What Your Team Is Thankful For: Vancouver Canucks
As the holiday season approaches, PHR will look at what teams are thankful for as the season nears the quarter point of completion. There also might be a few things your team would like down the road. We take a look at what’s gone well in the first month and what could improve as the season rolls on. So far we’ve covered ANA, ARZ, BUF, CGY, CAR, CBJ, COL, DET, LAK, NSH, NJD, NYI, STL, TOR, WSH, and VGK.
What are the Vancouver Canucks most thankful for?
A weak Pacific Division.
Heading into the season, the Pacific Division was expected to be a meat grinder. With the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks all considered legitimate contenders for the Stanley Cup, teams like Vancouver and Vegas were just hoping to stay competitive. Those predictions have been turned on their heads, as the Los Angeles Kings pace the division through the first third of the season while the aforementioned “contenders” are struggling to stay above (or even get to) .500.
Vancouver, led by some young stars and a brand new head coach find themselves in third place in the division and currently holding a playoff spot in the Western Conference. For a team expecting to take a hard look at a real rebuild, early success may have changed their minds.
Who are the Canucks most thankful for?
When Boeser suited up for the University of North Dakota on March 24th, 2017 he was preparing to play Boston University in a do-or-die matchup in the NCAA tournament. Little did he know that he’d be scoring the game-winning goal for the Vancouver Canucks a little over 24 hours later. The game against BU went to double overtime before Clayton Keller and Charlie McAvoy hooked up to end UND’s tournament, but Boeser wouldn’t have time to mope. He immediately signed with the Canucks and was in the lineup the next night, scoring his first on a rebound goal after Bo Horvat was stopped on a breakaway.
Boeser hasn’t slowed down since, and now has 17 goals and 30 points in 34 career games. He leads the Canucks in scoring this year—trailed closely by Horvat—and will likely be in the Calder Trophy conversation right until the end. The 20-year old has made such an immediate impact on the team, that they may believe their competitive window has been slid open just a bit more.
What would the Canucks be even more thankful for?
An appearance from Markus Granlund.
Last season, before there was the late-season appearance from Boeser, three other intriguing young forwards were making their mark: Horvat, Sven Baertschi and Granlund. The first two are back doing the things they showed last year, with 20 and 17 points respectively this season. The latter though, Granlund, has been nothing close to the 19-goal man he was a year ago.
The 24-year old Granlund had 32 points in 69 games last season, easily a career high and a sign that his future with the team was bright. After all, 16 of his 19 goals came at even strength (tied with Baertschi for the team lead) and he graded out as arguably the best possession player on the team.
That hasn’t been the case this time around, as Granlund has just five points on the season and has seen those strong possession numbers plummet. He’s been one of the most disappointing pieces on the roster under new coach Travis Green, and it’s no longer clear where exactly he fits long-term. He’s a restricted free agent this summer, and may end up being overlooked as a key piece for the Canucks going forward.
What should be on the Canucks’ Holiday Wish List?
More draft picks and prospects.
Despite their early success, this team is primed to sell at the deadline. We examined their collection of trade deadline assets recently, and the plan shouldn’t be deviated from. There is another wave of talent coming for the Canucks, as shown by the group of six Vancouver prospects that could suit up for their respective countries at this year’s World Junior Championship, but it isn’t enough.
Boeser, Horvat and others are already making an impact at the NHL level but the team still lacks the depth to really compete for the Stanley Cup. Using some expiring (or soon expiring) assets to add to the prospect cupboards could help them get there quicker than many would have believed in the middle of last season.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Snapshots: IIHF HOF, Players Of The Month, Devils
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) named their 2018 Hall of Fame class today, with several notable NHL names among them. Former stars Daniel Alfredsson, Rob Blake, Chris Chelios, and Jere Lehtinen will all be immortalized for their impressive international careers. Between them, the Swede, Canadian, American, and Finn have 16 Olympic Games and 8 Olympic medals, to of course go along with outstanding professional careers. Builders Philippe Lacarriere, a former European player and IIHF Councilman, and Bob Nadin, a long-time referee, will also be inducted.
