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Vancouver Canucks Outlook, Predictions Week #20: Tank Nation

By David Joun

Feb 13, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Ben Hutton (27) battles for the puck against Toronto Maple Leafs forward Peter Holland (24) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Toronto Maple Leafs won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Ben Hutton (27) battles for the puck against Toronto Maple Leafs forward Peter Holland (24) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Toronto Maple Leafs won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 13, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Ben Hutton (27) battles for the puck against Toronto Maple Leafs forward Peter Holland (24) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Toronto Maple Leafs won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /

After the Vancouver Canucks were handed a loss by the tanking Toronto MarlieLeafs, has tanking become a greater reality for you?

Week 19 didn’t end so well for the Vancouver Canucks. But the way this season has gone, it can be only so suiting that Bo Horvat got injured blocking a shot against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Guess what. The top three Canuck centremen have gone down with injuries this season now. Without their top defenceman in Alex Edler for another half a dozen weeks, is #tanknation also becoming a reality for the Canucks?

The three games this week will tell the fate of the Canucks, who have just six games remaining before the 2016 NHL Trade Deadline. Here are the three storylines to follow this week.

1. Is Jared McCann able?

The 19-year-old rookie centreman showed some edgy flare during the game on Saturday, channelling his inner Ryan Kesler once again. Fitting that the Anaheim Ducks are in town this week, eh? With Brandon Sutter out for the next two months and Horvat uncertain for Monday McCann now becomes the number two centreman.

Is he able? This is the greatest challenge for him yet. Unlike the time when captain Henrik was out, McCann won’t have Daniel Sedin and Jannik Hansen as his wingers.

2. How high does Dan Hamhuis‘s stock rise?

Dan Hamhuis has been a welcomed addition to the Canucks lineup, in time for Edler’s departure. He also had to hand the broken jaw voodoo to Mr. Sutter. Regardless, it gives Hamhuis a big chance to up his value. Is he going to sell for a first-round pick? Is he leaving at all? Those questions will be answered in the next six games, half of which happens this week. Keep an eye on him and the market.

3. Lineup Changes

Jacob Markstrom is scheduled to start this week, and 25-year-old Alex Friesen is slotted to make his NHL debut as well. With Yannick Weber potentially coming off of the first powerplay unit, Alex Biega likely reclaims his number six role on the blueline. Keep an eye on the pending free agents, should they surface in trade negotiations and become a late scratch for Jim Benning‘s club.

With that, here is the Week #30 Outlook and Predictions from the staff here from The Canuck Way. Enjoy!

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