During a recent episode of Halford and Brough, the hosts shared a sentiment that’s becoming harder to ignore: if you want to win in the NHL playoffs, you need a power forward who is hard to play against—someone who brings a blend of physicality, offence, and a little bit of a mean streak. For the Vancouver Canucks, that player might already be in their lineup. His name is Dakota Joshua.
Looking at Joshua’s Time with the Canucks
Joshua is entering his fourth season with the Canucks. In 2023-24, he scored 18 goals and 32 points in just 63 games. This kind of season remains a reminder of the type of physical, two-way contributor he can be when healthy and fully engaged. Last season, his output dropped to seven goals and seven assists in 57 games.
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When evaluating his numbers, keeping two key factors in mind is important. First, the 2024-25 season was a turbulent one for the Canucks. After a strong campaign the year prior, the team took a noticeable step back, marked by internal dissension and inconsistency across the board. That chaos affected everyone’s output, including Joshua’s. Second, Joshua was coming off a battle far more serious than anything on the ice: a cancer diagnosis. His return to game shape took time, and it showed early in the season.
(Photo by Ethan Cairns/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Even so, given his prior season and considering the adversity he faced this past season, Joshua’s perseverance and ongoing impact speak volumes about his character and resilience. In short, he’s a keeper. If he remains healthy, he could be just the kind of player the Canucks – as per Halford and Brough – need to play solid postseason hockey.
Joshua’s Bruising Style Is Built for the Postseason
Joshua’s rise in Vancouver was steady but undeniable. Going back to the 2023-24 season, he became an integral part of the Canucks’ third line that put up impressive numbers in a bottom-six role. Through 63 games, he scored almost 20 goals (18, as noted) and registered a staggering 245 hits. He plays every game like it matters, and his mix of grit and offence makes him invaluable in the kind of tight-checking, emotionally charged games that define the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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