Team: 2022-23 Vancouver Canucks

Initial Creation Date: Aug. 14, 2022

Published: Aug. 14, 2022

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Explanation: Canucks offence runs with 3 lines all sharing ice time that are threatening to score. Top 9 based around centres
Line 1: Pettersson immediately gives a very strong offensive ability and is one of the best if not the best Canuck with the puck. Podkolzin adds a very strong forechecking element that can force another team to make a bad play or a play Pettersson can read. Mikheyev adds a heavy speed asset and also another strong defensive option allowing this line to be either offensive or a matchup line if needed.
Line 2: Miller uses his great power as a way to drive a line. Whenever he looks for a passing option he has Conor Garland who can use his speed as a way to constantly find openings. Pearson adds a more stable role. Solid on the walls and strong in his own end.
Line 3: Kuzmenko looks to start using his playmaking immediately with two great goal scorers playing with him in Horvat and Boeser. This lines biggest concern may be getting the puck back once they lose it but Boeser can be very good on the boards and Horvat will win a team a faceoff more often then not.
Line 4: It really sucks to have Hoglander on line 4 but I can’t imagine Boudreau plays him above Pearson. Dickinson gets a chance in a reduced role to forecheck and play strong defence with a physical player in Lazar on his side. Lazar predominately takes the faceoffs. Hoglander gives a little offensive creativity and hopefully takes this as an opportunity to work on his defensive game.
Defence:
Pair 1: Hughes Schenn is about the best the Canucks can get. Hughes needs no introduction as an incredible offensive force and can hopefully continue getting better in his own end well Schenn adds a little calmer presence and some physicality to play with Hughes.
Pair 2: OEL Myers was unfairly criticized last year. Despite being quite possibly the most overpaid pair in the NHL they were a strong pairing. OEL showed a strong defensive game which hopefully can continue along with Myers.
Pair 3: Likely will become Poolman Dermott but I think Poolman will be injured. Dermott was surprisingly good last year as a defensive option and can take a chance to be a shutdown role and allow Rathbone to be the offensive option the Canucks are hoping for.
PP 1: My only real complaint with this unit is no right handed shots. Miller gets an opportunity to continue his incredible production filling the same PP role he filled last year. Kuzmenko takes a role down low and gets a chance to be that PP specialist that it sounds like he could be, setting up Horvat down low for shots. Pettersson and Hughes need no description.
PP 2: Canucks try Podz at centre. If it doesn’t work, switch him out with Dickinson (sigh). This was the group I felt the least sure about. Boeser likely sets up in a role where OEL can pass it to him to take a bomb from the Ovi spot. Garland just runs around being a headache to the others team PK, always threatening to be open. Hoglander gets a huge chance to show off his offensive creativity on the PP.
PK 1. Mikheyev was one of the best PK players in the league and Pettersson is also great on it. With Petterssons and Hughes incredible abilities to read a play before it happens and get possession could be incredibly dangerous with Mikheyevs speed and ability to catch a PP flat footed. (Sad fact: when Mikeyhev was on the ice on the pk, the leafs had a higher GP60 then the Canucks did in 5-5)
PK 2: A little more standard PK. Just shut down plays as much as possible and hope to clear it. Finally have a right handed centre. Not too many thoughts on this PK though. Maybe Pearson out for Dickinson