2023-24 Vancouver Canucks/NHL Season Thread

[Robbie]

Elias Pettersson signs 8-year contract extension for $92.8 million US, averaging an annual value of $11.6 million US.

[Robbie]

Great that the have reached the 50-win mark with a 4-1 win over Calgary.

Excellent performance by Thatcher Demko in allowing just one goal upon his return from injury.

With at least 109 points that's at least a 26 point improvement from the 83-point last season.

They have now clinched the Pacific Division - good to add another banner on the rafters.

Good luck to them in the playoffs!

[Robbie]

The Vancouver Canucks will be facing against the Nashville Predators in the first round. It looks like they're going to be a challenge for them given the fact that the Predators had a very hot streak in the second half of the season by going through an 18 game (16-0-2) points streak.

Hopefully this won't be an early exit for the Canucks like they did in 2012, 2013, and 2015 by losing in the first round against a lower-seeded team.

[Robbie]

After a slow start, excellent comeback by the Canucks in the 3rd period with 2 quick goals 12 seconds apart with the latter scored by Dakota Joshua with 2 goal and 1 assist to take game 1 with a final of 4-2.

May the momentum go on for game 2.

[Robbie]

Will any of you confess that you gave up on the Canucks in game 4 after the Predators had 3-1 lead with less than 3 minutes left in the third period by shutting off your television sets or otherwise leaving the venue where you were watching the game?

If you did, then you missed one of the biggest comebacks when Brock Boeser's achieved a hat trick by scoring two quick late goals including one with 8 seconds left to send it to overtime and Lindholm scoring early in overtime to take the game 4-3 and a 3-1 lead in the series.

All the while using the third string goaltender Arturs Silovs.

can now clinch the series with a win at home in game 5.

[Robbie]

Tough first found but Canucks manage to advance to round 2 after a late goal in the third period to win 1-0 in game 6.

They will now face the Edmonton Oilers in the second round.

Decision time for the Canucks in terms of their goaltending situation as to whether third string Arturs Silovs will start especially after his shutout win. Don't know how injured Casey DeSmith is or Vezina Trophy finalist Thatcher Demko and if either of them can play.

Although somewhat expected, Rick Tocchet is a finalist for the Jack Adams Trophy.

[Robbie]

The 2024 Stanley Cup finals have come down to the wire with a game 7 win it all on Monday, June 25 at 5:00 PM. Will you attend?

This final series has been between the southernmost NHL team, Florida Panthers against the nothernmost NHL team, Edmonton Oilers. Unlike the 2019 NBA Finals when the Toronto Raptors were called the KINGS OF THE NORTH even though they were not geographically speaking the nothernmost NBA city, I've never heard the Oilers as the Kings of the North.

I will have to respect the Oilers for fighting back from facing elimination five times including down 0-3 and also turning the team around after an extremely slow start and a coaching change to reach all the way to game 7.

[Robbie]

Congratulations to the Florida Panthers and Roberto Luongo in winning the Stanley Cup after their third chance.

Consolations to the Edmonton Oilers for their comeback being just short although I'm sure everyone has respected them for their huge turnover after their very slow start which triggered a coaching change, and then fighting back from facing elimination five times and trailing in their series so many times including 0-3 in the finals.

And there was no consolation at all to Connor McDavid for winning the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP in a losing cause. He didn't return to the ice to receive the presentation by commissioner Gary Bettman. Certainly understandable as that was the not trophy he wanted.

[Robbie]

Congratulations to individual for their post-season awards:

Rick Tocchet for winning the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year - the third for a Canuck.
Quinn Hughes for winning the James Norris Memorial Trophy for best defenceman - the first ever for a Canuck.

Consolations to three others for settling as a finalist and runner-up:

Elias Pettersson - finalist for Lady Byng Memorial Trophy
Patrik Allvin - finalist for Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award
Thatcher Demko - finalist for Vezina Trophy

[Robbie]

While not a trade with Boston, it was essentially an exchange of forwards through free agency.

Elias Lindholm has been signed by Boston while Vancouver managed to sign Jake DeBrusk.

In defence, Nikita Zadorov has been signed by Calgary while Vancouver Vincent Desharnais from Edmonton.