Post by Canucks - Admin on Sept 20, 2023 13:42:43 GMT -6
The Vancouver Canucks have had a somewhat quiet off-season since winning the Stanley Cup early into the Summer. Below are some of the changes that have taken place in preparation for this coming season:
FORWARD:
Out:
TJ Oshie - After being brought in for the S2 playoffs, Oshie did not disappoint, grabbing 15 points in 22 playoff games, 8 of those on the powerplay where he co-lead the team in PP points. TJ explored the UFA market in the offseason.
Brad Marchand - Brad had a great playoffs, scoring 10 goals and 19 points, and co-lead with the aforementioned Oshie on the powerplay with 8 points there. He also played on the penalty kill, and played a tough brand of hockey with 47 playoff hits. He was dealt this off-season to the Flyers in a move which brought plenty of future Capital to the team, although Vancouver is paying $3mil of his contract for season 3.
Oskar Sundqvist - Oskar spent most of the playoffs on the penalty kill, or the bottom 6 playing a defensive role for the Canucks. He has been relegated down to Abbotsford for the season, and it is known the Canucks are actively trying to find him a pro-club to play for.
Gabriel Bourque - Bourque did not have Coach Sutter's confidence in the playoffs, and he was given only 13 total minutes. He was recently moved to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a minor trade for cash.
In:
Eetu Luostarinen - The biggest star of the AHL regular season was none other than Eetu. He earned a spot on the pro team, and has signed a fresh 4 year contract with the big club, who have very big hopes for him. He takes the roster spot that previously belonged to Brad Marchand, bringing a rough style of play with excellent defensive skills, and a wicked scoring touch. He also plays centre and wing, so he has added versatility. Look for him to be a future leader of the Canucks as they transition to a younger era in the future.
Reese Johnson - Reese is a versatile penalty killer on a team friendly contract, who brings a physical energy to the Canucks, and is expected to see lots of penalty kill time while filling in around the lineup. He was picked up on waivers after the Kings tries to sneak him down to Ontario.
Phillip Di Giuseppe - Phil graduated up from Abbotsford, and is expected to play the 'hard' minutes. He is an energy guy that could fill in anywhere in the lineup, but is likely destined for the 3rd line unless he finds some magic being the 'beef' between 2 buns!
Patrick Russell - Patrick Russell was on the team last year, but spent most of it in the press box. HE is also an energy guy, but will be used sparingly due to his defensive unawareness. Both he and Phil Di Giuseppe are on team friendly deals.
Forwards Summary:
Usually, when you drop players from your roster like Brad Marchand and TJ Oshie, your team takes a step back in the forwards, but that isn't the case in Vancouver. Many of the other Canucks have improved, Patrick Kane is still an ageless wonder for now, Matt Duchene and Will Karlsson are as ready as ever, and Yanni Gourde might be the most balanced player in the league right now, despite the trade rumours that are circling him. Where the Canucks really improved was the bottom 6, as they have added players that are known for being hard to play against. Will it work out? Canucks management certainly hopes so.
DEFENSE:
Out:
Mike Reilly - Mike Reilly logged big playoff minutes and had a respectable +1, and 11 points in the playoffs acting as the team's #3 defenseman behind Adam Fox and Sam Girard. Mike's $3mil contract was too large for what he was bringing defensively, and he was traded to Winnipeg with picks in a move that brought the Canucks a bunch of overpaid buyout candidates, but most importantly, the 2024 WPG 1st, which the Canucks consider to be a potential high lotto pick.
Jani Jaakanpaa - Jani played limited minutes in the Canucks playoff run, and was send down to Abbotsford to condition for a year before being reconsidered. He will be a potential call-up in case of injury on the D line this year.
Josh Brown - Josh Brown successfully tested free agency after a limited role on the D-corps of the Canucks during the S2 playoffs.
In:
Travis Sanheim - Travis Sanheim was a UFA big fish that GM Sanderson planned on pursuing this off-season. He signed with the Canucks for 4 years, and $5mil per year cap hit. He is a legitimate 3rd defenseman on the Canucks, and is expected to get huge minutes with the club this year.
Nikolai Knyzhov - Knyzhov was an AHL project last year that has graduated to the big team. He is defensively raw for the role he will be getting, but can hit effectively and also make the occasional pass. IT will take time before he earns the trust of the coaching staff, but if he earns his minutes, he will be given plenty.
Colton White - Colton was picked up from waivers from the Kings this off-season, and looks to be the teams 7th defenseman. The Canucks prefer to run 7 defensemen, and Colton fits exactly that role. Cheap and hopefully safe. Expect a quiet season from him, which is not exactly a bad thing.
Defense Summary:
The Canucks' defense improved considerably this off-season. Sanheim is a major improvement over Reilly, while Knyzhov and White are a little more desirable than last year's Brown and Haakanpaa, although the difference is small. Look for the Canucks to be much better defensively this season because of these moves.
GOAL:
Out:
Devan Dubnyk - Devan explored free agency this off-season. He did not play a single S2 playoff game.
In:
Mikko Koskinen - Mikko Koskinen was ALSO claimed on waiver's from the Los Angeles Kings, and is likely to start in 15-20 games this season. He should be a suitable backup to Connor Hellebuyck, but do not expect him to challenge for more than the minimum amount of games.
Goal Summary:
In Goal, the Canucks swapped out a backup for a backup. Nothing gained nor lost in this sideways move, as economics was the most important factor in finding a replacement for Devan Dubnyk. The Canucks overall, however, have improved simply because of Connor Hellebuyck getting better, at least they hope.
FUTURES:
New Prospects:
Fedor Svechkov by trade
Bobby Brink by trade
Ronan Seeley by trade
Felix Unger-Sorum from the draft
Caden Price from the draft
Jaden Perron from the draft
New Picks:
2024 WPG 1st - If Luck be a lady for the Canucks, look for this pick to be a top 3 pick in the next draft.
2024 TBL 1st - The Tampa pick could go anywhere from first to dead last, but we are predicting in the 15-20 spot at worst.
Futures Summary:
The Canucks made a point of improving their prospect and pick cupboard this off-season through trade, as well as the draft. The strength of the Canucks futures improved greatly with the pickup of 2 potentially great 1st rounders in the 2024 draft, along with some very solid prospect adds.
OVERALL:
The Cup winning Canucks appeared to improve in all aspects of their pro organization this season. The forwards should be slightly better balanced and harder to play against, the defense should be dominant this season, and Connor Hellebuyck is still one of the top goalies in the PFHL. The only place where Vancouver has dropped, would be the farm. Abbotsford faces tought times this year, and any success it has will be attributed to overpaid players that no pro-team seems willing to take at this moment. This could have catastrophic effects on the bank account, should the Canucks not be able to find their way deep into the playoffs in S3.
Due to the ultra-competitive nature of the Pacific Division, the Canucks are still not a lock to even finish in the top 3. Vegas and San Jose seem to be the odds-maker's early favourites, while Edmonton, Los Angeles, and even Calgary are all playoff calibre teams. The Canucks will have to play their brand of hockey all season long if they hope to do better than a wild-card spot, despite being a powerhouse on paper.