- In terms of current recognition, the NHL announced the top players of the month of November today. The Three Stars of the Month were Colorado Avalanche star center Nathan MacKinnon at #1, Toronto Maple Leafs keeper Frederik Andersen at #2, and new St. Louis Blue Brayden Schenn at #3. MacKinnon was a point per game player last month, notching five goals and fifteen assists in 12 games for the Avs. Andersen kept the Leafs going with nine wins, a 2.14 GAA, and .938 save percentage. Schenn was arguably better than either despite coming in third, with seven goals and twelve assists in just 12 games, bringing his season total to 30 points in 25 contests. Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser was named the Rookie of the Month behind his 16 points in 15 games, as the young scorer has kept the Canucks afloat early on and leads all first-year players in scoring.
- If there was an award for Team of the Month, it could have easily gone to the New Jersey Devils. The Devils have somehow survived another month at or near the top of the toughest division in hockey, the Metropolitan, despite little expectation that they would even be a playoff contender in 2017-18. To cap off the month, they swung a deal to acquire a much-needed elite defenseman yesterday as well. The Devils are just getting started though – the team announced that Sami Vatanen caught a cross-country flight, took part in morning skate, and will make his debut tonight and joining him will be Marcus Johansson, the big off-season acquisition, who is returning from a long injury absence. November was a great month for the Devils, but December is starting off even stronger.
Pacific Notes: Boeser, Sedin, Yamamoto, Jones
Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser‘s hat trick in Saturday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins proved one thing — they can’t hide him any longer. The Vancouver Sun’s Jason Botchford writes that no matter how much this team tries to protect him, there is no point — he’s the becoming the new face of the franchise and the team better make sure they allow him to flourish.
The scribe writes that there hasn’t been much talk all year of Boeser being a Calder Trophy candidate, but after putting up his third, fourth and fifth goals of the season Saturday, maybe they should be talking about that. He was always supposed to be one of the team’s top scorers, but after last night, Boeser now leads the team in scoring with 13 points after 13 games. Keep in mind, he was a healthy scratch for the first two games of the season and he missed one game due to injury.
The timing almost seems fitting as TSN’s Jeff Patterson notes that Henrik Sedin‘s role in the third period found him opening the door from the bench for the younger players. The scribe notes this is what the Sedin brothers have always hoped for, for the team to develop while they are still there, but that comes at the cost of reduced roles. Sedin has just three assists in 13 games, while his brother Daniel Sedin has two goals and three assists. With a 5-1-1 record in the last seven games, this might be the right time for Boeser to take that next step.
- Edmonton Oilers rookie Kailer Yamamoto played today in his ninth NHL game, now one shy before the Oilers burn the first year of his entry-level deal, according to Sportsnet’s Mark Spector. The question for the 19-year-old winger is whether that’s the end of the road for him this season. Will the Oilers hold onto the young scorer, who has three assists in nine games? Or will he be returned to his junior team?
- San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones has now gone eight straight games of allowing two goals or less this year after Saturday’s 2-1 shootout win over the Anaheim Ducks, according to Kevin Kurz of The Athletic (subscription required). The steady goalie made several key saves in the second period on his way to the victory. The 27-year-old who has always been steady in net for the Sharks currently boasts a 1.98 GAA in 10 games and a .930 save percentage.
Pacific Notes: Shore, Lewis, Shipachyov, DeMelo, Boeser
A change of coaches in Los Angeles has turned two defensive-first players under former coach Darryl Sutter into new scoring options under new head coach John Stevens. Nick Shore and Trevor Lewis have been showing off some of their offensive skills so far this season, which including a highlight reel pass and shoot goal from Shore to Lewis in Thursday’s victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The shift to Stevens’ offensive focused system was picked up quickly by the two forwards, according to Curtis Zupke of the Los Angeles Times. While the 25-year-old Shore only has one goal and two assists so far in 10 games, it’s still an improvement on last year’s six goals and 17 points that he had in 70 games. As for Lewis, the long-time King has never had more than 25 points in a season in all his years, but he might break that number this year as he already has four goals and three assists in 10 games. Both were at one time in their minor league careers considered to have some offensive talent and they feel they can show more.
