The offense has improved and the goaltending should be solid. Both barring significant injuries.
It's the defense that will make or break the season.
- Marwood

Here we go with the excuses....

I'm on the opposite side, I think the team regresses and by TDL both Green and Benning are gone and we're looking at a harsh tank/rebuild next year for Bedard/The Russian
- DariusKnight

See how it plays out.

In all seriousness, Canucks should be among the top on the PP... that should be good for an increase in points over last season alone.

D may not be much better... but more balanced. That should improve the D situation over last season.

Goaltending should be very stable and I expect Demko to make another step forward. Hopefully this counters any step back in the PK if there is any to be worried about.

Team shouldnt be sick with Covid. They are vaccinated and some have natural antibodies...

They have better offense and defense in the forward core now.

Sulking cancers are now in Arizona and not in the dressing room.

I really don't see any regression from last year. The Canucks were only one season removed from a strong playoff run last season. Almost all of the difference makers are still here aside from Tanev. Demko outplayed Marky. Tiffoli showed up late and wasnt a difference maker... additions have been made. This team is deeper and more balanced. The idea this team is worse or no better doesnt seem realistic at all.

Man buns are a sin. It is written.
- boonerbuck

Here we go with the excuses....

- boonerbuck

When in Rome.

The offense has improved and the goaltending should be solid. Both barring significant injuries.
It's the defense that will make or break the season.
- Marwood

💯. Total wildcard. The D could be league average or it could be brutal

In all seriousness, Canucks should be among the top on the PP... that should be good for an increase in points over last season alone.

D may not be much better... but more balanced. That should improve the D situation over last season.

Goaltending should be very stable and I expect Demko to make another step forward. Hopefully this counters any step back in the PK if there is any to be worried about.

Team shouldnt be sick with Covid. They are vaccinated and some have natural antibodies...

They have better offense and defense in the forward core now.

Sulking cancers are now in Arizona and not in the dressing room.

I really don't see any regression from last year. The Canucks were only one season removed from a strong playoff run last season. Almost all of the difference makers are still here aside from Tanev. Demko outplayed Marky. Tiffoli showed up late and wasnt a difference maker... additions have been made. This team is deeper and more balanced. The idea this team is worse or no better doesnt seem realistic at all.
- boonerbuck

I don't see the improvement, OEL essentially is a slight upgrade on Edler, Demko will have to play 70+ games and win at least half or more for the team to have a shot. Offense might be better, but I think it's going to be a case where we score more but end up losing games 7-6, 6-5 instead of 2-1, 3-2. Our defense is prone to injury and prone to scrambly play in our own zone and the forwards don't help out enough. Like the saying goes, "You can't make chicken salad out of chickensh*t".

I don't see the improvement, OEL essentially is a slight upgrade on Edler, Demko will have to play 70+ games and win at least half or more for the team to have a shot. Offense might be better, but I think it's going to be a case where we score more but end up losing games 7-6, 6-5 instead of 2-1, 3-2. Our defense is prone to injury and prone to scrambly play in our own zone and the forwards don't help out enough. Like the saying goes, "You can't make chicken salad out of chickensh*t".
- DariusKnight

How can you say the offence “might be better?” Can you explain? It’s better. They lost no one and upgraded at least 3 forward positions

I don't see the improvement, OEL essentially is a slight upgrade on Edler, Demko will have to play 70+ games and win at least half or more for the team to have a shot. Offense might be better, but I think it's going to be a case where we score more but end up losing games 7-6, 6-5 instead of 2-1, 3-2. Our defense is prone to injury and prone to scrambly play in our own zone and the forwards don't help out enough. Like the saying goes, "You can't make chicken salad out of chickensh*t".
- DariusKnight

I don't buy that OEL is only a slight upgrade on Edler. Edler turns 36 this season. He's one of the injury prone players you are referring too. OEL is better on the PP and has better mobility. He's also 5 years younger. Our forwards dont help out enough defensively? Dikinson? EP? Hoglander? Miller? Pearson? Podkolzin is a two way player... Sutter?

Demko is not going to let in 5 or 6 goals a night. Get grip.

How can you say the offence “might be better?” Can you explain? It’s better. They lost no one and upgraded at least 3 forward positions
- CanuckDon

They haven't played together, so yes, on paper they 'might be better'. That doesn't mean instant chemistry and asking for players like Garland, D*ckenson, Podz all to integrate seemlessly and produce offensively is asking a LOT.

In all seriousness, Canucks should be among the top on the PP... that should be good for an increase in points over last season alone.

D may not be much better... but more balanced. That should improve the D situation over last season.

Goaltending should be very stable and I expect Demko to make another step forward. Hopefully this counters any step back in the PK if there is any to be worried about.

Team shouldnt be sick with Covid. They are vaccinated and some have natural antibodies...

They have better offense and defense in the forward core now.

Sulking cancers are now in Arizona and not in the dressing room.

