In celebration of Canadian Thanksgiving, take a look at what the Vancouver Canucks have to be thankful for two contests into the 2015-16 campaign. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Vancouver Canucks: What I’m Thankful For
A Mobile Blue Line
One of the Canucks’ primary issues over the past several years has been their stagnant blueline. It’s been popular opinion that the team lacks true puck movers, and that their defense is unable to contribute much in the way of offense and mobility. These thoughts may come to an end this season, as rookie Ben Hutton and newly signed Matt Bartkowski join the lineup on what appears to be at least a semi-regular basis for both. The former has been particularly impressive, with two points in two games so far, though the two of them have both demonstrated exemplary skating ability and a knack for joining rushes. It’s still very, very early, but the signs have been extremely promising thus far.
Richard Bachman
With the injury to backup Jacob Markstrom reportedly taking him out for roughly three weeks, the Canucks have had to call up Richard Bachman, a former member of the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars. Despite limited NHL experience, the club should still be immensely thankful that they have the 28-year-old in their system. While he’s far from a starting-caliber netminder, Bachman is still a fairly respectable safety net as a third-string goalie. Considering the alternative was Joe Cannata, who has never been even an American Hockey League starter, Bachman appears to have been a pretty shrewd signing by the organization, and should they need to, they shouldn’t feel too much fear putting the former 4th round pick in net.
The Rookies
After years with a maligned prospect pool, the Canucks appear to have struck gold as of late. On the opening night roster, they boasted three first-year players: Hutton, centre Jared McCann, and prized 2014 6th overall pick Jake Virtanen. While only the first two actually made the lineup on Wednesday and Saturday against Calgary, it’s hard to not get excited about the prospects of all three of these players getting some substantial NHL ice-time. After all the talk about who will replace the existing core in a couple of years, the Canucks may have just found their next batch of stars.
Henrik and Daniel Sedin
For anyone worried that the Sedins would slow down, you can stop. Through two games, the Sedin twins look like their same old selves, cycling around defenders and dishing one picture perfect pass after the other. Along with Brandon Sutter, the Sedin line was able to combine for nine points on opening night and, despite nothing to show for it, were outright dominant on Saturday against the Flames. Maybe they won’t be hitting 70 points again, but one thing’s for certain, they are still a heck of a lot of fun to watch.
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