vancouver canucks

FILE - In this Jan. 2, 2016, file photo, Pittsburgh Penguins’ Phil Kessel plays during the team’s NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
FILE - In this Jan. 2, 2016, file photo, Pittsburgh Penguins’ Phil Kessel plays during the team’s NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders in Pittsburgh. USA Hockey left Kessel off the list of the first 16 players selected to the U.S. team for the World Cup of Hockey, Wednesday, March 2.. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

THE MOJ: Canucks’ Kessel experiment is tossing the dice with house money

Tocchet and Rutherford very familiar with 17-year vet as he starts skating with Abbotsford

FILE - In this Jan. 2, 2016, file photo, Pittsburgh Penguins’ Phil Kessel plays during the team’s NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
FILE - In this Jan. 2, 2016, file photo, Pittsburgh Penguins’ Phil Kessel plays during the team’s NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders in Pittsburgh. USA Hockey left Kessel off the list of the first 16 players selected to the U.S. team for the World Cup of Hockey, Wednesday, March 2.. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Buffalo Sabres right wing Tage Thompson (72) and Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) battle for position in front of the net during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

It’s been 12 years since the Vancouver Canucks have been this good, this late

Last time the team topped the NHL standings in mid-February was in 2012

Buffalo Sabres right wing Tage Thompson (72) and Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) battle for position in front of the net during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko (96) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in New York. Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy knows the importance of fresh starts and believes that’s what newly acquired forward Andrei Kuzmenko needs as well. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Frank Franklin II

Consistency for Lindholm, fresh start for Kuzemenko goals of NHL trade

Each side in Flames/Canucks trade thinks their piece has more to offer than he’s been giving

Vancouver Canucks’ Andrei Kuzmenko (96) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in New York. Calgary Flames general manager Craig Conroy knows the importance of fresh starts and believes that’s what newly acquired forward Andrei Kuzmenko needs as well. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Frank Franklin II
Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm (28) and Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Kaedan Korczak (6) chase the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

THE MOJ: Lindholm trade means the Canucks are all in this year

It’s the right player and the right message at the right time for Vancouver

Calgary Flames center Elias Lindholm (28) and Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Kaedan Korczak (6) chase the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin laughs during the NHL team’s end-of-season news conference, in Vancouver, on Monday, April 17, 2023. The Canucks say they have signed Allvin to a multi-year contract extension. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

First-place Vancouver Canucks extend GM Allvin for multiple years

NHL’s first Swedish general manager has quickly pushed team up the NHL standings

Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin laughs during the NHL team’s end-of-season news conference, in Vancouver, on Monday, April 17, 2023. The Canucks say they have signed Allvin to a multi-year contract extension. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
“We’re playing a lot better positionally and within our structure. Whether it’s that we just needed time to get used to it or get used to each other’s tendencies but we are putting ourselves in a much better position and not giving the power play ‘A’ chances,” - Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers on why the penalty kill unit has been playing of well as of late. Vancouver Canucks photo

THE MOJ: Immensely improved Canuck PK built on structure and trust

No more running around as what was once a weakness is now a strength

“We’re playing a lot better positionally and within our structure. Whether it’s that we just needed time to get used to it or get used to each other’s tendencies but we are putting ourselves in a much better position and not giving the power play ‘A’ chances,” - Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers on why the penalty kill unit has been playing of well as of late. Vancouver Canucks photo
Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet, top, talks to players during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. Rick Tocchet took over the Vancouver Canucks a year ago, with the team struggling to find consistency in how it played, combined with wins. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Nam Y. Huh

One year later, Tocchet has brought accountability to the Canucks

A year after he took the job of guiding a struggling team, coach has them atop the NHL standings

Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet, top, talks to players during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. Rick Tocchet took over the Vancouver Canucks a year ago, with the team struggling to find consistency in how it played, combined with wins. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Nam Y. Huh
Called out by Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet during training camp, Dakota Joshua has rebounded with his best-ever season in the NHL. Vancouver Canucks photo

THE MOJ: How Dakota Joshua has found the extra 5% he needed

Canuck grinder has taken a step after realizing what steps he had to take

Called out by Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet during training camp, Dakota Joshua has rebounded with his best-ever season in the NHL. Vancouver Canucks photo
The Vancouver Canucks have signed president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford to a multi-year contract extension. Rutherford, centre, general manager Patrik Allvin, back left, and head coach Rick Tocchet listen during a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Major turnaround nets Rutherford a 3-year extension to lead Canucks

President of hockey operations admits he’s surprised by how quickly the team has turned things around

The Vancouver Canucks have signed president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford to a multi-year contract extension. Rutherford, centre, general manager Patrik Allvin, back left, and head coach Rick Tocchet listen during a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Vancouver’s Nils Hoglander celebrates with teammate Dakota Joshua after a goal during the game against the Arizona Coyotes Thursday night at Rogers Arena. Joshua’s goal late in the second period would give the Canucks a 2-1 win over the visitors. Vancouver Canucks photo

