Vancouver Canucks: 2016-17 Special Teams

The Vancouver Canucks struggled mightily with their power play last season but performed decently on the penalty kill. With some notable subtractions and fresh faces this offseason, will the Canucks’ special teams be better overall?

Watching the Vancouver Canucks’ power play was, at times, extremely painful last season. Compared to the smooth zone entries and barrage of shots let loose by other, better teams, the Canucks’ power plays consisted of predictable entry maneuvers, too much passing, and, of course, not enough scoring.

Any successful power play not only needs a proper quarterback to get the play started and a lot of fluid puck movement, but it also needs to remain fresh and creative. Teams watch a crazy amount of video these days. Power-play units can no longer succeed simply by continuously rolling out old strategies that once worked really well. In other words, they must adapt.

A few years ago, the Canucks’ power play was masterful and I don’t think it’s a stretch, by any means, to say that opponents were intimidated by their offensive skills with the man advantage. But the issue is that the Canucks’ tactics have remained much the same, even as various personnel departed, and penalty-kill specialists around the league have adapted and put themselves in a position where they can effectively and quite easily shut down the Canucks.

Proof of this came last season, when the Canucks finished with the 27th-ranked PP.

Here’s Vancouver’s team statistics for 2015-16:

The Canucks scored 39 times out of 247 PP opportunities for a final percentage of 15.79 percent, well below the league average. It’s an understatement but this is an area in need of dramatic improvement for the Canucks, especially if they have playoff aspirations next season.

By contrast, the team’s penalty kill units combined to shut down 81.12 percent of opponent’s power plays, good enough to be the 17th-ranked PK in the league and therefore hovering around the league average for PK efficiency. The Canucks only allowed 249 PP opportunities to opposing teams, which was slightly below league average; however, that means that the Canucks took less penalties than the majority of other teams, which is certainly a positive. Unfortunately, Vancouver allowed eight short-handed goals, higher than most teams.

Going into this offseason, management knew they had to right the ship in a hurry if they wanted to make the playoffs in 2016-17. The Canucks had numerous weaknesses but the most glaringly obvious one was a lack of scoring depth. Finishing at the bottom of the league in most offensive categories, the Canucks needed to add a big-time scorer or two to the roster, as well as shore up the defensive corps and potentially add a puck-moving defenseman to help helm the power play. If the Canucks improve at all offensively, the PP will be a big part of that.

So far, GM Jim Benning has made one particularly large splash in free agency, signed some younger depth forwards for the AHL, and hired a winner of an assistant coach to help stabilize the PP and improve the team’s face-off skills.

Will Benning’s additions help improve the special teams units overall? Will the loss of certain personnel this offseason be detrimental to the team’s success?

Ahead, I’ll take a look at what has happened so far this offseason and assess whether it’s advantage Canucks or not…

Next: The Big Fish: Loui Eriksson

Loui Eriksson

Unquestionably the most important addition this offseason, Loui Eriksson will bring above-average scoring talent, powerplay proficiency, sound defensive play, leadership, and veteran experience to the Vancouver Canucks youthful squad.

Eriksson’s presence on the PP will immediately boost the team’s chances of success in that department. The Sedins will have a new linemate with whom they have already fostered considerable chemistry in international play, and his lethal shot alone will add at least 10 goals on the powerplay. Last season with the Boston Bruins, Eriksson tallied 10 goals and 17 points on the PP. Those totals would already make him the third-highest PP scorer on the team, based on last season’s totals (Henrik Sedin had 20 points, Daniel Sedin had 19 points).

Playing with the Sedins, Eriksson is capable of much, much more. Having Eriksson as the main trigger-man, like Radim Vrbata was the past two seasons, should lessen the amount of passing (one can hope, at least).

The Canucks might even consider putting Eriksson as the trigger-man on the PP, rather than another defenseman, because his defensive awareness is rather high. Having Eriksson as the replacement D-man, could allow the Canucks to utilize a big body in front of the net — say, Jake Virtanen.

Potential #1 PP units:

Sedin – Sedin – Eriksson
Edler – Tanev/Hutton

Sedin – Sedin – Virtanen
Edler – Eriksson

Conclusion: most definitely, ADVANTAGE CANUCKS

Next: The Champion: Doug Jarvis

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

Erik Gudbranson

The Vancouver Canucks made a trade early in the offseason that surprised a lot of people. They traded young, skilled centerman, Jared McCann and a high 2nd-round pick to Florida for big, hard-hitting D-man, Erik Gudbranson. Although it seemed like the Canucks overpaid at the time, again mortgaging the future (McCann was considered a steal by many when the Canucks picked him) to help fill a need. Subsequent deals, however, have shown how costly the market is for premium defensemen. In hindsight, Benning should be praised.

Gudbranson, a right-handed shooting, 6-foot-5, 216-pound defensive defenseman, will help the Canucks shore up their blue line. He plays a heavy game and uses his massive frame to his advantage. There’s been chatter that Gudbranson might have some untapped offensive potential but it’s uncertain whether it could ever be tapped into since after 309 NHL games, he’s only amassed 11 G and 32 A.

Can’t blame being on a bad team (at least, not the last few seasons) and not having enough ice time (his average has been increasing since his rookie year — 20:07 last season). He’ll be in the second pairing this season with Ben Hutton, so his ice time might increase even more.

The 24-year old doesn’t offer the team much in the way of powerplay assistance, unless his big shot can utilized on the second unit. His real value will come to light on the penalty kill and in crucial moments in the defensive zone. Gudbranson can clear traffic from the front of the net, he hits a ton, and he blocks a considerable amount of shots. The Canucks expect shut-down play from Gudbranson and that’s what they should get as Gudbranson matures (he’s still young at 24, despite the “young veteran” aura he has about him).