I really don't see any regression from last year. The Canucks were only one season removed from a strong playoff run last season. Almost all of the difference makers are still here aside from Tanev. Demko outplayed Marky. Tiffoli showed up late and wasnt a difference maker... additions have been made. This team is deeper and more balanced. The idea this team is worse or no better doesnt seem realistic at all.
- boonerbuck

I don't by that OEL is only a slight upgrade on Edler. Edler turns 36 this season. He's one of the injury prone players you are referring too. OEL is better on the PP and has better mobility. He's also 5 years younger. Our forwards dont help out enough defensively? Dikinson? EP? Hoglander? Miller? Pearson? Podkolzin is a two way player... Sutter?

Demko is not going to let in 5 or 6 goals a night. Get grip.
- boonerbuck

Yet he was worse defensively on an Arizona team that was slightly worse then we were, he's been declining for 2 years now. Edler at least was reliable on D even if he was injury prone and immobile for the most part. Sure, OEL is going to help one the PP, but I don't buy that he's THAT much better than Edler. Other than being younger, more durable and with more offensive upside isn't saying much.

Half of the goals scored against us, was from our forwards missing assignments and our D getting caught up ice in odd-man rush situations. That's not going to change overnight just because we changed some of our bottom six. Demko is going to have play a LOT more than he did last year and have to carry the load for the entire season, along with potentially playing in the Olympics. That's a HUGE ask for a goalie in his second full season as a NHL starter. We still have the same D save for losing Edler and replacing him with OEL, and we were near the bottom of the league in shots against. More shots = more goals against, that's not Demko's fault, that's just reality.

Yet he was worse defensively on an Arizona team that was slightly worse then we were, he's been declining for 2 years now. Edler at least was reliable on D even if he was injury prone and immobile for the most part. Sure, OEL is going to help one the PP, but I don't buy that he's THAT much better than Edler. Other than being younger, more durable and with more offensive upside isn't saying much.

Half of the goals scored against us, was from our forwards missing assignments and our D getting caught up ice in odd-man rush situations. That's not going to change overnight just because we changed some of our bottom six. Demko is going to have play a LOT more than he did last year and have to carry the load for the entire season, along with potentially playing in the Olympics. That's a HUGE ask for a goalie in his second full season as a NHL starter. We still have the same D save for losing Edler and replacing him with OEL, and we were near the bottom of the league in shots against. More shots = more goals against, that's not Demko's fault, that's just reality.
- DariusKnight

Edler is horrible defensively. He brain freezes as soon as any player puts pressure on him and you cant point to a declining OEL and dismiss how much the 5 year older Edler will decline ahead of him.

Even with this argument you are making, where does the step back from last season followed by a teardown rebuild come into play?

There's a lot of quality young talent on this team that should collectively improve moving forward. More additions to come ahead. A lot of dead weight and over aged players left or leaving.... this is not realistic at all.

Edler is horrible defensively. He brain freezes as soon as any player puts pressure on him and you cant point to a declining OEL and dismiss how much the 5 year older Edler will decline ahead of him.

Even with this argument you are making, where does the step back from last season followed by a teardown rebuild come into play?

There's a lot of quality young talent on this team that should collectively improve moving forward. More additions to come ahead. A lot of dead weight and over aged players left or leaving.... this is not realistic at all.
- boonerbuck

Banking on young talent or rookies is also isn't quite realistic, the problem I have is that our D isn't THAT much better than it was last year and without question last year we were a disaster defensively. Sure, the team could easily overachieve and play above expectations but that still doesn't change the fact that beyond swapping out an admittedly immobile and injury prone Edler for a few years younger version that can shoot better isn't much change.

I see a step back being that while we improved, so did the teams we're going to be chasing in our division not to mention the Central is likely going to take both WC spots. So that means we have to be 2nd or 3rd in our division just to get into the playoffs and since Vegas is probably going to steamroll this regular season and Edmonton probably is going to be second, that leaves us fighting Calgary for the third spot (Seattle is going to be mediocre and the Cali teams aren't much better). I just don't see us being able to pull it off. I also don't believe FA to be patient and willing to go at it one more year if the team doesn't make it and with Benning and Green gone, might be open to go for broke to try and get Bedard (who may be the next Crosby/McDavid).

Could I be wrong? Sure, but I look at who we lost and who we brought in and I don't see the major improvement you're claiming we made. The bottom six anchors and D-man we lost were mostly pine dwellers and press box sitters, an old Swede and a sexual predator, replaced with a much cheaper Sutter, a better defensive center in D*ckenson, a Russian rookie in Podz who has to prove he deserves a spot on the team, an admittedly much better winger in Garland and slightly younger more offensive Swede in OEL. So yeah, we're better, but not significantly enough that I see us making the playoffs and saving TG and JB's jobs.

Banking on young talent or rookies is also isn't quite realistic, the problem I have is that our D isn't THAT much better than it was last year and without question last year we were a disaster defensively. Sure, the team could easily overachieve and play above expectations but that still doesn't change the fact that beyond swapping out an admittedly immobile and injury prone Edler for a few years younger version that can shoot better isn't much change.