“I think we’ve really put a focus on scoring more and offensive zone play,” Lewis said. “Obviously the new system we’re playing, I think starting off with Shoresy and [Kyle Clifford], we grasped it right away. I think that helps and it helps create more.”
- With Vegas Golden Knights’ Vadim Shipachyov filing voluntary retirement paperwork rather than having his contract terminated, Sportsnet’s Eric Engels tweets that Vegas will still retain Shipachyov’s NHL rights until the veteran turns 35 years of age. Many believe, however, that the 30-year-old center has no interest in returning to the NHL.
- Staying with the Golden Knights, the team picked up their ninth win of the season today, tying the 1980-81 expansion Winnipeg Jets, according to the Vegas Golden Knights. The team is just one win away from tying the inaugural Ottawa Senators.
- Paul Gackle of The Mercury News writes that with the injury to veteran defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic, San Jose Sharks defenseman Dylan DeMelo will be given the opportunity to prove he belongs. After playing in the first two games of the season, the 24-year-old defenseman lost his job to Tim Heed and Joakim Ryan and has been a healthy scratch for the last 10 games. Now, the prospect who had already played 70 games with San Jose before the season even started, gets a second chance to prove he belongs.
- Steve Ewen of the Vancouver Sun writes that the Vancouver Canucks have been working on their power play and have now moved rookie Brock Boeser to the left of the face circle on their first team in hopes to take advantage of his release. The move is supposed to unleash the talents of the highly-touted prospect who has two goals and seven assists so far this year in nine games.
West Notes: Boeser, Clifford, Oesterle
Brock Boeser‘s wait is over. The young forward hadn’t gotten into a single game for the Vancouver Canucks this season, but his chance will come tonight when the team takes on the Winnipeg Jets. Expecting big things, Boeser was on many lists of Calder Trophy favorites this summer after his electrifying debut last year. The 20-year old came straight from the NCAA tournament to the NHL and scored four goals in the final nine games of the season.
The Canucks haven’t guaranteed anyone a spot on their team this year, and new coach Travis Green believes his players have to earn their way on. Still, it looks like Boeser will jump right onto a line with Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi, a group that could all be key parts to the Canucks future. Alex Burmistrov, despite two pretty solid games, will come out of the lineup.
- Kyle Clifford sustained an upper-body injury against the Calgary Flames last night, and is now considered week-to-week according to Jon Rosen of LA Kings Insider. Clifford had never shown much offensive ability but is still a big part of the Kings’ forward group, providing physicality and a knack for suppressing shot totals. It’s unclear how long he’ll be out, but the team could turn to Nic Dowd or Johnny Brodzinski, both of whom were scratched on Wednesday night.
- The Chicago Blackhawks have been one of the league’s best teams through the early going, but none of that is because of Jordan Oesterle. The 25-year old defenseman has yet to get into a game, and Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times believes his could be almost up. Lazerus quotes head coach Joel Quenneville, who admits that it’s been a long time without getting Oesterle on the ice. Oesterle was a Group VI free agent this summer, and decided to sign a two-year, one-way contract with the Blackhawks, sensing their lack of defensive options. Unfortunately for both sides, he’ll be exposed to waivers should the Blackhawks send him to the AHL, meaning he could have to pack up and head for a new city once again.
Snapshots: Boeser, Wild, Fast
Canucks rookie winger Brock Boeser appears likely to make his season debut on Thursday night after being a healthy scratch for the first two games of the season, notes Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province. The 20-year-old made an impact late last season after joining Vancouver after his college season ended, collecting four goals and an assist in just nine games. Even if Boeser fares well, it appears that he will be scratched with some regularity as head coach Travis Green suggested to Kuzma earlier this week that Boeser and fellow youngster Jake Virtanen may only play 50-60 games each in an effort to help them acclimate to the rigors of a full NHL schedule.
