Fansided

Vancouver Canucks 2015-16 NHL Preview

By Josh Hill

Mar 14, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Derek Dorsett (51) celebrates his goal against Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jonathan Bernier (45) (not pictured) during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Derek Dorsett (51) celebrates his goal against Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jonathan Bernier (45) (not pictured) during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Western Conference. Vancouver Canucks. 3. player. 104. <p class=. Pacific

Team MVP

Henrik Sedin – C

The Sedin twins are nearing the end of their careers, as they’re 35-years old now and on the wrong side of the prime of their careers. They’re still game changers for the Canucks though, and both of them could very well use their desperation to win a Cup to rally their team into competing this  year.

Lest we forget that even with the injuries and the age starting to show in 2014-15, the Canucks notched 101 points in the West and were serious contenders for the Cup when the postseason started. The only question is whether or not the team will run out of gas near the finish line again, something that the Sedin twins can’t allow to happen if they want to have the chance to go out on top with Vancouver.

Best Case Scenario

We all forget that the Canucks are a really good team, we just assume they’ll be in the playoffs and not much more. But a few year ago things came together for Vancouver and almost resulted in a Stanley Cup — something that the Sedin twins aren’t letting go of. The window is closing for those two and there is talent like Brandon Sutter and Brandon Prust here now to further boost an already contending roster.

Vancouver can win the Stanley Cup, that’s the best case scenario as they can match Los Angeles, Anaheim and Minnesota on their best days. It’s all a game of inches with the Canucks and if things bounce their way, they very well might find themselves in the Stanley Cup.

Worst Case Scenario

Vancouver has had the talent to make it to the Stanley Cup in years past, but they haven’t been able to pull it all together. That’s an issue that doesn’t just go away, especially when two of your best players are on the wrong side of 30 and closer to 40 than they are to their prime.

That’s not a detriment to the Canucks, but it’s not something that works in their favor. Age and injury will play a huge role in the Canucks season, and if they start to pile up or age starts to show on the Sedin Twins, Alexandre Burrows or others, then we might see the wheels fall off and Vancouver head straight to rebuilding mode sooner rather than later.

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