Canucks: How Max Sasson is wired to overcome adversity, be a mentor

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Max Sasson knows this game can eat you up.

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The undrafted and versatile Vancouver Canucks forward endured a grind just to get to ‘The Show,’ and knows NHL job security is a fleeting thing. You can be in or out of the lineup on a daily basis — he was scratched Tuesday against the San Jose Jose Sharks — and the coaching staff’s trust is an everyday exercise.

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Add the crushing weight of being the league’s last-place team — stuck in the muck, winning just one of its last 15 games and only 16 of the previous 18 — setting a franchise record for futility with 11-straight losses, and you get a draining Canucks season. For Sasson, who has always been grateful and wired to enjoy the moment, this is something that’s difficult to comprehend.

With a season-long injury list that has grown with the revelation that winger Nils Hoglander suffered a lower-body injury Tuesday, you have to really wonder — what’s next?

“It’s really hard,” Sasson admitted Wednesday following practice. “But it’s the situation we’re in. We’re going to keep showing up and working and getting better. And I’ve dealt with this quite a bit of being in and out of the lineup and it’s never easy. You try to not let it wear on you, but you’re human.

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“But part of being a good pro is being ready and making an impact when you get back in.”

The Canucks are on pace for a 60-point season; the franchise hasn’t sunk that low since amassing just 58 points in 1998-99. It’s that kind of stark reality that tests the bond of the room and the collective resolve to press on and shut out the noise amid trade rumours and change of franchise direction.

“I talk to Tyler Myers and have breakfast with him every day,” said Sasson. “He’s great to me and all of us and gives insight in how we can all get through this and grow as people and hockey players.”

Sasson, 25, has two years left on his contract at US$1 million annually. He believes he can be that bridge to help mentor a young and potential-packed defensive core in Zeev Buium, 20, Tom Willander, 20, and Elias Pettersson, 21, that’s under the development microscope.

That’s where constant communication and even dinners on the road matter more than you think.

“If they’re a little hesitant to go up to the vets, they can talk to me I have experience with the ups and down and love being a resource for whoever wants to talk to me and those three especially,” said the AHL Calder Cup champion. “I lean on the experiences when I thought I would never even be here (NHL) and keep pushing to be a regular.

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“The NHL really didn’t cross my mind until Scott Young (former Canucks director of player personnel and now assistant coach) gave me a call midway through my sophomore year at Western Michigan and it was: ‘Oh, these teams are watching me.’”

Sasson has 19 career NHL points (13-6) in 77 games as a bottom-six staple who can play the middle or wing. His 10 goals this season are product of opportunity meeting production, whether on merit, or getting bumped up the lineup amid injuries. His speed and puck pursuit have been better, which are key components to gain the favour of head coach Adam Foote.

While a promised roster rebuild will resonate with an apathetic Canucks fan base that has been screaming for trades and a youth movement, it doesn’t change the manner in which players approach their craft.

“You never want to be on a team that’s losing, but as players, we never think about a rebuild,” stressed Sasson. “Every day, we’re trying to win and continue to get better and grow. It looks like they want me to be part of the future here and that’s a lot of confidence to push it every day.”

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The bottom line is players are paid to win. To purposely go through the motions and tank to gain a better draft position makes players bristle and there mere though of under performing on any night.

“People from the outside probably don’t know that we’ve worked our whole lives to get to this moment to play in the NHL,” said Sasson. “Guys are pushing to be in your position and not one guy takes playing in this league for granted. Nobody will every tell you that they were trying to tank a game.”

Especially when the road to ‘The Show’ is long with plenty of twists and turns. Sasson’s ascent started when the Birmingham, Mich., native first showed pro potential in three USHL stops.

“I think my last year in junior (Waterloo, USHL) I kind of started believing (NHL), but I always had an inner belief in myself,” stressed Sasson. “And then getting to school (Western Michigan) and skating with better players, I felt I can really do this.”

Sasson has earned trust to be deployed in any situation and responded in the 2022-23 season with 42 points (15-27) in 38 games. He centred the first line and finished 13th in NCAA scoring and averaged 1.11 points per outing.

That caught the Canucks’ attention.

bkuzma@postmedia.com

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