2017-18 record: 31-40-11 (73 points)
Missed the playoffs
Captain: TBA
The rebuild for the Vancouver Canucks has been slow, often painful, and now, it appears to be at a point where it finally gets to turn a corner. Yes, the Sedin twins have decided to skate off into the sunset, and the new blood will be given a shot at leading the team closer to playoff contention. Being they are in the Western Conference and have a lot of work to do, it may be a few years.
While Henrik and Daniel Sedin have officially retired, the reality was that the torch had been passed to the likes of Bo Horvat and Brock Boeser. The team was terrible on both ends of the ice, but Horvat and Boeser represent what the team could be offensively. The natural thought here is that both must stay healthy, and injuries decimated the team throughout the season. To that end, Antoine Roussel was brought in to be a bit of a deterrent to opposing players who attempt to take liberties with Horvat and Boeser. Defensively, the team was terrible, too. They believe some of the issues could be solved up front, hence the signings of both Tim Schaller and Jay Beagle, guys who won't solve the offensive problems, but ones who could help out defensively. The offensive improvement is likely coming from either Elias Pettersson and/or Jonathan Dahlen, both who would be in their first year with the Canucks if they make it to opening night. There is no gamebreaker on the blue line, but depth is surprisingly decent. In goal, Jacob Markstrom and Anders Nilsson are still keeping the seat warm for Thatcher Demko, who could be an NHL regular soon.
Prediction: 8th in the Pacific Division
The Canucks will be in for another long year, but the pieces are falling into place, however slowly it may be. The old era is now gone with the Sedins, and in earnest, the team can build around Horvat, Boeser, and Sven Baertschi up front and pray that the investment in Erik Gudbranson will finally pay off somehow.
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