The Vancouver Canucks came into this offseason looking to fill two key holes left by departing free agents.
First, the Canucks lost two-way center Elias Lindholm. Second, the club lost shutdown defenseman Nikita Zadorov. Both Lindholm and Zadorov inked free-agent deals with the Boston Bruins.
While GM Patrik Allvin has done his best to fill the gaps, there’s still plenty of work to be done this offseason. Here’s a closer look at three pain points the Vancouver Canucks need to address as the team gears up for the 2024-25 season.
3 pain points Vancouver Canucks still need to address ahead of 2024-25 season
#3. A middle six forward
Lindholm’s departure has left an evident hole in the Canucks’ middle six. With J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson slated to be the number one and two centers, that leaves room for improvement on the wings.
The Canucks got great service from Nils Hoglander, Dakota Joshua and Conor Garland last season. However, there’s no telling if these players can replicate the success they had in 2023-2024.
The addition of Jake DeBrusk should provide Pettersson with a great winger. Nevertheless, the third line looks somewhat suspect. As it stands, Teddy Blueger looks to be the third-line center, with Garland and Joshua on the wings. All three players need to provide depth scoring, especially when teams shut down Miller and Brock Boeser.
Plus, if and when Pettersson goes on a cold streak, that third line needs to step up. So, the Canucks would do well to add another proven middle six forward who can provide depth scoring, particularly during the postseason.
#2. Bottom pairing defensemen
As it stands, the Vancouver Canucks are rolling with Derek Forbort and former Edmonton Oiler Vincent Desharnais as the team’s bottom pairing. While both blue liners are serviceable, they shouldn’t be everyday defensemen.
In particular, Desharnais was exposed as a liability for Edmonton during the last postseason. The good news is that there are plenty of cost-effective options for that bottom pairing. The Canucks will need to look into viable upgrades, even if it means promoting from within, to ensure the club can roll with three effective defense pairings.
#1. The second power play unit
Vancouver’s top power play unit looks solid. Boeser, Miller, Pettersson and Quinn Hughes look like a dangerous unit. However, the second unit lacks a strong quarterback and a heavy-shot winger who could fire from the slot.
While the second power play unit could greatly benefit from a strong middle six forward, head coach Rick Tocchet might consider deploying Petterson on the second unit with Jake DeBrusk. Similarly, a strong, puck-moving defenseman could make the second unit dangerous.
Currently, Filip Hronek is penciled in to quarterback the second unit. While Hronek is not a bad choice, the Canucks could use a more agile blue line in this role. Realistically, Hronek is their best option. But don’t be surprised if Allvin pulls off an in-season trade to upgrade the second defense pairing, addressing the second power play unit at the same time.
