Canucks Season Preview: Must overcome a difficult early schedule

The 2022-23 NHL season begins on October 7th. With training camp open, NHL.com takes a look at the three keys, the inside scoop on roster matters, and the prospective lineup for each of the 32 teams. Today the Vancouver Canucks.

Coaches: Bruce Boudreau (second season)

Last season: 40-30-12, fifth in Pacific Division; did not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs

3 KEYS

1. Better start to the season

The Canucks haven’t quite recovered from their terrible start last season. They were 32-15-10 in 57 games after Boudreau took over Travis Green on December 5, but their 8-15-2 record in their first 25 games ruined them and they missed the playoffs by five points.

That’s a lesson the Canucks have learned, who know their schedule won’t make it easy to get off to a strong start.

They will play their first five games in three time zones along the way. They play 11 of their first 17 games and 14 of their first 22 on the road, including their second trip to the East Coast in less than a month for five straight games against the Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and Buffalo Sabers from November 8th to 15th.

2. Demko’s workload

Thatcher Demko played 64 games last season, making it the third most in the NHL Juuse Saros (67) and Connor Hellebuyck (66). He played in 30 of the Canucks’ last 36 games and started 27.

The 26-year-old keeper coped well overall but tired towards the end when he also played through a lower body injury. Demko has been 9-6-5 in his last 20 games with a 3.00 clean sheet average and a .908 save percentage. He was 24-16-2 with a 2.60 GAA and a .918 save ratio in his first 44 games.

The Canucks will put a lot on Demko’s shoulders this season, but managing his playing time early will be key, likely making him the No. 2 Spencer Martin a vital piece to Vancouver’s jigsaw puzzle.

Martin went 3-0-3 in six games last season with a 1.74 GAA and a .950 save percentage. He has played nine NHL games. The Canucks have too Collin Deliawho signed a one-year deal on July 13.

3. Incorporate defensive improvements into the season

A key to supporting Demko will be the defensive game as a whole, which builds on how the Canucks played under Boudreau last season. They improved after the coach took over, with a big focus on their ability to break out the puck cleaner and better overall.

Vancouver finished fifth in goals per game (2.67) after Boudreau took over. It finished 23rd (3.16) in 25 games under Green.

The Canucks haven’t made any major backend changes or upgrades, meaning they’re banking on the improvements they made under Boudreau this season. You also expect to have Tucker pool man the back. He played seven shifts in just one of Vancouver’s last 39 games last season because of a migraine problem.

roster overview

make the cut

The composition of the forward group is determined by where J T Miller plays. When he’s in the middle with me Elias Petterson and Bo Horvatit is possible Jason Dickinson must switch to the wing or be the underdog, especially with Curtis Lazar the likely No. 4 center. The Canucks also have Dakota Joshua, Nils Hoeglander and Andrei Kuzmenko, all of whom will be battling for a top 12 spot in training camp. On defense, Danny DeKeyser is in camp with a professional tryout contract. If Poolman is healthy, DeKeyser will compete with Brady Keeper and Kyle Burroughs for a duty roster. Martin and Delia will fight for the second goalkeeper.

Video: Top 5 JT Miller Plays from the 2021-22 Season

The most interesting addition

Ilya Mikheyev On July 13, he signed a four-year contract. The 27-year-old forward had NHL career bests with 21 goals and 32 points in 53 games with the Maple Leafs last season, when he mostly played in the third row. He will have the opportunity to be among the top six forwards in Vancouver. He will also add speed to one of the Canucks’ penalty-killing units.

Biggest potential surprise

Kuzmenko signed a one-year deal on July 13. He is 26 years old and has played regularly in the Kontinental Hockey League for the last five seasons and the last four with SKA St. Petersburg. Last season he had 53 points (20 goals, 33 assists) in 45 games. Kuzmenko could be boom or bust for the Canucks, but a big question will be how much power play time he can earn.

Ready to break through

Vasily Podkolzin is entering his second NHL season after scoring 14 goals and 26 points in 79 games with Vancouver last season. The 21-year-old forward returned to Vancouver early in the offseason to continue his training. He should earn a top 9 role, potentially play alongside Horvat or Miller, and should also get power play time. Podkolzin was the No. 10 pick in the 2019 NHL draft and played with Kuzmenko in the KHL.

fantasy sleeper

Mikheyev, LW/RW (not drawn on average in Fantasy) — He had NHL career-highs in goals (21), points (32), and shots on goal (147), though he was limited to 53 games with the Maple Leafs last season. Mikheyev, who finished fourth with the Maple Leafs in 5-on-5 goals per 60 minutes (1.02) behind topliners Austin Matthews, Mitchell Marner and Michael Buntshould place in the Canucks’ top 9 with potential exposure at one of their prized centers in Miller, Pettersson or Horvat. – Anna Dua

PLANNED PLACEMENT

Tanner Pearson –JT Miller– Brock Bad

Andrei Kuzmenko – Elias Pettersson – Ilya Mikheyev

Conor garland — Bo Horvat — Vasily Podkolzin

Dakota Joshua Jason Dickinson Curtis Lazar

Oliver Ekman-Larsson — Tyler Myers

QuinnHughes — Luke Nice

Travis Dermott – Tucker pool man

Thatcher Demko

Spencer Martin