Post by Canucks - Admin on Jul 5, 2022 14:09:29 GMT -6
The Vancouver Canucks finished the 2021-22 season off by losing all 4 first round playoff games they played against the eventual Stanley Cup Champions, the Los Angeles Kings.
Looking back
This season had it's highlights and lowlights for the organization, mostly in terms of it's inconsistent play. The team was built through the dispersal draft to be strong, with a very careful approach to finances and the organization's future.
At several points, the team did not look strong, and trades were made, usually bringing the team more "right now" skills in exchange for it's future growth.
The team's AHL affiliate Abbotsford Canucks started strong, and had their entire roster gutted before the end of the season, losing Jett Woo, Jonas Siegenthaler, Kailer Yamamoto, and Alexander Texier to name a few. Highlights on the farm(at least what is left of it) were Paul Bittner who scored at a low first line pace while being one of the leagues top hitters, and Nikolai Knyzhov on D, who managed to find his offensive side, but struggled defensively as the team could not compete with the other farm teams simply due to it's lack of depth at all positions.
The pro team saw many moves, Chris Kreider was sent packing early, Mats Zuccarello and Kris Letang came, and left, and Jake Debrusk as well has become an ex-Canuck. Johnathan Toews, and David Pastrnak have added plenty to the teams offense, and of course Mike Reilly and Patrik Nemeth have become dependable and often exciting blueliners to watch. Let us not forget the most impactful move the Canucks made this year, when they brought in Connor Hellebuyck.
How did the team perform this year?
OFFENSE:
Top marks go to Patrick Kane, Jordan Greenway, William Karlsson, and late arrival David Pastrnak. Each of these players had consistently strong showings every night, and played a variety of minutes for us. Jordan Greenway had an incredible year and looks to improve his ratings next season, and was one of the entire PFHL's most accurate shooters. Patrick Kane lived up to his $10.5 mil salary and didn't miss any minutes from injury, while only taking 6 penalties all season long despite playing close to 20 minutes a game. Karlsson was amazing and consistent no matter who his linemates were. He was one of the team leaders for game winning goals, and could be counted on in all situations.
David Pastrnak showed up late in the season, not long before the deadline, but was able to make a major impact on the club right from day 1. 'Pasta' had 8 goals and 10 assists in just 14 games witht he Canucks, and average over 4 shots per game, which was exactly why he was brought in.
Sean Kuraly was a highlight on the lower lines, and Matt Duchene played good overall, but was very streaky this season despite his high paying contract. Much of this could be due to him playing the wing, despite his natural tendency to play centre.
Johnathan Toews played well, but was brought in to be so much more than he was.
DEFENSE:
Top Marks go to Samuel Girard and Justin Holl. Girard was one of the best playmakers in the league this season at any position, and he earned plenty of love from the Canucks management, while Justin Holl was very consistent defensively in every role he was given.
Adam Fox was excellent defensively, but was inconsistent on the powerplay. Mike Reilly was looking like a Norris candidate early on, but had a very slow second half of the season, while Jani Haakanpaa had a similar year, playing lights out hockey early on until getting an injury, and then never truly returning to form. Late comer Patrik Nemeth impressed the coaching staff and earned high minutes with his play, the club is extremely please with him.
Josh Brown was brought in late, and became a liability due to his lack of discipline, and quickly found himself playing less and less minutes as the Canucks opted to roll with 7 defensemen down the stretch.
GOALTENDING:
Joonas Korpisalo, for his first 30 games of the season would've been the top ranked goaltender in save%, had he been able to make it onto the list. He was splitting games and earned the starters spot over Calvin Peterson early in the season. Not enough can be said about his heroic display of hockey goaltending. Despite the strong play, Joonas lost his groove near the end of the seasona nd the Canucks brought in Connor Hellebuyck. Connor was the top goaltender in the league for the last 20 or so games of the season, racking up 3 shutouts and having an impressive 0.917% save%.....He singlehandedly took the Canucks into the playoffs after their losing ways late in the season.
Looking Forward:
The Canucks brought in Eetu Loustarainen and Jesper Boqvist late in the season with hopes that both would be able to help the farm club while potentially gaining a juicy NHL rerate. Both players may apply for the rerate, however it isn't as juicy as originally hoped for, and both are likely to stay on the farm another year in development.
The Canucks have no 1st rounder this year, and that is fine for now, but expect them to make a play for 2023's draft.
There are some prospects that may get created this season, but Abbotsford looks to be a team in development next season again, but with less of a chance of being gutted for pro help.
Organizational Predicaments
The Canucks will be in hard trying to solve some problems. Should they keep an aging and high-paid Johnathan Toews around?
Will Matt Duchene and Patrick Kane both opt to go to UFA next season, forcing the Canucks to make a hard decision with their OG card?
Will the Canucks attempt to address their perceived lack of forward depth?
Can the Canucks keep their draft picks, and continue to right the ship to create a perennial powerhouse in the league?
Current Plans
The Canucks would be willing to make moves at the draft in order to obtain one of the top 3 picks, but only if it fits with the organizational plans. If that were to happen, the most likely trade would involve Johnathan Toews, but the Canucks would need much more than one of those picks in exchange. Perhaps that is wishful thinking, but you never know!
The Canucks do plan on looking closely at the UFA market, as they would like to add more defensive forwards and more veteran presence to the teams, but GM Sanderson will not overpay for any of his players, or so he says.
This could be a quiet offseason for the Canucks, who have very little to do in the way of contracts, and most of the team is committed next season as it is, but it is the small things sometimes that count the most, so look at the 3rd and 4th line adjustments that the team is hoping to make soon.
