Up until the last two or three years, the Canucks have done a phenomenal job of Patrick Whiteing their first round picks away (see the 2007 NHL entry draft). To the Canucks’ credit though, for every first round pick Nathan Smithed, they’ve been able to Alex Edler and Kevin Bieksa some later round picks into legitimate NHL players. It seems as though the trend will continue with 2012 fifth round pick, Ben Hutton. Continue reading

Connor McDavid is a wonderful prospect. He’s probably going to be one of the top players in the NHL, if not the top player, before he turns 20 years old. There’s a chance he could be better than Sidney Crosby, arguably the best player this generation has seen. His skating is already elite, his first two and three strides leave all-star defensemen in the dust. His vision and hockey IQ are also off the charts, he seems to be able to create chances that nobody else can see. People are making a very big deal about McDavid and don’t get me wrong, he’s a wonderful hockey player but I’m not interested in talking about Connor McDavid. I want to introduce everyone to Jack Eichel, the other future superstar that everyone is forgetting about. Continue reading

When the Canucks surprisingly decided to keep Roberto Luongo and trade Cory Schneider, they obtained the 9th overall pick of the 2013 draft. For a goaltender of Schneider’s caliber, it seemed as though the return should have been significantly higher. Then GM Mike Gillis all but confirmed that he had received a stronger offer from the division rival Edmonton Oilers. Gillis turned the deal down saying that he simply could not fathom having to play multiple division games against Schneider for the next decade and a half.

The Canucks had a choice to make with pick 9. They could pick enigmatic but supremely talented Russian Valeri Nichushkin, who was drawing comparisons to Evgeni Malkin for his combination of size, speed, and strength – the type of player that could change the dynamic of a game with one rush. Or they could pick the soft-spoken two-way Canadian centreman, Bo Horvat, who excelled at both ends of the ice. His offensive numbers didn’t blow anybody away, but he was a proven winner and someone who played for the team and not for himself.

In hindsight, the Canucks seem to have made the right decision. It would surprise no one if Nichushkin ended up being one of the top ten best players in the NHL someday. It would also surprise no one if Horvat was named team captain when Henrik Sedin retires and if he won multiple Selke Trophies over the next decade. Bo Horvat is exactly the type of player the Canucks needed at exactly the right time. Continue reading

Will the Canucks once again be left wondering what could have been?
Image courtesy of CTV News

A wise man once told me that change was good because without change you can’t buy gumballs. Given the amount of change that happened in Vancouver this offseason, it looks like the Canucks are going to be chewing gum for a long time. Here’s a look at what changed during the off-season and what to expect this season.

Goaltenders

GM Jim Benning had a difficult decision to make this offseason, with three NHL-caliber goaltenders and obviously only two spots. Benning revealed that he had legitimate offers for Ryan Miller but chose instead to deal fan favourite Eddie Lack, which did not sit well with the fan base. The return for Eddie Lack – a 2015 3rd rounder and 2016 7th round pick were lackluster at best; especially after seeing other promising young goaltenders Martin Jones and Robin Lehner return 2015 1st round picks.

After the dust settled, the Canucks were still left with two very good goaltenders in veteran Ryan Miller and up and comer Jacob Markstrom. Benning and team president Trevor Linden are convinced that this team will follow up its surprise 101 point season with another playoff berth. They also believe that Miller gives them the best opportunity to make it back there – it’s tough to disagree with them. In his first season in royal blue and Kelly green, the 34 year-old netminder posted starter quality numbers. In 45 games, the East Lansing native finished the season 29-15-1 with a .911 SV %, a 2.53 GAA and 6 SOs, good for 4th in the NHL.

In Markstrom, the Canucks have a goaltender that is ready to be in the NHL full time. The 25 year old had a sensational season in the AHL last year going 22-7-2 with a .934 SV % and 1.88 GAA in 32 starts during the regular season. Markstrom stepped it up in the playoffs leading the Utica Comets to the Calder Cup Final almost single-handedly. Markstrom has been patient biding his time in the AHL, honing his craft and the Canucks have rewarded his hard work and patience.

Going into the season the Canucks are in good hands. Ryan Miller should provide rock solid goaltending while Jacob Markstrom should capably fill in if Miller gets bitten by the injury bug. Continue reading

Here’s how this works. In this five piece series we’re going to reveal our three favourite picks plus a sleeper for each of the five fantasy relevant NHL Awards: Hart, Vezina, Calder, Norris, Rocket Richard. Each day of the week we’ll release our lists. Since this is our first post, we’ll start out with our favourite rookies who’ll be in the running for the Calder Trophy.

Side note: These predictions were put together before preseason hockey started. There may be other rookies who if they end up making the final NHL roster, would be ranked in this list.

5. Johnny Gaudreau, LW, Calgary Flames

Diminutive in stature at 5’8” but gigantic in talent, the former 2011 fourth round draft pick has done nothing but dominate at every stop. After averaging a ridiculous 1.47 points per game over his sensational three year collegiate career, Gaudreau capped off his junior season by averaging two points per game and running away with the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the best player in Men’s Division I Hockey. Following the departure of Mike Cammalleri via free agency, opportunity knocks in Calgary’s top six for the talented youngster. Mason Raymond and Devin Setoguchi have been brought in to give Gaudreau some competition but neither of these guys is a major threat to Johnny Hockey’s role in Calgary’s top six forward group.

Final Thought: 73 GP, 17 G, 22 A, -18, 22 PIM Continue reading