Vancouver Canucks (EHM:EA)

[Braeden]

With the NHL regular season right around the corner, TSN.ca profiles each team leading up to puck drop. Next up is the Vancouver Canucks – looking to rebound from an abysmal season with a new GM, head coach, starting goaltender and winning attitude. Catch up on their off-season moves and the issues they face this season, as well as their analytical breakdown by TSN's Scott Cullen.

Division: Pacific GM: Jim Benning Head Coach: Willie Desjardins

2013-14: 36-35-11 (5th in Pacific) Playoffs: Did not qualify

Goals For: 191 (28th) Goals Against: 216 (14th) PP: 15.2% (26th) PK: 83.2 (9th)

Key 2014 Additions: C Nick Bonino, RW Derek Dorsett, G Ryan Miller, D Luca Sbisa, RW Linden Vey, RW Radim Vrbata

Key 2014 Subtractions: LW David Booth, C Zac Dalpe, D Jason Garrison, C Ryan Kesler, C Mike Santorelli, C Jordan Schroeder

That Was Then:
John Tortorella was to be given one big advantage as head coach last season - there was to be no goaltending controversy. After a year dominated by the Roberto Luongo vs. Cory Schneider narrative, GM Mike Gillis finally put an end to it shipping Schneider to the New Jersey Devils. Luongo was the man left standing and this was to be his team. But things didn't go remotely to plan.
Tortorella had the Canucks play a defence-first approach with an emphasis on blocking shots rather than the high-transition game that took them to a Stanley Cup Final. The Sedins found themselves with newfound defensive assignments and they floundered. Henrik's NHL iron man streak ended in January with bruised ribs and he went on to miss the Winter Olympics. Daniel's season was cut short late in the year with a groin injury.

Tortorella even played a starring role in the Canucks' 2013-14 sideshow in January when he took exception to a line-brawl that broke out between the Canucks and Calgary Flames. Tortorella stormed the Flames' dressing room at the intermission and had to be physically restrained in his attempts to get at Calgary coach Bob Hartley. Tortorella was suspended 15 days (including six Canucks games) without pay, banning him from contact with the team.

As it turned out, the goaltending controversy was not actually over. Neither Luongo nor back-up Eddie Lack sparkled last season, but when Tortorella chose to start Lack over Luongo in the outdoor Heritage Classic in early March, the team once again invited contention. Just days later, Luongo and his almost immovable contract were dealt to the Florida Panthers. The Canucks won just eight games after the incident in Calgary, going 8-18-1 to finish the season and earning the NHL's seventh-worst record. Both coach and GM were dismissed at the end of the season to conclude a year that the Canucks would like to forget, missing the playoffs for just the third time in 13 seasons.

[Braeden]

Vancouver Canucks Training Camp:

Centers
1. Henrik Sedin
2. Nick Bonino
3. Brad Richardson
4. Bo Horvat
5. Jared McCann
6. Brendan Gaunce
7. Cole Cassels

Left Wingers
1. Daniel Sedin
2. Alex Burrows
3. Shawn Matthias
4. Chris Higgins
5. Cory Conacher
6. Brandon McMillan
7. Sven Baertschi
8. Ronalds Kenins
9. Hunter Shinkaruk
10. Tom Sestito
11. Darren Archibald

Right Wingers
1. Radim Vrbata
2. Jannik Hansen
3. Zack Kassian
4. Linden Vey
5. Derek Dorsett
6. Nicklas Jensen
7. Jake Virtanen

Defence
1. Alex Edler
2. Dan Hamhuis
3. Kevin Bieksa
4. Chris Tanev
5. Luca Sbisa
6. Ryan Stanton
7. Yannick Weber
8. Bobby Sanguinetti
9. Frank Corrado
10. Adam Clendenning
11. Alex Biega
12. Andrey Pedan

Goalies
1. Ryan Miller
2. Eddie Lack
3. Jacob Markstrom
4. Joacim Eriksson

[Braeden]

Vancouver Canucks Training Camp:

DAY ONE
Vancouver Canucks coach Willie Desjardins has reported that both Alex Edler and Ryan Miller are in excellent fitness condition. He has also reported that both Luca Sbisa and Adam Clendening were left trailing and need to show improvement.

TEAM RED defeats TEAM BLUE by a score of 3-2

Team Red goals:
Sven Baertschi from Shawn Matthias, Nicklas Jensen
Tom Sestito from Zack Kassian, Bobby Sanguinetti
Radim Vrbata from Henrik Sedin, Chris Higgins

Team Blue goals:
Frank Corrado from Bo Horvat
Alex Edler from Nick Bonino (PPG)

Coaching staff were rinkside evaluating the players and agreed that Radim Vrbata put in the best performance, with Alex Edler and Frank Corrado also putting in a good effort.


