Ah yes, the Vancouver Canucks’ second defence pairing—Carson Soucy and Tyler Myers, or as I like to call them, “The Double Trouble.” These two have been as reassuring as a flat tire on a road trip, particularly that bumpy stretch when you realize your car insurance doesn’t cover roadside pickups.
First up, let’s address the elephant in the room—or should I say, the mammoth in the back of the net? These two have garnered a minus-8 goal differential, which is about as desirable as a soggy sandwich. There they are, Soucy and Myers, on the ice together, struggling to move the puck up ice while the rest of the Canucks look on, wondering if they’ve accidentally transported themselves back to last season’s horror show. Meanwhile, on the opposite end, Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek are out there showing us just how the game is supposed to be played. Honestly, watching them is like attending a wine tasting, while Soucy and Myers resemble two guys at a keg party trying to figure out which “average” beer to shotgun.
Now, according to head coach Rick Tocchet, they were once good. “They were a really good pair for us in the playoffs,” he says. It kind of feels like he’s talking about that high school band that never made it past the gymnasium talent show, doesn’t it? They had their moment, got the trophies, but now…well, let’s say they’re not exactly rock stars.
### 1 | Hope they somehow get better
Ah, the old “maybe they’ll figure it out” strategy. It’s like asking a cat to speak French—possibilities are high, but the odds? Dramatically low. This plan has the charm of a blind date at a dentist’s office. In hockey terms, we’re saying, “Let’s just hope the heartbeat of their game kicks back in.” Yeah, right.
### 2 | Make a trade for a top-four defenceman
Enter the trade market! Like a Tinder date, the Canucks have swiped on several potential suitors, and quite frankly, it’s a dodgy roster. They’re eyeing Marcus Pettersson from Pittsburgh—who’s about as solid as a Jenga tower in an earthquake—because let’s face it, they badly need to upgrade their defensive game. Trading for him might be akin to putting a Band-Aid on a sinking ship.
### 3 | Call-up the next generation
How about calling up Elias Pettersson from the AHL? Hold on…no? Did we just suggest throwing a rookie into the lion’s den? The kid’s still trying to figure out the overhead projector in practice. That’s a leap of faith that would make a bungee jumper blush.
### 4 | Split Soucy and Myers with Hughes and Hronek
Let’s get creative! Perhaps if we split them apart, we’ll see a dramatic improvement like Cinderella after the fairies arrived. But now I’m guessing that this strategy would be likened to dividing a pizza—inevitably ending up with two uneatable slices. Hughes and Hronek don’t deserve this messy pairing, which suggests that the team’s defensive strategy might be in the market for a formal apology.
### 5 | Reconfigure the bottom-four pairings
Now we’re onto something. Why not bump up Brännström? He might just replace the deficit that Soucy and Myers have carved out like a rotund pumpkin. But he’s still untested against the big boys. It’s an enticing thought though—like a serving of dessert before dinner.
### 6 | The Frankenstein approach
We’re getting desperate here, but why not, right? Let’s dig into some mad scientist logic and create Carson Myers and Tyler Soucy—an amalgamation of their best and worst qualities. Maybe you’ll end up with a solid defensive player who can actually skate and check! Or we could end up with a new NHL rule dubbed, “Don’t Be a Soucy-Myers.”
### 7 | A heartwarming trade reveal twist
In this Disney Channel movie moment, let’s culminate this wild ride with a twist ending. Tell them they’re being traded for something better…only to find they traded for each other. Cue the tears, and we all just collectively shake our heads as the credits roll.
### 8 | Sign a free agent who may very well be two kids in a trench coat
Free agency, ladies and gents! With players like Mark Giordano or Kevin Shattenkirk hanging around like wallflowers at a dance party, the Canucks could give them a call. Sure, one is old enough to borrow your car while the other is recovering from what sounds like a Victorian-era ailment. But on paper? Everybody loves a comeback story—even if it comes in the form of a couple of trenchcoat-wearing kids!
So there you have it—the Canucks’ defensive maze is as tangled as last year’s Christmas lights. Between hoping Soucy and Myers rediscover their on-ice synergy or indulging in some creative defense strategies, it’s a reality TV-level dilemma, each moment stranger than the last. Who knows, maybe they’ll end up with a winning formula—assuming they don’t trip over their own skates in the process!
The Vancouver Canucks are facing a pressing dilemma regarding their defensive lineup, particularly the underperforming second pairing consisting of Carson Soucy and Tyler Myers.
