Vancouver Canucks: Top 10 Most Impactful Players

Vancouver has surprised many critics to start this season with 10-6-3. Their goaltending has been legitimized and the blueline is the best it’s been since 2014-15. Vancouver has been steadily ranked near the top for Team-Goals-For, even though they are a game back on several teams.

It is safe to say that this has been the best start a Canuck team has had in a long time. Here are the top most impactful Canucks on the season so far.

Honourable mentions: Thatcher Demko, Tanner Pearson and Jake Virtanen

10. Adam Gaudette

Although he has only played nine games this year, Adam Gaudette can not help but make an impact when he steps on the ice. Guadette always seems to find holes in the defence and get open shots. This mentality has given Gaudette 6 points so far. The sophomore has made huge improvements to his game since last season. Gaudette has half the amount of points he had last year in a sixth of the time. Arguably his biggest knock is that his FO% decreased six percent compared to 2018-19. Excluding that, Adam Gaudette seems to only get better and that is why he is on this list.

9.Brandon Sutter

After playing just 21 games last season, many analysts wondered if Brandon Sutter had anything left in the tank – he answered that question. Sutter has put up eight points and five goals in 19 games and his 3rd line usually looks formidable. Although his point total is impressive, he is mainly valued for his penalty-killing and intangibles. Sutter has been essential to the Vancouver Canucks penalty kill which is now tied for ninth in the league with an 83.3%. Sutter has also become one of Vancouver’s foremost leaders during his five seasons here, currently dawning an ‘A’ on his chest.

8. Chris Tanev

Similarly to Brandon Sutter, defenceman Chris Tanev is so valuable mainly based on his intangibles. Tanev has only four points this year but he is sitting at an impressive +7 rating. This is the seventh season in a row that Tanev has logged approximately 20 minutes on the ice each game. Tanev has done a really good job at playing the foil to his partner Quinn Hughes and his offensive, high-octane style. Chris Tanev is an undeniable leader in the dressing room. He is one of the two remaining Canucks from the 2011 conference championship team and he carries that experience with him into every game.

7. Alexander Edler

The only player to have a longer tenure than Tanev is Alexander Edler. Starting in 2006-07, Edler has played 14 seasons with the organization and has been a key player for them in many games. At age 33, Alex Edler is playing some of the most efficient hockey in his career. The Swedish defenceman is sitting at 12 points through 19 games while playing just under 25 minutes each night. If Edler can keep this pace and put up 40 points Canucks fans would rejoice.

6. Brock Boeser

Although Brock Boeser got off to rocky start, he is beginning to show flashes of the sniper that fans know he can be. Boeser currently has eight goals, 11 assists and 19 points in as many games including a hat trick. If this crafty winger can build on his recent success and keep hitting the net than we might just be seeing the new improved version of Brock Boeser.

5. J.T. Miller

Many Canucks fans were shocked when GM Jim Benning sent a conditional first round pick to the Lightning in exchange for a third line forward. Shock turned into awe as J.T. Miller has suited up and played like a regular first line winger. Miller is averaging point per game and has been able to fire the team up with some important goals this season. At age 26, Miller is on pace for the best season of his career and is showing no signs that he’ll slow down.

4. Quinn Hughes

Although he is still a rookie, Quinn Hughes is en route to becoming the most offensively dynamic defencman in Vancouver Canucks history. Hughes has 12 points on the year and has been absolutely mesmerizing while holding the puck. When Hughes has control of the puck you can expect a quick break into the offensive zone and dizzying spin moves never before seen from a D-Man in Vancouver. Hughes joined the first powerplay unit only a handful of games into the season to exciting results. Nine of Hughes’ points come on the powerplay which is absolutely lethal with him at the blueline.

3. Jacob Markstrom

Canucks have developed a really talented goaltender in Jacob Markstrom. He has stood on his head at times and has been the main factor for Vancouver victories in multiple games. Markstrom is currently sitting at .918 SV% which is the best in his career. The Swedish netminder has definitely made an impact on this organization. His biggest worry besides securing wins is making sure rookie phenom Thatcher Demko does not overtake him. Irregardless of that, Markstrom needs to keep his composure and keep the Canucks on course if the Canucks are expected to make the playoffs.

2. Bo Horvat

Every single night Bo Horvat steps out onto the ice he comes prepared to pour his heart out. Bo began the season with a relatively slow start but has since turned things around. The newly minted captain has 14 points so far with a whopping five power play goals. Captain Bo can do much more than score points. Horvat is the team’s captain and therefore takes the brunt of the leadership duties on his back. He is also adept at taking faceoffs (58.3%) and is cited as one of the hardest workers on the team by coaches.

1. Elias Pettersson

It’s hard to deny Elias Pettersson the number one spot here. Pettersson has 23 points and 8 goals in 19 games after a slow start that was similar to Boeser’s. This guy is a superstar. If he can keep playing and improving with hockey sense he currently has, we may be looking at a Hart Trophy candidate a couple years down the road. When you watch a Canucks game, Pettersson is one of the only guys guaranteed to leave an impact on the result.

Regardless of how you would personally rank them, it’s hard convey just how much of an impact all of these players have on this ever improving Vancouver Canucks roster. All of these athletes will need a strong showing if the Canucks are aiming to make the postseason.

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