Fourth quarter Dave Pagnotta was asked about the Vancouver Canucks during an interview on TSN Radio in Montreal, not so much about the rift in the locker room but about the team. Can it be a threat to win in the playoffs when getting healthier, and can they add another piece along the way.
Transcribed by NHLRumors.com
Moderator: “The last thing I want to ask is about the Vancouver Canucks. Obviously, they haven't started yet, or they haven't reached the level of last season, but it's still a good team.” team. They remain fourth in the Pacific Region, four points (two) behind the Los Angeles Kings.
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Do you think the return of Tchaichel Demko will propel this team to its peak? Come playoff time, can Thatcher Demko get them back to that form?
Dave Pannotta: “Yeah, it's definitely a factor. I mean, with Demko missing the last five or six games for most of the season, you lose ( JT) Miller, due to his personal absence of about a month, has not played at the level that many (including himself) expected since his return.
Elias Pettersson didn't have that last point, especially, I think he hasn't scored a point in the last six games, he's not playing to the level that he's accustomed to, or eventually these guys are going to get rolling and then again Add in Demko being your number one and it gives Vancouver a lot of ammunition to work with and a lot to play with.
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They are looking to add to their roster. They want to add a top-four defender, even if (Filip) Hronek is out. When he comes back; they still want to expand the blue line and add another defender behind who can play the first four minutes. They still believe almost anything can happen heading into the playoffs. It has nothing to do with positioning. Anything could change for the leading team if they are a few points behind.
So from their perspective, they're dealing with some, yes, they have an internal issue that they have to deal with that they're working through. It's just been polarized by the media, especially in Vancouver, and we see the frustration of having to answer these questions.
But other than that, there's still a lot of talent out there who still know how to get to work and get the job done. I still have confidence in the Canucks. They are a good team. Frankly, I don't think where they stand in the playoff structure matters to them, get in, get the job done, and go from there.
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I think we're going to see better performance from Pettersson and Miller, and Demko, one of the top goaltenders in the league, I mean, we haven't scratched the surface of what he can do this season because it's just a sample, But they will be dangerous in the second half of the season.
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