Following the NHL draft, free agency and other offseason action, NHL.com is examining each team’s readiness for the 2022-23 regular season that begins Oct. 7. Today, the Vancouver Canucks:
2021-22 season: 40-30-12, fifth in Pacific Division; ineligible for Stanley Cup playoffs
key arrival
Ilya MikheevF: The 27-year-old, who recorded NHL career highs in goals (21) and points (32) in 53 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season, signed a four-year deal on July 13. . Mikheev will have a chance to reach the top six and will be upgraded to a penalty kick… Curtis LazarF: The 27-year-old signed a three-year deal on July 13 after scoring 16 points in 70 games for the Boston Bruins last season, including an NHL career-high eight goals. . … Andrei KuzmenkoF: The 26-year-old signed a one-year entry-level contract on July 13 after spending eight seasons in the Continental Hockey League, including the last four with SKA St. Petersburg. He’s second in the league with 53 points (20 goals, 33 assists) in 45 games and could make a difference in the top six. … Joshua, DakotaF: The 26-year-old signed a two-year deal on July 13 after scoring eight points (three goals and five assists) in 30 appearances for the St. Louis Blues last season. … CorindeliaG: The 28-year-old signed a one-term deal on July 13 with a 1-4-1 record of 3.85 goals and a .899 save percentage in eight games (six starts) with the Chicago Blackhawks last season. one year contract.It is expected that he will Spencer Martin for later backup work Thatcher Demko
VIDEO: FLA@TOR: Mikheev slides in, pulls puck to backhand
main departure
Alex ChassonF: The unrestricted free agent had 22 points (13 goals, 9 assists) in 67 games last season. … Yoho RamikoF: He became the UFA after not getting a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent. Lamiko set NHL career highs in goals (7), assists (8), points (15) and games played (75) last season. … Matthew HighmoreF: A one-year two-way contract was signed with the Blues on 14 July after no qualifying offers were received. He recorded NHL career highs in goals (5), assists (7) and points (12) in 46 games last season. … Yaroslav KharakG: Signed a one-year deal with the New York Rangers on July 13 after going 4-7-2 with a 2.94 GAA and .903 save percentage last season. … Brad HuntD: Signed a two-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche on July 15 after scoring 17 points (3 goals, 14 assists) in 50 games last season.
on the cusp
Jack RathboneD: The 23-year-old was scoreless in nine games with the Canucks last season, but he did score 40 points in 39 games against Abbotsford in the American Hockey League (10 goals, 30 points). assists), although he was sidelined by injury. Rathbone, who was selected with the 95th overall pick in the 2017 NHL draft, could get the chance to play more often in the NHL this season after signing a two-year deal on July 1.
what do they still need
The Canucks entered the offseason hoping to upgrade last season that relied too heavily on Demko’s defense, but appear set to return with the same group. That made it even more important for coach Bruce Boudreau to find the right fit in a forward combination that was deeper, faster, but didn’t seem to fit easily from top to bottom.This includes finding defensive forward positions Jason DickinsonStruggled last season to compete with Joshua in the starting lineup.
they said
“Of course I hope so, but of course I hope we have another level. We need to be ready from the first day of training camp and then move on and add some players here now and I think we’re creating more internal competition.”— General manager Patrik Allvin on whether the Canucks’ 32-15-10 record after hiring Boudreau to replace Travis Green on Dec. 5 shows Team potential
fantasy focus
Brock Bother He’s a fantastic rebound candidate after averaging 0.65 points per game last season (46 in 71 games), the worst of his entire NHL career.The striker is likely to have an elite teammate JT Miller and / or Elias Paterson And should be considered a top 150 player this season. Another wrinkle on the opposite flank of Boeser could be a breakthrough candidate Vasily Podkirzin (4th in Vancouver last season with 0.76 5-on-5 goals per 60 minutes as a rookie) Mikheev or Kuzmenko. –Anna Dewar
VIDEO: LAK@VAN: Boeser buries a timer for PPG, Nets 22nd
Expected lineup
Ilya Mikheev – Elias Paterson – Brock Bose
Tanna Pearson — Bohowat — Conor Garland
Andrei Kuzmenko – JT Miller – Vasily Podkirzin
Nils Hoagland – Curtis Lazar – Dakota Joshua
Oliver Ekman-Larson — Tyler Myers
Quinn Hughes — Luke Shin
Travis Dermot — Tucker Pullman
Thatcher Demko
Spencer Martin
