Vancouver Canucks 2018-19 Season Grades: Antoine Roussel

We continue our player grades for the 2018-19 Vancouver Canucks. Up next, is 2018 free agent signing Antoine Roussel.

The Vancouver Canucks signed Antoine Roussel to a four-year deal $12 million contract last offseason, as general manager Jim Benning looked to shore up his forward depth.

Some fans weren’t too happy on the signing, because the term and money seemed like too much for a player who never scored more than 29 points in a season. But as the season went on, the controversy surrounding his contract died down as the season went on.

Here is a look at his grade for the 2018-19 season, along with expectations for next year.

Season Grade: B

Roussel had a career year in his first season in Vancouver with 31 points in 65 games. He had nine goals and 22 assists before he had a knee injury against the New York Rangers which ended his season.

More from The Canuck Way

• Which team won the Bo Horvat trade?
• What to expect from newcomers Anthony Beauvillier, Aatu Räty
• Back to the future: How the skate uniforms became a regular Canucks’ feature night
• Canucks kick off 2023 with disappointing 6-2 loss to Islanders
• 2nd period penalty trouble sinks Canucks in 4-2 loss against Winnipeg

Roussel showed he was competitive and got under opponents skin often. As a result, he was voted as the team’s unsung hero.  His 2.80 points/per 60 trails only Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson. Roussel’s 31 points had him fifth in team scoring.  He had a Corsi For percentage of 49.47% (per Natural Stat Trick) and led the Canucks in penalty minutes with 118.

Out of all the three players the Canucks signed on July 1, Roussel was by far the most productive.  Fans love his agitator attitude that gets him under the skin of opposing players.

Roussel showed that over the course of the season and has also showed that he can contribute offensively even just in sample sizes.

He has shown he can be a reliable bottom six forward and penalty killer. He can win puck battles and make some big hits.

Fans have also loved his agitator style. He gets into the faces of opponents after whistles, chirps them and even gets into a fight. Although he still has a habit of taking bad penalties, (like when he got fined for biting Marc-Edouard Vlasic) he knows how to use his agitator style of hockey effectively.

Roussel has embraced himself to Canucks fans.. His role as an agitator made him prove to himself to the Vancouver fan base and they hope to see more next season. His first season in Vancouver was a success for the most part, so we’re giving him a B.

Expectations for next season

I would like to see Roussel to pick up where he left off last season. It is expected for him to be on the third line.

I think he should get another crack at playing with Horvat to see if the chemistry is still there. In terms of offensive numbers, I’d expect him to at least get 25 points.  I  expect him to continue the agitator role and get under opponents skin even more.