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NHL Season Preview 2016-17: Vancouver Canucks

By Dave Stevenson

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images Mandatory Credit: Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images Mandatory Credit: Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images /
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How will the Vancouver Canucks fare in 2016-17? 

The Vancouver Canucks went into the 2015-16 season with a bit of optimism after making the playoffs in 2014-15. They finished in sixth place in the Pacific Division and with a 31-38-13 record, had the third-worst point percentage in the NHL. Only the New Jersey Devils scored less goals than the Canucks. Vancouver also allowed the seventh-most goals in the league.

They addressed their needs in the offseason, but they still have flaws. While they still have some very good players, they are putting a lot of faith in their young players. Are the Canucks in for a long season?

Offseason Review

Here’s a brief review of what the Vancouver Canucks have done this offseason.

Additions: F Loui Eriksson (Bruins), D Erik Gudbranson (Panthers), D Olli Juolevi (2016 NHL Draft), D Philip Larsen (KHL), C/F Jayson Megna (Rangers)

Losses: D Yanick Weber (Predators), D Dan Hamhuis (Stars), F Radim Vrbata (Coyotes), F Linden Vey (Flames), F Chris Higgins, F Brandon Prust, D Matt Bartkowski, C Jared McCann (Panthers)

Retained: G Jacob Markstrom, F Sven Baertschi, F Emerson Etem

The Canucks addressed their offensive woes by signing former Boston Bruins wing Loui Eriksson. Eriksson is coming off his first 30 goal season since 2008-09 with 63 points. However, Eriksson is also 31 years old. He should continue to be good for the first three or four years of his deal, but the last years of the six-year deal could get ugly.

To address their defense, the Canucks acquired Erik Gudbranson. However, in order to do so, they gave up promising young forward Jared McCann. Gudbranson gives them a quality defenseman, something that they needed, but McCann is a bit much to give up for him.

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Vancouver also addressed their defense by drafting Olli Juolevi with the fifth overall pick of the 2016 NHL Draft. He is not eligible to play in the AHL this season, so don’t rule out Juolevi making the opening night roster. The Canucks desperately need defensemen and Juolevi is a very good one.

Philip Larsen should serve as a bottom pairing defenseman for the Canucks, but he has some upside. He has 31 points in 125 NHL games. Larsen had 36 points in the KHL last season. Jayson Megna is an intriguing depth forward who played for the New York Rangers last season. In 2015-16, Megna had 44 points in 68 games in the AHL.

The loss of Dan Hamhuis is huge for the Canucks defense. Luckily, Gudbranson should take his spot in the lineup. But Gudbranson is a clear downgrade from Hamhuis. Emerson Etem did alright for the Canucks last season in a small sample size. He should fit in on their third or fourth line.

Player Spotlight: Chris Tanev

Everybody talks about the Sedin twins. And rightfully so, as Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin are a magical, unique duo who are a pleasure to watch. But as they have gotten older, though they are still excellent players, their importance for the Canucks is beginning to dwindle. Chris Tanev has surpassed them in importance as the best defenseman on a blue line lacking depth.

Alexander Edler and Tanev form the Canucks’ first pairing. In 2015-16, the duo finished first and second respectively among Canucks defensemen in average time on ice per game. His -8 plus-minus rating looks bad on paper, but keep in mind that the Sedin twins were the only Canucks who played in at least 68 games with a better rating.

Tanev has quietly made a huge impact on the Canucks’ blue line. His shot suppression numbers over the past three seasons are impressive. Tanev also does a great job at preventing goals, as his -0.35 relative goals against per sixty minutes at even strength ranks 20th among defensemen since 2013.

Without Hamhuis, Tanev will play even more. Don’t be surprised if he sees over 23 minutes a night on a fairly consistent basis. The Vancouver Canucks don’t have much going for them right now, but they do have a great defenseman in Tanev.

2016-17 Outlook

The Vancouver Canucks are not completely lacking in talent. It should be fun to see the Sedin twins and Eriksson on the same forward line. That line should be one of the most productive in the league. Tanev and Edler form a first defensive pairing that is better than most people think.

However, the Canucks don’t have much after their top-tier guys. They’ll be counting on guys like Ben Hutton, Jake Virtanen, Bo Horvat, Nikita Tryamkin, Sven Baertschi, and Etem to play fairly significant minutes. That’s a bit concerning because they’ll be taking on roles they are likely not ready for.

Combine that with questionable goaltending and it’s hard to see the Canucks as a contender. Games are played on the ice, not on paper. But the Canucks appear to be ready to have good odds of having a high draft pick at the 2017 NHL Draft.