The Canucks have been the whole show in a pretty pathetic division for a couple years. The division won’t be quite as bad this season and that could be either better or worse for them. As noted at the trade deadline, this team abandoned their identity then, and collapse came pretty close on the heels of doing so.
Good News
- The Sedin’s are healthy.
- Jason Garrison is a sound addition.
- Kevin Bieksa is signed long term.
Bad News
- Ryan Kesler is injured, again, to start the season.
- No major changes have been made to a possibly complacent team.
- The goalie drama will continue to be a distraction.
Forecast
High: There’s no question this team should win the division and challenge for another President’s Trophy.
Low: If the Luongo/Schnieder drama becomes really ugly, Kesler is out longer than expected, and one or more of the teams in the division play better there is a small chance they fall to 4th or 5th if they lose the division.
X-Factor
Whatever happens in net, or off ice this team needs an identity. The Kassian for Hodgson trade was a poor one in terms of adding an element that fits, if Luongo is indeed traded whoever comes back in his place needs to either be someone the team will rally around as a new leader, or slide into the murky waters of the Vancouver media scene without a ripple.
