The Vancouver Canucks headed into the 2017-18 season with a new head coach, a new outlook and expectations of a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
However, despite having Travis Green behind the bench and the emergence of Brock Boeser, it didn't take long for things to take a turn for the worse. Injuries and losses piled up, and then the annoucement that would change the franchise forever - the retirement of the Sedin twins at the end of the season. Couple that with Canucks legend Trevor Linden stepping down from the teams front office in July, and Vancouver is definitely now starting with a clean slate.
Canucks Offseason Goals
Heading into the offseason, the Canucks needed to not only revamp their offense, but rebrand their team. The Sedin twins might not have retired from the game as the offensive juggernut they once were, but they left as the collective face of the franchise after 17 seasons with the club.
Boeser is on the brink of breaking out. With 55 points in 62 games he's poised to have a big year - if he can stay healthy. Vancouver will definitely need him with the Sedins gone, and the team finishing 2017-18 averaging 2.7 goals per game, sixth-worst in the league.
Jacob Markstrom couldn’t bail them out, despite boasting a .912 save percentage, as the team surrendered on average 3.2 goals per game.
While the power play was in the top half of the NHL, the penalty kill struggled mightly. Down a man, the Canucks were only effective 78.3 percent of the time. With the Sedins gone and the penalty kill ineffective, the Canucks offseason goals included shopping for players to boost their success on special teams and looking internally to see who had potential to move up the lineup.
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Canucks Offseason Acquisitions
Jay Beagle, Antoine Roussel, Tim Schaller, Tanner Kero
Canucks Offseason Departures
President of hockey operations Trevor Linden, Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, Jussi Jokinen, Nic Dowd, Michael Chaput
Canucks Free Agency/Trades
The Canucks kicked off free agency by signing 2018 Stanley Cup champ Jay Beagle to a four-year, $12 million contract. The 32-year-old finished the regular season with seven goals and 22 points, and led all Washington forwards in short-handed ice time. But most importantly, he’s among the best faceoff men in the league - finishing fourth in the NHL with a 58.5 faceoff percentage.
On the same day, Vancouver picked up gritty forward Antoine Roussel. A known agitator who isn't afraid to drop the gloves, he’s not much of a scorer, but he did have five goals and 17 points last year - his fourth season with the Stars. A physical presence on the ice, Roussel averages over 100 hits per season, and plays a strong defensive game.
The Canucks also added Tim Schaller, a fourth-line forward who had a career year with 10 goals and 22 points with the Bruins. The big upside for the Canucks, isthe 28-year-old netted three short-handed goals and brings a physical prescene to the roster.
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Overall, the team's focus shifted inward to fill the gaps on the top six, with their free agents working in the bottom of the lineup and special teams. Expect Vancouver to rely on a number of highly-anticipated prospects ready to make the jump.
Vancouver also re-signed Sven Baertschi and Markus Granlund, both expected to compete for a top six spot, Jake Virtanen and incoming prospects like Elias Pettersson and Jonathan Dahlen.
Despite back surgery in June, 2016, first-round draft pick Olli Juolevi is expected to make his NHL debut on defense this season. With his addition, the Canucks decided to stick to their current pairings and see if the young Finn can help carry the load.
Canucks 2018 Draft
To start the draft, Vancouver took defenceman Quinn Hughes seventh overall. The University of Michigan blueliner is a puck-moving blueliner who plays a strong 200-foot game and serves as an offensive threat. Experts have called him, "the next Brian Leetch", but he'll be returning to Ann Arbour in the Fall.
With the 37th pick, the team added another defender in Jett Woo. The 6-foot, 201-pound defenceman is known in juniors for his big hits, but can contribute offensively as well. In 44 games last season with Moose Jaw (WHL), he had nine goals and 25 points and played on Canada’s under-18 world championship team.
Vancouver rounded out the draft with centre Tyler Madden - the son of former NHLer John Madden who is headed to Northeasten - defenceman Toni Utunen, winger Artyom Manukyan and goaltender Matthew Thiesen.
Canucks Offseason Grade: C
While the Canucks are relying on players like Boeser, Baertschi and Petterson to fill the void on the top six, the loss of the Sedin twins will be felt. Henrik and Daniel combined for 25 goals and 105 points last season, and the players they have heading into the year may not be enough to make up for that loss of production.
Considering the offence was already struggling, the Canucks should have taken advantage of the market and spent a bit of money on proven top six forwards. Beagle and Roussel provide plenty of depth on the penalty kill and bottom six, but they’re both now making $3 million per year over the next four, and for players who don’t contribute a lot on offence, these contracts could put Vancouver in a difficult position down the road.
Overall, the Canucks had a strong draft performance and found some players to help strengthen troubled areas, but no one can replace the Sedins, and right now, it appears the weight of the team will be on Boeser’s shoulders. While he led the Canucks last season and became an overnight sensation, it's still hard to say if he can singlehandedly carry Vancouver back up the standings.