It has been a busy two days in Penticton as the Vancouver Canucks are halfway through training camp, and General Manager Ryan Johnson joined the podcast with host Chris Faber to discuss what he’s seeing at camp.
Johnson knows his head coach, Manny Malhotra, well from their time in Abbotsford, and he likes what he’s seen from the bench boss at this year’s camp.
“He’s been excellent. I know him and the entire staff, and one of the focal points of us getting to where we want to be as a team and an organization is taking the focus off of the wins and losses, and starting with every day of practice,” said Johnson. “Not just on the ice, but everything that comes with it. And I think Manny has delivered that, and the players are accepting that that’s where our focus needs to be if we’re going to get to where we want to go.”
The two discuss the Canucks’ evolving environment, and how Johnson wants his players to feel good about coming to the rink every day, be themselves, and feel supported.
“Right out of the gates, all I’ve asked them [to do] is be vulnerable, be willing to get uncomfortable, and be okay with it and handle it however you feel to the person that you are. I really am encouraging guys to be comfortable in their own skin and know that we’re not going to ask an introvert to be an alpha,” said Johnson.
“We’re not trying to change people. We’re trying to change your habits, maybe change how you look at things, how you approach a dressing room, how you look at your teammates and treat your teammates or trainers, and challenge them in those ways. But to do it in the comfort of your own skin, and I think guys are feeling that, understanding that out of the gates very quickly.”
Johnson discusses his working relationship with the Sedins and how the desire to bring the Canucks back to being a premier NHL team is personal.
He also talks about having first priority on the waiver wire, working in the community, the 2027 draft class, development of young players, and much more!