As the season unfolds, it has become increasingly apparent that Soucy and Myers have struggled significantly to transition the puck out of their defensive zone, leading to a plethora of issues in their overall play. Their inability to win crucial battles in front of the net has resulted in missed opportunities to box out opposing forwards and effectively tie up their sticks, contributing to their presence on the ice for numerous critical goals against.
Notably, the Canucks have witnessed a concerning goal differential of 13-to-5 while Soucy and Myers share the ice at 5-on-5 situations, illustrating the struggles faced by the pairing. In stark contrast, the pairing of Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek boasts an impressive plus-7 goal differential at 5-on-5, thus highlighting how Soucy and Myers have effectively negated the positive contributions of the Canucks’ top defensive pair.
Soucy and Myers have found themselves in this struggling defense position through their own shortcomings, underscoring that their below-par performance isn’t merely a product of bad luck. Among the 50 defensive pairings that have seen significant minutes together at the NHL level this season, Soucy and Myers hold the dubious distinction of possessing the league’s worst corsi percentage at 37.1%. This statistic reveals an alarming disparity in shot attempts, as their opponents have launched 227 shots compared to just 134 for the Canucks during their time on the ice.
Furthermore, both players have concurrently been on the ice for the highest number of goals against while their team is on the penalty kill, with Myers witnessing eight power-play goals against and Soucy seeing seven during the same timeframe. Their ineffectiveness on the penalty kill is especially troubling given that they’ve shared the ice for six of these goals conceded.
Soucy and Myers’ subpar performance raises significant concerns for the Canucks, particularly when considering last season’s context. During the previous campaign, the duo managed to maintain a reasonable level of play despite facing formidable competition. Together, they outscored their opponents 13-to-12 at 5-on-5, which showcases the stark contrast in their performance this season.
In a recent update, head coach Rick Tocchet acknowledged that while Myers has shown improvements in recent contests, Soucy needs to regain his confidence, as his errors have been “magnified.” Tocchet specifically noted, “Everything he does, it’s in our net,” emphasizing the need for Soucy to adopt a more aggressive playing style while pressuring opponents to regain his effectiveness.
Despite his efforts for patience with the veteran duo, Tocchet alluded to a growing urgency to enact changes, stating, “Myers and Soucy were a really good pair for us in the playoffs — high-pressure games. Obviously, we’ve got to get better and we might have to switch it.”
1 | Wait for improvement
The current approach from the Canucks seems to hinge on the hope that Soucy and Myers can eventually find their rhythm and evolve into the reliable shutdown defense pairing they were once believed to be.
This strategy carries inherent risks, as there is no certainty regarding the timeline for their improvement, and the ongoing struggles could continue to hinder the team’s overall performance. A potential remedy could involve a more fundamental style of play focused on basics: protecting key areas of the ice, contesting for position in front of the net, and executing safe, effective clears to neutral territory.
2 | Pursue a top-four defenceman trade
The likelihood of the Canucks seeking a trade for a defenseman seems increasingly unavoidable as the season progresses. With ample cap space accumulating throughout the year, they could be positioned favorably to make a significant acquisition at the trade deadline. However, given Soucy and Myers’ current struggles, there is mounting pressure to make a move sooner rather than later.
Trade rumors have linked the Canucks to Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson, a player who could fit seamlessly with the Canucks’ needs. Pettersson brings stability and experience from playing against tough competition, boasting a modest cap hit of just over $4 million.
However, it’s worth noting that Pettersson has been on the ice for the highest number of goals against while at even strength this season — a statistic influenced by his substantial average of over 22 minutes played per game on one of the league’s weakest defensive teams. Nevertheless, his potential worth to the Canucks cannot be dismissed.
3 | Call up a promising defenseman
What if, instead of pursuing Pettersson, the Canucks considered promoting Elias Pettersson from their AHL affiliate? Pettersson, a highly regarded left-side prospect, is currently thriving with significant ice time in Abbotsford and could potentially translate that success to the NHL level.
This is, of course, a considerable leap in competition and it’s entirely possible that Pettersson isn’t quite ready for the NHL, let alone a role in the top four. Yet, with the Canucks’ track record of thrusting prospect forwards into critical top-six roles, perhaps they should extend that same opportunity to defense by considering Pettersson.
