Early in the 2014-15 campaign, the Vancouver Canucks are off to a fantastic start, going 10-4-0 through their first 14 games (good for 2nd in their division, their conference, and the National Hockey League), while also playing an exciting, uptempo style. Much of this is due to the play of GM Jim Benning‘s off-season acquisitions. Here’s a look at what each of the off-season additions has contributed to the Canucks in the early going.
New Faces Contributing for Canucks
Radim Vrbata
There’s a lot to be excited about with Radim Vrbata. He shoots, something Canucks fans are not used to. He scores goals, another thing Canucks fans are not used to. Through 14 games, Vrbata has compiled six goals and 13 points, tremendous production. Has he slowed down as of late? Most certainly, but there’s still a lot to like when it comes to Vrbata.
Nick Bonino
Remember when Canucks fans were moaning and whining about the return for Ryan Kesler? Yeah, I don’t think that’s the case anymore. Through 14 games, Bonino has a whopping 12 points, and leads the team with seven goals, and all at even strength no less. Absolutely outstanding production for a second line centerman, and more proof that his breakout 49-point campaign last year was not a fluke. It is highly unlikely that Bonino keeps this pace up, but so far there has been nothing to complain about.
Ryan Miller
There were some question marks surrounding Miller when he arrived in Vancouver. After all, the 34-year-old net minder was coming off a sub-par post-season run with the St. Louis Blues, where he posted a save percentage of .897 and a goals against average of 2.70. Miller has answered all those questions with his stellar play thus far for the Canucks. He’s posted a save percentage of .920, a GAA of 2.19, and a win-loss record of 10-1 through 11 games so far (his 10 wins is tops among all NHL goalies). It’s safe to say that without the sensational play of Ryan Miller, the Canucks are not 2nd in the National Hockey League right now.
Linden Vey
Benning killed two birds with one stone when he traded for former LA Kings prospect Linden Vey. The team needed youth, Vey just happens to be young. The team needed secondary scoring, and wouldn’t you know it, Vey has four goals and seven points through 14 games. The former AHL scoring champion has done just what the Canucks need him to: chip in offense. He’s not expected to score each and every game, but if the Canucks continue to get a point-every-second-game type of production from the rookie, they will be more than happy.
Derek Dorsett
A fourth liner that chips in with offense, kills penalties, and plays with an edge, how refreshing. Needless to say, Derek Dorsett has been a highly effective fourth liner, and is without a doubt one of the best fourth liners the Canucks have had on their roster over the past couple of years. The area where the former Blue Jacket helps the most in is the penalty kill. It’s nice to have options, and Dorsett is certainly a serviceable one.
Luca Sbisa
Say what you will about Luca Sbisa’s on-ice play (which had been horrendous up until recently), but the Swiss defender’s value to the Canucks has been astronomical. Between the constant turnovers and 2013-13 Edler-esque plays, Sbisa has become the butt of many a joke recently (and vastly improving the quality of my Twitter feed during Canucks games). And in the end, that’s all that really matters.
Willie Desjardins
A popular wish among Canucks fans was a team that rolls four lines, something the Canucks haven’t had over the years. Alain Vigneault occasionally refused to play the fourth line, while John Tortorella was also top heavy. In their defense, neither had much depth to work with (in Vigneault’s case, in his past two years as Canucks coach), but it’s still nice to see Desjardins so committed to rolling a balanced lineup. Combine that with Willie’s team first attitude, gentle but honest demeanor, and his undying confidence in his players, and you have one hell of a coach.
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