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Luongo becomes Luongo

Roberto Luongo hasn't really been the same since the loss to the Bruins. Before that, we all know how good of a goalie Luongo was. Vancouver doesn't necessarily need the guy who was up for the Hart in 2007. But he needs to play like a star goalie again for the Canucks to go anywhere. If he can post a 2.35 and .920 this year, Vancouver is going to be good...real good.


Ryan Kesler stays healthy

One of the more interesting things that Tortorella said at the start of the season is, “If I see how good you can play, I expect you to play like that all the time”. Rewind to the 2011 series against the Nashville Predators...we all know what Ryan Kesler is capable of. If you take that player from that series and do it for a full year you have ONE of the best players in the world. I truly believe Kesler can be that player and if he is; lookout!


Breakout years

Every good team needs at least a couple of guys to to breakout and play above their heads. I look for players like Richardson, Kassian, Schroeder, Tavev, Corrado, Hansen, Weise, Hamill and Santorelli to step up. Obviously, not everyone on that list will breakout, but these guys need to play better than last season's role-type players. My personal bets would be Richardson getting around 15, Kassian getting 20ish and Hansen getting 20ish.


Alex Edler becomes Alex Norris

For about three years Canucks fans have been waiting for Alex Edler to take that next step into being recognized as one of the NHL's top-10 defencmen. Anyone who has seen Edler play will tell you that he has the potential to be better than he is. What I think was holding him back was a lack of urgentcy in his game. I think Torts is the guy to bring that out of him, after all, look at how well that group in New York played and you have to believe he is a guy who will get more out of the big fella.


Tortorella gets through to them

Last season, you could count on one hand the amount games that this team played with heart. Simple put, that won't fly with Tortorella. If this team plays up to their potential 80% of the time they are going to be a very good team.



So, how many of these things happen?



Until tomorrow my friends, stay classy

Ian

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