Elsewhere around the league:
- The salary cap is already creating some challenges in Minnesota whose situation has them planning to dress just 11 forwards for their next game, writes Dane Mizutani of the Pioneer Press. The Wild are missing Mikael Granlund and Zach Parise until sometime next week but with just over $200K in cap room, they aren’t able to bring anyone up from the minors without going over the cap. They could choose to send waiver-exempt defenseman Mike Reilly down which would then free up enough money to recall another forward but head coach Bruce Boudreau said that’s not an option that has been considered.
- Following practice on Wednesday, Rangers winger Jesper Fast acknowledged to Laura Albanese of Newsday that he feels close to fully healed from the hip surgery that he had back in June. While his original return to the lineup wasn’t expected until late October or early November, head coach Alain Vigneault suggested that Fast could be back in the lineup within the next seven-to-ten days. Once he’s green-lit to return, Fast will likely supplant one of Paul Carey or recent waiver wire pickup Adam Cracknell in New York’s lineup.
Pacific Notes: McDavid, Sutter, Boeser, Kempe
Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid rejected the idea outright. Without blinking, the young superstar made it very clear that scoring 100 goals is impossible. Just days ago, Jaromir Jagr predicted that McDavid could score 100 goals someday, but McDavid would have none of that., according to Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal.
“It’s not possible at all … no one’s ever done it,” said the 20-year-old McDavid, who scored 30 goals a year ago. “Not going to happen.”
The closest anyone has ever come was by Wayne Gretzky, who scored 92 goals in the 1981-82 season. Gretzky also had 87 goals in 1983-84. Alex Ovechkin, who has seven goals in the Capitals first two games might have a better shot at it than McDavid. However, the 32-year-old’s best season was 65 goals in 2007-08.
- In the same article, Matheson pointed out that McDavid played his first game without taking a faceoff in Saturday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks. The center yielded to linemate Leon Draisaitl, who is a better faceoff specialist, having won 49 percent of his faceoffs (out of 972 attempts) in the 2016-17 season, while McDavid won just 43 percent (806 attempts). “People know that I’m not that good on faceoffs,” McDavid said. “It’s one of the perks of having Leon on the line.”
- Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Sun writes that a lot of the credit that goes towards the Canucks 3-2 victory Saturday was the play of Brandon Sutter. The 28-year-old center and his line of Markus Granlund and Derek Dorsett shutdown McDavid, who didn’t register a point in the game and finished with a plus/minus of -1 in 24:38 of ice time.
- In the same article, Botchford writes that the public outcry that top prospect Brock Boeser was scratched due to the team focusing more on shutting down Edmonton’s offense. “I know it’s a hot topic,” Vancouver head coach Travis Green said. “He’s going to play. He’s going to get his chance. We set our lineup against a very strong Edmonton team. He’s not going to sit here for a month.”
- Curtis Zupke of the Los Angeles Times writes that Los Angeles Kings’ Adrian Kempe‘s role on the forward line is already beginning to diminish. The former 2014 first-round pick only played two shifts in the third period for the second straight game and it looks like Alex Iafallo has taken his place on the second line of the power play. Kempe has struggled to break through as a wing on the professional level. He scored 12 goals in 46 games for the Ontario Reign of the AHL last year and scored just two goals for the Kings in 25 games.
Salary Cap Deep Dive: Vancouver Canucks
Navigating the Salary Cap is probably one of the more important tasks for any general manager to have. Teams that can avert total cap chaos by walking the tightrope of inking players to deals that match their value (or compensate for future value without breaking the bank) remain successful. Those that don’t see struggles and front office changes.
PHR will look at every NHL team and give a thorough look at their cap situation heading into the 2017-18 season. This will focus more on those players who are integral parts of the roster versus those who may find themselves shuttling between the AHL and NHL. All cap figures are courtesy of CapFriendly.
