PHOTO CREDIT: @CANUCKS TWITTER
Vancouver entered the center of the universe with a record 27-26-3 good enough for 60 points through 56 games while the Leaf’s sport a record of 35-15-4 managing 74 points through 54 games..
Lately Vancouver has turned the table under “Bruce” and are more of a “low key” team that according to many fans in the area are a team that are having fun which was quite possibly the long overdue change prior to the start of the season.
We’ll never really know, but any change was better than no change and given the addition in office and management personnel it’s like a breath of fresh air for the fans who have supported them since 1970.
Their PK is 70.4%, their FO winning % is 51.2 while their hits per game are 23.1 compared to Toronto’s 18.2 while having an all-time record against the Leafs sitting at 70-63-22-3 including a road record of 26-39-11-1.
While many in the area continue to call for JT Miller to be traded is currently on an eight game point streak and currently the only player to achieve three point streaks of a plus 8 this season and according to Canuck records only the seventh player in the last 10 year to accomplish this feat.
Thatcher Demko is slated to start managing a win in their last contest when they played in Vancouver February 12th turning aside 51 shots in the 3-2 win.
Given the recent 4-3 win over the Islanders considering they managed to score two goals in 45 seconds no one can or should question the motivation of the club and now it’s just a matter of staying focused.
Following the game against the Islanders Bruce Boudreau mentioned “They played five games on the road, then came home and didn’t practice, so if we can keep going at them, they might tire and I don’t know if they did or didn’t, but the result was as if they did.”
While they lost 7-2 against the Devils otherwise have not lost any consecutive games dating back to January 23rd and 25th.
The skeptics continue to mention trading this player or that player, but given the salary cap they face and what they might get, is this the perfect timing for player movement in the roster?
Some trades have surrounded Pittsburgh as well as Buffalo with others thinking that it could be Brock Boeser who could possibly be moved, but only time will tell come March 21st.
We are hearing that PK Subban won’t return next season to the Devils organization and could this be a possible solution for Vancouver of just a short-term fix?
While the Canucks have taken major strides in turning the club into a contender as the playoffs fast approach only time will tell.
Pittsburgh Penguins have been scouting the Buffalo Sabres. Who might they have their eyes on? Could the Penguins also be thinking about a deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs? Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks continue to test the trade market on almost every player and the New Jersey Devils have told defenseman P.K. Subban return won’t with the Devils for the upcoming season.
Let’s not forget that Suban signed an eight-year deal worth $72 million with Montreal taking him through to the 2021-22 season only to have him shipped to the Pred’s in 2015-16, then on to the Devils in 2019.
Given his talent could this be a possible solution or just a band aid fix, but regardless the Canucks “brass” will do what’s right for the organization given the horrific start at the start of the season.
If a trade is to be made it’s fair to say that we won’t see Quinn Hughes, Thatcher Demko or Elias Petterson who won’t come up in any discussion, but what about Bo Horvat who becomes a UFA in 2023?
The Canucks return home to face the Canadians March 9th, Washington March 11th, followed by Tampa, New Jersey, Detroit, Calgary and the Sabres on the 20th
RECENT CANUCK TRANSACTIONS (thanks to the Canucks)
Many question the “heart” of the team, but there’s more to question than the dedication of the players remembering that the Canucks have the worse travel schedule of any team in the league.
Home ice gives the Canucks a chance to close the “gap” as they look to move up in the standings!!
