We're getting close to the end of August, which means the Vancouver Canucks have finally gotten their turn in the spotlight in the alphabetical 31-in-31 profiles that have been rolling out on both NHL.com and NBC Sports' Pro Hockey Talk website this month.
Here's the video breakdown of the Canucks' chances for next season from the NHL crew:
As usual, Kevin Woodley handled the heavy lifting on the written side for NHL.com. His main article hits the usual notes, about how Jim Benning wants the team to make the playoffs this year and the team is hoping to accomplish that through significant contributions from the new additions to the lineup as well as seeing the young core take another step forward.
Woodley went a little deeper with some additional quotes on his Twitter. It certainly sounds like Green has been pushing to get better forwards onto his roster, and that he feels more optimistic about the arsenal that he'll be deploying this year.
Going to roll out a few interesting quotes from Travis Green that didn’t make #Canucks 31 in 31 stories today; start with new forwards, thought it was interesting he is looking to have more set lines this season even if he isn’t writing any combinations in ink yet: pic.twitter.com/n39r3CQ1Pa
Green acknowledges that he won't know what he has until he sees his group together on the ice, but seems to have a good feeling that he'll be able to put systems in place this season that will give the Canucks a better chance of competing, game by game.
Last couple Travis Green answers that didn’t make #Canucks 31-in-31 today but felt interesting enough to share. Said 3 ways teams improve: 1. young players get better, 2. trades/free agency + 3. tweaking systems, so asked if we’d see latter with new personnel: pic.twitter.com/3vDv6ieIq6
Woodley's Three Questions about the team put the spotlight on the power play, Jacob Markstrom's upward trajectory and the need for offense from the defense — something Travis Green also talked about.
Green pointed out that while the power play took a hit last season following the Sedins' retirement, part of the reason is because he often wasn't able to deploy true offensive talents on the second unit. Green believes that the new forwards, plus Quinn Hughes, should help with that balance.
Woodley also points out that the 22 points collected in Montreal last season by so-called stay-at-home defenseman Jordie Benn would have put him third in scoring on the Canucks' D. Tyler Myers also chipped in 31 points last year in Winnipeg, which would have been good for second in Vancouver.
As for Markstrom, the goalie expert Woodley frames his improvement last season under Ian Clark as a long progression. "I feel like it's just getting started," Markstrom said.
Woodley's top five prospects, in order: Quinn, Podkolzin, Juolevi, Hoglander and Tyler Madden.
He lists Juolevi's projected arrival in the NHL as "this season," while pegging Hoglander for next year and Podkolzin and Madden in 2021-22.
Looking at the Canucks' numbers, NHL fantasy writer Rob Reese emphasizes Bo Horvat's league-leading faceoff duties last season — and his impressive winning percentage — as well as Elias Pettersson's strong rookie production and J.T. Miller's strong production on the power play.
Over at NBC Sports, their writers are a little more concerned about a lack of clear direction from the team, big pressure on Tyler Myers to live up to his big contract, and a lack of immediate help this season in the form of young players not named Quinn Hughes. They're intrigued by Thatcher Demko, though...
Elsewhere, Ben Kuzma caught up with Brandon Sutter, who says he's feeling good heading into the new year after adding Pilates to his offseason training regimen.
A healthy Sutter would be a great asset to the Canucks' bottom six—and would take a ton of pressure off Horvat in the faceoff department. It would also boost his potential trade value, opening the possibility that he could be dealt to make a spot for Adam Gaudette as the season wears on.
Finally—if you're in Vancouver and you're jonesing for hockey, head out to UBC this weekend.
Sven Butenschon's UBC Thunderbirds are hosting Tony Granato's University of Wisconsin Badgers for a two-game exhibition series.
This year's Wisconsin roster is filled with high end talent, including two top prospects from the 2019 draft — fifth overall pick Alex Turcotte (LAK) and 15th pick Cole Caufield (MTL). Also on the roster: 2018 first-rounder K'Andre Miller (NYR) and 2019 Canadian Junior Hockey League player of the year Dylan Holloway — a draft-eligible forward from Alberta who could be a 2020 first rounder.
Here's the rest of the scoop:
Your @ubcmhky Team will be playing against some of the most exciting up and coming talents in the game, including 11 NHL prospects! The @uwbadgers are coming up to UBC for 2 games, August 30th, and September 1st! Come out and get loud for your Birds’ #ubc#uwb#hockeyisbackpic.twitter.com/wwMuxAx6iC
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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