DAY TWO

TEAM RED defeated TEAM BLUE 3-1

Team Red Goals:
Sven Baertschi from Radim Vrbata, Bobby Sanguinetti (PPG)
Nicklas Jensen from Chris Higgins, Shawn Matthias (PPG)
Tom Sestito from Brandon McMillan, Chris Tanev

Team Blue Goals:
Daniel Sedin from Alex Edler, Kevin Bieksa

Coaching staff were rinkside evaluating the players and agreed that Tom Sestito put in the best performance, with Bobby Sanguinetti and Daniel Sedin also putting in a good effort.

Canucks Cuts:
LW Ronalds Kenins
C Alex Friesen
LD Andrey Pedan
C Brendan Gaunce
LD/RD Alex Biega
LW Darren Archibald
G Jacob Markstrom
G Joacim Eriksson


DAY THREE

TEAM RED defeated TEAM BLUE 4-2

Team Red Goals:
Radim Vrbata from Sven Baerstchi, Bobby Sanguinetti (PP)
Bobby Saguinetti from Jared McCann
Henrik Sedin from Radim Vrbata, Sven Baertschi (PP)
Zack Kassian from Sven Baertschi, Bobby Sanguinetti

Team Blue Goals:
Bo Horvat from Alex Burrows, Derek Dorsett
Jannik Hansen from Cory Conacher, Ryan Stanton

Coaching staff were rinkside evaluating the players and agreed that Bobby Sanguinetti put in the best performance, with Sven Baertschi and Radim Vrbata also putting in a good effort.


CANUCKS CUTS
LW Hunter Shinkaruk
RD Adam Clendening
C Cole Cassels
RD Frank Corrado

CANUCKS WAIVERS
LW Tom Sestito- unclaimed

Pre-Season is next.

[Braeden]

Vancouver Canucks PreSeason:

@
Canucks defeat the Boston Bruins 3-1!

Vancouver Canucks goals:
Sven Baertschi from Nicklas Jensen
Nick Bonino from Bobby Sanguinetti, Alex Edler (PP)
Jake Virtanen from Cole Cassels, Chris Tanev (EN)

Boston Bruins goals:
Maxim Chudinov from Ryan Spooner, Joe Morrow (PP)
----------------------
TEAM RED defeats TEAM BLUE by a score of 2-1

Team Red goals:
Sven Baertschi unassisted
Bobby Sanguinetti from Jared McCann

Team Blue goals:
Ryan Stanton from Bo Horvat (PP)

Coaching staff were rinkside evaluating the players and agreed that Sven Baertschi put in the best performance, with Bobby Sanguinetti and Bo Horvat also putting in a good effort.

FINAL CUTS
C Jared McCann
RW Jake Virtanen
LW Brandon McMillan (waived)-Cleared waivers
RW Nicklas Jensen
RD Bobby Sanguinetti
RW Sven Baertschi
RW Cory Conacher (waived)- Columbus Blue Jackets claimed
----------------------

@
Canucks defeat the Capitals 3-2!

Vancouver Canucks goals:
Henrik Sedin from Daniel Sedin, Linden Vey
Daniel Sedin from Alex Edler, Radim Vrbata (PP)
Henrik Sedin (2) from Yannick Weber, Alex Edler (PP)

Washington Capitals goals:
Nicklas Backstrom from John Carlson, Marcus Johansson
Andre Burakovsky from Eric Fehr (PP)

**Henrik Sedin will be out for about a month after he suffered a ligament sprain in his ankle.
----------------------

@
Canucks defeat the Blackhawks 4-2!

Vancouver Canucks goals:
Nick Bonino from Alex Burrows, Chris Tanev
Nick Bonino (2) from Chris Higgins, Daniel Sedin
Radim Vrbata from Daniel Sedin, Chris Tanev
Daniel Sedin from Radim Vrbata, Alex Edler

Chicago Blackhawks goals:
Andrew Shaw from Dan Carcillo, Kris Versteeg
Marian Hossa from Patrick Sharp, Duncan Keith (PP)
----------------------

@
Sharks defeat Canucks 2-1!

Vancouver Canucks goals:
Radim Vrbata unassisted (PP)

San Jose Sharks goals:
Patrick Marleau from Justin Braun
Ben Smith from Tommy Wingels, Joe Pavelski

**Bieksa was injured for about a week with a shoulder contusion.
----------------------

@
Canucks defeat the Red Wings in OT 3-2!

Vancouver Canucks goals:
Chris Higgins from Linden Vey, Nick Bonino (PP)
Daniel Sedin from Linden Vey, Zack Kassian
Alex Burrows from Jannik Hansen, Luca Sbisa (GW)

Detroit Red Wings goals:
Niklas Kronwall from Joakim Andersson
Kevin Porter from Danny DeKeyser, Brendan Smith (PP)

[Braeden]

YOUR 2014-2015 OPENING NIGHT LINEUP VS CALGARY!
Daniel Sedin- Nick Bonino- Alex Burrows
Chris Higgins- Bo Horvat- Jannik Hansen
Shawn Matthias- Brad Richardson- Zack Kassian
Yannick Weber- Linden Vey- Derek Dorsett

Dan Hamhuis- Alex Edler
Luca Sbisa- Kevin Bieksa
Ryan Stanton- Chris Tanev

Ryan Miller
Eddie Lack

[Braeden]

Canucks Douse Flames 5-2!

