Preface: Before going on in this prediction, I'd like to state something that I haven't yet gotten to in the Minnesota, Edmonton, or Colorado previews.
The division standings at the bottom of the previews don't have points for a reason—I'm refraining from deciding how good or bad a team does with a solid numeric value, because none of us know.
It's fun to sepculate position within the division, but to be honest, all five teams in one division could make the playoffs, making a "how many points are they going to get" aspect, redundant.
Just because I rank a team fourth or fifth, doesn't mean that I'm assuming they won't be competitive—some of the most competitive teams are the ones that suffer through the worst seasons.
Anyway, back to the task at hand...
Can anyone imagine the Vancouver Canucks any differently?
For a very long time, the "Mother Canuckers" have had the same system of leadership heading up their team. Now, management has decided that it's time for a change.
The players designated as the "leaders" last season couldn't return the 'Nucks to the promise land, so why not try to get younger, and develop leadership from within?
Well, I don't know how well that'll go, but good on the Canucks for trying.
Roster Additions: Kyle Wellwood-F (F.A.), Steve Bernier-F (Trade/Sign), Pavol Demitra-F (F.A.), Nolan Baumgartner-D (F.A.)
Roster Subtractions: Brad Isbister-F (F.A.), Aaron Miller-D (F.A.), Markus Naslund-F (F.A.), Brenden Morrison-F (F.A.), Trevor Linden-F ( Retirement), Luc Bourdon-D (Deceased)
How did 2007/08 go? 39-33-10, 88 points, 11th in Conference, last in Northwest division
2008/09 Goal: Top Ten in Conference, Make the playoffs
Let's break'er down...
For the Vancouver Canucks, last season was just a repeat of all the troubles that have dogged this franchise since the lockout ended.
Since 2000/01, the Canucks had made the playoffs every single season. Then the lockout hit. Following the lockout, the Canucks have only seen post season action once in the past three seasons, and they’ve become one of the more dogged franchises in the NHL, and the 2008/09 season may be just as troublesome.
Well, at least we’ve got Roberto…
One of the premier netminders in the NHL will be back on the West Coast for a third straight year.
After appearing in 149 games over the past two seasons, Roberto Luongo will be back between the pipes for the Vancouver Canucks, looking to lead the team back to the post season as he did in his first season on the west coast.
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2 months ago
Beautiful! Last place! I hope you're right in your analysis of Vancouver.
2 months ago
And people told me I was crazy when I picked Vancouver to be last!!! Go BT!!!!
from 2 months ago
Go BT!!!
2 months ago
I don't think the roster is set,yet. Even if they start the year with the current players there are bound to be some moves made as they asess the team. The danger is making a wrong move that compromises the future of the franchise. Trading away picks or prospects isn't the way to go. Trading roster players can only be done if there is sufficient depth. None of those options seem viable. The nine or so million left might be used to absorb cast-offs from other teams, but expendable players are expendable for a reason. Since the Canucks appear to be rebuilding it makes sense to cash in diminishing assets. The Canucks know this. I would try to be supportive of a youth movement, even if it means some really painful subtractions.
2 months ago
looks like the canucks need a toronto'esque style of rebuilding... maybe fletcher can move in there after he is done demolishing the leafs.
I feel fairly confident in agreeing with you putting vancouver last in their division. Edmonton and Calgary have both improved their teams (and were both better than vancouver to start with anyways) while Minnesotta has lost a lot of talent (still better than Vancouver though) and Colorado is a perrenial middle of the packer at worst (still better than Vancouver though).
I wouldn't be surprised to see L.A. finishing over Vancouver this year...
Wellwood is going to put on a nice show before he gets injured in the first 2 months of the season, god is that guy slick...
2 months ago
I'm personally quite excited to see Bernier play with the Sedins. I think he's the guy they've been waiting for and would be surprised if they all don't have career years.
