Canucks Season 3 Wrap

ABOVE: Macklin Celebrini accepts the Hobey Baker award as the top player in NCAA hockey. He was the youngest recipient in history, playing as a 17 year old in what is considered a men's league, Celebrini finished 3rd in league scoring with 32 goals, 32 assists, and 64 points in just 38 games.


Season 3 Wrap:

To say that season 3 went according to expectations would be an overstatement of epic proportions. The Canucks entered season as the PFHL Champions, planning to challenge for a 2nd title in as many years. The team had a terrible first 2 months, with the likes of David Pastrnak, Matt Duchene, Patrick Kane, Samuel Girard, Adam Fox, and Connor Hellebuyck all performing well below expectations. GM Sanderson noticed a lack of big talent on the trading block, and many teams demanding skilled player, so he decided, with the playoffs far out of view despite a diamond-studded roster, to go into a full mid-season rebuild, knowing he could exploit the value of players he had on the team already.
One of the few positives is that Eetu Luostarinen had a successful first season as a pro, and the team brought Josh Norris and Alex Vlasic over, who are both set to become really important regulars in the coming season.
The Canucks remarkably improved after the majority of talent was shipped out, but it still wasn't enough to make it into the playoffs.


Recent Happenings:

The Canucks organization went from being pro-roster heavy, and having one of the worst prospect lists in the league, to having a strong farm, a very strong prospect list, and a massive amount of 1st and 2nd round picks going forward. The wheeling and dealing was not done for GM Sanderson at the trade deadline, where, after the draft lottery results were announced, he pursued both the 1st and 2nd overall picks in the 2024 draft. HE was happy when GM Matt Sullivan of the Columbus Bluejackets seemed receptive of moving the pick, as long as he could have all of the other 1st rounders the Canucks held in 2024. After much negotiating, the trade was finalized that would bring the Canucks the pick that will be used to draft Macklin Celebrini, and the Canucks also managed to nap personal NHL Canuck fave Johnathon Lekerimaki(sp???). The Canucks also brought in the Vegas 1st rounder in 2024 in a minor trade with the Flyers.


Season 4 Plans:

The theme of Vancouver Canucks season 4 will be...... PLAYER DEVELOPMENT!

The younger players who are new to the pro team will be paired with veterans to help improve their skills and teach them the way. Expect to see Josh Norris with Patrick Kane, Joe Veleno with Matt Duchene, Otto Somppi should get PP time along with defenseman Alex Vlasic.
The real attention will be given to the farm, in the hopes to create a strong team down there that dominates on a regular basis. Pavel Mintyukov is expected to join the Abbotsford Canucks and learn the North American game for a season before ideally finding his way onto the pro roster. Look for players like Fabian Zetterlund, Tyson Foerster, Wyatt Kaiser, Jack McBain, and Carson Focht to really make a push to get noticed by the big club next year.

As for roster moves, there are no direct plans to make any personnel trades, but Matt Duchene, and Patrick Kane are both unlikely to stay on as a Canucks after their contracts expire in 2 and 3 seasons, so expect them to leave naturally from the progression of players like Josh Norris and Joe Veleno, or possibly get traded if the right offer comes along.


The Future:

The Canucks have a bright future indeed, and we will highlight some of the brighter spots that the management sees.

The notable forward prospects that we have coming through the system right now are:
Johnathan Lekerimaki
Felix Unger-Sorum
Kasper Halttunen
Daniil But
Andrew Cristall
Jagger Firkus
Fedor Svechkov
Bobby Brink

Notable D are:
Simon Nemec
Pavel Mintyukov(AHL this season)
David Reinbacher
Caden Price
Elias Petterson(the D)
MAttias Havelid

Notable G is:
Sergei Ivanov


The Canucks also have numerous picks in this seasons draft, in particular the 1st overall pick, which is all but a lock to be used on Macklin Celebrini. They also hold the Las Vegas 1st overall, and the Columbus 2nd overall (31st and 33rd picks), which could be used, or may be traded to move up in this years draft for another top 20 pick.


SUMMARY:
Vancouver is entering it's first full season under the title of "rebuild", but their early start on it last season has given them a leg up, and we expect that this will be the last development year for the Canucks. Growing pains are to be expected, but these Canucks look like they will be challenging for the playoffs again in PFHL Season 5.... Watch out!