I really couldnt give 2 ****es if we lose a lot. Im really looking forward to watching the young players. We lost that preseason game in SJ, and I didnt mind whatsoever. They played hard and played well against a stacked opposition.
Its really about secondary scoring and the transition game. Last year this team just got trapped in its own zone too often, and the lack of starting each play after a stoppage without the puck didnt help.
Sutter with the twins should help Hank on the draw on his off wing. Horvat will likely be better, McCann is a ?, but he's no slouch on the dot either. Hutton and Bartowski make our D FAR more mobile and should help the transition game and alleviating pressure by retriever pucks faster.
Bottom line in winning for me is what kind of consistency can they do it with? And will the likes of Virtanen, Baertschi, McCann, and Hutton be able to withstand the long season? Other than that I think special teams should be average if not just above average, Im confident in the goaltending, we have a 4th line that will play with character and defend their teammates, and theres some decent depth the team can and will recall when injury arrives in Gaunce, Vey, Biega, Shinkaruk, Cassels, Pedan, Subban.
The answer to the OPs question is variable depending on your outlook. If you want to see this franchise transition to the next generation, you should be excited, but you should also look at the other rosters in the conference and weigh your expectations accordingly. If all you do is bash regardless of the outcome (you know who you are), well yes, you should expect yet another miserable season of Benning/Sbisa bashing.
Most are predicting the Canucks to finish 2nd last in the conference. I dont see that happening, but theres a part of me that would like to get a top 3 pick cause I honestly really like a lot of the youth coming in, and if we were able to add a cant miss top line/D impact player to that mix, along with having some cap space to make a splash, this team could make a speedy turnaround. However I believe theyll finish 4th in the Pacific and will compete for a wild card spot.
