2011 Vancouver Canucks Season Stretch / Presidents' Trophy

[Robbie]

As they are finishing up their 40th season in franchise history, the Vancouver Canucks have never led the league with less than 1.5 months remaining in the regular season. Is this their season of destiny? For more than a number of times that I would care to count, the Canucks were struggling to simply get a playoff spot. And then in the last 20 years the team have won a few division titles but since the current playoff realignment in 1994, the Canucks have never finished higher than third in the Western Conference. And now with a 15 point lead winning the Northwest division is guaranteed and a 7 point lead in the Western conference the Canucks are in great shape to fininish first in the conference. Of course, the playoffs are another story altogether but obviously a good regular season always results in much hope and optimism. For the first time in franchise history, the Canucks are fighting for the NHL Presidents’ Trophy with the Philadelphia Flyers. Do you think the Canucks will win the Presidents’ Trophy?



Going with superstitions though, it looks like winning that trophy can give a sense of overconfidence and since that trophy was introduced in 1996, for many teams who won it for the FIRST time didn’t get passed the second round of the playoffs:

1986 – Edmonton Oilers
1988 – Calgary Flames
1991 – Chicago Blackhawks
1992 – New York Rangers
1993 – Pittsburgh Penguins
2000 – St. Louis Blues
2009 – San Jose Sharks
2010 – Washington Capitals

While the others first time winners lost in the conference finals with the exception of the 1990 Boston Bruins and 1995 Detroit Red Wings made it to the finals before losing the Stanley Cup final.

Good luck to Daniel Sedin in capturing these pair of trophies that his twin brother won last year.


Same thing to Ryan Kesler who deserves winning this one.


Do you think Mike Gillis will make any trades before the trade deadline? With all the injuries in defence, I’m sure he will to get a healthy defence man although it’s good that Sami Salo has returned. Hopefully Bieksa, Edler, and Alberts will be ready come playoff time.

[KnowItAll]

so, how often in the last 20 years has a conference winner won the cup?

how often has both conference winner been in the cup final?

as the Canucks and the Flyers are my fav two teams, followed by Detroit, 0ne would expect great playoffs, but I am expecting them to be "upsetting"

But hey, there is always the Sharks, Coyotes, Bruins and Rangers to fall back on.

A canucks flyers final. Stuff that dreams are made of.

[Anglophone]

I think we will, and then, in true Canucks fashion, we will utterly destroy ourselves in the playoffs.

[Don Miller]

Yes when the going gets tough the Canucks will suck.. Philly and Detroit still have that Trophy in site. Luongo has yet to prove he is a playoff goaltender. NACFan. There are a lot of hungry teams who have been and will continue to play playoff hockey just to get to the playoffs. Hope my Hawks get to play them again even with all the changes they have had to make since the Cup win. Sometimes you don't want to get what you wish for..

[AC/DC Rocks]

Because of the stupid, unnecessary, lock out season, the Canucks are playing their 40th season. (not to get technical Robbie)

Looks like it's going to be pretty close on the President's trophy, I'm not a big believer of superstition, your either good enough to win it all, or your not.

I, like so many others here, have been waiting a long time for a Stanley cup champion in Vancouver, this season is shaping up to be one of their best chances. Losing Edler was a big blow, I just hope he is in game shape enough when he gets back.

One thing that worries me about the Canucks winning it all is that, looking at the past Stanley cup winners, most of them get to the finals, lose, then get back to the finals and win, not all ways but there are quite a few times this has happened. Hopefully this theory is wrong and they go all the way, like Tampa did a few years back.

This is the best Luongo has looked in years, so if the Canucks are healthy in the playoffs, look out.

[West Coast Blue Fan]

One thing that worries me about the Canucks winning it all

Nothing worries me about the Canucks winning it all.....40 years is a long wait and the tease from 1994 did not make it any easier.

[notahomer]

I voted no. I think the Canucks have a better chance to go far in the playoffs. IMO, the Presidents trophy isn't a big deal.

Yes the Canucks have struggled at times throughout their history. But, how have their expansion siblings (the Sabres, IIRC) done in terms of making it deep into the playoffs. I loved the long 82 run and obviously the 94 run was a nailbiter. I really don't think the Canucks have done that badly. Of course, needing to win is probably why the Canadians, Rangers etc... are usually close. I'm going to enjoy these playoffs regardless of where the Canucks finish in the regular season.

[1greatmysticbushape]

we're gonna eat someones lunch.

[KnowItAll]

we're gonna eat someones lunch.

that sounds revolting

[1greatmysticbushape]

it happens.

[AC/DC Rocks]

One thing that worries me about the Canucks winning it all

Nothing worries me about the Canucks winning it all.....40 years is a long wait and the tease from 1994 did not make it any easier.

keep the faith Andrew ! (your not being facetious right?)

[Robbie]

No April Fool's Joke, despite the poll indicating otherwise the Canucks have clinched the 2011 Presidents' Trophy!



Way to go, !



With a comfortable lead in the scoring race, Daniel Sedin will likely with the Art Ross trophy which would usually bring him the Hart trophy as well. Maybe his twin can win the Ted Lindsay trophy that he missed out on last season.

And if Cory Schneider plays the remaining games, he and Luongo may be able to share the William M Jennings trophy.

[KnowItAll]

unfortunately, history has not been kind to presidents trophy winners.

[1greatmysticbushape]

WHO CARES ! GET IT WHILE YOU CAN BECAUSE BEFORE TOO LONG IT'LL ALL BE GONE.

[notahomer]

Well, I was wrong. I voted "NO" and the Canucks proved me wrong. I still don't know if they are going to go all the way and win. I'd love to be proven wrong again! I've been cheering for the Canucks since I was four!