Emerging Vancouver Canucks leader delivers hopeful message in defeat
You couldn’t fault the Vancouver Canucks for having trouble staying positive these days.
But, losses be damned, they’re trying.
After defeating the defending Stanley Cup champions 5-2 on Tuesday night at Rogers Arena, the Canucks weren’t able to do something that hasn’t happened in more than a year: win consecutive games at Rogers Arena.
Not only did they lose, but it wasn’t all that close.
The Canucks lost 6-2 to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. Even in the third period with the Lightning in cruise control, they still managed to score twice on Kevin Lankinen.
It was a night where the Canucks were completely outmatched.
But even in the darkest of days, new leaders can emerge.
The Canucks look like they might have one right now in Marco Rossi. The 24-year-old centre had two assists in this contest and now has nine points in the last four games.
That stands out on a Canucks team where no player has more than eight points in the team’s last 15 games, aside from Rossi’s winger, Brock Boeser.
More importantly, the young centre sounds like a potential leader on a Canucks team in need of players to step up.
“It’s important to stay positive,” Rossi said after the loss. “You know, you’re going to have some nights like that, but it’s important just to learn from the mistakes.”
The Austrian centre was also asked if it’s tough to stay positive with where the team is at right now.
He took that as an opportunity to talk up his relatively new teammates.
“It’s a good locker room,” he said. “We know in what situation we’re in.”
“It’s important to be together, because everyone is on the same boat… just do the best and try to learn as a group as much as we can.”
If there’s anyone who might know a thing or two about staying positive during tough times, it’s probably Rossi.
As a prospect with the Wild, Rossi missed nearly a year of hockey due to myocarditis, a heart condition that stemmed from contracting COVID-19.
He overcame the heart condition, which had the potential to be career-threatening at one point, and has proven to be a useful top-six NHL contributor.
That was evident on Thursday night, as he had a role in both Canucks goals. Rossi set up his former Minnesota Wild teammate, Liam Ćhgren, for the Canucks’ first goal of the game.
Let it fly, Liam. šÆ pic.twitter.com/QgnpTPKCDe
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) March 20, 2026
“He’s a really fast guy, and his shot is really good, so it’s nice to see that he’s going,” Rossi said.
Andrei Vasilevskiy then robbed Rossi in the third period before Linus Karlsson batted the rebound home.
Teamwork! š¤ pic.twitter.com/YmAtjrewrp
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 20, 2026
The Canucks might not win many of their final 14 games, but it looks like they’ve found a player in Rossi.
And potentially a new leader for the locker room as the Canucks usher in a new era.