Few teams in the NHL can say they have been as busy during this offseason as the Vancouver Canucks. The winds of change have swept through this organization from the top down, almost as soon as they were eliminated from playoff contention. Over the past couple months, the team has emerged with a new identity(ish) and hopes to get back into the playoffs next season.
The question is, have they done enough?
As we continue in our “5 Things” series, let’s take a look at the pride of the North West, the Vancouver Canucks.
1. Was Last Year Just An Anomaly? Or Has The Window Closed?
Probably the most important question of the bunch, and it pertains to last years atrocious record that the Canucks ended up with (36-35-11), good for 12th in he Western Conference. Some may blame John Tortorella and his very defensive coaching style, some may blame the new realignment and the fact that the Canucks no longer get an auto pass into the playoffs just by virtue of being in the same division as Calgary and Edmonton. The injury bug also hit the Canucks big time last year, but it happens to every team throughout the course of the regular season.
Personally I believe that under new management and coaching staff, we will see the Canucks come to life this season. The injection of youth (more of that to come later) should spark a team that seemed very stagnant and stale last season, and fans should look forward to seeing a more explosive, up-tempo style of hockey that we are used too. Has the window closed? I think that officially happens when the Sedins decide to retire. Apart from that happening, we will still be in the running.
2. Is Ryan Miller The Savior? Or Just The Next Goalie To Add To The Graveyard?
Everyone knows that Vancouver has been dubbed “The Goalie Graveyard”, and for good reason. (Please see – Cory Schneider, Roberto Luongo). Ryan Miller is the next guy to try his luck here in Vancouver, and I for one am hoping that he ends up staying for a while. Miller is a solid goalie who I believe just needs a real fresh start (short stint in St. Louis aside) and Vancouver can at least give him that. Also, playing in Canadian markets seems to do something to players.. maybe it’s because this is Canada’s game. Who knows.
All nationality jabs aside, I think Miller will be able to steal some very important points for the Canucks this season, and should play a huge role into ensuring that Vancouver at least gets back into playing past the conclusion of the regular season. Is he the Canucks savior? That opinion will vary game by game, just ask the fans here.
3. Will The Canucks Youth Crack The Lineup?
For the first time in a long time, Canucks fans have to be excited about some of the prospects coming up through their system. Players like Hunter Shinkaruk, Bo Horvat, and Jake Virtanen will be fun to watch during training camp and preseason, and hopefully they play well enough to crack the lineup at some point during the year. The Canucks desperately need an injection of youth, and they now have the players to do so with.
My guess is that both Shinkaruk and Horvat will play at least 15 games each this season (maybe even landing a permanent roster spot), while Virtanen may end up having to wait another year before cracking the big leagues. Although we may see him called up as an emergency player in the case of injuries.
4. Can The Sedins Return To Being Sedin-Like?
Last season was not kind to either Henrik or Daniel Sedin. Both had very “Un-Sedinlike” years, achieving only 50 and 47 points, respectively (11-39-50, 16-31-47). These numbers are a far cry from what people have come to expect from the twins, and when they suffer, the Canucks suffer. Injuries nabbed both the Sedins during the course of the season, but Henrik played 70 games and Daniel played 73, so it’s not like they were out for a huge amount of time.
People have attributed their lack of production to John Tortorella and his desire to “make all players accountable and able to play in any situation”. Canucks fans were “treated” to watching the Sedins on the penalty kill blocking shots, but the comedic effect of them doing so quickly wore off as they were not able to put their energy into doing what they do best – score goals. Under new head coach Willie Desjardins, the Sedins should be able to get back to playing in the offensive end of the ice, where they belong. Expect a surge in numbers for each Sedin this season, and I will go out on a limb and predict that each of them get to at least the 70 point mark each.
5. Will The Canucks Be Better In 2014/15?
Yes they will. It was a very strange atmosphere around Vancouver last year as the Canucks dropped further and further down the standings, and I’m sure the organization wants to reignite the passion that the fans in Vancouver are so well known for. In a very tight Western Conference that is dominated by the likes of the Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks, I expect the Canucks to be battling it out for the 6th-8th spot come April. However, unlike last season, I predict the Canucks will finish either 7th or 8th and at least get back into the postseason.
Whether they get annihilated in the first round or not… Well, let’s just get there first.
You can follow James on Twitter: @hashtagswag604