Canucks forward Alex Burrows had 3 points in Wednesday nights contest.

Vancouver Canucks at Calgary Flames
Oct 8, 2014 1 2 3 F VAN (0-0-0) 1 3 1 5 CGY (0-0-0) 0 1 1 2 Three Stars Daniel Sedin 1 Goal, 1 Assist Nick Bonino 0 Goals, 2 Assists Alex Burrows 1 Goal, 2 Assists	Team Stats Comparison VAN CGY Shots on Goal 28 28 Hits 10 16 Faceoffs Won-Lost 54.7% 45.3% Penalty Minutes 10 2 Power Plays Converted 0 2 Power Play Opportunities 0 4 Time on Attack
Scoring Summary FIRST PERIOD VAN [10:34] Alex Burrows from Daniel Sedin, Alex Edler SECOND PERIOD VAN [01:00] Yannick Weber from Derek Dorsett, Linden Vey VAN [02:32] Daniel Sedin from Alex Burrows, Luca Sbisa CGY [12:28] Kris Russell from Sean Monahan (PP) VAN [19:20] Dan Hamhuis from Nick Bonino THIRD PERIOD VAN [09:56] Chris Tanev from Alex Burrows, Nick Bonino CGY [16:05] Dennis Wideman from Sean Monahan (PP)
Vancouver Canucks - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA Ryan Miller 28 26 93% 2.00
Calgary Flames - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA Karri Ramo 28 23 82% 5.00

Next Game: VS Edmonton Oilers (1-0-0) , Saturday October 11th, 2014

[Braeden]

HHH line dominates the Oilers, Canucks win 3-2!

Jannik Hansen of the Vancouver Canucks had 2 goals tonight against the Oilers.

Edmonton Oilers at Vancouver Canucks
Oct 11, 2014 1 2 3 F EDM (1-0-0) 1 1 0 2 VAN (1-0-0) 0 2 1 3 Three Stars Bo Horvat 1 Goal, 2 Assists Chris Higgins 0 Goals, 3 Assists Jannik Hansen 2 Goals, 1 Assist	Team Stats Comparison EDM VAN Shots on Goal 30 33 Hits 12 14 Faceoffs Won-Lost 52.8% 47.2% Penalty Minutes 8 12 Power Plays Converted 1 0 Power Play Opportunities 6 4 Time on Attack
Scoring Summary FIRST PERIOD EDM [12:24] Ryan Nugent-Hopkins from Mark Fraser, Mark Fayne SECOND PERIOD EDM [05:01] Teddy Purcell from Justin Schultz, Nikita Nikitin VAN [02:32] Bo Horvat from Jannik Hansen, Chris Higgins VAN [12:28] Jannik Hansen from Chris Higgins, Bo Horvat THIRD PERIOD VAN [19:20] Jannik Hansen from Bo Horvat, Chris Higgins
Edmonton Oilers - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA Ben Scrivens 33 30 91% 3.00
Vancouver Canucks - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA Ryan Miller 30 28 93% 2.00

Next Game: @ Edmonton Oilers (1-2-1) , Friday October 17th, 2014

[Braeden]

Oilers destroy Canucks 7-2!

Edmonton Oilers winger Jordan Eberle puts the puck too high against Ryan Miller.

Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers
Oct 17, 2014 1 2 3 F VAN (2-0-0) 1 0 0 1 EDM (1-2-1) 4 1 2 7 Three Stars Taylor Hall 1 Goal, 3 Assists Jordan Eberle 0 Goals, 3 Assists Martin Marincin 0 Goals, 2 Assists	Team Stats Comparison VAN EDM Shots on Goal 19 38 Hits 10 7 Faceoffs Won-Lost 50.8% 49.2% Penalty Minutes 20 2 Power Plays Converted 0 4 Power Play Opportunities 1 10 Time on Attack
Scoring Summary FIRST PERIOD VAN [00:15] Alex Burrows from Daniel Sedin, Nick Bonino VAN [05:15] Justin Schultz from Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall (PP) EDM [06:25] Nikita Nikitin from Taylor Hall, Justin Schultz (PP) EDM [06:52] Teddy Purcell from Benoit Pouliot, Martin Marincin EDM [13:45] Ryan Nugent-Hopkins from Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall SECOND PERIOD EDM [19:11] Brad Hunt from Martin Marincin, Derek Roy (PP) THIRD PERIOD EDM [01:31] Rob Klinkhammer from Keith Aulie EDM [19:41] Taylor Hall from Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (PP)
Vancouver Canucks - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA Ben Scrivens 19 18 95% 1.00
Edmonton Oilers - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA Ryan Miller 14 10 71% 4.00 Eddie Lack 24 21 88% 3.00

Next Game: vs Tampa Bay Lightning (2-2-0) , Saturday October 18th, 2014