I see a step back being that while we improved, so did the teams we're going to be chasing in our division not to mention the Central is likely going to take both WC spots. So that means we have to be 2nd or 3rd in our division just to get into the playoffs and since Vegas is probably going to steamroll this regular season and Edmonton probably is going to be second, that leaves us fighting Calgary for the third spot (Seattle is going to be mediocre and the Cali teams aren't much better). I just don't see us being able to pull it off. I also don't believe FA to be patient and willing to go at it one more year if the team doesn't make it and with Benning and Green gone, might be open to go for broke to try and get Bedard (who may be the next Crosby/McDavid).

Could I be wrong? Sure, but I look at who we lost and who we brought in and I don't see the major improvement you're claiming we made. The bottom six anchors and D-man we lost were mostly pine dwellers and press box sitters, an old Swede and a sexual predator, replaced with a much cheaper Sutter, a better defensive center in D*ckenson, a Russian rookie in Podz who has to prove he deserves a spot on the team, an admittedly much better winger in Garland and slightly younger more offensive Swede in OEL. So yeah, we're better, but not significantly enough that I see us making the playoffs and saving TG and JB's jobs.
- DariusKnight

Young quality talent improving moving forward is not realistic? That's ridiculous. If we are talking about not banking on it, then teams really can't bank on anything can they? Injuries, covid, contracts so on so forth. So not banking on the likely is pretty moot then.

You are also inserting misquotes like "major improvement" so it doesnt look like you are repeating what I basically said(your last paragraph) about the improvements. I havent gone on about what this team is going to accomplish, just that we are better and I don't see us taking a step back and igniting and tear down and rebuild phase that you are predicting.

You are trying way too hard.

Moving on....

I'm banking on that this season won't have the perfect storm disaster the last one had. Plus the players moved out alone is addition by subtraction. Regardless of how well the new ones do.

How can you say the offence “might be better?” Can you explain? It’s better. They lost no one and upgraded at least 3 forward positions
- CanuckDon

3?

I mean, I guess we upgraded beagle with Sutter, Sutter with Dickinson and Roussel with Garland. You can’t really count Lui as he didn’t actually play.

Yet he was worse defensively on an Arizona team that was slightly worse then we were, he's been declining for 2 years now. Edler at least was reliable on D even if he was injury prone and immobile for the most part. Sure, OEL is going to help one the PP, but I don't buy that he's THAT much better than Edler. Other than being younger, more durable and with more offensive upside isn't saying much.

Half of the goals scored against us, was from our forwards missing assignments and our D getting caught up ice in odd-man rush situations. That's not going to change overnight just because we changed some of our bottom six. Demko is going to have play a LOT more than he did last year and have to carry the load for the entire season, along with potentially playing in the Olympics. That's a HUGE ask for a goalie in his second full season as a NHL starter. We still have the same D save for losing Edler and replacing him with OEL, and we were near the bottom of the league in shots against. More shots = more goals against, that's not Demko's fault, that's just reality.
- DariusKnight

OELs declined seemed to happen right when a new coach came along, that every fan reported they did not like each other. And after a big contract that the owners seemed to regret immediately due to the price, not the player. That kind of negativity would cause every player to decline. Nobody plays good for a team that no longer wants him(money reasons) and a coach he doesn't get along with. OEL has been significantly better than Edler at every stage of his career, and a new coach/team that want him around will help tremendously.

OELs declined seemed to happen right when a new coach came along, that every fan reported they did not like each other. And after a big contract that the owners seemed to regret immediately due to the price, not the player. That kind of negativity would cause every player to decline. Nobody plays good for a team that no longer wants him(money reasons) and a coach he doesn't get along with. OEL has been significantly better than Edler at every stage of his career, and a new coach/team that want him around will help tremendously.
- Retinalz

Every time I watched a Coyote game last year he played well. I don't see an issue . I think he will replace what we were hoping Edler would bring.

Ive discovered if you read Darius, driftwood and/or Ruebys comments to the tune of any Alannis Morissette song the comments seem angsty instead of just complaining

So I've been pessimistic sine JB's last offseason, but I'm starting to see some reasons to join the optimists ... at least in isolated situations.

I watched some highlights of Podkolzin and easy on the hate here, but there looked to be a little Bure in his game ... just in the way that he gives that headfake and goes to the forehand and the goalie ends up way outta the net. I've heard he doesn't have great finish, but he seems fearless driving the net and as a defenseman I would hate to have to put up with him and Hoglander on the forecheck.

I think Demko will be the true X-factor. If he stays healthy and has a superb season, we can return to playoffs. If he's hurt or just ok, we done.

Ive discovered if you read Darius, driftwood and/or Ruebys comments to the tune of any Alannis Morissette song the comments seem angsty instead of just complaining
- neem55

Rent free and you admitted to listening to Alannis Morrisette.

3?

I mean, I guess we upgraded beagle with Sutter, Sutter with Dickinson and Roussel with Garland. You can’t really count Lui as he didn’t actually play.
- 1970vintage

I am going to miss Loui

Odds to win the Pacific Division this season.