'I'm Trusting Him Now': Nils Hoglander's Path To Rick Tocchet's Top Six

One player who has stepped up for the Vancouver Canucks over the last few weeks has been Nils Höglander. After a tough start to the season where he was constantly playing under ten minutes a night and even was relegated to the press box on occasion, the Canucks winger has improved his game and is now a staple in the team's top six. While the promotion to the second line is impressive, the real accomplishment has been earning head coach Rick Tocchet's trust as he has improved his play at both ends of the ice. 

Trust is a major factor between coaches and players, whether in junior or the NHL. If a coach doesn't trust a certain player, it could mean low minutes or even a seat in the press box. As Tocchet explains, Höglander's recent strong play has helped build that level of trust to the point where he gets more ice time and a shot on the teams' second line. 

"It's the coach-player relationship," said Tocchet. I know if I can trust Hoggy (Höglander), he's gonna play, and I'm trusting him now. He's making the right play. If you watch him, near the end of the shift, he's at the blue line, the puck goes deep, and he gets off. Maybe early season, he would try a spin-o-rama, or he wouldn't get in deep and try a high-risk play. That's the coach's relationship with a player, that trust. If I can trust him, he's gonna get more minutes. So, hopefully, we can continue that relationship. I can trust him, and he continues to meet me, I always say, at the 50-yard line. We're meeting at the middle, and I still want him to be creative. I mean, I don't want him not to. I don't want him to dump pucks in. I've said if there's a chance to go, go, but the game management part of his game, it has to always be on high alert."

As mentioned, Höglander has been promoted to the second line beside J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser. In the three games since joining the line, he has three points and has seen an increase of almost four minutes compared to the rest of his season. It is also clear that Tocchet trusts him as he hasn't been bumped off that line, which is often tasked with shutting down the opposition's top players. From his forecheck to how he can protect the puck, the head coach is very happy with the growth of his young winger. 

"I think his forechecking ability is really helping Milzy (Miller) and Boes (Boeser). He's a dog-on-the-bone type of player, but more than that. I mean, obviously, his defensive game has gotten better. He's still he's still striving to be better. I had him out there last couple of minutes of the period, but his puck protection has been the best I've seen since I've been here. I didn't know Hoggy much until this year. I would say the last week or two, when he has the puck, his puck protection has been really good. If you watch him, he really dials in, and he holds on to pucks. He's not losing pucks like he did early in the season, and I think that's a big part of his game for a small guy like that to hold pucks in. I'm not comparing him to Marty St-Louis, but I will compare his last couple of weeks; he's protecting the puck as a small guy and coming out of the hole like Marty used to do all the time. So now, is it sustainable, and can he do it all the time? That's the next thing, but for me, that's what he's really worked on, especially with the twins. They've really helped him on the puck protection part of the game."

As for Höglander, his goal is to keep improving his game. He understands how valuable it is to have earned the coach's trust and wants to do everything he can to maintain it. A big part of that is his play in the defensive zone, which he points out has been an area he has worked on all season.

"Just be comfortable in some positions out there," said Höglander. "Like in the zone on the walls and win those battles in the D-zone, so be comfortable with that."

Höglander also pointed out the importance of short shifts, which Tocchet has spoken about multiple times over the past week. When asked about shorter shifts, he responded, "I think the biggest key is not to be selfish. Just get refreshed guys out there and change on time." His commitment to the team and the coach's message will ensure that his trust level remains and that he continues to see elevated minutes for the rest of the season. 

The most encouraging part about Höglander's development this season is his willingness to put in the work needed to become a better all-around player. Whether it is working with the coaching staff during optional practices or something as simple as making sure his shifts aren't too long, he continues to improve day after day and is proving to be a valuable asset to the Canucks. While his journey to the top six hasn't been easy, he has earned this opportunity and, based on the last few games, should be a mainstay alongside Miller and Boeser for the foreseeable future.