What we learned:
1. Boeser's contract was not ot of line (as some like me have maintained). Showed up when it most counted and was missed in the final game.
2. Silvos has the potential to be a bona vide NHL goalie. Need for more than this run to assess that, but certainly took a huge step in that direction
3. Mikheyev is overpaid and a overall negative. Aman and DeGuiseppe outplayed him and both of them should get a good look next season.
4. Hughes has to adjust to the type of attention and mugging he will get in the playoffs. How to play him is clearly out and clearly he had trouble in these playoffs overcoming the heat he was getting in his end.
5. Miller can only carry the team so far. Team needs to find altenatives when Miller's play falls off as it did during the Edmonton series.
6. Demko is appearing to be increasingly injury prone which makes his reliability questionable. Team may have a problem here.
7. Cole was snake bit during the playoffs and play suggested he is diminishing as NHL d-man. Injuries may be catching up to him. Some risk in re-signing him although at the right price provides good depth.
8. Zadorov was our best d-man in the playoffs. Unless he prices himself out of Canuck ability to pay, the team needs to get him back. Revealed some of the potential he has during the playoffs.
9. Lindholm did enough to want him back but likely Canucks can't meet his demands. Maybe Swede friendly situation in Van can allow the team to get a break here.
10. Blueger penalty killing was huge during the regular season and playoffs. That alone makes getting him back important.
11. Pettersson came no where close to realizing the level expected. Questions about his contract and his future are definitely there. Have to take to looking back at old highlight videos to seek any assurance he is the player they are shelling out big bucks for. Sometimes you wonder if he is suited for Tocchet type hockey.
12. Hoglander showed he was not ready for prime time. Lack of a 200 foot game and poor play intransition was exhibited through most of the playoffs. First playoff experience so hopefully he better understands areas he needs to improve.
13. Myers had a strong playoffs. Showed a good range in his defensive coverage in his zone and got consistent pressure on the puck. Beyond this, there where times when he pushed the play up ice. If he gives the team anyh break on a new contract then he has to be back. He'll easily get 4 + on the open market.
14. Suter had his moments but firmly established he is not a front line player.
15. Joshua's poor skating was exposed and he couldn't get on the end of plays. Canucks need to be very careful they don't over pay here.
16. Garland was pure gold in these playoffs. In the end, he was vrtually carrying team. Should have an A on his chest. Best bang for the buck player on the team and really has been a major contributor for a long time. Those seeking to endlessly trade him, I suggest, clearly don't n know what they are talking about.
17, deSmith is obviously gone.
18. Lafferty, unless he was significantly injured, is likely gone as well. Very poor playoffs.
19. Soucy contributed throughout the playoffs. Maybe a bit penalty prone but overall a positive. Now appears a great pick up.
Canucks have got some important issues and situations to deal with and hard, at this point, seeing them getting everyone back. Boeser situation is a difficult one although if he does have to go on long term injury list, it does open up some cap space. Other situations are tricky as well. However, Canuck management has shown a good ability to make good decisions and I think we can have some faith they know what they're doing.
Team had a great year and you hope they can build on it. But that is going to take a lot of work.
1. Boeser's contract was not ot of line (as some like me have maintained). Showed up when it most counted and was missed in the final game.
2. Silvos has the potential to be a bona vide NHL goalie. Need for more than this run to assess that, but certainly took a huge step in that direction
3. Mikheyev is overpaid and a overall negative. Aman and DeGuiseppe outplayed him and both of them should get a good look next season.
4. Hughes has to adjust to the type of attention and mugging he will get in the playoffs. How to play him is clearly out and clearly he had trouble in these playoffs overcoming the heat he was getting in his end.
5. Miller can only carry the team so far. Team needs to find altenatives when Miller's play falls off as it did during the Edmonton series.
6. Demko is appearing to be increasingly injury prone which makes his reliability questionable. Team may have a problem here.
7. Cole was snake bit during the playoffs and play suggested he is diminishing as NHL d-man. Injuries may be catching up to him. Some risk in re-signing him although at the right price provides good depth.
8. Zadorov was our best d-man in the playoffs. Unless he prices himself out of Canuck ability to pay, the team needs to get him back. Revealed some of the potential he has during the playoffs.
9. Lindholm did enough to want him back but likely Canucks can't meet his demands. Maybe Swede friendly situation in Van can allow the team to get a break here.
10. Blueger penalty killing was huge during the regular season and playoffs. That alone makes getting him back important.
11. Pettersson came no where close to realizing the level expected. Questions about his contract and his future are definitely there. Have to take to looking back at old highlight videos to seek any assurance he is the player they are shelling out big bucks for. Sometimes you wonder if he is suited for Tocchet type hockey.
12. Hoglander showed he was not ready for prime time. Lack of a 200 foot game and poor play intransition was exhibited through most of the playoffs. First playoff experience so hopefully he better understands areas he needs to improve.
13. Myers had a strong playoffs. Showed a good range in his defensive coverage in his zone and got consistent pressure on the puck. Beyond this, there where times when he pushed the play up ice. If he gives the team anyh break on a new contract then he has to be back. He'll easily get 4 + on the open market.
14. Suter had his moments but firmly established he is not a front line player.
15. Joshua's poor skating was exposed and he couldn't get on the end of plays. Canucks need to be very careful they don't over pay here.
16. Garland was pure gold in these playoffs. In the end, he was vrtually carrying team. Should have an A on his chest. Best bang for the buck player on the team and really has been a major contributor for a long time. Those seeking to endlessly trade him, I suggest, clearly don't n know what they are talking about.
17, deSmith is obviously gone.
18. Lafferty, unless he was significantly injured, is likely gone as well. Very poor playoffs.
19. Soucy contributed throughout the playoffs. Maybe a bit penalty prone but overall a positive. Now appears a great pick up.
Canucks have got some important issues and situations to deal with and hard, at this point, seeing them getting everyone back. Boeser situation is a difficult one although if he does have to go on long term injury list, it does open up some cap space. Other situations are tricky as well. However, Canuck management has shown a good ability to make good decisions and I think we can have some faith they know what they're doing.
Team had a great year and you hope they can build on it. But that is going to take a lot of work.