Thatcher Demko, J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson all feature in our look around the NHL media world and what they’re saying about Vancouver.
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The axiom that you don’t really know what NHL teams are until U.S. Thanksgiving means that we know the Canucks are a fringe playoff team, at least with this roster.
NHL power rankings
15. Canucks (11-7-3, even. Last week: 14)
“Playoff contender. The lineup still has too many holes, and while goalie Kevin Lankinen’s play has been superb, their best chance of winning is with Demko in net.”
Grading team at quarter mark
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“Pettersson and Bure have had two of the best starts in franchise history. They are the only two players in Vancouver’s history to win the Calder Trophy and are two of the three players in franchise history to play at least 20 career games and be above a point per game. Both are also in the top 10 for Canucks all-time points and have finished top 20 in Hart Trophy voting. ”
Trade winds kicking up
“However, Rangers general manager Chris Drury is reportedly interested in reuniting with the former forward, a move that would certainly shake up their roster.
“The 31-year old forward was drafted by the Rangers in 2011 and he played six seasons in New York before being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“Just last season Miller put up a career-high as he managed to tally 37 goals and 66 assists for 103 points in 81 games.”
“The Rangers also pursued Miller ahead of the 2021-22 trade deadline, but the deal fell apart because New York was unwilling to trade Braden Schneider, per Staple and Baugh.“
Lauding top line
“Sherwood was one of the bright spots in Vancouver to open the season. He has helped the Canucks gain the zone with his entries, is super-physical, and makes life hard for opponents on the forecheck.
“And he chipped in some much-needed depth scoring in a bottom-six capacity and added energy to the lineup. Now, he’s proving he can keep up and complement the team’s best on the top line with his passing and scoring chance creation, along with his physical edge.
“This line made an instant impact against the Blackhawks and has only built on it. And the timing couldn’t have been better for the Canucks, who were already down Boeser when the trio was put together and then lost Miller two games later.
“This trio has only been together for 56 minutes of five-on-five play, and small samples can inflate results. But that doesn’t take away from how impressive they have been together over this last stretch of play. With DeBrusk-Pettersson-Sherwood on the ice, the Canucks are thriving with a 64.8 per cent expected goal rate, which is one of the best marks among any line combination with at least 50 minutes of play under their belt. And most importantly, considering how short-handed the team has been, the results back that up. Their offensive zone control is turning into goals, with a 6-1 edge in scoring in their minutes.”