Vancouver Canucks 14 Thoughts for the Last 14 Days of the Season

Thought #6: How Much More can Veterans Endure?

Then the question arises, can veterans wait for this full rebuild to bear fruit? Let’s count them down. Alex Burrows, as mentioned, is not in a waiting position. He is competing for his own job. No worries about him not giving his all. No worries about the leaders, too. The Sedins have already said that they want to see their contracts out in a Canucks uniform, perhaps even more after their current ones expire.

How about Brandon Sutter? He can’t be blamed much for this lackluster season as he was outed with long-term injuries. How much losing can he take next year if the youth movement is as painful next year as it is this year? The solution is simple — if he plays and wins games for the Canucks, the year won’t be painful. But if Sutter cannot do so, how much patience does he have?

WATCH: Radim Vrbata’s top 5 Goals as a Canuck

Hopefully, that Sutter name means something. It better prove a worthy hockey household name even in Vancouver as it did in Los Angeles.

But how about feisty Ryan Miller? In his post-games, he is always about his own lack of quality. But having gone through this tearing-down already in Buffalo, does he want to see another one through in his career? Honestly, he has the right to win some cups, does he not? He is an Olympic-calibre (at least was, in 2010) netminder. With his competitiveness, how much more losing can Miller take?

The Canucks have done a good job keeping the “good vets” around who are good-willed enough for a rebuild. Look at where Ryan Kesler and Nick Bonino are now. But how much longer can the veterans put up with losing hockey? Well, the easiest solution for them to play strong to end the last 14 days of the season on a winning note.

Next: Thought #7: Will Injured Players Ever be the Same?