As for the second line, a combination of Raymond/Wellwood/Demitra/Pyatt is far from horrible. Are we going to be scoring lights out? No, but both those two lines are an improvement over last year IMO and we still have $10m to make trades/acquisitions with at some point this year. Do we contend for a cup without that as yet to be named guy?...Not likely but IMO we'll be right in the dogfight with most of the rest of the division to at least make the playoffs.
I don't think your giving the D enough credit either. Ohlund's a horse and not remotely a concern. Bieksa had a freak injury last year, you can't honestly believe he's likely to have another lacerated calf. Quite frankly most of the D had freak problems last year that would be ludicrous to think would repeat this year. The loss of Bourdon is certainly unfortunate both for the team and in terms of life but we still have enough D depth to make a trade and still have a great unit IMO especially with the other depth signing we've made this summer. It's far from "depleted and defeated". The only real question mark I see is Krajicek and if he can't step up, Davison, Baumer or Nycholat will take his spot.
from 2 months ago
The "depleted and defeated" was more in reference to the emotional stress that's left on the defensive unit from the Bourdon tragedy. I'm also looking at a lot of their defensemen having to recover from injury, which is why I left more questions than predictions there—no one honestly knows how the shoulders, knees, or legs are going to heal coming into this season, while Bieksa's contract was in question long before he lacerated his calf, as he's still fairly unproven.
Thanks for reading Jason!
BT
2 months ago
I'd like to see how long before Luongo snaps at the media. He showed signs of frustration toward the end of last season, when his mates kept letting him down... And there are no real "leaders" on this team anymore since Linden, Naslund, and Morrison are gone.
And the Sedins are not the raw-raw types of leaders in the dressing room. It'd be interesting to see who'll be speaking to reporters on a daily basis as the losses pile up. ;-)
2 months ago
i think the northwest is probably the hardest division to call. but i think that the canucks may POSSIBLY surprise people this year. with a strong young healthy defense one of the best goalies in the league, and young players like wellwood and bernier living up too their potential the canucks may not be such a push over has many think.
then consider the 11 mil or so gilles is looking to spend this could be huge if used wisely and the right players come available. i,m not predicting a great season for the canucks just seems to me they could be riding a fence between a great teem or a stinker.
2 months ago
Sadly I think that the biggest question mark that remains (and the one that few address) for the Canucks is behind the bench. Vigneault has created a one dimensional system based solely on his defensive "system", last year with all the injuries to the back end we saw how limiting that can be.
Unless Vigneault is able to adjust with the players he has to a more two way game the Canucks will continue to be one of the most uninspiring teams to watch in the league. As Canucks fans, too often last year we were forced to watch the team get a lead and then collapse into a defensive shell instead of pushing the forecheck. Instead it was one man deep and everyone else skating backwards.
I agree there are several unknown quantities on this team. Can Demitra anchor a solid second line? Have Wellwood and Bernier turned the corner and learned what is required to be everyday players? Can Mason Raymond and Kesler step up and deliver? Will Burrows continue to develop?
Those are alot of questions for a young hockey team but if the answer is yes to most of them, the Canucks will be much better than most are giving the credit for.
At the end of the day it will be the coach's responsibility to put these young guys in a position to succeed. If he choses to play a system of stifling defense (as he has in the past) I expect that the Canucks players and fans will lose confidence (not to mention interest) sometime by mid-season. If that happens look for the "rebuilding" to take on more of an "imploding" look as we see an exodus of "key assets" before the trade deadline.
from 2 months ago
AV is not the problem. He plays the same system Pittsburgh does , puck possesion. We had plenty of chances last year but few people with the skill to finish them and the few we had didn't have line mates to help them get the puck in the net. So when you haven't got the offensive players to play an offensive puck possession game and finish chances you play a more defensive possession game because you have to based on your personnel . Now if your D has a bunch of freak injuries and your star goalie is distracted by his wife's complicated pregnancy you get a bad season.
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