How Will The Canucks Forward Puzzle be Put Together?

Trying to crunch the numbers with the Canucks 9-4 loss to the Las Vegas Golden Knights yesterday and more importantly, with what transpired in general this weekend.


The 9-4 score line might bring people back to the days of the 1980's when scores were a lot higher. However, I think Canucks fans can except a better effort from their defense while in contrast, the offensive production will be more in line from what we can expect this year and in years to come.

Don't get me wrong, there are holes on this team but I still think they are on the right direction. I'm a firm believer that rebuilding now while the Western Conference is good is the right move. However, if Brock Boeser is this good than Vancouver will be in a good spot for the future. With that, Jim Benning has a conundrum unfolding as we speak. Place the young guys in Utica and let them win the Calder Cup together or play the young guys in Vancouver and see what happens.

As nice as it is to say Sam Gagner, Alexander Burmistrov and Thomas Vanek are Canucks, I'm not sure what will happen to them in the future. I'm really high on Vanek, I think its low risk high reward and he might be able to be flipped for a draft pick come the trade deadline. On the other hand, Gagner and Burmistrov are on the younger side and might be plan B if Boeser and Virtanen aren't producing.

Here's how I think should make the team for the Canucks:

LW                                           C                                RW

Daniel Sedin                      Henrik Sedin               Loui Eriksson

Sven Baertschi                   Bo Horvat                   Markus Granlund 

Thomas Vanek                   Brandon Sutter           Alexander Burmistrov

Ryan White                        Sam Gagner                Jake Virtanen

Don't be alarmed but Virtanen makes the team over Boeser because of age. Plus I don't think its ideal for Boeser to play 4th line minutes. The Canucks are deep at Centre but that will change when Brandon Sutter gets hurt three games into the season.

This team won't make the playoffs because they aren't very good. They will likely miss out because there are 8 other teams better than them in the West.

I am concerned about Sven Baertschi and Markus Granlund if they can duplicate their totals of last year. Start Boeser in Utica and see how this lineup turns out. It might light a flame under Burmistrov and Virtanen's career as they have underachieved since being Top 10 picks at their respective entry drafts.

Mathematically there will have to be a trade coming up soon. Too many players I haven't touched on will mold into Vancouver's future somehow.