly improves the TEAM.
2 man children getting paid millions and can’t put their egos aside. Honestly it’s embarrassing, and childish af.
Top 6 look totally lost out there. Can’t make a play on the rush or anywhere else for that matter. Can only rim pucks and get it back to the point. Just sad to watch.
5 game pointless streak from an 11.5 mill player is unacceptable. The writing was on the wall during the oilers series where he was completely invisible. He needs to be traded before it’s too late
How could someone with any respect be playing as lazy as petey is playing right after signing superstar level contract.
Lots of good moves but some bad ones over the last two years. First off I know that there are issues between players on teams but I never heard of one having to take a leave of absence over it. Come on JT man up and just play.
EP is wise between his ears as he has the best snake oil Salesman Player Agent in the League. Every player is judged/valued by their plus minus ratings and primarily how well they contribute and are willing to sacrifice their body during the Playoffs. He still is weak on his skates and on the puck and would rather dish off to anyone rather than try to carry / drive end to end as an offensive super star can. Who in their right business mind would come out in public last year and offer the protracted red carpet treatment to sign this brooding chap and then pay him the highest amount in Canuck history over an 8 year NTC contract at 11.6 per year based on his past hot and cold performances? Total regular Season points don't mean that much when they are scored against weaker teams or when the entire team is on a scoring roll. His demure personality isn't socially suited to lead the pack on the ice, nor speak fluidly to the media with an A on his Jersey.. Will Millar, the actual heart and soul of this team ask for a trade at the end of this season to an actual Cup Contender if Petey isn't moved or will Tocchet throw in the white towel? If Management can pawn him ( bloated contract) off this season or in the off season for a griity North American first line forward and a bonafide # 2 defenseman, they might save themselves and the beleagered fans the protracted headaches of a Contract that rivals R. Louongo's last steal of a deal. Placing individual Stars on long term Franshise Pedistals at the expense of the team's long term salary cap hit is a fools game many teams get mired down with. As it stands right now, if Hughes goes down with even a one month injury, we won't make the playoffs. Home game attendance is already showing big gaps in the lower bowl. etc etc.
Petterson was playing great without miller in the line up then hw comes back and all of a sudden the only core player that gives a dam is hughes
Time to trade EP & Hoglander
Trading Petey would bite the Canucks on the butt. Look at his numbers away from Miller. He scored 15 points in those 10 games, and goes quiet when Miller returns.
If two superstars being paid multi-million dollars cannot decide to work together on the ice for the common goal, the problem lies with both these men, the leadership group, and the coaching staff. No one says you have to be best friends away from playing, but they are pros, and need to act in a professional fashion when working together. The dysfunction on the ice has been quite evident – when Sherwood, Blueger, and Heinen are your best forwards for several games in a row now, you have a MAJOR problem happening.
Miller Boeser and Petey all three of these clowns need to get going
They can't spend 70% of each game trapped in their own end and they can't play Hughes 30 minutes every night and expect to make the playoffs. They need a couple of forwards who can lead the rush with some speed and stickhandling ability. Gee, where are Miller and Pettersson when you need them? Maybe they are the NY Rangers (west coast version), on the cusp of starting a 10 game losing streak. If so, just get on with it guys so we can write the season off now and get on with our lives.
If father Allvin and mother Rutherford cannot get their children under control, it as much their fault as anyone.
Pettersson is the most invisible "star" I have ever seen on the ice. His nickname should be "the ghost".
The sad part is if one of thoes guys get traded it will be J.T. cause the Canucks have always had a hard on for Swedish players.
So much drama with these guys. Trade both Miller and Pettersson and built the team around Hughes.
Drance kinda seems like a jew
JT Miller 0 shots, Petterson 1 shot. Not much different the previous night. Management hopefully can find a reasonable solution.
Petey put up 15 points in 10 games when he was the guy when JT was out. 120 point pace, somethings gotta give here.
Does JT have a no move clause?
The problem is that we are on a losing streak while teams right behind us in standings are threatening our wildcard spot on winning streaks.
Now to be known as Dino-Dancer 😁
It really isn’t a wild stretch to think a publicly guarded Gen Z manchild who is basically emotionless unless he’s big mad is more than likely the issue here. He gets butthurt over everything.
When Pettersson came into the league he was an offensive genius. Now he’s a defensive genius. Defence wins cups. By the end of January the Canucks will be fighting for top spot in the Pacific division.
I am loving drancer this season. Not negative, just honest reporting
thomas everything you say is a guess, NOT ONE FACTUAL PIECE OF INFORMATION. Pure guessing. The only stat that matters is wins and losses.
The rest matters never. just a bunch of statistical baloney
we need offence, dump Petey and Miller for speed, youth and size just what other teams do when they seriously want to go deep in the playoffs
Drance was 7 years old when JPark came out?? I was like 20 and he looks 10 years older than i do….lolol
how did we go from 649 to this :/ i feel like the obvious thought is petey just can’t take the JT criticism and JT is just doing JT things
Petey & Miller will get it together they are professionals and there’s still plenty of time left in the season. Maybe they can fight in the 4 Nations and squash it. What we should be concerned about is the D-core. They don’t have talent to even possibly be good enough. We need to make some trades to upgrade D then I’m confident forwards & goalies are good enough.
3:06 With THIS team? LOL! 2-0 just means the other team is spotting them a couple.
7:52 If it's a real thing, given Toccs is old enough to be their dad, he needs to take each one into his office and have "the talk." And it should not be polite. These boys need to experience some discomfort.
8:54 Factually incorrect.
9:23 I can agree with that. It does boggle the mind.
They play a 'cute' game
Few thoughts… I have a tough time believing that EP is a Tocchet type player. I'd imagine he wasn't a big fan of the re-signing. His comments / behavior towards Petey's game at the end of last season reflected this. Miller obv is a Tocchet type guy. And I wonder how Petey's resigning affected him. His play and numbers were much better, but EP was now making the huge bucks. Fast forward to this season and EP still not playing like an 11.6 mill guy. I'm guessing Miller has an 'F This' attitude this year and Tocchet is struggling with who he aligns with. Tocchet probably frustrated with PA as well for not giving him what he thinks he needs to be successful. So I don't believe this is as easy as two players not getting along. I think there's bad vibes all around.
Wasn’t a fan of miller calling the goalie to the bench with those defencemen on the ice. Get the puck up the ice/ dump it in. Change the d , pull the goalie and work ! Miller isn’t the coach. Let the players play and the coach, coach
Canucks will have a better season next year.
Went downhill end of playoffs. This grumpy old man Miller culture is tanking the team (not only EP – check the stats). When you’ve muted your emotion and no one can smile, you’ve already lost.
Canucks seriously need some sort of jolt of life, they look dead.