New details on why the Vancouver Canucks are healthy scratching their most productive player in December
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
The Vancouver Canucks understand they are in no position to make the playoffs, but Aatu Raty has been one of their most productive players this season, and yet Adam Foote refuses to put him in the lineup, and favours David Kampf over him.
Kampf has been pointless in 13 games with the club, and he's playing a top six role, while Raty is the best 5v5 forward the team has.
"The Vancouver Canucks posted on X a clip of a very happy Raty, after recording 3 points. 2 goals and 1 assist. Raty was struggling mightily before this game, as he was playing way out of his depth, due to the lack of center depth of the Canucks."-Stinson
Why isn't Aatu Raty playing for the Vancouver Canucks?
Trevor Beggs from the Daily Hive reported on lack of opportunity Raty has received from the Canucks, it doesn't make much sense as he has the most points in December, and is the most effective 5v5 player on the team.
"Since Dec. 1, Räty leads all Canucks skaters with five points. Sure, it's not an overly impressive number, especially considering that three of those points came in the same game. However, that offensive production is better than any other Canucks skater this month. Not to mention, he had two other goals that were disallowed, and one of those probably should have counted."-Beggs
Foote prefers Kampf, because of his defence and face off winning capabilities, but he is playing a top six role with no points, if you want to keep the defence and face offs, you put him on the third line, and Raty should be on the more offensive second line.
"Outside of his production in December, Räty has flat-out been the Canucks most productive player at five-on-five this season. The 23-year-old leads all Canucks with 11 five-on-five points. That ties him with Filip Hronek for the team lead. However, Räty has played about half as many minutes at five-on-five."-Beggs
The Canucks know they aren't making the playoffs this year, but their goal now is to develop their young players, and not playing Raty is the opposite of that. He is one of the teams most promising young talents, yet he gets no ice-time. Eventually he'll just not want to play for the Canucks and sign elsewhere once he has the chance to leave. The Canucks have nothing to lose, so let the young guys make their mistakes and learn when nothing is on the line.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 19|2283 ANSWERS New details on why the Vancouver Canucks are healthy scratching their most productive player in December Should Aatu Raty play as a top-six forward for the Vancouver Canucks over David Kampf? | ||
| Yes | 1709 | 74.9 % |
| No | 574 | 25.1 % |
| List of polls | ||