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Vancouver Canucks: 2016-17 Special Teams

By Connor Cullen

Apr 7, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Nikita Tryamkin (88) celebrates his goal with teammates against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Nikita Tryamkin (88) celebrates his goal with teammates against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 13, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins head coach Claude Julien and assistant coach Doug Jarvis leave the ice while the Montreal Canadiens celebrate their 5-1 victory at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins head coach Claude Julien and assistant coach Doug Jarvis leave the ice while the Montreal Canadiens celebrate their 5-1 victory at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /

Doug Jarvis

Yes, he might be one of the oldest coaches on the Canucks staff but, so what? Doug Jarvis is a six-time Stanley Cup champion and was renowned around the league during his playing days as a solid, two-way forward who played with grit and heart despite his smaller stature. Oh yeah, and he was also known as one of the hardest centres to defeat in the face-off dots.

The Canucks are sincerely hoping that Jarvis will help solve their face-off issues, and it seems a good bet that he’ll do just that. Of course, the Canucks face-off win percentage will also naturally increase if Brandon Sutter stays healthy for the majority of the season. Markus Granlund seems to have the inside track for the fourth-line centre job but his 6-foot-2 teammate, Brendan Gaunce, will likely end up being the better option down the middle. Coach Willie Desjardins will put Gaunce there if Granlund falters because the Canucks have no room for weakness down the middle.

As Iain MacIntyre of The Province points out, Jarvis is a jack-of-all-trades type hire:

"“He is equally adept at coaching a power play or penalty kill, has more playoff experience than anyone in the Canuck organization and a good record working with young players. Jarvis checked so many boxes for the Canucks that he became an easy hire for Vancouver general manager Jim Benning, who won a Stanley Cup ring with Jarvis on the staff of the 2011 Boston Bruins.”"

Indeed, Jarvis brings veteran leadership as a former player himself, and he can mentor the youngsters in how to be a professional each and every day, as well as how to handle the rigors of NHL life and how to earn their keep.

The Canucks haven’t officially announced individual coaching duties for 2016-17 but given Perry Pearn coached the team to the 27th-ranked PP last year, I have to believe he’s either on a short lease for the upcoming season or that the Canucks will hand the reins to Jarvis right off the bat. With Glen Gulutzan now leading division and Canadian rival, the Calgary Flames, someone will have to take over the penalty kill. Since Jarvis will be handling face-offs and, most likely, the forward group, he should be the one running the powerplay.

Conclusion: ADVANTAGE CANUCKS

Next: The Question Mark: Philip Larsen

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