5 Biggest Issues Still Facing the Vancouver Canucks This Offseason

By Nick Villano

Vancouver Canucks Issues

Vancouver Canucks — The Vancouver Canucks were a team confusingly good last season. Many thought it was time to rebuild after trading away Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo the season before, but instead, the spent big money to bring in Ryan Miller. They also paid Radim Vrbata, who seemed like a better fit on a contender. It turned out that the Canucks knew they would be in it from the start. There are still issues with this team going into next season, though.

5. Ryan Miller And Jacob Markstrom

Ryan Miller

5. Ryan Miller And Jacob Markstrom

Ryan Miller — Last season, the Canucks could lean on Eddie Lack if anything ever happened to Ryan Miller, which it did. He is now in Carolina. The backup goalie is Jacob Markstrom, who had a great AHL season last year, but a terrible NHL career overall. If Miller is only able to play 45 games like he did last season, Markstrom would need a much better save percentage than his .896 career mark.

4. They Are Known Contenders Now

Henrik Sedin

4. They Are Known Contenders Now

Henrik Sedin — The Canucks came out of nowhere last season, surprising some contenders who weren't taking them seriously. That won't happen again this season. They see the Canucks coming. We will see if that changes some of those early-season wins into losses.

3. Lack of Star Defenseman

Alexander Edler

3. Lack of Star Defenseman

Alexander Edler — The Vancouver Canucks do not have a guy that most of the other Western Powerhouses have. Look at the rest of the playoff teams in the West. You have Dustin Byflugien, Alex Piertangelo, Shea Weber, Duncan Keith, Ryan Suter, Mark Giordano and Sami Vatanen. Every single team has an elite defender except the Canucks. That may hurt them when Drew Doughty and the Kings bounce back.

2. Can Radim Vrbata Continue To Be Great?

Radim Vrbata

2. Can Radim Vrbata Continue To Be Great?

Radim Vrbata — Radim Vrbata was one of the best players in the NHL to start the year. Then, in March, he put together his best month when his team needed him the most, putting up 18 points in 16 games. Can he do this again? He is 34 years old and coming off the best season of his career. Some decline may be coming this season.

1. Will The Sedin Twins Ever Decline?

Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin

1. Will The Sedin Twins Ever Decline?

Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin — The Sedin twins were amazing once again last season. It starts to become second nature to expect 60 points from each of them. What happens when they finally decline? Can the Canucks survive that? They both have well over 1,000 NHL games on their legs. Should we expect to see some decline this season or at least an injury? It isn't a sure thing by any stretch, but these things tend to happen out of nowhere.

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Vancouver Canucks

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