Vancouver Canucks: Summer Waiting Game

The Vancouver Canucks 2015-2016 season has come to a close and now as fans, we must endure the long off-season.

As the Vancouver Canucks endure the long summer, they also face many questions moving into the future. Can they learn from mistakes made this last season? Will they find that perfect combination of  a veteran lineup infused with young players?

Rebuilding from within and rebuilding on the go is a difficult task. Rebuilding around a veteran core is not an easy task, but it can be done (just look at the San Jose Sharks).

There are many uncertainties moving forward and the team has a long list of must dos heading into preparations for next season. Signing players, making decisions regarding veterans, and determining if they will make a move to improve their position in the draft are just a few things on that ever growing to do list.

Signing Thatcher Demko was a must do before summer’s end and it did indeed get done. Congratulations to Demko on signing his first NHL contract! Watching him develop his game and success from the college level as he makes the transition to pro will be fun to see unfold.

Read: Thatcher Demko Signs Entry-Level Deal

The upcoming draft will undoubtedly bring about more change whether through drafting new prospects or making a trade or two. Where the Canucks end up in the draft lottery could determine whether they attempt to make a play for first overall or attempt to pick up extra draft picks via trade.

Free agency could also bring about more change. With several expiring contracts, including those of veterans Radim Vrbata and Dan Hamhuis, the Vancouver Canucks will have some cap space this summer. But how much of that will be spent on signing big free-agent names (if any) or re-signing current players? Or will any players be bought out to create even more cap space?

Speaking of potential contract buyouts, decisions need to be made in regards to keeping certain veteran players. Has Alex Burrows played his last game as a Canuck? Personally, I hope not, his pure heart and determination every step of his career are intangibles that would be missed in the locker room.

More from The Canuck Way

• Which team won the Bo Horvat trade?
• What to expect from newcomers Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Räty
• Back to the future: How the skate uniforms became a regular Canucks’ feature night
• Canucks kick off 2023 with disappointing 6-2 loss to Islanders
• 2nd period penalty trouble sinks Canucks in 4-2 loss against Winnipeg

Jannik Hansen, who’s coming off a career year could also be on the move depending on who you ask. Fans and media alike are divided when it comes to Hansen and his place with the Canucks moving forward. After breaking the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career, his trade value should be at an all-time high. However, he is extremely important for Vancouver on and off the ice as well.

And let’s not forget the Dan Hamhuis part of the equation. Will he be out the door come July 1st or does he stay to re-sign as a veteran presence to help develop a very young blue line? He has been very vocal since the trade deadline that his desire is stay with the Canucks, time will tell if that is a possibility.

The Canucks already signed NCAA free agent Troy Stecher and KHL D-man Philip Larsen. Ben Hutton seems ready for a permanent top-four role and Nikita Tryamkin was able to prove that he can be an NHL player. Is there any room left for Hamhuis?

Still, there are a few certainties moving forward. Henrik and Daniel Sedin are consummate professionals on and off the ice. There is no doubt that they will be forever remembered as two of the greatest players to don a Vancouver Canucks jersey. Any young players coming up can and will learn pure love of the game, dedication and leadership from the twins.

Next: What Signing Troy Stecher Means

Another certainty is that although there will continue to be growing pains throughout this rebuilding phase, there are signs of a bright future down the line with players like Bo Horvat, Jake Virtanen and Sven Baertschi continuing to grow and improve with each game they play.

We have a long way to go until training camp opens up in September, many changes are sure come between now and then, for now, we wait. Welcome to the summer waiting game.