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The Canucks 2008-2009 Regular season ended with a energetic boost going into the post season with as high as expectations in a long time. That came crashing down hard in a 7-5 loss at the hands of the pesky young Chicago Blackhawks led by Patrick “20 cent” Kane.
Luongo released his emotions after that game and took the heavy burden of the loss himself and vows to make amends in the upcoming season.
Key Outgoing – Mats Sundin. Mattias Ohlund, Jason Labarbera, Curtis Sanford
Key Incoming – Sergei Shirokov, Christan Ehrhoff, Andrew Raycroft, Mikael Samuelsson, Mathieu Schneider
Those are the most notable players that will most likely affect what the Canucks do this season.
For Defense Schneider will start on the IR but when he returns he should give a huge influx into the Canucks PP for the upcoming season. He should be expected back about when Sami Salo has his first or second injury of the season. Ehrhoff is probably the biggest addition this season for a dman who has some defensive short comings but under the AV system we should see a much improved dman who will be a welcome addition to our blueline. Bieksa, Edler, and Mitchell will be their usual steady selves with Edler looking to make the jump in both minutes and key situations as he continues to grow in his role. Defensive Rating B+
For Forwards the biggest addition via the UFA market was Mikael Samuelsson who was brought in to be a supplement to the Canucks scoring depth and not a saviour… you hear that all fickle fans a supplement. He is in no way going to be a 30 goal scorer expect 18 to 22 goals from him and a decent two way player. Sergei Shirokov and the rest of the youth are huge keys to the Canucks success this upcoming season. No dont think its because he will be the next Pavel Bure but to win in this NHL you need youth to step up and more than fill spots. They need to contribute. Shirokov, Raymond, Wellwood, Bernier all need to be productive players this season, all need to break out of their shells and become consistent NHL players if the Canucks hope to truly contend for a Stanley Cup. Players like Kesler, Burrows, the Sedins, Johnson, Hordichuk and Rypien will provide what they provide with the Sedins expected to get their usual PPG with a hope they bring up their games to 90 point seasons. Forward Rating B-
For the Goaltenders… or should we say Goaltender? Raycroft signed on to backup Roberto Luongo and learn from him. Well I guess he will learn sitting on the bench as he probably wont get more than 12 to 14 games. Expect our Captain to continune his 68 to 70 starts this season and challenge for the Starting role with Team Canada. Roberto doesnt have to prove he is a great goalie. Roberto has to prove in the playoffs that he is a clutch goalie when the game is on the line. The regular season will be meaningless as we know he will be excellent but when the playoffs come past the first round Roberto has to step up his game even more and become the goalie that deserves the 12 year deal he recently signed. He has not stepped back in our minds but has reset to having to prove himself in the playoffs when it matters most. Goalie Rating A.
The Canucks should challenge for the Div title if not win it outright but Calgary will be tough and it will come down to Kipper vs Luongo on which team succeeds more which will be beneficial for both teams in the season and make them tough to play against all season long. Both teams will likely challenge for 2nd in the West and top 5 in the league and we hope and think the Canucks will be the more successful team. That is all water under the bridge if the Canucks bow out of the playoffs in the 1st or 2nd round. Team Rating B
A task which falls on Luongo and the Sedins…. and dont forget the youth….
Go Canucks Go!
