Team: 2019-20 Vancouver Canucks

Initial Creation Date: May 29, 2020

Published: May 29, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Top 6: The Lotto Line is reunited, which allows Pearson and Toffoli to flank Horvat. I think this is the most balanced group that can be made since Horvat's line can still be used defensively. If Boeser was in that spot I don't think the same amount of defensive trust could be there.

Bottom 6: This is where it get's tough. At the end of the day I think Green will trust his veterans down the middle. Having Sutter and Beagle in the middle gives us 3 good faceoff options (with Horvat) and both of those centers are trusted by Green to play PK. Roussel and Virtanen have had chemistry in the past and should be a fiery line to play against. Motte has earned Green's trust and deserves a spot and Leivo has also been given opportunities by Green in the past.

Gaudette: I want Gaudette to get Playoff experience as much as anybody, but I think Green takes him out, at least to start. He's not consistent defensively and his faceoff ability is considerably worse than the other two centers. Those are two qualities that I think Green will covet during the Playoffs. I don't think his offensive ability will be enough to put him in the lineup unless the Canucks are having trouble scoring. He could definitely be inserted in Sutter's spot at pretty much any point.

Ferland: The Playoffs are what Ferland was brought in for, but he hasn't had the opportunity to earn Green's trust at all this year. We have too many other bodies that have been playing and know Green's system. Maybe if he shows well in training camp he could earn a spot, but I have no idea who he'd take out. The top 6 is pretty much set in terms of personnel and everyone in the bottom 6 is faster than him. I wanna see him truck people, but I don’t see spot as of right now considering his lack of play.

Eriksson: It’s pretty clear the fans would jettison Eriksson into space if they could, but it’s also clear that Green trusts him in a strictly defensive role. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the lineup to be honest, it’s just I don’t know where to put him. He’s spent time with Horvat but I think having healthy top 6 options will push him out of that spot. All of the other bottom 6 wingers can wheel better than him. Maybe he subs in for Motte or Leivo on the 4th line, but even that is tough to see.

MacEwan: I’m pretty sure there won’t be a spot for him at the start given everyone is healthy, but I’d like to see him in the lineup at some point. He’s brought energy and physicality in every game he’s been in.

Defense: Relatively standard given the year. The top 4 is balanced between offensive and defensive oriented players. I think the rest will really help Hughes though since normally NCAA players tire out in the second half of their first NHL season. He’ll be rested and hopefully he can be our X-factor as an elite talent on the back end. The bottom pairing is less certain. Fantenberg has had his moments and shown well, but Benn brings that veteran experience and toughness. They could easily be switched though.
Goaltenders: Markstrom has been great this year. He’s been a gamebreaker fairly often and is a major reason for our success. If his play drops anywhere below the precedent he’s set for himself this year, we could be in trouble. Demko has been alright, but not solid enough to earn confidence over Markstrom. He is clearly our number 1 going in and a lot will ride on him.

Outlook vs. Wild: I think the main area the Canucks have an advantage in is gamebreaking talent. We have more players that can take over a shift or make a dynamic play (Pettersson, Miller, Hughes, Markstrom) compared to the Wild who have been riding a red hot Fiala. Minnesota is deep and balanced, which lends to have Sutter/Beagle in the lineup. There aren’t any weaker matchups to play Gaudette in and there’s nowhere to really hide him. The Wild and Fiala specifically were on fire to end the season and shouldn’t be taken lightly.