Why Vancouver Canucks ARE NOT Contenders

The Vancouver Canucks had some lofty expectations heading into this season, but so far they have not lived up to those expectations. It is still early in the season, but by looking at the roster, they don't seem like a contending team.

Key Offseason Moves:

1. Bought out Braden Holtby and Jake Virtanen

2. Acquiring OEL and Conor Garland

3. Trade for Jason Dickinson

4. Traded Nate Schmidt; signed Tucker Poolman, Luke Schenn

5. Signed Jaroslav Halak to replace Braden Holtby

6. Locked up Pettersson and Hughes

Offseason Review:

Vancouver Canucks retooled their lineup quite a bit in the offseason to the point where the team looks quite different than last year.

The Cancuks started off the offseason by buying out Braden Holtby and Jake Virtanen, both these players never really worked out on the team.

The Biggest splash the Canucks made was acquiring Oliver Ekman Larsson and Conor Garland from the Arizona Coyotes; although the price tag was hefty, the move improves the team drastically for the immediate future. Conor Garland was subsequently re-signed to a 5 yr deal worth 4.95 million per season.

The Canucks also made a minor trade for Jason Dickison, who is a versatile forward that can slide up and down the lineup.

Nate Schmidt was shipped out of town to the Winnipeg Jets for a 2022 3rd round pick. To replace Schmidt, the Canucks signed defenseman Tucker Poolman and Luke Schenn. To replace Braden Holtby, the Canucks signed Jaroslav Halak to a 1 yr deal.

The Cancucks also locked up the two of their core players: Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes. Elias Pettersson got a 3 yr extension worth 7.35 million annually, and Quinn Hughes got a 6 yr extension worth 7.85 million per season.

With the current roster the Canucks have, they won't be good enough to make the playoffs, so they should make a trade to improve their depth:

Vancouver Canucks acquire Joshua Brown, Zach Sanford from the Ottawa Senators for Matthew Highmore, 2023 3rd round pick.

The Canucks get Joshua Brown to strengthen their depth on the right side of their defense and their depth on offense.

This is how the lineup looks like after the trade:

T.Pearson-B.Horvat-C.Garland

N.Hoglander-E.Pettersson-B.Boeser

Z.Sanford-JT.Miller-V.Podkolzin

J.Dowling-J.Dickinson-J.Lammikko

OEL-J.Brown

Q.Hughes-T.Poolman

J.Rathbone-T.Myers

T.Demko

J.Halak

Spares: Br.Sutter, T.Motte

The Vancouver Canucks have an improved team but they still may not be good enough to make the playoffs.

Comments

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