Losing takes a lot out of a coach.
The head coach’s energy was almost always bubbly. He’s a hockey evangelist and he was ready to spread the word.
He’s been back to giving long pressers, ready to answer pretty much every question thrown his way, but the wear and tear of his team’s struggles are evident on his face.
You know that will keep him going. But we can see how much of a struggle it is of late.
The Canucks outshot the Predators 27-19, something that hasn’t happened all that much over the past month.
“Moral victory,” Tocchet deadpanned when the stat was raised.
The coach is over wins that don’t count in the standings. He just wants his team to win the actual games.
It was always about the Hughes window
It was always going to be about the length of Hughes’ deal.
So keep that in mind when you think about any potential roster moves.
Can this team make the playoffs?
Long term we have the Hughes window to consider, but short term, we must ponder what’s in front of the Canucks.
The current lineup obviously would struggle to make the playoffs.
But with those three back, this team does have enough juice to secure fourth spot in the Pacific.
At least, you think they do. But of course there’s the overall issue of team happiness.
Neither team is particularly good, but have played well enough to keep picking up points and staying in range of Vancouver.