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Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Vancouver Canucks 2008-09 Outlook

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

NOTABLE ADDITIONS
Nolan Baumgartner, D (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Dallas Stars)
Steve Bernier, RW (Acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres)
Rob Davison, D (Signed as a free agent, previously with the New York Islanders)
Pavol Demitra, C (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Minnesota Wild)
Darcy Hordichuk, LW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Carolina Hurricanes)
Ryan Johnson, C (Signed as a free agent, previously with the St. Louis Blues)
Kyle Wellwood, C (Claimed off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs)

NOTABLE LOSSES
Luc Bourdon, D (Deceased)
Brad Isbister, LW (Signed as a free agent with the Ottawa Senators)
Trevor Linden, C (Retired)
Aaron Miller, D (Unsigned Free Agent)
Brendan Morrison, C (Signed as a free agent with the Anaheim Ducks)
Markus Naslund, LW (Signed as a free agent with the New York Rangers)
Byron Ritchie, C (Signed with HC Geneve-Servette of the Swiss National League)
Ryan Shannon, RW (Traded to the Ottawa Senators)
Mike Weaver, D (Signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Blues)

2007-08 Season Finish: 5th Northwest Division, 11th Western Conference, 88 Pts.
2007-08 Playoffs: Did Not Make Playoffs

2008-09 Prediction: 5th Northwest Division, 13th Western Conference

After a late season collapse that saw the Vancouver Canucks miss the 2008 playoffs, it appear that changes to the team were imminent. Early in the summer, general manager Dave Nonis was fired and replaced by Mike Gillis. Shortly after free agency began, the Canucks saw the retirement of Trevor Linden and the departures of Brendan Morrison and Markus Naslund, depleting the team's already questionable offense. Heading into the off-season, the biggest need the Canucks had to address was the lack of scoring forwards and offensive depth. While the team was able to add a little offensive depth over the summer, the team is still in desperate need of some scoring forwards. Twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin remain the Canucks two best forwards. They bring lots of offensive skill, goal-scoring and passing talent, and depth to the team and they seem to get better every season. Newcomer Pavol Demitra, signed via free agency, gives the Canucks lots of offensive depth and skill, and could likely see his numbers increase if he plays on a line with the Sedins. Steve Bernier gives the Canucks a solid, young scorer with plenty of offensive promise, while Kyle Wellwood brings the Canucks a decent amount of offensive potential even though he is a bit susceptible to injury. Taylor Pyatt and Ryan Kesler both bring the Canucks a fair amount of offensive skill, goal-scoring talent, and toughness. Alex Burrows, Jeff Cowan, and newly acquired Darcy Hordichuk give the Canucks lots of toughness, physicality, and gritty play. Ryan Johnson and Matt Pettinger give the Canucks plenty of offensive and veteran depth, while Mason Raymond shows lots of offensive talent and potential. The Canucks have plenty of promising offensive prospects who will look to make the team at training camp, including Michael Grabner, Jason Jaffray, Rick Rypien, Juraj Simek, and Jannik Hansen, who played impressively for the Canucks during the 2007 playoffs.

The Canucks defense remains one of the strongest parts of the team, despite the tragic death of Luc Bourdon in a motorcycle accident back in June. Mattias Ohlund and Sami Salo both bring lots of offensive talent to the Canucks' blueline, while Ohlund also brings lots of physical play to the team's defense. Willie Mitchell and Kevin Bieksa both bring lots of hard-hitting play and physicality to the Canucks' blueline, while Lukas Krajicek gives the team decent defensive depth and toughness. Rob Davison gives the Canucks a physical presence on the blueline, while Nolan Baumgartner provides plenty of veteran depth. Also, look for youngster Alexander Edler to provide an offensive spark to the team's defense, as he has promising offensive skills. While the Canucks have promising defensive talent in prospects Nathan McIver, Patrick Coulombe, Taylor Ellington, Yann Sauve, and James Sharrow, they will all likely play the season in the minors given the Canucks depth on defense. With the number of physical bodies the team has on defense, they will likely be a physical team in the defensive zone during the 2008-09 season, but could use another offensive defenseman for depth and help on the power play.

The Canucks' goaltending will likely be the strongest part of the team for the 2008-09 season with Roberto Luongo set to return as the starting goaltender. Luongo is one of the most talented goaltenders in the league today and gives the Canucks lots of depth in goal. In a highly unusual and irregular move by team management, Luongo has been named captain of the Canucks. While the NHL allows goaltenders to be named team captains, they cannot act as team captains. Willie Mitchell has been designated the player who will deal with the officials on game nights in place of Luongo. Curtis Sanford will likely be the Canucks' backup goaltender for the 2008-09 season on his solid play and depth. However, promising goaltending prospect Cory Schneider could look to secure the backup role at training camp on his fine talent.

STRENGTHS
  • Lots of physical players on defense.
  • Solid depth in goal.

WEAKNESSES

  • Lack solid scoring depth beyond their first line.
  • Need more offense on defense.
  • Could be forced to trade some of their minor league talent to improve their offense.

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