Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet has made the decision to scratch defenseman Erik Brännström for the second consecutive game. Brännström, who was already sidelined in the Canucks’ previous matchup against the St. Louis Blues, will remain out of the lineup for Thursday night’s game against the Florida Panthers, the reigning Stanley Cup champions.
Tocchet provided some insight into the reasoning behind his decision, explaining that the Canucks’ defensemen are structured in a way that allows for a rotation system. He acknowledged that while the team does not have any defensemen who are expected to play every game without rest, it’s part of their approach to rotate players in and out of the lineup.
The coach specifically pointed out that Brännström’s defensive performance had “slipped a little bit” recently. However, Tocchet emphasized that the player had been working hard to address these issues and had shown improvement through recent practices. Despite this, Tocchet felt that, for the upcoming game, it was more favorable to go with a different defensive pairing. He noted his preference for a right-handed shot paired with a left-handed shot and explained that Mark Friedman, who is expected to play in Brännström’s absence, could bring some “bite” to the team’s defensive play, especially down low.
Brännström had made his debut with the Canucks early in the season, playing his first game in the fourth contest of the campaign. Before being scratched, he had appeared in 23 consecutive games, contributing three goals and four assists. He had an even plus-minus rating and averaged 14:57 minutes of ice time per game. However, over the last nine games, Brännström had struggled with only one goal and a minus-three rating, prompting the decision to sit him out.
Joining Brännström as a healthy scratch for tonight’s game is defenseman Vincent Desharnais. Meanwhile, Derek Forbort will make his return to the lineup after missing 17 games due to a lower-body injury sustained in practice. Forbort will be paired with Friedman, who is also playing in his second consecutive game, while Brännström watches from the press box.
In the previous game against the Blues, Friedman was paired with Desharnais. Together, the duo played 8:57 minutes of 5v5 ice time, but the Canucks were outshot 4-0 during their shift, according to Natural Stat Trick. Despite this, Friedman had a solid individual performance, logging 14:49 minutes of total ice time, registering one shot on goal, four hits, and two blocked shots. Tocchet has shown confidence in Friedman’s ability to bring energy and contribute physically, and he will get another opportunity to prove himself in tonight’s game.
Brännström will now have the chance to regroup and focus on improving his game while watching from the press box. Tocchet indicated that Brännström could be back in the lineup soon, with a potential return on Saturday when the Canucks host the Boston Bruins at Rogers Arena. This rotation-based approach reflects Tocchet’s strategy of managing the defensemen’s ice time and ensuring that players remain fresh and ready for upcoming games.
Overall, Tocchet’s decision to scratch Brännström seems to be a combination of tactical adjustments and the player’s recent struggles. The coach is clearly invested in ensuring the Canucks’ defense remains solid while also providing opportunities for players like Friedman to step up and make an impact. Brännström’s absence from the lineup serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of professional hockey, where even talented players must constantly work to maintain their position in the lineup. It remains to be seen how Brännström will respond to the benching, but Tocchet’s comments suggest that he believes in the player’s ability to get back on track after a short break from the action.
