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'Cliques Forming': Darren Dreger Fans the Flames of the Vancouver Canucks Locker Room Controversy

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River Hawk
January 18, 2025  (9:45)
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Following his recent appearance on Barn Burner, Darren Dreger has fanned the flames of the Vancouver Canucks controversy by giving listeners an inside look.

There is no denying that the Vancouver Canucks are a shell of their former selves amidst the high tensions between dominant forwards J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson.

The Canucks have failed to maintain a playoff spot after losing seventy-five percent of their games his January, only making matters behind the scenes worse.

As a result of diminishing results, Vancouver head coach Rick Tocchet has had to reduce J.T. Miller's ice time and spread to a four-line strategy.

"We're playing more four lines and I think it's helped our team adjust, not giving the other team as many shots, trying to stay in the game. He wants to play better, he knows it."

Recently, the flames of this controversy started burning even hotter thanks to the inside look provided by TSN NHL Insider Darren Dreger.

On the latest Barn Burner, Darren Dreger updated fans on the Vancouver Canucks locker room situation, sharing the vibes are much like those that existed with the Winnipeg Jets when Blake Wheeler was the kingpin.

"Some of the media assembled here said walking into the Vancouver room had a very similar feel to when the Jets were going through some real tough times with Blake Wheeler at the helm, and this wasn't necessarily Blake's fault, but maybe it gives us a glimpse of where Vancouver is at."

Dreger continued, describing that this issue has become more than just about Pettersson and Miller, but that this division creates cliques that ultimately pull a whole team apart at the seams.

"It's not just about Pettersson and Miller, and nor was it about Wheeler and Scheifele back then, but what happens when you've got situations like that, is it potentially encourages cliques. So now you got three and four players over here, three and four over there, and the team as a group can never kind of find its way to that happy space."

While this insight could be informative, Vancouver fans can only be more upset at how devastating the impact of a two-player feud has had on their season.

With ample time before the trade deadline, the Canucks should be able cut their losses on of these players this season.

However, with the Edmonton Oilers next on the schedule, it could be tricky for Vancouver to regain its footing ahead of time.

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'Cliques Forming': Darren Dreger Fans the Flames of the Vancouver Canucks Locker Room Controversy

Do you agree with Darren Dreger's comparison of J.T. Miller to Blake Wheeler?