‘Trying to Find His Identity’ – Rick Tocchet Opens Up on Cutting Nils Hoglander From Lineup
Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet has opened up to the media on why he is scratching forward Nils Hoglander from the lineup for the 2nd consecutive game.
It has been clear since the first game of the 2024-2025 NHL season that Nils Hoglander has not been head coach Rick Tocchet’s favorite player, constantly playing him in the bottom-6, even making him sit in the grand stands a few times.
Head Coach Rick Tocchet Comments on Forward Nils Hoglander’s Game
Whether it is the lack of opportunity by Tocchet, or the lack of confidence in his own game, Hoglander has now gone 21 straight games with out a point, which has led to Rick Tocchet scratching him from the lineup this evening against the Ottawa Senators.
Now that he has two straight games being a healthy scratch, Tocchet spoke to the media to discuss what he see’s out of Hoglander’s game, and that, he as the head coach, has to take some responsibility as well, as they both search for the answers to get him to the next level.
At just 22-years-old, Hoglander had strong campaign last season, scoring 24 even-strength goals, which led to the conversation of him being the next rising star for the Nucks.
Canucks fans are hoping that the holiday break is going to provide the rest and reset Hoglander needs to find his game again, and to prove to Tocchet that he can be trusted to produce.
