Canucks 2019-20 Season Preview

Players to Watch

Elias Pettersson

The latest Calder trophy winner, Elias Pettersson quickly found his way into the hearts of Canucks fans. The young Swede stole the show following the retirement of the Sedin twins. The 20-year-old center amassed a total of 66 points in 77 games during his rookie season. He eclipsed a Canucks record by beating Pavel Bure’s 60 points in 65 games during the 1991-92 season. As Pettersson entered the NHL, he was deemed ‘too skinny’, but quickly showed his true value. With a blistering wrist shot, excellent on-ice vision and solid hands, Canucks fans can get excited to see what he can do as he continues to improve this season.

Micheal Ferland

A name Canucks fans wanted to forget, Benning signed the Manitoba native to a four-year contract worth an annual average value of $3.5 million. Micheal Ferland scored 40 points for a second straight season, despite being riddled with lower-body injuries with the Carolina Hurricanes. If he stayed healthy and played the full 2018-19 season, he was on pace for 46 points in 82 games played. Ferland could possibly slot in at left wing on the first line with Boeser and Pettersson. Who knows, he might also provide some much-needed protection for Pettersson, who was targeted often last year and wore down as the season went on.

Tyler Myers

Benning looked to add depth on the defensive side this offseason. As a result, he inked former Jet Tyler Myers to a five-year deal worth an average annual value of $6 million. The signing raised a few eyebrows among the fanbase, but he could prove a lot of people wrong if he logs some solid minutes on the back-end. Something that long-time cogs of Vancouver’s defence, Alex Edler and Chris Tanev, have struggled to do in recent seasons. Let’s not forget that Myers won the Calder trophy in the 2009-10 season, and a fresh start could help him find his defensive game again.

Season Projection

If the team’s key players stay healthy throughout the season, the Canucks could snatch a Wild Card spot. But unless we see significant growth among their young core, they will likely finish their season with a first-round exit. Despite the fact that Jim Benning has signed a three-year extension with Vancouver to stay on as their general manager, he could still be on the hot seat if the Canucks miss the playoffs for a fifth straight season, which would be a franchise record.

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