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Vancouver Canucks: 5 New Year’s Resolutions

By Janik Beichler

Dec 18, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Jared McCann (91) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring in the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Vancouver Canucks center Jared McCann (91) receives congratulations from teammates after scoring in the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 4, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Radim Vrbata (17) speaks with referee Jon McIsaac (45) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /

Improve the Penalty Kill

As said before, the special teams have been a problem for the Canucks as a whole. That goes for the penalty kill as much as the power play. Vancouver’s 79.4 percent killed penalties have the team ranked 19th in the league, but it is far too low to deserve a playoff spot.

For many teams, the bottom-six is made up of good defensive players that know how to kill penalties. That is how guys like Minnesota Wild forward Jarret Stoll stay in the NHL. Unfortunately, Vancouver’s best defensive forwards have not been doing too well on the penalty kill this season. Brandon Prust was on the ice for 14.99 goals against per 60 minutes of shorthanded ice time, Adam Cracknell is not much better at 14.16.

Instead, guys like Bo Horvat, Chris Higgins and first-line forward Jannik Hansen lead the team in shorthanded time on ice. Cracknell can be seen out there a lot as well, but none of the listed players seem to be the right solution. Something needs to change here.

Next: #5

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