Like Larsen, Gudbranson will have the spotlight focused on him in the early going, maybe even the whole season, to see if the McCann trade really was worth it all in the end.

Conclusion: although we’ll have to wait and see what McCann becomes, for now I’ll give this one ADVANTAGE CANUCKS

Next: The Dearly Departed: Gulutzan, McCann, Weber

Goodbye Gully, McCann, Weber

This offseason the Canucks had several team members from the past few seasons depart for various reasons. Glen Gulutzan left his coaching gig here in Vancouver to be the bench boss in charge of the division and Canadian rivals, the Calgary Flames; Jared McCann was traded to the Panthers for defensive help; Yannick Weber departed via free agency and later signed with the Nashville Predators; and finally, Chris Higgins was bought-out and sent to free agency. There were other minor departures but these were the most notable and immediately affect the team.

Gulutzan leaving for the Flames probably has the biggest impact on the Canucks for 2016-17. Not only do they lose a coach who is effective in mentoring young players and running both special teams units, but they lose him to a rival opponent. The better Calgary fares under Gulutzan this year, the worse it is for Vancouver. Gulutzan should help improve that club overall and their young stars will benefit from his presence, and since the team is only two years removed from a Cinderella-like playoff run, I expect them to be firing on all cylinders if they quickly mesh with Gully.

So long, Gully! Nothing but the best to you, sir.

Losing McCann essentially meant giving up the last piece left from the Ryan Kesler to Anaheim deal a few seasons ago. After seeing Hunter Shinkaruk traded to the Flames earlier the past season, Canucks fans were clueless as to why Benning was trading away highly regarded prospects.

The jury is still out on the loss of these two youngsters because no one is sold on Markus Granlund, the return piece in the Shinkaruk trade, and McCann could turn into a formidable offensive threat once he strengthens his body for NHL play. Benning didn’t see top-six center material in McCann, which unfortunately made him expendable. McCann seems destined for the wing but only time will tell.

Finally, Yannick Weber has taken his talents to Smashville. After having a career year in 2014-15 with 11 G and 10 A, including five goals on the powerplay, Weber posted a meagre seven points in 45 games this past season. The disappointment loomed large because Weber had come into his own the previous year, patrolling the blueline with the man-advantage to fairly decent success. Everyone was expecting Weber to be a staple on the PP from then on and the Canucks were certainly hoping he had become another late-bloomer. Ultimately, Weber’s own inconsistent play doomed him and clearly Coach Willie Desjardins lost confidence in the 5-foot-11, Swiss defender.

Notice how I excluded Matt Bartkowski in this section? Yeah, my bold prediction is that the Canucks’ giveaways total will be less because of his departure.

Conclusion: all three will be missed but only Gulutzan leaving is truly DISADVANTAGE CANUCKS

Next: Predictions

Predictions

Okay, predictions time.

POWERPLAY:

• Loui Eriksson’s presence on the top unit, playing with the Sedins, will put the Canucks PPG total closer to league average, if not slightly over. Eriksson will score more goals than he did last year on Boston’s top PP unit, ending up with 15-17.
• With Eriksson strengthening the offensive threat of the top unit and the youngsters taking big strides on the secondary unit, the Canucks should see that overall powerplay percentage go from 15.79 percent to at least 18.5 percent (and hopefully even higher). The corresponding rise in league ranks will see them nestled somewhere between the 12th and 15th slots.
• Doug Jarvis will take control of the powerplay and Perry Pearn will try the penalty kill. Jarvis’ face-off knowledge will help the Canucks improve their skills in the dots. Consequently, the Canucks will be able to have control of the puck more often after face-offs, leading to less reliance on uncreative zone entries on the PP (one can hope).
• An additional note on face-off improvement: the Canucks’ centers will all finish the season with a face-off win percentage of 53 percent or higher.
• The most consistently used PP units will look like this:

D. Sedin – H. Sedin – Hansen
Edler – Eriksson

Sutter – Horvat – Virtanen
Hutton – Larsen

• But we will certainly see Brandon Sutter play on one of these units quite a bit, if not permanently, and Nikita Tryamkin could make some surprise appearances, as well as Anton Rodin if he proves to be a player capable scoring at the NHL level.
• Ben Hutton will score seven goals, 4 of which come from the PP.

PENALTY KILL:

• The Canucks will feel the loss of Glen Gulutzan but the addition of Gudbranson in a shut-down role and the continued presence of solid penalty-killers, Jannik Hansen and Alex Burrows, will keep the Canucks near the league average. They’ll finish with the 16th-ranked PK, shutting down opponents’ powerplays with a decent 82.15%.
• A healthy Brandon Sutter will also add to the success of the PK in 2016-17, and he’ll score three times while the team is short-handed.  Speedy Emerson Etem will also contribute two short-handed tallies.
• Nikita Tryamkin makes strides, sees some time on the second or third PK pairing, and promptly crushes 10,000 opponents.

The good news is that the Canucks will not be nearly bad enough to finish as far down in the standings as they did this past season. Having Eriksson in tow, their future stars making big strides in their development and maturing at the NHL level, the aging Sedins wanting one last long playoff push, and a coaching staff and management group that despises losing, the Canucks seem poised to potentially squeeze into the playoffs once again. Fans hoped for more to be achieved this offseason but GM Jim Benning hasn’t weakened the team, which is always a positive takeaway.

Next: Vancouver Canucks: 5 Things to be Excited for in 2016-17

How far they go after that is another story but, no matter what, improved special teams will play an important role in the outcome.