Vancouver Canucks
Current Cap Hit: $73,012,499 (under the $75MM Upper Limit)
Entry-Level Contracts
F Brock Boeser (Two years remaining, $925K)
F Jake Virtanen (One year remaining, $894K)
Potential Bonuses
Boeser: $850K
Virtanen: $850K
Boeser is one of the Canucks hope for the future. The team’s 2015 first-round pick has been playing exceptionally well in camp and looks ready to take a major role on the team. After two years at the University of North Dakota, Boeser managed to play in nine games for Vancouver last year, putting up four goals and an assist in that span and averaged 2.78 shots per game as well. Virtanen, on the other hand is just trying to cement a starting role on the team. The sixth overall pick in the 2014 draft, Virtanen has been disappointing and has had trouble finding a role with the club, playing 55 games two years ago and then settling for just 10 games last year. A solid camp so far suggests, he might have turned it around as he looks to take his game to the next level.
One Year Remaining, Non-Entry-Level
F Daniel Sedin ($7MM, UFA)
F Henrik Sedin ($7MM, UFA)
D Erik Gudbranson ($3.5MM, UFA)
F Thomas Vanek ($2MM, UFA)
F Sven Baertschi ($1.85MM, RFA)
D Troy Stecher ($925K, RFA)
F Markus Granlund ($900K, RFA)
F Alexander Burmistrov ($900K, RFA)
F Anton Rodin ($700K, UFA)
F Reid Boucher ($688K, RFA)
D Patrick Wiercioch ($625K, UFA)
On a positive note, there are many contracts that are set to expire next year, which could give the Canucks quite a bit of cap space. What the team will do with the Sedin brothers, long-time franchise players, is still up in the air. Rumors that they have no interest in going to a contender to finish out their careers suggest that they may choose to retire or sign up for a much shorter, much cheaper deal with Vancouver. While both have been leading the franchise, their numbers have begun to decline now that they are 36 years old with Daniel Sedin putting up just 15 goals and 44 points a year ago, while brother Henrik also just putting up 15 goals and 51 points.
There are very few potential unrestricted free agents that are critical to the team’s building of the future. While Gudbranson is just 25 years old, the team has shown a willingness to move on from the defenseman and has been talked about in trade rumors all offseason. The former third-overall pick in 2010 didn’t fare well in his first year in Vancouver, suffering a wrist injury and playing in only 30 games. The team may want to move on before they lose him. Vanek, signed late in the offseason, is also likely a trade chip at the trade deadline.
As for restricted free agents, the team still has high hopes that Baertschi will continue to improve. After struggling to break into the Calgary Flames starting unit, Vancouver picked him up and got 15 goals in 2015-16 and another 18 last year. The 24-year-old could easily wind up on the team’s second line and have a big year. Granlund, 24, is another youngster who stepped up a year ago, putting up 19 goals as a full-time starter. Stecher will also be a free agent. The 23-year-old undrafted free agent had a solid rookie season after coming to the Canucks from the University of North Dakota. He is penciled in as a first-line defender. The team also has high hopes they can turn around Burmistrov’s career. The former top-10 pick in 2010 was signed away from Arizona with the hopes he can fill a need in the bottom six.
2017-18 Primer: Vancouver Canucks
With the NHL season now just a month away, it’s time to look at what each team has done this summer and what to watch for in the year to come. Today, we focus on the Vancouver Canucks.