THE MOJ: Canucks have to screen out noise as they continue to earn the day

There is plenty of reason to believe this Canuck team is for real

Vancouver’s Nils Hoglander celebrates with teammate Dakota Joshua after a goal during the game against the Arizona Coyotes Thursday night at Rogers Arena. Joshua’s goal late in the second period would give the Canucks a 2-1 win over the visitors. Vancouver Canucks photo
Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet addresses the media after his team lost 4-3 the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night. Vancouver Canucks photo

THE MOJ: Success of gruelling road trip more evidence Canucks are for real

You don’t have to wait to see them play the big boys, this is a legitimately good hockey team

Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet addresses the media after his team lost 4-3 the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night. Vancouver Canucks photo
Vancouver defenseman Nikita Zadorov, shown here in Tuesday night’s 5-2 win against the Islanders in New York, has been one the pieces acquired in the team’s blueline overhaul. Vancouver Canucks photo

THE MOJ: It’s amazing what a year has done for the Vancouver Canucks

Remember last January, when Canuck fans were urging the team to tank for Connor Bedard?

Vancouver defenseman Nikita Zadorov, shown here in Tuesday night’s 5-2 win against the Islanders in New York, has been one the pieces acquired in the team’s blueline overhaul. Vancouver Canucks photo
Canucks defenseman Carson Soucy has been out of the lineup since Nov. 12 after suffering a left ankle injury in Montreal. NHL.com photo

THE MOJ: Soucy close and Canuck fans should expect to see him soon

Out since mid-November, big defender is itching to get back at it

Canucks defenseman Carson Soucy has been out of the lineup since Nov. 12 after suffering a left ankle injury in Montreal. NHL.com photo
“We are playing a lot of good teams on this road trip – a lot of teams that have been in the playoffs – so I think it’s going to show a lot about our team and how hard we worked in these practices (after Christmas) to prepare for this road trip,” Brock Boeser on the Canucks upcoming seven-game road trip. Vancouver Canucks photo

THE MOJ: Canucks looking forward to the test of a lengthy road trip

Seven games, many of them in tough rinks, should be a good measuring stick

“We are playing a lot of good teams on this road trip – a lot of teams that have been in the playoffs – so I think it’s going to show a lot about our team and how hard we worked in these practices (after Christmas) to prepare for this road trip,” Brock Boeser on the Canucks upcoming seven-game road trip. Vancouver Canucks photo
Vancouver's Pius Suter celebrates a goal during the Canucks 6-3 win against the Ottawa Senators Tuesday night at Rogers Arena. NHL.com photo

THE MOJ: Demanding even wins happen ‘the right way’ shows Canuck culture shift

Taking the foot of the gas against Ottawa unacceptable to this version of the team

Vancouver's Pius Suter celebrates a goal during the Canucks 6-3 win against the Ottawa Senators Tuesday night at Rogers Arena. NHL.com photo
A rare sight - Canucks coaches using the dry board to explain a drill during practice. Black Press Media photo

THE MOJ: The art of making practice perfect a constant juggling act

Canucks coach Rick Tocchet maps out an up-tempo plan and veers from it based on sense of team needs

A rare sight - Canucks coaches using the dry board to explain a drill during practice. Black Press Media photo
Practice is a valuable tool for Rick Tocchet and the Canucks. Photo courtesy Vancouver Canucks

THE MOJ: Practice makes perfect a Tocchet foundational principle

Vancouver Canucks coach has shaped his practice regimen from an impressive group of mentors

Practice is a valuable tool for Rick Tocchet and the Canucks. Photo courtesy Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko looks on during a stoppage in play during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Vancouver, on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon, Demko and New York Islanders defenceman Noah Dobson have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Demko the latest Canuck to land on the NHL’s three stars of the week

Demko turned aside 89 of the 93 shots he faced, going 3-0-0

Vancouver Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko looks on during a stoppage in play during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Vancouver, on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. Colorado Avalanche centre Nathan MacKinnon, Demko and New York Islanders defenceman Noah Dobson have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Black Press Media digital editor John McKinley and VIFD/PQB News editor Philip Wolf. (File photo)

PODCAST: Red-hot Canucks ride high near top of NHL standings

NHL UPDATE: McKinley, Wolf look at surprise teams, HOF candidates

Black Press Media digital editor John McKinley and VIFD/PQB News editor Philip Wolf. (File photo)
Former Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo waves as he walks onto the ice to be honoured with other Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, before an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Luongo reflective as he prepares to enter Canuck ring of honour

Hall of Fame goalie remembers his time in Vancouver as the most important part of his career

Former Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo waves as he walks onto the ice to be honoured with other Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, before an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Thursday, December 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck