Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Bieksa: ‘a lot of differences’ between Torts’ system and old one

Kevin Bieksa

According to Vancouver defenseman Kevin Bieksa, there are “a lot of differences” between the system the Canucks employed for years under head coach Alain Vigneault and the one they’re currently learning under new bench boss John Tortorella.

Per The Province, Bieksa says the Canucks will play “more or less... a zone coverage” in the defensive end now, as opposed to man-on-man pressure. “So it’s being patient and taking care of your responsibilities.”

On offense, Bieksa says, “We’re going to need more pressure on the forecheck. We played fast last year but this is going to be a little more aggressive style.”

In terms of X’s and O’s, the style the Canucks play under Tortorella will be interesting to watch. Because for all the focus there’s been on shot-blocking, that’s just one aspect.

Also remember, the way Tortorella had the Rangers playing was a big reason he was fired, according to general manager Glen Sather, who believed, among other things, that his players were dumping the puck in too much under Tortorella.

Related: Apparently Glen Sather and Mike Gillis don’t see the game evolving the same way