Aatu Raty, a young center for the Vancouver Canucks, is in need of a reset, according to his coach. This assessment comes after Raty was benched during the final moments of the Canucks' 5-4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. The win was characterized as enjoyable and somewhat fortunate, largely due to the standout performance of goalie Nikita Tolopilo.

Coach Adam Foote mentioned after practice that Raty might benefit from watching a game or two from the press box. "Take a step back and look from up top … you want to do it without breaking their confidence," Foote said. The coaching staff relied heavily on their top players during the game, which limited the ice time for the lower lines. As the game progressed, fourth-line center Max Sasson began taking shifts away from Raty, who had initially played on the third line alongside Drew O’Connor and Kiefer Sherwood.

Sasson returned to practice with O’Connor and Sherwood on Wednesday. He has been one of the Canucks' more effective two-way players this season, contributing responsibly despite limited minutes. However, questions remain about his ability to maintain this level of play against stronger competition. Earlier in the season, Sasson struggled while centering the second line but may find renewed success with O’Connor and Sherwood.

The Canucks are still grappling with a significant issue: the absence of a true No. 2 center. David Kampf, who was signed last weekend, has performed adequately but is primarily a defensive player with limited offensive capabilities. In his first four games, Kampf has been on the ice for three five-on-five goals against, a statistic that mirrors the struggles of many of his teammates. Like Sasson, he is being asked to perform beyond his natural role.

To address this gap, the Canucks need to identify a two-way center who can elevate the play of Kampf, Raty, and Sasson, allowing them to fill more suitable roles. This need aligns with comments made by Jim Rutherford earlier this week, emphasizing the team's goal to get younger. While management has not abandoned its pursuit of a second-line center, the criteria for potential candidates may have shifted. The focus may now be on finding a younger player who has the potential to develop into a second-line center.

One such player considered was Lukas Reichel, who has been a prolific scorer at lower levels but has yet to translate that success to the NHL. Reichel has been absent from the lineup for a week and skated as the fourth-line center during Wednesday's practice. However, his previous stint in Chicago showed limited opportunities to play center, raising doubts about his fit with the Canucks. The organization appears to have reached a similar conclusion as Chicago: Reichel lacks the necessary speed of thought for offensive production and the defensive instincts that the other centers possess.

In the long run, the Canucks must find a suitable player to fill the second-line center position. Until that gap is addressed, the team may struggle to achieve its playoff aspirations.