VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks almost certainly view Marcus Pettersson and Drew O’Connor as long-term fits with the club. But by trading the most valuable asset they got in the J.T. Miller trade (the Rangers’ conditional first-round pick) for two rentals, management is making it a priority to salvage this season and make the playoffs.
With all the noise around the future of J.T. Miller/Elias Pettersson quieting down, we can finally turn our full attention to the on-ice product.
Vancouver’s lineup for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings was very different. Marcus Pettersson, Filip Chytil and O’Connor all made their Canucks debuts. Quinn Hughes, who got banged up last game against the Stars, did not dress after being listed as a game-time decision. Carson Soucy was healthy scratched for the first time this season, with Elias Pettersson, the defenceman, drawing into the lineup instead.
The Canucks convincingly controlled play against the Red Wings, who were on the second leg of a back-to-back, despite Hughes’ absence. Vancouver had an authoritative control of shots and scoring chances, but fell 3-2 in overtime.
Here are three takeaways from the loss.
O’Connor is an underrated addition
Most of the focus following the Canucks’ two big trades on Friday has been on Marcus Pettersson and Chytil. O’Connor’s excellent first impression against the Red Wings was a message to Canucks fans that he’s a legitimate piece who’ll upgrade the forward group, not just a throw-in from the Pittsburgh trade.
The speedy, big-bodied winger was an instant difference-maker on the third line with Pius Suter and Kiefer Sherwood. On the shift where Suter opened the scoring, O’Connor’s swift puck pressure forced a turnover on the forecheck to allow his line to control play in the offensive zone.
O’Connor also used his wheels to carry the puck up the ice for two slick offensive zone entries with possession in the first period. Here’s an example of one of them:
Early in the second, he made a crafty, poised move in the neutral zone and made a clean pass to a linemate for another zone entry with possession rather than a dump-and-chase.
With his pace, motor and size, O’Connor has all the tools be an impactful depth piece. He seems like the type of winger Rick Tocchet may even move up the lineup at times if the top six ever needs a jolt of energy. For now, having him and Sherwood on the same line together sounds like an absolute pain in the neck for opponents to play against.
The Canucks outshot Detroit 6-1 with O’Connor on the ice at five-on-five.
Chytil and Marcus Pettersson’s debuts
O’Connor wasn’t the only new Canuck who made a positive first impression. Chytil made smart plays to drive possession all night and scored his first goal as a Canuck.
On his first shift, Chytil made a nice defensive read in the neutral zone, timed his pressure well and stole the puck from a Red Wing. Later in the first, he did a good job protecting the puck in the offensive zone corner and drove it to the net for a decent shot. In the defensive zone, he won a puck battle down behind the net which helped the Canucks exit the zone. It was an important moment to relieve pressure because his line was starting to get tired defensively.
Chytil’s most impressive skill, however, was how he transported the puck up ice with his speed and skill to drive play. It isn’t just that he’s fast — he has the composure and patience to hold onto the puck and finds ways to problem solve around defenders instead of dumping it in at the first sign of pressure.
The 25-year-old scored a beautiful goal in the third period to tie the game.
🚨CANUCKS GOAL🚨
Filip Chytil scores his first goal as a Vancouver Canuck!
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL#Canucks #LGRW pic.twitter.com/6RRROAw0Dx
— CanucksArmy (@CanucksArmy) February 3, 2025
Chytil and O’Connor combined for 16 offensive zone entries with possession, which was a refreshing change from the club’s typical dump-and-chase style. Watching the progress of these two newcomers — Chytil especially, because he has a more proven track record of transporting play up the ice with control — will be an interesting litmus test of Tocchet’s system and playing style.
If Chytil’s zone entries with possession decline the more he learns and adjusts to Vancouver’s system, it’ll be a clear sign that the coaching staff is implementing a play style that has a negative impact on dynamic, skilled forwards’ ability to attack off the rush. On the other hand, if Chytil continues to shine in transition, it’s a sign the club’s lethargic rush attack may be tied more to personnel rather than the system.
Marcus Pettersson came as advertised. He’s not a flashy or exciting player, but he’s reliable, steady and smart. Pettersson’s long reach and defensive IQ are clear assets, helping him break up plays. His mobility and vision when he’s retrieving dump-ins in the defensive zone allowed him to make a couple of sharp breakout passes.
Elias Pettersson’s top line goes quiet offensively
With Miller traded and Hughes out of the lineup, the Canucks needed the top line of Pettersson, Jake DeBrusk and Brock Boeser to break the game open offensively.
The other forward lines did an impressive job of driving play, especially considering Hughes’ absence, but they don’t have the high-end finishing talent that Vancouver’s first line has.
Unfortunately, the big guns didn’t come through. They were unable to create sustained offensive pressure through the first two periods. They didn’t create enough controlled entries with possession, instead relying on dump-and-chases. The trio struggled to win enough battles to retrieve the puck off the forecheck. Pettersson’s line finished the night underwater in terms of controlling shots and expected goals.
They finally turned it on in the third period and generated chances, but the finishing wasn’t there. In the third period, Pettersson hit Boeser with a sweet east-west pass off the rush. Boeser had a perfect opportunity to walk in and rip a Grade-A chance, but he instead tried to connect a pass to DeBrusk, who was streaking to the net, which didn’t work. Pettersson missed the net during a two-on-one chance in OT.
The lack of production was especially notable because Pettersson’s line didn’t get the hard matchup against Dylan Larkin’s line.
(Photo of Marcus Pettersson: Derek Cain / Getty Images)
