Canucks: So, Cole McWard could possibly be a factor

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Let’s simply reduce to the chase: might Cole McWard actually begin the season as Quinn Hughes’ defence accomplice?

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The reply, 4 video games into the Vancouver Canucks’ pre-season is clearly “fairly presumably.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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