The Vancouver Canucks roster strength makes a strong case for deserving a 2024 NHL Stanley Cup championship run. Brock Boeser seems to be a great example that keeps popping up. In 81 regular season games, he had 73 games. However, for the overall depth of the Vancouver Canucks roster, you truly can see it in their work ethic and commitment to a defensive structure, and of course, execution. There are a few key players to the team’s overall success. Let’s explore if they can continue to get it done in their second round series against the Edmonton Oilers.
The Vancouver Canucks Key Roster Difference Makers
Quinn Hughes
Quinn Hughes puck possession is masterful and is truly appreciated on the grand stage that is the playoffs. His CF% Rel is 27.3 in the 2023-24 playoffs. On a high-level, he generates five quality scoring opportunities to your four. And he’s a defenceman, he’s not expected to play offensively. When they say, the best defence, is a great offence, they are talking about Quinn Hughes. Perhaps the best stat to summarize Hughes thus far in his career is the 290 assists in 365 games.
Elias Pettersson
The Canucks do have few gamebreakers that can score because they are expected to, J.T. Miller also comes to mind. Elias Pettersson is one of those type of players. Pettersson has been remarkably consistent in one very useful statistics, shooting percentage. This year he was slightly off his career average pace, 16.4 and 16.6, respectively. If he is playing well and building confidence to be taking shots in the playoffs, he will be scoring. Therefore, he will be an asset towards his team’s success. Despite the game two loss, Pettersson scored in first game of the 2024 playoffs. Maybe it will be a spark.
Dakota Joshua
It is fun to say, but Dakota Joshua is a throwback playoff performer. In 184 career regular season games, he has 567 hits. He’s 6’3″, 206 lbs, so packs a punch. He had a big season offensively this year for the Canucks. Also, he has been carrying it over during the playoffs. In eight games thus far in the playoffs, Joshua has three goals and four assists. Joshua is a tough player to battle with in the corners. Furthermore, he is exactly the type of player to wear down opponents in the playoffs. And why this Canucks roster has analysts questioning the Oilers depth. Oh yeah, and the fact that they double-shift Connor McDavid.
The Canucks Are Underdogs Against the Oilers and That’s Fine
Vancouver Canucks Rosters Notes
The Vancouver Canucks are a very strong roster, and their overall commitment to team defence is a testament to Head Coach Rick Tocchet‘s body of work. The other side of the coin, is that they do have gamebreakers. And hey, even a big hit can cause a swift shift in a game’s momentum. As long as the Canucks depth is able to continue to capitalize on their opportunities, as they have done all season, they will be successful. Conversely, just look for McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard, and company to have something to say about that. Game three, with the series tied 1-1, goes tonight in Edmonton, Alberta.
Main photo: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