4 | Rearrange pairing configurations
Should Tocchet be hesitant to break up Soucy and Myers, it is likely due to a lack of available alternatives. One logical strategy could involve reconfiguring the defensive pairings entirely, allowing Hughes and Hronek — two reliable performers — to combine forces with Soucy and Myers separately.
In fact, Tocchet and assistant coach Adam Foote have explored this option recently, but the outcome has led to more problems than solutions. Instead of creating two functional pairings, the Canucks have experienced continued struggles as Soucy and Myers have failed to elevate the play of Hughes and Hronek, dragging down the overall performance.
5 | Alter the bottom defensive pairs
An alternative could involve mixing up the bottom-four pairings rather than the top. With fans calling for change, Erik Brännström’s recent success following his AHL call-up provides a compelling case for elevation, given his ability to move the puck efficiently and produce offensively, tallying four points over his last five outings.
Pairing Brännström with Myers could open up new opportunities for the Canucks, potentially giving them a second defensive pairing that spends considerably less time trapped in their own zone. It’s conceivable that Soucy could thrive in a sheltered third-pairing role while paired with someone like Vincent Desharnais or Noah Juulsen.
8 | Explore free agent options
Lastly, the free agency market holds possibilities that the Canucks have yet to explore fully. Several defensemen remain unsigned over a month into the season, including notable names like Mark Giordano, John Klingberg, and Kevin Shattenkirk.
While each of these veterans carries concerns regarding their viability, having previously established themselves as recognized top-pairing defensemen, they could offer the Canucks some much-needed stability and wisdom on the back end.
Alternatively, they might consider pursuing younger free agents, such as Réal Personne, whose potential appears promising despite his lack of NHL experience. He brings the size the Canucks are drawn to on defense, presenting an intriguing prospect for consideration.
How can the Canucks creatively structure defensive pairings to address the issues with Soucy and Myers effectively?
An solutions. Splitting them may provide a fresh start for both pairings, similar to how a new coat of paint can rejuvenate a room. However, it’s essential to recognize that even a fresh configuration may not yield immediate results if the underlying issues with Soucy and Myers are not addressed.
### 5 | Elevate Brännström
Another option to shake things up is to elevate Erik Brännström into the lineup. Brännström, known for his puck-moving skills and ability to contribute offensively, could step in to fill the gap left by Soucy and Myers. His performance in previous seasons has shown potential, but bringing him back to the NHL level against stronger competition presents a risk. There’s a chance he could either thrive and become that vital cog for the defense or struggle under the pressure, akin to asking a novice to perform in a high-stakes concert.
### 6 | The Frankenstein Approach
Desperate times call for creative solutions. The idea of merging the skills of Soucy and Myers into a hypothetical new player—let’s humorously call it “Soucy-Myers”—could yield interesting results. This new defenseman might harness the physicality of Myers with the more straightforward play of Soucy. However, the actual execution is likely replete with comedic failures rather than miraculous success, leading to a need for some ground rules: “Thou shalt not end up as a defensive liability.”
### 7 | A Heartwarming Trade Reveal Twist
In a cinematic turn of events, imagine the Canucks announcing a sensical trade, only to have this firework of hope dwindle into an underwhelming result: trading Soucy and Myers merely for each other. This classic twist serves as a reminder of the sometimes painfully ironic nature of sports trades, leaving fans with more questions than answers—an end scene to a sports drama none of us asked for.
### 8 | Sign a Free Agent with a Comedic Twist
Exploring the free-agency market could present the Canucks with some intriguing players. Should they consider veterans like Mark Giordano or Kevin Shattenkirk, they might find themselves with experienced but aging defensemen—players who may be a step slower but still possess a wealth of knowledge and experience. Or, maybe the Canucks take a humorous approach, suggesting that these players might just be two kids in a trench coat trying to pass as legitimate defenders. Whatever the outcome, acquiring someone with hockey IQ could provide the incremental upgrade this struggling defense desperately needs.
### Conclusion
The Vancouver Canucks are at a critical juncture, navigating through the choppy waters of their defensive shortcomings. Whether through patience with current players, bold trades, restructuring defensive pairings, or venturing into free agency, there are numerous approaches at their disposal. Each brings its own set of risks and rewards, echoing the rollercoaster journey of a sports team determined to reshape their identity. The hope is that, through all the brainstorming and trial and error, they will unearth a formula that rises above the chaos—a resilient defense that can stand tall and weather any storm on the ice.
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