Following the heartbreak of the 2010-11 campaign, the Canucks looked to make that final step in the 2011-12 season. 

Entering the campaign with a bevvy of familiar faces from the previous season, expectations were at an all-time high for the Vancouver Canucks and their window to contend for the Stanley Cup was still open.

Relive the triumph, heartbreak and drama from the 2011-12 campaign, on the other side of the jump.

When talking about the best teams in this franchise’s history, the 2011-12 incarnation often gets overlooked. Considering their dominance by almost every objective measure available to us, this is beginning to seem like a pretty heinous oversight. Then again, maybe this is one we can just chalk up to the burden of expectations. 

For all Mike Gillis’ managerial prowess, one area where he struggled mightily in would be the ability to develop a competent fourth line – conversely, his replacement seems quite apt in this regard. Just look at some of the players this franchise tried in that capacity: Mike Duco, Mark Mancari, Byron Bitz, Victor Oreskovich, Maxim Lapierre, Aaron Volpatti, etc. I’d say exactly one of these players was above replacement level. 

Some pretty gaudy goaltending, if I do say so myself. The Canucks goaltenders combined to save north of 30 goals above replacement, which likely played a massive role in the Canucks securing their second straight Presidents’ Trophy. 

The Canucks not taking that next step certainly wasn’t for a lack of effort on the part of Gillis. Looking strictly at the deals made before and during this season, there were a lot of moving pieces involved going in every direction. I remember the David Booth trade seeming like absolute larceny at the time – I’m still convinced it was an excellent process trade. Then there was the Kassian-Hodgson trade, which both teams lost on. Most puzzling, though, was the Canucks decision to offer Columbus two fourth-round selections for Pahlsson, when Antoine Vermette was available for essentially a second-round pick. 

Notable Signings

Entering the season with heavy hearts and lofty expectations, the Canucks were still reeling from the passing of former teammate and friend, Rick Rypien, all the while looking to return to the Stanley Cup. Prognosticators from media outlets abroad still viewed the Canucks as top contenders and many picked them to repeat as Western Conference finalists. 

They were still a high-octane offensive powerhouse, with solid depth throughout their lineup courtesy of some mid-season additions and brilliant goaltending. The addition of David Booth in particular figured to offer the Canucks the requisite secondary scoring and size to put them over the top. Of course, a mid-season knee courtesy of Kevin Porter managed to derail Booth’s season right when it was looking most promising – likely his time as a Canuck too, if we’re being entirely honest. 

Vancouver then doubled down on size, trading popular center Cody Hodgson for Zack Kassian in a controversial deadline swap. Couple these moves with the addition of Samuel Pahlsson and Vancouver looked ready to stand up against the bullies of the West and run over the East. 

All these moves couldn’t make up for the devastating elbow that Daniel Sedin suffered at the hands of Duncan Keith towards the end of Vancouver’s season. An elbow that, realistically, altered the trajectory of the Canucks season and Daniel’s career almost simultaneously – his timing has never been the same since and his finishing ability has declined immensely. 

The Canucks would miss Daniel for much of their first-round series against the secretly dominant Los Angeles Kings. The Canucks went down 0-2 in uninspiring fashion, before a mid-series goalie switch from Roberto Luongo to Cory Schneider was made in an attempt to spark the team. The move failed to spark the Canucks and they would lose the series 4-1 on home ice. This move also marked the beginning of the end for Luongo, who demanded a trade in the following off-season. 

As an aside, many are quick to blame Vigneault for playing Schneider as the catalyst that forced Luongo out of town. Frankly, Schneider had a considerably better season, so I don’t find it all that surprising that the Canucks went to that well when their backs were against the ropes. The real fault here lies with Gillis, who held onto that asset way too long. Just imagine the kings ransom that the Canucks could have landed with Schneider while this team was still in their window to contend. 

Points: Henrik Sedin, 14G 67A 81P

This season marked the first real step back towards earth for the Sedins. You would hardly notice though, given that Henrik still had nearly a point per game.

Goals: Daniel Sedin, 30G

Even missing the last ten games of the season with a serious concussion, Daniel was able to pot 30-goals. That’s mighty impressive. 

Assists: Henrik Sedin, 67A

See “points”.

Generally speaking, this series has approached this particular section of the article by looking at how the underlying data reflected upon the team and how that information might have resulted in better decisions. There’s certainly a fair bit to delve into, but I feel as though some of the more questionable moves and decisions weren’t reflected at all in the shot-based metrics we generally evaluate these decisions upon. 

Firstly, I think there’s something to be said for what a disastrous set of trades the Canucks made this season. The Booth deal – which was likely the best of the bunch – shouldn’t suffer too much criticism, given it was an excellent process deal and cost the Canucks very little in the way of assets. As for the decision to go for Pahlsson, rather than any other number of defensive ace centers, that’s another story entirely. As was the decision to trade a relatively productive (if sheltered) Cody Hodgson for a still developing and raw prospect in Zack Kassian. 

The worst move of all, though, was the one Gillis didn’t make. Keeping Schneider for as long as the Canucks did almost invited the controversy that marked the end of his stay in Vancouver – along with Luongo’s, eventually. One might argue the franchise never recovered from that one.