Drama, defence and decline: The Canucks season so far

It wouldn’t be the Canucks without a bit of drama… In today’s top story, we’re breaking it all down.

What happened: Rumours, trades and dysfunction are the name of the game for the Canucks as we get nearer to the halfway point of the hockey season. It’s been less than a great start for a team that had high expectations heading into the season.

Background: The team’s surprise showing last year, losing to the Oilers in Round 2, was what many believed a sign that the team could compete for the cup this year. That hasn’t been the case, with the team sitting at fourth in the Pacific Division with an 18-12-8 record. 

Here a trade, there a trade, everywhere a trade: The biggest news item lately is a growing feud between two of the Canucks’ top players, J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson. It stems from different personalities, according to the Globe and Mail, with Miller being brash and “gruff” while Pettersson, in the usual Swedish stereotype, is aloof and almost “soft.”

• Now, it appears both are on the trade block. Pettersson has a huge $92.8 million USD deal, and has regressed this year compared to last year. He’s currently been on the injury reserve. Meanwhile, Miller has a no-trade clause and apparently enjoys Vancouver but has indicated he would be interested in moving to New York, according to Sportsnet. 

Yes, but: According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, it’s more due diligence by the Canucks management than active trade talks. But if they do trade either player, the team wants an “NHL-calibre centre.” 

Injury woes: It’s hard to play consistently when so many players are injured. Recently Elias Pettersson, captain Quinn Hughes, Filip Hronek and Thatcher Demko have all been injured, according to CTV. Throughout the season, they’ve also lost T.J. Miller for 10 games and Brock Boeser for seven. That’s a lot as we near the halfway point. 

Defence problems: It’s not just the forwards that are having problems. The team’s top defenceman Filip Hronek has been beset by injuries. And after him and Quinn Hughes, the defence is just not deep enough, without any second-paring defencemen, according to Vancouver is Awesome. In that piece, columnist Daniel Wagner argued the lack of depth on defence is because of poor management decisions. 

What it means: There’s still time for the team to turn it around. Some are arguing that Miller should be the one who is traded, since he’s five years older than Pettersson. Regardless, it’s clear that something needs to change if the team is to live up to it's lofty projections from the beginning of the season.