Pending Issues Vancouver Canucks must address ahead of next season -NHL Special
Vancouver Canucks is a team that nearly reached the peak of the mountain but fell down faster than anyone could have imagined as they failed to get a first franchise ever Stanley Cup and then could not even get back in the race despite being the best during a wild regular season.
The National Hockey League (NHL) is a tough place to play in and Vancouver Canucks are taking advantage of the fact they have a star riddled squad, but unfortunately, still fail to make a difference when it comes time to perform.
Ahead of the upcoming 2012-2013 regular season, if a lockout does not come into play, Vancouver Canucks have a number of issues facing them that must be addressed in order to ensure another successful hockey year and hopefully a significant playoff run.
One of the biggest events that was surprising and expected at the same time was the agitation related to Roberto Luongo. There is no doubt in the veteran goalie’s abilities to lead the team to the Stanley Cup Finals, but the better he plays, the harder he chokes as well. Vancouver is reportedly still working on a trade for the goalie, but his huge contract is a major speed bump in the process of him joining another team before the season kicks off.
In lieu of Roberto Luongo, Vancouver is putting all of their money on Cory Schneider and hope that he can sustain the postseason pressure better than Luongo was able to. Schneider got his first taste earlier this year during the 2012 NHL Playoffs as Vancouver substituted Luongo for the younger backup after the first two games went just totally against the Canucks.
Canucks gave Schneider a three-year, $12 million contract over the offseason to hint at him being their next number one. Now, with the ball in Schneider’s court, the 26-year-old will just have to give it all to gain the confidence of the Vancouver Canucks and hopefully, cement himself in the starting role in front of the net.
Next on the list is adjusting superstar centre player, Ryan Kesler, when he hopefully make his debut later on in December after a shoulder surgery in May. The forward was expected to make a comeback a month earlier, but has had it delayed with the advice of medical staff overlooking his recovery.
"I think in all likelihood if the season started on time he probably wouldn't be ready, but I also think we'd have to see how he reacted to contact and different things that you don't see until you get into training camp," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis told NHL.com. "He's doing very well, he's on schedule, and there is a remote possibility if season started on time he might be ready, but in all likelihood he wouldn't."
Last season was a disappointment for Kesler and Canucks as he had just 49 points (22 goals, 27 assists) in 77 games, despite being a player that can easily put up 70-plus each season.
After extensive surgery and rehabilitation, Vancouver Canucks need Kesler to be 100 percent and ready to play next season as it will definitely be a decisive one for many stakeholders.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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