Canucks season preview: Sizing up the roster

In the first installment of their Canucks season preview, NHLHS Vancouver Canucks Correspondents Will & Valerie Wittstruck take a look at the state of the team’s roster as training camp approaches.

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While the core of the Canucks roster remains intact, there have been some significant changes to the lineup this summer.

GM Mike Gillis didn’t waste anytime making changes to a Vancouver team that has bowed out in the 2nd round of the playoffs 2 yeas in a row. His first move was to send the Canucks 2nd round pick, Steve Bernier, and Michael Grabner to the Florida Panthers for Keith Ballard and Victor Oreskivich. Injuries to key defensemen in the playoffs were a big reason the Canucks were unable to get themselves out of the 2nd round. Getting Ballard, an experienced defenseman with a bit of an edge, was a great first step. Bernier never really blossomed in Vancouver and it was probably time for a change of scenery.

His next big move on defense was to sign Dan Hamhuis, one of the most sought after free agent defenseman available. Hamhuis wanted to play in Vancouver and left money on the table to come home to BC. Even though Hamhuis played behind the big guns in Nashville, Shea Weber and Ryan Suter, he faced the oppositions top lines night in and night out and is a solid d-man.

Signing Shane O’Brien, who’s created his share of trouble in Vancouver, was the final move and gave the Canucks 9 NHL defensemen. A few days later word came out of Finland that Sami Salo had torn his Achilles tendon and would be out until December or so. While Salo being injured is nothing new to Canucks fans, it’s usually during the season. Salo’s injury will actually bring some temporary cap relief and while he won’t be in game shape immediately, he should be ready to go for the second half of the season and playoffs.

Kevin Bieksa has been a top name in the trade rumor mill all summer long (the latest to bring Tomas Fleischmann to Vancouver in a deal with the Washington Capitals), especially once the Canucks landed Ballard and Hamhuis, but the team could also choose to hold onto him until they find out how Salo’s rehab goes. There has also been discussion amongst Canucks fans on Twitter about the possibility of playing Bieksa at a forward position to bring more grit.

The defense will be anchored by Hamhuis, Ballard, Christian Erhoff, and Alexander Edler, but the other 2 spots are up for grabs (until Salo returns) between Bieksa, O’Brien, Andrew Alberts, and Aaron Rome. This should make for some interesting lineup decisions and hopefully it will lead to some great competition for the final spots. The defense is looking the best it has since we’ve been following the Canucks (2001-02) and should be one of the best in the West (if not the entire league) if they can stay healthy.

The core of the forward unit remains intact from last season. Led by reigning NHL MVP Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, Alexandre Burrows (who will start the season on IR), Ryan Kesler, Mason Raymond, and Mikael Samuelsson the Canucks top 6 forwards look to be in great shape. Jannik Hansen, Tanner Glass, Rick Rypien, and Darcy Hordichuk return to compete for time on the 3rd and 4th lines.

Gillis didn’t just make moves in the defense department.  Gone from last season are Kyle Wellwood, Ryan Johnson, Bernier, and Grabner.  In what we believe to be a great move on Gillis’ part the Canucks signed free agent center Manny Malhotra on July 1st to a 3-year deal.

Malhotra, is a significant upgrade from Wellwood. He brings more size, speed, and skill in the face-off circle to the bottom half of the Canucks lineup. He’s also been around the league for awhile and would be a great mentor to Cody Hodgson, who should have a good chance of cracking the lineup this season.

Of course, other players such as Sergei Shirokov, Jordan Schroeder, Mario Bliznak, Alexandre Bolduc, Oreskovich, and Joel Perrault all have an outside shot at making the team out of camp as well, but they must have an excellent camp. Considering Burrows will miss the beginning of the season, one or more of these players may get a chance to show what they can do.

Cory Schneider will start the season as the backup to Robert Luongo. Schneider replaces Andrew Raycroft, who did a great job backing up Lunogo last season and signed with the Dallas Stars as a free agent. Much of the speculation is Schneider will get a chance to play 20 games or so to be showcased for a possible trade down the road. Until Luongo’s contract is on solid ground (the NHL is still looking into a handful of front loaded deals) it would be wise to hang onto the young netminder and give him a chance to play and learn in his first full NHL season.

It will also be interesting to see how Luongo rebounds from last seasons disappointing playoff loss. Hopefully with a full-time goalie coach (the Canucks hired Roland Melanson to replace Ian Clark who was only with the team on a part-time basis), no Olympics to focus on, a much deeper defensive corps, and an attacking offense, he’ll be able to shine like never before and help bring the Stanley Cup to Vancouver.

So, who do you think has the best chance of cracking the lineup out of camp for the Canucks?

I-5 Canucks – Will & Valerie Wittstruck
NHLHS Vancouver Canucks Correspondents
I-5Canucks@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @Hipcheck44 and @WCE71944

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