Last Season: 30-43-9 record (69 points), seventh in Pacific Division (missed the playoffs)
Remaining Cap Space: $1.99MM per CapFriendly
Key Newcomers: F Thomas Vanek (free agency, Florida), F Sam Gagner (free agency, Columbus), D Michael Del Zotto (free agency, Philadelphia), G Anders Nilsson (free agency, Buffalo)
Key Departures: G Ryan Miller (free agency, Anaheim), D Nikita Tryamkin (free agency, KHL)
[Related: Canucks Depth Chart From Roster Resource]
Player To Watch: F Brock Boeser – There isn’t a single player on the Vancouver Canucks with as much excitement around him as Boeser. The rookie exploded onto the scene at the end of last year with a goal in his first game, recording five total points in his nine game showcase. Coming straight out of the college ranks, Boeser looked like he had an extra gear for the NHL and continually beat defenders with speed and power. The winger, selected in the 2015 first round has developed quickly at the NCAA level and should be a contender for the Calder trophy should he play in the NHL all year.
After locking up Bo Horvat earlier today for six years, Vancouver fans will hope he and Boeser can find some chemistry together in the next few seasons, and form a dynamic top line duo. While there are other top young players—Sven Baertschi and Markus Granlund in particular—these two will carry a lot of the offensive weight for the Canucks going forward. Boeser is only 20-years old however, so expectations should be held in check. There is no guarantee that he’ll adapt to the NHL as quickly as he seemed to this spring, or be able to hold up for an entire season. The acquisition of Vanek could even mean he starts in the minor leagues, should Vancouver think he still has things to learn.
Still, there is a level of optimism around him that continues to rise. In a season where the biggest excitement will likely be how many prospects and draft picks come back at the trade deadline, Boeser should be a shining beacon for the future.
Key Storyline: Daniel and Henrik Sedin enter 2017-18 on the last year of their identical (as one would imagine) four year, $28MM contracts. They’re still the highest paid players on the team, and represent the last gasp of a Canucks run that had dominant regular season results and more than a few devastating playoff losses. Turning 37 later this month, it will likely be the twins’ last season in Vancouver and perhaps even the NHL. The pair have had dwindling results in recent years, and will give way to the next wave of Canucks talent.
Fans of the team and hockey in general should take a long look at some of their games this year, just to appreciate the dominance and cerebral play they can still create on occasion. It’s not often that two players find such chemistry together, and a pair like Daniel and Henrik may not ever grace the NHL again. While it’s not exactly a farewell tour, it may be the end of an incredible era in Vancouver, stretching all the way back to that fateful night in Boston, when Brian Burke worked some draft-floor magic in order to select both of them.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Prospect Notes: Boeser, Puljujarvi
Offensive improvement is a major need in Vancouver. With the decline of Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin, the Vancouver Canucks offense struggled last year as the team finished 29th out of 30 teams in goals scored (2.17). Add in the fact that they also finished dead last in shots attempted, the team has some work to do.
Their top young players, 22-year-old Bo Horvat and 24-year-old Sven Baertschi have talent and while the team suffered through numerous injuries a year ago, there is a lot of hope for youngster Brock Boeser, according to NHL.com’s Kevin Woodley. The Canucks 2015 first-round pick (23rd overall) played two seasons for the University of North Dakota and after his team lost in the NCAA championships to Boston University, he signed an entry-level contract and joined the Canucks for the final nine games of the season. The 20-year-old thrived, scoring four goals in that span for five points.
Boeser, known for his great passing and offensive skills, played well with Horvat and Baertschi on the second line at the end of the year and also had a good showing on the power play with the Sedin twins. However, according to Woodley, the team will not just give him a roster spot for this coming season. Boeser must earn it and to prove that, Vancouver still made him attend his third-straight development camp. He must also compete with new free agent acquisitions Sam Gagner and Alexander Burmistrov if he wants playing time.
- The Edmonton Oilers also have high hopes for their top pick a year ago. Jesse Puljujarvi, the fourth-overall pick in 2016, broke camp last year with the team, but struggled with the speed of the game as well as the language barrier and eventually found himself scratched in 10 out of 18 games. He was sent down to the AHL where he played 39 games for the Bakersfield Condors. He scored 12 goals and added 16 assists for 28 points there. The hope is that Puljijarvi can take the next step and make the rotation this year, according to NHL.com’s Tim Campbell. His combination of size (6-foot-4) and speed would be welcome with Edmonton’s young team.