Rinkside Report: Signs of life for a Canucks team in transition

It's been a season to forget for the Vancouver Canucks, but lately, there have been signs of improvement.

After a season defined by losses and a blockbuster trade, there are signs of life for the Vancouver Canucks.

Elias Pettersson snapped a scoring drought that stretched more than two months, netting two goals in a 5–2 win over the Florida Panthers Tuesday night. The performance comes during a difficult season for the team’s highest‑paid player, who has struggled to meet expectations.

“Nice to get a bounce to go the right way,” Pettersson said. “But I’m just trying to play the right way. I know I still have a lot to do to be where I want to be, but definitely nice to see it go in there.”

Head coach Adam Foote says Pettersson’s recent production reflects a shift in his approach rather than his skill.

“I don’t think it’s about necessarily his skill set,” Foote said. “I think he’s just working on his work ethic. He comes out early, he goes on the bike after games. He’s changed this whole mindset.”

While the team hopes the 27‑year‑old regains his all‑star form, Pettersson is on pace for one of the worst statistical seasons of his career. But fans appear to be behind the polarizing forward, chanting “Let’s Go Petey” throughout the arena.

Meanwhile, centre Marco Rossi appears to have found his stride after a slow start with the club. Rossi dealt with injuries early in the season and had to adjust to a new team after being acquired in the blockbuster trade with Minnesota. The 24‑year‑old has seven points in his last three games and has found success alongside linemates Brock Boeser and Liam Ohgren, forming what is now being called the BRO Line, an acronym of the players’ last names.

“I mean, it’s clicking,” Rossi said. “Game by game, it’s always getting better. The chemistry is coming. It’s important. I want to bring something different to the line.”

Ohgren, who was also acquired from Minnesota in the Quinn Hughes trade, believes Rossi is starting to feel at home.

“It’s been tough for sure this year, with the trade and the injuries,” Ohgren said. “But I think he’s been working hard to get back to his best form, and I think he’s close to that.”

Despite sitting last in the NHL standings with less than a month remaining in the season, Foote says he’s seeing signs of progress.

“You can feel the momentum changing,” he said. “The feel in the locker room is different. The energy on the ice in practice is different.”

The Canucks host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday.