While their Western Conference rivals break the bank for pricey free agents, the Canucks have stuck to a simple plan -- good goaltending, an aggressive power play and lots of young energy. Despite a late season nosedive following Markus Naslund's and Andrew Cassels' injuries, Vancouver squeaked into the playoffs. With veteran Bob Essensa gone, the Canucks look to Dan Cloutier to take over in net next season. Since GM Brian Burke contends that Vancouver cannot spend wildly, can the Canucks keep pace with the best in the West?
Here are your thoughts on what Vancouver needs for next season:
Hull could be steered to Vancouver
Brian Burke has done everything right. He's brought back the key components to the team's success without blowing his budget. He still has room for a mid-range unrestricted free agent, and word has it he's doing his darndest to tempt Brett Hull to the West Coast for a significant pay cut. Don't expect miracles this season, but there's no reason the Canucks can't return to the postseason.
Jonathan
Richmond, British Columbia
Important questions are being answered
The Canucks have a lot of "ifs" and "who wills" going into this season. How is Markus Naslund's leg? Can the Sedins score a little more consistently (I didn't see them score for three to four weeks sometimes)? Can Ed Jovanovski and Todd Bertuzzi be as mean and put up the kind offense they did last year? And the mother all Q's: is Dan Cloutier ready to be a starter (Tampa Bay really didn't know what defense was)? Most of the answers here should be yes, so watch out Avs, Stars and Wings. This team looks like Edmonton, only with more bite.
Anders
St. Paul, Minn.
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The rebuilding that's taken place over the past four years is finally taking shape and the Canucks are going to be a top eight team for many years to come. ” |
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— Dan, Vancouver, British Columbia |
Depth in net is next step
I think they are on the verge of becoming the next Colorado-type team. This team is very deep with young talent at every position, except the most important one -- goaltending. If they could package together some young prospects to land a Trevor Kidd, Jeff Hackett or Chris Osgood, they could do damage in the postseason. They are still a few years away, but heading in the right direction.
Cooper
Anaheim, Calif.
Inexperience in goal will kill hopes
I think the Canucks' chances are very slim. Dan Cloutier is not a proven starter yet. Just look at what he did with Tampa Bay. He added to their goaltending woes, and now Vancouver will have to deal with him. They have a steady defense with Drake Berehowsky and Jovo, but now going with four forwards, their ice time will get cut. The offense will be the same or even better if Markus Naslund stays healthy, and the twins should have a break out year.
Dan
Bedminster, N.J.
Naslund can't pull team's weight
The Canucks have one of the most exciting groups of prospects in the league, but to expect Markus Naslund to get them to the playoffs again isn't very reasonable. Dan Cloutier has not shown he can be a No. 1 goalie, and the loss of Bob Essensa will hurt. They need veteran leadership and better goaltending to compete in the very strong Western Conference. I feel that management's failure to find players through the lush free-agent market this year will be their downfall.
Rich
Islip, N.Y.
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It's kind of like asking if you expect to see any beggars at the banquet. When you have American teams that can get 40 percent more for every dollar they spend, you can't expect much. ” |
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— Michael, Seattle |
Slow and steady improvement
The Canucks will have to trade at least two of their young prospects if they want a goaltending partner for Dan Cloutier. Once the goaltending situation is shored up, they should be set for a better season than 2000-2001. Their young players (i.e. the majority of the team) will continue to improve as they mature and become more familiar with the league. As a result, the Canucks should finish with enough points to make the playoffs once again. That's about all that can be expected from a small-market Canadian team with the most difficult travel schedule in the NHL.
Ted
Lima, Peru
Key trades are all that's left for Canucks
Last year, the Canucks finally gelled and bought into Marc Crawford's system. Crawford likes an up-tempo game with his defensemen jumping up on the rush when the opportunity arises. The rebuilding that's taken place over the past four years is finally taking shape and the Canucks are going to be a top eight team for many years to come. The Canucks are one goalie and one first-line forward away from being a serious contender in the Western Conference. Bryan Allen is ready for the show and he is going to be a force to be reckoned with. Looks like a young Rob Blake.
Dan
Vancouver, British Columbia
Cup race hinges on premier netminding
It is true that Vancouver can indeed make the playoffs, not because they have improved tremendously but because there are only a few great teams in either conference every year. Remember, 16 teams always make the playoffs. In order to truly improve as a team, you need quality goaltending. Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy are the reasons why the Devils and Colorado are ALWAYS in the hunt. Another thing is a solid and stingy defense. In the West, Colorado, St. Louis and Detroit (now with Dominik Hasek) will continue to dominate and the other teams will have to wait another year.
Jason
Jackson, N.J.
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If they could package together some young prospects to land a Trevor Kidd, Jeff Hackett or Chris Osgood, they could do damage in the postseason. ” |
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— Cooper, Anaheim, Calif. |
Beating the system
It's kind of like asking if you expect to see any beggars at the banquet. When you have American teams that can get 40 percent more for every dollar they spend, you can't expect much. Then add a few GMs who don't seem to understand the theory of balancing a check book. With that said, Vancouver has potentially the best core of young players in the NHL. And the Canucks have perhaps the best emerging leader in any professional sport, Markus Naslund. Name one other player who actually placed money behind team commitment and honor. Brian Burke knows what he's doing and will continue to help these guys exceed their potential. I've already dusted off my jerseys and I plan on traveling come June.
Michael
Seattle
Canucks could sneak up on NHL
The Canucks will definitely move forward this upcoming season. They surprised everyone with how well they improved, and they are an amazingly hardworking, talented team. If it wasn't for Markus Naslund getting injured, they may have upset the Avs in the first round of the playoffs. If they had a goalie like Patrick Roy, they would be one of the elite teams in the league.
Liz
Denver
