NHL Power Rankings: Washington Capitals begin title defense

29. Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks are a lot like the Detroit Red Wings. It’s going to be hard for any young forward to break into their lineup as most of their forwards are either young or have long-term deals. Still, the Canucks are moving in the right direction as far as adding some much-needed youth to their roster.

That’s why makes their offseason so darn baffling. Why commit so much money to Jay Beagle and Antoine Roussel? Those guys are fourth line caliber forwards. All they’re going to do is make it harder for guys like Adam Gaudette to make the roster.

Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson, however, give the Canucks some hope. Boeser’s coming off an outstanding season, during which he nearly scored 30 goals. He would have done so if it wasn’t for a late injury. Pettersson, meanwhile, put up record-setting numbers overseas. It’s hard to tell who the Calder Trophy winner will be, but he should be among the finalists.

The Canucks’ defense, though, is another story. When your best defenseman is either Alexander Edler or Michael Del Zotto, you know your blueline is screwed. Chris Tanev is injury prone and is likely on the trade block. But then again, the Canucks have let his trade value suffer mightily.

Vancouver finally appears to be moving in the right direction. That might take them to the first pick of the 2019 NHL Draft.