Corey Bryant
Registered User
Offense: The bit of sting in the Canucks attack is concentrated only in a few forwards, and any improvement rests on the discovery of a few forwards who can pop in a few surprise goals now and then to take away the predictability of the offense.
It’s true that Elias Pettersson had a very good rookie year with 28 goals and 66 points. Bo Horvat had 27 goals and Brock Boeser had 26. After that, though, you had to drop down to defenseman Alexander Edler with 10 goals before you saw any offense.
Strong defensive play is fine, but it must be executed by players who can go to the attack when the need arises. The Canucks need more of that type.
Defense: It’s a good thing that the Canucks have Jacob Markstrom in goal. He can make the necessary saves whenever the defense lapses. The defense isn’t that bad, but is, to be charitable, ordinary. It didn’t help that Alexander Edler missed 26 games with injuries last year. Troy Stecher was impressive with a +9 defensive rating. Christopher Tanev was +3. Much more is expected from Derrick Pouliot and Alex Biega. Luke Schenn, obtained from Anaheim in the deal that sent Michael Del Zotto packing, should help.
A player to watch: young Quinn Hughes.
Outlook: The Canucks will plug and plod, bump and grind, but in an era where flash and flair are in, a .500 season is the best they can do.
If Jacob Markstrom can repeat his previous heroics, that would be a big plus.
It’s true that Elias Pettersson had a very good rookie year with 28 goals and 66 points. Bo Horvat had 27 goals and Brock Boeser had 26. After that, though, you had to drop down to defenseman Alexander Edler with 10 goals before you saw any offense.
Strong defensive play is fine, but it must be executed by players who can go to the attack when the need arises. The Canucks need more of that type.
Defense: It’s a good thing that the Canucks have Jacob Markstrom in goal. He can make the necessary saves whenever the defense lapses. The defense isn’t that bad, but is, to be charitable, ordinary. It didn’t help that Alexander Edler missed 26 games with injuries last year. Troy Stecher was impressive with a +9 defensive rating. Christopher Tanev was +3. Much more is expected from Derrick Pouliot and Alex Biega. Luke Schenn, obtained from Anaheim in the deal that sent Michael Del Zotto packing, should help.
A player to watch: young Quinn Hughes.
Outlook: The Canucks will plug and plod, bump and grind, but in an era where flash and flair are in, a .500 season is the best they can do.
If Jacob Markstrom can repeat his previous heroics, that would be a big plus.