2020-21
Record: 23-29-4 50 points – 7th in the Scotia North Division
Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
Key Losses
G – Braden Holtby, F – Jay Beagle, F – Antoine Roussel, F – Loui Eriksson, F – Sven Baertschi, D – Alexander Edler, D – Nate Schmidt
Key Additions
D – Oliver Ekman-Larsson, F – Connor Garland, G – Jaroslav Halak, F – Jason Dickinson, D – Luke Schenn, D – Tucker Poolman
Jerseys
2021-22 Preview
After falling flat during the 2020-21 season, the Vancouver Canucks made some moves to allow themselves to bounce back to where they were in 2019-20. Gone is Braden Holtby in favor of Jaroslav Halak as the number two to Thatcher Demko between the pipes. Jay Beagle, Antoine Roussel, Loui Eriksson, and Sven Baertschi have all been traded away in favor of Connor Garland and Jason Dickinson on offense, and on defense Nate Schmidt and Alexander Edler moved on in favor of Tucker Poolman, Luke Schenn, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
With all of these moves the Canucks made, they hope that it’ll give them back their edge as they look to return to the playoffs once again. In net Demko will still be the guy, but with Halak in the picture now for the backup role, it’ll give the Canucks a better option than in net than their failed experiment with Holtby last season.
On defense the acquiring of Ekman-Larsson will greatly improve their puck movement to get out of their zone. While there are some questions about his declining play these past couple seasons, the move to Vancouver will most likely be a positive one for both parties, especially given how Ekman-Larsson would only accept a trade to Vancouver or Boston. Schenn will bring Stanley Cup winning experience to the blueline, and Poolman will provide some additional depth the Canucks have needed.
On offense Garland is going to become a new weapon at Vancouver’s disposal as he will be able to elevate the top six. While everyone looks at Ekman-Larsson the major talking point of the trade, Garland is the true piece to the trade as the kid has a very bright future. Dickinson will supply good depth to a young offensive core, and will be a solid top nine player for them. The development of Nils Hoglander, Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes will be exciting to watch this season.
Projected Lineup
J.T. Miller — Elias Pettersson — Brock Boeser
Tanner Pearson — Bo Horvat — Conor Garland
Nils Hoglander — Jason Dickinson — Vasily Podkolzin
Tyler Motte — Brandon Sutter — Matthew Highmore
Oliver Ekman-Larsson — Travis Hamonic
Quinn Hughes — Tyler Myers
Olli Juolevi — Tucker Poolman
Thatcher Demko
Jaroslav Halak
The Xperience Hockey Talk 