The Canucks have just one regulation win in five games, but also have just one regulation loss in those same five games. NHL standings math can be so much fun. It’s early still, but after back to back victories, it feels like the team is trending in the right direction. With all of that said, you have questions – plenty of questions. So without any further delays, we present the Monday mailbag.
Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves on this one since it’s still likely to be a few weeks before Dakota Joshua makes his season debut. But what a sight to see him join his teammates on the ice for Saturday’s morning skate in Philadelphia. Who knows who will be healthy and available when Joshua is medically cleared to play, but if Rick Tocchet has all forwards at his disposal, I could see the Canucks rolling out:
DeBrusk-Miller-Boeser
Höglander-Pettersson-Garland
Joshua-Blueger-Sherwood
Heinen-Suter-Sprong with Aman/Bains as extra forward
I’d like to see a Joshua-Blueger-Sherwood third line. I think that could be a fun line to watch and a tough line to play against.
Another bridge that will be crossed in time. Yes, the waiver-exempt Silovs will likely be sent to Abbotsford when Demko returns. However, there is so much uncertainty around Demko’s health and well being these days, that the Canucks don’t have to worry about what to do with Silovs any time soon. He will remain with the big league team and will have to make the most of the opportunities he gets. Right now, it looks like Kevin Lankinen has emerged as the main man in net, but Silovs will still get his chances. He looked much better in Tampa Bay on Tuesday than he did on opening night against Calgary. The question now is if Lankinen continues to perform at a high level, does Silovs get a start before November 2nd in San Jose?
The record (2-1-2) is a pretty accurate reflection of the team’s play through five games. It’s funny what one more standings point would do to perspective. If the Canucks were 3-1-1, they’d have collected seven of 10 points, would be on an early 115-point pace and we’d all be raving about the amazing start. As it is, six of 10 points puts them on a 98-point pace which is fine considering it took them four games to pick up their first win of the season. On Sunday, I wrote about depth players propping up the team while it awaits big scoring nights from its stars and the first power play unit. I’d say the main reason for the record right now is a result of key personnel not quite firing on all cylinders. And yet in saying that, the Canucks have still managed to stabilize their start with consecutive victories thanks in large part to Kevin Lankinen holding down the fort.
I’m not here to tell Quinn Hughes what to do with the puck on his stick. I think last year proved he’s a master of his craft. If the captain continues to shoot at the rate he is, he’s bound to draw plenty of attention from defenders. Hughes is so smart, he’ll recognize when that occurs that teammates will be open elsewhere. I’m not concerned about him having season-long blinders on and just wildly firing the puck at every opportunity. The game in Florida seemed like an example of Hughes digging in and doing whatever he could to ensure the Canucks got their first victory of the year. He registered a career-high nine shots on goal on 14 attempts. But when the chips were down in overtime, he was looking to set-up JT Miller for the game winner. Hughes has looked terrific in the early going this season, but doesn’t have a big point total night to show for it. Yet. But if he keeps playing the way he’s playing right now, it’s only a matter of time.
While it’s something the Canucks have to be mindful of, it’s also something that comes with the territory of being the reigning Norris Trophy winner and a star in this league. Sam Bennett got a piece of Hughes late in the game in Florida on Thursday and Travis Konecny got a shot in on Hughes in the third period on Saturday. Teams are gunning for him. He’s the best player on the Canucks and he has the puck on his stick an awful lot. That makes him a target and that’s just a fact of life. Teammates have to be prepared to stick up for their captain, but ultimately if teams cross the line against Hughes, the referees have to make the right calls and then it’s on Hughes and his teammates to put the hammer down on the power play.
I says that Brännström has looked the part of a legitimate NHL’er in his two games with the Canucks. And I’m intrigued to see a whole lot more. I don’t know how long Forbort will remain away from the team, but I’d expect Brännström to remain in the lineup on Tuesday in Chicago. I wonder about him getting a chance to play the right side with Forbort when both are options. I’d be intrigued to see what that looks like.
If they did, man do I feel for Arshdeep Bains and Arturs Silovs who would have to split the sizable bill as the only rookies currently on the roster. But I have heard nothing about the team’s rookie dinner and it just seems awfully early in the season to think it would take place on the first trip. I think Demko and Joshua travelled because the team wanted them to be around the group out on the road early in the season, those players likely wanted to be on hand for Tyler Myers’ 1000th game and, as we saw on Saturday, Joshua had the green light to skate with the group. As for how high the tab gets for NHL rookie dinners, those things are kept pretty close to the vest but you can figure out a pretty simple formula: high-end restaurant + 25 guys + the most expensive thing on the menu + plenty of refreshments.
I couldn’t find anyone willing to spill the details on an exact amount for their rookie dinner, but Montreal’s Cole Caufield had to pay the freight a few seasons ago.
And finally, let’s finish with a timely question about Hallowe’en.
Easy. I’d go as Quadrelli. But as anyone that watched Canucks Convo last week knows that means I’d also be going as Harman. Not only did they wear identical outfits for the show on Tuesday and again on Friday, then they showed up at the CanucksArmy watch party at Greta on Saturday and were wearing pretty much the same thing – again. So I say Quads, but really maybe I mean Harm. Seriously guys, the show is called Canucks Conversation — maybe have a chat before you grab your spots in studio.
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