For the second time this week, the rookie from Ohio State discovered himself in a Huge Ten defensive pairing together with his captain.
Article content material
Let’s simply reduce to the chase: might Cole McWard actually begin the season as Quinn Hughes’ defence accomplice?
Commercial 2
Article content material
The reply, 4 video games into the Vancouver Canucks’ pre-season is clearly “fairly presumably.”
Article content material
For the second time this week, the rookie from Ohio State discovered himself in a Huge Ten defensive pairing together with his captain.
And increasingly more, he’s wanting like a surprisingly good match.
He nonetheless has warts in his recreation, like getting caught flat footed when there’s a fast turnover — comprehensible, given he’s nonetheless adjusting to the NHL recreation — however he’s additionally received some intriguing strengths, like making some fairly clear exit passes and a artful capability to make use of his attain to disrupt the opposite staff’s zone exits.
Taking part in with Hughes is each arduous — and easy. He performs the sport at extraordinary tempo, however should you can ship him the puck constantly, it’s actually not sophisticated.
Canucks Report
Article content material
Commercial 3
Article content material
McWard is aware of this.
“I believe I simply received to learn off him. Again him up and provides him the puck as a lot as attainable. He’s an incredible participant and may do some fairly loopy issues with it. So simply making an attempt to maintain my head up and transfer the puck over to him,” the rookie instructed reporters earlier this week when requested how his recreation compliments Hughes’.
When head coach Rick Tocchet was requested about placing the 2 collectively in observe on Tuesday, he mentioned it was as a result of he wished to see how McWard dealt with the tempo. And in addition admitted there was one thing of a “hey you by no means know” aspect to the thought as effectively.
“There’s plenty of good tales on the market. I’m not saying it may well occur for him. However you understand, have a look at John Marino with Pittsburgh, he got here from nowhere. And he had an incredible 12 months (in 2019-20). So these items can occur,” he mentioned.
Commercial 4
Article content material
Tocchet additionally mentioned it might very effectively end up that Hughes performs with a rotation of companions throughout a recreation.
As an example on Saturday evening, Hughes would play with Filip Hronek for the shift after a penalty kill.
Now, McWard did take a trio of penalties within the first two durations, two of them of the chasing-the-game form, one a visit, the opposite a maintain. (He additionally was whistled for cross-checking however what defenceman hasn’t?)
He’s a piece in progress. Possibly this doesn’t quantity to something within the brief time period. Possibly it is a long run play. Possibly that is all only a holding sample till Ethan Bear recovers from his shoulder surgical procedure and does actually re-sign in Vancouver.
No matter it’s…it seems to be one thing.
Commercial 5
Article content material
Really useful from Editorial
-
Canucks: How presence powers Quinn Hughes’ captaincy
-
Kraken 3, Canucks 1: Vancouver’s pre-season lurches ahead
-
Canucks fan mailbag: Workforce depth, did Tocchet be taught one thing in Calgary, and Höglander’s function
Bookmark our web site and help our journalism: Don’t miss the information you could know — add VancouverSun.com and TheProvince.com to your bookmarks and join our newsletters right here.
You may as well help our journalism by turning into a digital subscriber: For simply $14 a month, you may get limitless, ad-lite entry to The Vancouver Solar, The Province, Nationwide Publish and 13 different Canadian information websites. Assist us by subscribing at present: The Vancouver Solar | The Province.
Article content material
Feedback
Postmedia is dedicated to sustaining a energetic however civil discussion board for dialogue and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Feedback could take as much as an hour for moderation earlier than showing on the location. We ask you to maintain your feedback related and respectful. We now have enabled e-mail notifications—you’ll now obtain an e-mail should you obtain a reply to your remark, there’s an replace to a remark thread you observe or if a consumer you observe feedback. Go to our Neighborhood Pointers for extra data and particulars on the right way to modify your e-mail settings.