Rick Tocchet Reveals True Feelings Towards Elias Pettersson & How Adam Foote Can Turn Him Around
Photo credit: TSN
Former Vancouver Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet revealed the advice he shared with new Head Coach Adam Foote regarding Swedish forward Elias Pettersson.
The Vancouver Canucks will have a new Head Coach behind the bench next season after promoting Adam Foote earlier this week and while he's been with the organization since January 2023, it'll be his first time as a bench boss in the NHL, which comes with a lot more responsibilities.
Along with trying to help the Vancouver Canucks return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which will be a tough ask in his first year, Adam Foote will also be tasked with getting Swedish forward Elias Pettersson back on track after a tough 2024-25 campaign.
Rick Tocchet reveals advice he gave to Adam Foote regarding Elias Pettersson
After being officially introduced officially introduced as Philadelphia's Head Coach on Friday afternoon, Rick Tocchet spoke with reporters where he touched on how to handle Elias Pettersson next season.
Tocchet reportedly told Adam Foote to connect with Elias Pettersson, to help him get better on a daily basis and even have an itinerary of things to work on with him, such as 15-20 minutes of power play practice, etc.
"Have an itinerary for the day. When Petey walks in the door and we have our hands on him, give him a plan: this guy's gonna work with you for 15-20 minutes on the power-play side-wall. Then this is going to happen. And so on." Tocchet said.
He went on to add, "Footie, he's going to have a fresh start with Petey. Footie was the defence coach, they didn't have a lot to do with each other outside of the penalty kill."
He went on to add, "Footie, he's going to have a fresh start with Petey. Footie was the defence coach, they didn't have a lot to do with each other outside of the penalty kill."
Communication is key between coaches and players and it'll be important for Adam Foote to develop a strong relationship with Elias Pettersson for a number of reasons as he's the team's most important forward and he'll be relied on heavily as their first line centerman, along with being on the first power play unit and on the penalty kill.
Pettersson, 26, is coming off his worst season statistically, aside from the COVID-shortened 2021 campaign, as he registered 45 points (15 goals, 30 assists), 14 penalty minutes and was a minus-ten in 64 games.
The Sundsvall, Sweden native finished the season strong, with ten points in 11 games in March, before suffering an injury that unfortunately ended his year early.
A fresh start under a new Head Coach could be exactly what Elias Pettersson needs next season and hopefully this summer, he'll be training hard and will return to Vancouver ready and motivated to become the best player he can be and potentially, hit the 100-point mark once again.
Source: The Province/Patrick Johnston
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