There are too many players vying for roster spots both at forward and defense for the team to take a genuine shot at a youth movement. Being a west coast team, the injuries will invariably come, so perhaps it’s best not to place much too much emphasis on the shape of the opening night roster. On Green’s account, if Pettersson 'makes' the team, he will start at centre. His talents show great promise both at 5 on 5 and the PP. Ericksson is already week to week with a leg bruise. All the better.
Forwards
Sven Baertschi- Bo Horvat - Brock Boeser
Loui Eriksson (IR)- Elias Pettersson - Brandon Sutter
Antoine Roussel (IR) - Jay Beagle - Jake Virtanen
Markus Granlund - Tim Schaller - Brendan Leipsic
1. Adam Gaudette
2. Nicholai Goldobin
- Sam Gagner (would love if the waived him)
- Tyler Motte (had a good camp)
- Reid Boucher
- Jonathan Dahlen
- Petrus Palmu
- Darren Archibald
- Brendan Gaunce
Loads of AHL calibre talent in there. The Canucks need to replace a combined total of 105 Sedin points from last season, notwithstanding Vanek’s 40 odd points over 60 games. This forward group looks like they could scrape .500, barring any of the same miraculous bad luck from last year. Save their contract term, I’m not so bothered by new additions of Beagle, Roussel and Shaller. Word from camp is that Beagle is skating circles around everyone and has the puck on a string. What seems egregious are the free agent signings of Sam Gagner and Loui Eriksson over the past 2 seasons (Benning?) -- one has to wonder about the future of both. Jury is still out on Granlund. Green has repositioned him to more of a checking assignment and with a 20 goal season under his belt from an injury shortened 2017 campaign perhaps he’ll be given more of green light on offense this season. Sutter is not a play maker of any kind, so don’t expect him to make hay with Pettersson on that 2nd line. Horvat is is midseason form and it would appear no chemistry lost with Baertschi. Canuck nation have coined the Canuck PP
'Boesersson' and they have looked sharp, although Horvat seems to be leading that charge in the preseason. Loads of promise in the youth movement, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating. This is a throw away year for the team, here's hoping the youth can gain some confidence as a group.
DefenseEdler - Tanev
Del Zotto - Gudbranson
Hutton - Stecher
Pouliot - Joulevi
Biega - Sautner
The Canucks did nothing to address their defensive issues from last year and display very little breakout speed, offensive upside, nor passing skills. Quite frankly, as a group they have looked very pedestrian in the preseason. Gudbranson is not a good defenseman. Del Zotto is a hard worker but has no talent. Hutton has come to camp in incredible shape and while he will be given one last chance by Green, he has no brain for the game. While Biega has looked bad, and Edler/ Tanev should be ok, but but have played a lot of NHL hockey to date and are on the downturn of their careers. Joulevi has looked out of his depth -- coming off an injury, he will need further seasoning in Utica.
Goal Markstrom - he's looked good.
Nilsson - he sucks
Demko - he's not ready