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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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Oct 21, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Vancouver Canucks assistant coach Glen Gulutzan during the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Canucks 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Vancouver Canucks assistant coach Glen Gulutzan during the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Canucks 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

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

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