Canucks' Tocchet shares conversation with Höglander after season-low ice time
Nils Höglander hasn’t been at his best for the Vancouver Canucks lately.
The Swedish forward has just two goals and five points in 14 games so far this season. He’s been bumped down the lineup and is skating on the fourth line. He played fewer than 10 minutes last game.
“He came up to me this morning,” explained coach Tocchet today. “He goes, ‘Tocc, I’m not playing good for you,’ and I told him, ‘Well, I’ve got to get you more ice time.’ So I think it’s a give and take.”
Höglander scored 24 goals last season but is on pace for just 11 this year. His shooting percentage has dipped from 20% to 10.5%, which is part of the reason he’s not scoring as much. Tocchet has also not been impressed with some of the decisions the forward has made.
While he’s made his share of mistakes, the 23-year-old also hasn’t had much of a chance to get settled. He’s bounced all over the lineup, playing with a variety of centres and in different roles.
“I take some responsibility with that,” continued Tocchet about Höglander’s play. “I’ve got to get him out there. I think he needs a few more minutes.”
“Has he made some tough decisions that I’ve not liked without the puck? [Yeah] but he’s a kid that I’ve got to take responsibility. I’ve got to coach him better. I think it’s on me to get him out there more often.”
Tocchet has Höglander set to play with the returning Dakota Joshua and Aatu Räty tonight. That line looks like they could be very effective on the forecheck and create some opportunities.
The Canucks handed the Swedish forward a new three-year deal back at the start of October that will cost $3 million against the cap. That contract kicks in next season, and the organization will want him to contribute much more than he is right now.