Adam Foote on Canucks’ systems: ‘We’re going to be adaptable’

On the eve of his first training camp as an NHL head coach, Adam Foote was open about the kind of Vancouver Canucks team he wants to build this season. But he’s not leaning towards any particular style of play; he wants them all.

What Foote wants is a team that’s adaptable to every situation.

“For me, we want to be able to adapt against our opponents,” Foote said. “I can’t sit here and say we’re gonna be a rush team or a dump and chase team. We’re going to be a team that adapts to our opponents [and] make them feel uncomfortable.

“We’re not going to get caught playing one way. That’s not the way I want to approach that.”

Adaptability in the NHL is a fine line to balance. Being able to match up against any team is crucial to winning. Doing so without allowing opponents to dictate the pace of play is the hard part — Foote’s aware of that fact, and what to expect from the players he has.

“There’s going to be nights where we’re going to have to defend maybe a little bit longer or be above some speed through the neutral zone,” Foote said. “But we’re going to play consistent hockey as far as a unit of five, our goaltending unit of six, we’re going to play as a team. And we’ll have the buy-in with this group to be able to adapt.”

Foote pointed to his experiences playing in Colorado and with Team Canada as examples of rosters that could adapt to the teams they were facing. Playing alongside the likes of Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, and Rob Blake gave him a first-hand perspective on what that adaptability entailed.

“We’re going to be a team that if I’m defending against a heavier player, I’ve got to make sure 50% of my body is ahead of him at all times, right? If I’m going against speed, [Pavel] Bure’s on the far blue line, I’ve got to be aware of him so he doesn’t beat us,” Foote said. “We’ll adapt as a group to the opponents we play. We will have our systems in check.”

As an assistant coach under Rick Tocchet, Foote watched as Tocchet’s very defence-heavy structure came at the cost of the team’s offensive attack. Many games last season ended with the Canucks on the wrong side of the scoresheet, the shots on goal totals, and the possession metrics.

While Foote was careful not to put labels on his team, he did feel comfortable saying the Canucks’ skills getting back to their own end are something he wants to improve further. “We’re a great defending team, but I think we can get back quicker, with numbers,” Foote said. “Where we can strike, say, 2 versus 3 in our end, or 2 versus 4. We can get better at striking faster.”

Foote didn’t mention as much about what to do about the offensive zone, but his expectation of improving the team’s odd-man rushes could translate to both ends.

“Good teams make you feel like they’ve got an extra player on the ice,” Foote said. “And that’s just working away from the puck, and I call it numbers. We’re going to try to do that in most zones.”