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Analysts Ask: Are the Vancouver Canucks Falling Apart?

After the Vancouver Canucks lost to the Los Angeles Kings last night, analysts are asking whether the team is falling apart. Is it?

by
Old Prof
January 17, 2025

Over the last ten games (and perhaps even before that), why have the Vancouver Canucks begun to fall apart? From my perspective, I have to wonder if the team is imploding. For a team with as much talent as they have (including J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson) to put up a home record of 7-9-2 and go 2-5-3 over their last ten games seems unacceptable. It just isn’t good enough. Now, it seems the team is falling apart. At least, that’s the question asked in a recent discussion by Halford and Brough as they talked through the Canucks’ struggles.

After last night’s game, the two hosts shared their disappointment over the Canucks’ loss to the Los Angeles Kings. They had one name for the team’s current situation – bizarre. In fact, they seem to believe that what’s going on with the franchise is one of the sorriest times in its current history.

Miller Is a Team Liability, and Pettersson’s Struggles Continue

Their analysis focused on the struggles of two of the team’s top stars, Miller and Pettersson. What the heck is going on with the internal dynamics of this team? And to what extent are these contributing to the team’s alarming slide?

Miller was once an offensive leader for the Canucks. However, last night’s game seems to suggest he’s checking out and has become a distraction on and off the ice. His recent play has been underwhelming. Perhaps even worse, his actions and presence have reportedly caused friction within the team.

Despite his leadership role, large contract, and the organization’s commitment to him, Miller’s play has dropped off a cliff. That fact raises concerns about what his impact on team morale might be. Is his overall performance and presence positive or negative? Are the Canucks at a point they’d like to move on from the problem?

There's some smoke out there that the Devils are really kicking the tires on JT Miller.
— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) January 17, 2025

Elias Pettersson, another cornerstone of the Canucks’ lineup, continues to struggle offensively. His slump dates back nearly a year, beginning around the All-Star break, and shows little improvement. Although he performed slightly better than Miller in the recent game, his lack of production remains a major issue for a player with a significant financial commitment in a salary-capped league.

A Fractured Locker Room, Coaching Uncertainty, and Organizational Mismanagement

There’s speculation about a strained relationship between the players and head coach Rick Tocchet. Could this be a possible explanation for the Canucks’ struggles? If there is a disconnect between the coaching staff and key players, it might contribute to a disjointed, unmotivated team. Halford and Brough suggested that when looking for an explanation for the team’s poor showing, internal problems inside the “room” might be more to blame than external issues like injuries or roster depth.

Many fans and analysts believe the Canucks’ current problems stem from organizational mismanagement. Failure to address internal conflicts and the lack of proactive measures to stabilize the team have allowed issues to spiral out of control. According to growing sentiment, the blame lies with the organization for not taking decisive action to correct the team’s course.

Elias Pettersson Canucks injury — Elias Pettersson Canucks

The Big Question: Can the Canucks Recover or Are They Toast?

The Canucks seem to be at a crossroads with Pettersson and Miller. The organization faces tough decisions with their top stars underperforming and potential locker room discord festering. Is there enough time to salvage the season even if the team can regroup and clean up its internal issues? That would probably depend on how quickly and effectively management, coaching, and players can address these internal issues.

Right now, the play on the ice and the rumors off the ice suggest that the organization’s leadership is failing the test. If they fail to resolve these problems soon, the Canucks’ season could slip away. If that happens, it would mark one of the most disappointing chapters in the franchise’s story.

Is this Canucks team falling apart? The truth is that, right now, we can’t quite know. Sadly, the indications on and off the ice seem to lean toward a Yes answer. How sad is that?