30 in 30: Vancouver Canucks
Is the window closing for Vancouver? They will be ever optimistic of a deep run but enter a new campaign with many of their major players in contract years. Being realigned to a tough Pacific Division may not be appreciated after a relatively easy five straight titles in the now defunct Northwest, the Canucks have been conclusively dumped from the post-season by LA and San Jose in the last two years. The roster remains extremely talented so it’ll be nice to see them fully tested during the regular season, that said it’d be a major surprise to see them miss the playoffs. Handing John Tortorella the head coaching job means it’ll be an entertaining season no matter what happens.
Notable Ins: Brad Richardson, Mike Santorelli, Yannick Weber
Notable Outs: Cory Schneider, Derek Roy, Max Lapierre
I’m not quite sure where to begin on the goalie situation, though all else aside having Roberto Luongo backed up by Eddie Lack would be a major positive for most NHL clubs. How they got to that point makes it much more complex, GM Mike Gillis was backed into a corner by Luongo’s mammoth contract and desperately trying to deal him. No such trade could be agreed and eventually his escape strategy was flipping Cory Schneider cut price to New Jersey for just the ninth overall pick that became Bo Horvat. Questions about Luongo’s motivation moving forward are valid, when he gave that fascinating press conference after the trade deadline it seemed inconceivable that six months later the starting job would be his.
Tortorella’s arrival behind the bench was made more curious by his predecessor Alain Vigneault replacing him in New York, it’s a switch of two very different personalities from the exterior. It’s no secret that ‘Torts’ demands all-in commitment from his players, basing his philosophy on grit and stability on the back end. I really like the appointment personally, a coach with a Stanley Cup to his name should be a prerequisite for a team so desperate to clinch its first championship.
Enforcing your style when your roster doesn’t suit it is only a task for the most headstrong of coaches, so suppressing a very talented offensive roster may have some growing pains. The Sedin twins will always put up points though no matter what the system, they will reunite with Alex Burrows on the top line. Ryan Kesler is the real heart of this team though, he was instrumental when the Canucks went to the Finals in 2011 and needs to return to those 40-goal heights, even staying healthy for an entire season would be a positive.
Despite the changes…
Prediction: 3rd in Pacific Division