The
2015-16 season has been a colossal disappointment for the Vancouver Canucks.
After scoring more than 100 points in five out of the last seven years, this squad
will likely not even reach 80 and will miss the playoffs. The frustrating
season is due to a combination of poor performances, age and injuries.
The
Sedin twins, Daniel and Henrik, are still the only real offensive weapons on
the team. As of March 29th, the pair of 35 year olds each has over
50 points, but only two other players have reached the 30 point plateau.
Vancouver has struggled to score all year, netting just 2.23 goals per game.
That is almost tied with the New Jersey Devils for the lowest in the NHL. With
35 year old Ryan Miller as the starting goalie, and only one year left on his
deal, the team needs to decide if to stay competitive or send out their
veterans and start rebuilding.
Pending
Free Agents: The Canucks have several noteworthy unrestricted free agents this
summer. 34 year old Radim Vrbata was a 30 goal scorer last season, but hasn’t
produced this year. He has just 27 points in 63 games, and is an embarrassingly
low -30. Another veteran free agent is Dan Hamhuis. Many thought the defenseman
would be traded before the deadline, but the team was not able to work out a
deal. It is likely the team wants to re-sign him, but that will depend on if
they will move into full rebuilding mode.
After
being signed as a free agent last offseason, the Canucks thought they had a
potential top four defenseman in Matt Barkowski. That has not been the case, as
he is currently a -23, worst among all Vancouver defenseman. It will be
interesting to see what the team will do with him.
Draft
Picks: Odds are the team will try to select some offensive help with their top
pick. While Auston Matthews is the top choice if they win the lottery, they may
look for Jesse Puljujärvi if Matthews isn’t available. He is born in Sweden and
plays right wing, so he could get a year or two with his countrymen, the Sedin
twins.
Free
Agent Additions: The team has holes all over the place, and will likely not
invest heavily in top tier free agents unless they make one last push to win in
the next year or two. If they go that route, All-Star Steven Stamkos of the
Tampa Bay Lightning would be the top target. He would likely choose a team able
to offer a better supporting cast though.
Vancouver
can also bring back Anton Rodin, a former second round pick that didn’t play well
in his first go around with the team, but was just named the MVP of the Swedish
Hockey League. Kyle Okposo and Eric Staal are two potential additions to
increase the scoring punch, but they won’t come cheap.
Labels: Eric Bokobza