After a very difficult 2022-23 season, the Vancouver Canucks will strive for success during the 2023-24 season.
2022-23
Record: 38-37-7 (83 pts) – 6th in Pacific
Playoffs: Did Not Qualify
Key Losses
Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D – FLA via Buyout), Ethan Bear (D – UFA), Collin Delia (G – WIN), Travis Dermott (D – ARI), Kyle Burroughs (D – SJ), Vitali Kravtsov (F – KHL), Tanner Pearson (F – MON)
Key Additions
Carson Soucy (D), Ian Cole (D), Matt Irwin (D), Teddy Blueger (F), Casey DeSmith (G)
2023-24 Preview
For the Vancouver Canucks, it was time to blow it up and start again. Vancouver missed the playoffs for the seventh time in eight seasons and the front office made moves. The only key pieces from last season’s opening night are Quinn Hughes and Tucker Poolman, however he may be heading toward a LTIR candidate due to lingering migraines.
Offense
F Elias Pettersson had a 102 point season, good for 10th, and J.T. Miller has to build on his 82 point season from last year. Likewise, Andrei Kuzmenko needs to prove that his 74 point season last year was not a fluke. As a defenceman, Quinn Hughes had a 69 assist season and looks to improve upon that. The Canucks finished 13th overall in scoring and 11th on the Power Play, and they look to improve upon those numbers despite the moves made among the organisation.
Defense
Hughes is a key piece upon the blue line and now that he will be paired with Ian Cole, along with Carson Soucy and Filip Hronek, the top four blueliners will be strong. The key items to focus on defensively is scoring, as they gave up an average of 3.61 goals per game, where they finished 25th, and then the penalty kill where they finished last in the NHL.
Overall Outlook
The Vancouver Canucks have a lot to look forward to but need to proceed with caution. G Thatcher Demko should be back to 100% but Spencer Martin and Arturs Silovs will each battle for the back-up role.
Things also look to improve as well because Head Coach Rich Tocchet will begin his first full season. For a team that is looking to strive for success and reach the postseason again, the Canucks will need to start off strong.
Read our other 2023-24 Team Previews: ANA, ARI, BOS, BUF, CAL, CAR, CHI, COL, CLB, DAL, DET, EDM, FLA, LA, MIN, MON, NAS, NJ, NYI, NYR, OTT, PHI, PIT, SJ, SEA, STL, TB, TOR
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