30 in 30: Vancouver Canucks

Dan Rosen and Matt Waymire take a look at the Vancouver Canucks for the upcoming 2016-17 NHL season

[@maxchristensen9315]

The sedins have the best linemate they have ever had in Loui Eriksson. I see all 3 having 70-75 point years. In terms of depth scoring, one thing that a lot of people forget is that Sutter, a proven 20 goal scorer, played all of 20 games last season. He was brought in to be middle six center, to ease horvat into becoming a top six player. For me Anton Rodin is a wild card. I could see him having a 15-20 goal year, or completely flame out. Hansen probably wont get 22 like he did last year but almost certainly will get 15 which is very solid middle six production. Then you look at the young players. Bo and Baer especially had solid years offensively and due to injuries were forced into roles that they weren't ready for. Less pressure as 3rd line players this year I believe will equate into more production due to Vancouver having a more balanced attack making it more difficult to key on 1 or 2 specific lines. Etem and granlund are at a crossroads. both showed glimpses of great play last year and consistency will be key. That being said, if the top 9 is producing then they can go out and play there games and as long as they play defensively responsible nobody will really care if they don't score all that much as they probably will be getting 4th line minutes. If they start costing the canucks goals and games, then the scrutiny will be much higher on them. I think and hope that JV and Gaunce will start the year in the AHL getting more minutes and further developing their respective games. My forward lines Daniel-Henrik-Loui Rodin-Sutter-Hansen Baer-Bo-Burr Etem-Granlund-Dorsett Extra is Chaput with Gaunce, JV being 1st call ups Now on to the defense, the most improved area of the canucks this year. Tanev is one of the most underappreciated defensemen in the game and I would say that he is as good as Marc Edward Vlasic. He plays the game with few errors and moves the puck quickly and efficiently. He blocks shots and can skate though he lacks a shot, that does not mean he is a poor offensive player. He is very smart in the offensive zone and makes the simple play. Edler shows flashes of brilliance in his offensive, defensive and physical parts of his game. Will this be the year he puts it all together, becoming a true top pairing defenseman? Hutton is plays the game with so much fun and composure, its truly a joy to watch. A very good puck moving dman. Trust me, the goals will come. Guddy brings a much needed physical edge to the team and the back end more specifically. He is big, can move and eats up minutes. IMO he is better suited for the Western Conference and the pacific division than adam larsson, and was acquired for a helluva lot less. That leaves us with the final pairing and probably the one I am most excited to see. Philip Larsen and Nikita Tryamkin. Larsen was a player that I loved in Dallas, then went Edmonton and faltered. No surprise as Oil Country is a graveyard for dmen nowadays. Tram is another player that has fans drooling at the mouth. He is huge, moves fairly well for his size, great length and a good stick, and has offensive upside. These two guys are big wildcards on the backend for the canucks. The odd men out are Luca Sbisa, whom i think will get traded, Alex Biega, a great depth guy with a bulldog never-say die mentality, and Andrey Pedan who is another player who oozes with potential. My pairings Edler-Tanev Hutton-Guddy Larsen-Tram Extras are Biega, Pedan In net Vancouver is set for the next 15 years. Miller is getting old and isn't as good as he used to be, though he still is a good goalie and should play anywhere from 50-55 games this year. The heir apparent is Jacob Markstrom who played very well last year and with an increase in games should prepare for life after miller, when he becomes the starter. Behind those two is the best goaltending prospect in Hockey, Thatcher Demko. Think a more athletically gifted cory schneider. All in all, I certainly believe that (barring injuries of catastrophic proportions like last season) the Vancouver Canucks will comfortably secure a playoff position this season, and if they cards play in their favor and the hockey gods look down favorably upon them, they could make a run for the western conference crown as the playoffs are all about momentum and staying injury free. Anything can happen.

[@peakedmtb]

Are you kidding?! Rodin with a 15-20 goal season?! And by the way, JV will definitely be in the NHL. RIDICULOUS estimations.

[@poejavelski148]

Bro you are completely out to lunch. The Canucks have by far the worst depth in the league and hold on, did you say TANEV is better than VLASIC!?!?!? Wtf are you smoking?

[@poejavelski148]

Also, their D lineup makes me want to puke. If any one of those 6 D men were on any other team, they would either be a bottom 2 pair or a healthy scratch. Canucks have the worst offense and defence in the league.

[@BMXridersrule]

lLOL What is this guy saying?? Tanev was a top 4 dman on Canada's world championship team he is def not a bottom 2 dman, Edler is easily a top 4 dman on any team, Hutton is never talked about and can probably put up about 30+ points this year. Rodin is swing or miss, he'll either score 15-20 or bust and go back to Sweden.

[@poejavelski148]

Come and talk to me half way through the season when the nucks are in last place and are 30th in Differential.

[@CalvinBiefeld]

Right now i don't see them as a playoff team.If they sign Jiri Hudler,than maybe.

[@poejavelski148]

Stars got Hudler.

[@xdamatox62]

They should have drafted Matthew tkachuck instead of olli juolevi!

[@Mario776wiejn4]

They should have drafted a slow punk instead of a smooth, puck-moving D-man!

[@xdamatox62]

If that slow punks name is Matthew tkachuck then yes

[@Mario776wiejn4]

xdamatox62 You give no reason to why you want him.

[@xdamatox62]

Tkachuck has higher upside in my opinion....Vancouver does need defensive help. But they have no top toward prospects left really after the McCann trade. Olli will be a solid pick for them but I feel like once the sedin's are gone. They don't have the next tier of towards who are ready to step in and takeover.

[@Mario776wiejn4]

xdamatox62 We have next draft to do that. There's some good forward prospects and with how JB has drafted in these past 3 drafts I have faith in him.