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2015-16 Vancouver Canucks Team Awards

The Vancouver Canucks have just two games left in the 2015-16 season, and aside from a bit of jostling at the bottom of the standings, the year is for all intents and purposes over. With a disappointing season in the books, and no Vancouver player likely up for any major NHL hardware, it’s time to look back at the year that was and present the 2015-16 Vancouver Canucks team awards, with a LWOS twist.

2015-16 Vancouver Canucks Team Awards

Most Valuable Player, First Half: Daniel Sedin

For a while there in the first half of the season, it actually looked like the Canucks could have a chance to at least fight for a post-season berth. Much of that illusion was thanks to Daniel Sedin, who proved to many of the twins’ detractors that they were still elite offensive contributors.

Through the first 41 games of the year, Daniel paced the Canucks with 17 goals (five more than 2nd place Jannik Hansen) and 38 points, four up on brother Henrik and a whopping 16 over Hansen in third. From October to January, Daniel’s contributions were the only thing keeping the Canucks afloat (which might end up costing them the first overall pick come June).

Most Valuable Player, Second Half: Ryan Miller

Much has been made about Bo Horvat leading the Canucks in scoring over the back half of the 2015-16 campaign, and while it’s been an impressive run for him, the play of Ryan Miller, who just might have shown his best form as a Vancouver Canuck over the last couple of months, has been overlooked.

Of all the weak links on the Canucks roster this season, goaltending has not been one of them, and while 26-year-old Jacob Markstrom has put up repectable numbers overall, he’s faded down the stretch. Meanwhile, Miller seems to be thriving under a work load which includes more days off and has gotten better as the season has gone along.

In 22 games since the half-way mark of the season, Miller has a tidy 2.46 GAA and a very impressive .928 SV%, with just seven wins to show for his effort. Compared to a 2.74 GAA and .909 SV% over the first half of the season, Miller has been a clear MVP in the second half.

Best Defenseman to Play at Least 70 Games: Ben Hutton

There’s not really any debate for this award, as Hutton and Matt Bartkowski were the only two blueliners on the club who managed to suit up for at least 70 games. Chris Tanev is next with 67 games, and would have been a shoo-in for the award, unfortunately he won’t hit that mark and is therefore ineligible. Better luck next year.

That Hutton has been the best defenseman to play 70 games for the club is both a sign of the season he’s had, as well as the terrible injuries on the backend the club has suffered through. The Canucks cycled through 11 different d-men in 2015-16, only one of whom (who we’ll get to later), managed to post positive possession numbers at even strength. Throw in a combined 24 goals from the blueline, and it’s no wonder the Canucks are near the NHL’s basement.

That said, Hutton had a solid rookie campaign, notching 23 points in 73 games to pace Vancouver’s blueline group.

Unsung Hero: Dan Hamhuis

This award really should be named the “Jannik Hansen” award, yet the Dane finally stepped out of the shadows this season into a first line role and a career year offensively.

So instead, this year the award goes to the player who, with very little fanfare, has been the main rock the Canucks have been able to rely on along the blueline. Despite a gruesome facial injury, numerous detractors saying he had lost a step and swirling trade rumors, none of which could have been comfortable for the affable Hamhuis, the veteran defender has put in another solid season.

Hamhuis was the only Canucks defenseman to post a positive possession percentage (50.12 CF%), and one of just three players on the entire team, behind the heavily sheltered Jake Virtanen and the heavily injured Brandon Sutter. Never known as a big offensive producer, Hamhuis has also chipped in with three goals and 12 points. On a team in desperate need of quality defense and veteran leadership, Hamhuis’ contributions have been invaluable.

Top Propsect: Thatcher Demko

The 20-year-old Demko, the Canucks 2nd round pick (36th overall) in 2014, has been simply one of the best players in college hockey this season, as evidenced by his Hobey Baker Award nomination.

While he might not win the Hobey Baker as the top player in the NCAA, his nomination alone shows what kind of season he’s had, with a 1.85 GAA and .936 SV%, in addition to breaking Cory Schneider’s Boston College record for shutouts with 10.

Whether or not he signs with the Canucks after this season or after next, Demko is clearly the future of Vancouver’s crease.

Most Exciting Player: Bo Horvat

Can you believe that the Pavel Bure Award the team gives out to its most exciting player has never been won by a Sedin? We’ve seen players like Zack Kassian, David Booth and even Anson Carter take home the award, but not Daniel or Henrik.

Well, the tradition continues here, as Horvat was this season’s most exciting Canuck. Any compilation of Vancouver’s best goals this season is going to include a number of clips of Horvat, who seems to be developing a knack of undressing defensemen and opposing goaltenders on a regular basis, often resulting with the puck in the back of the net. His 15 goals are tied for 3rd on the club, while he’s set career highs offensively across the board.

Most Disappointing Player: Radim Vrbata

The list of most disappointing Canucks could fill an entire article, but Vrbata certainly tops it. While it was perfectly reasonable to expect Vrbata, at age 34, to perhaps start to show some regression this season, few could have foreseen a fall like this. The Czech winger saw his goals drop from a team-leading 31 last season to just 13 this year, while his points took a huge hit as well, from 63 last year to just 27 this year.

Vrbata will likely leave the Canucks this summer, and he’ll go with mixed feelings on his time in Vancouver. The first year he had a career year riding shotgun to the Sedins and even making an appearance in the 2015 All-Star Game. This year, it’s been limited minutes, fourth line duty, and far too many dry stretches offensively for last year’s team MVP and most exciting player award winner.

Best Hope For Next Year: Nikita Tryamkin

25 years. It’s been 25 years since a Russian came to join the Canucks mid-season with as much hype and intrigue as Nikita Tyamkin. In 1991, it was Pavel Bure, who dazzled immediately with his peerless speed and offensive prowess. For Tryamkin, it’s a mix of intimidating size, reach and skating ability which is intriguing Canucks fans.

Through 11 NHL games, his first in North America, Tryamkin has shown tons of promise, making several impressive defensive plays, yet he’s also had the odd gaffe which shows he’s still adjusting to the smaller ice surface. However, a summer of training in Vancouver awaits the 21-year-old, and he may prove early in 2016-17 to be a key piece of the Canucks beleaguered blueline moving forward.

 

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