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Vancouver Canucks 2019-20 season preview: The forwards

By David Quadrelli |
VANCOUVER, BC - MARCH 13: Vancouver Canucks Right Wing Brock Boeser (6) is congratulated by Center Bo Horvat (53) and Defenseman Alexander Edler (23) after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during their NHL game at Rogers Arena on March 13, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - MARCH 13: Vancouver Canucks Right Wing Brock Boeser (6) is congratulated by Center Bo Horvat (53) and Defenseman Alexander Edler (23) after scoring a goal against the New York Rangers during their NHL game at Rogers Arena on March 13, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Vancouver Canucks are gearing up for an exciting 2019-20 season. After struggling to find ways to score later in the season, the team added some top-six forwards who should help the cause.

When Elias Pettersson arrived on the scene, nobody in and around the Vancouver Canucks knew what he would go on to do in his rookie year. Pettersson accelerated the rebuild in what was supposed to be another disappointing season where the Canucks finished near the bottom of the standings.

He, along with players such as Jacob Markstrom, Bo Horvat, and Brock Boeser, gave the Canucks a fighting chance to make the playoffs, and they were in the hunt right up until March last season, as a result. The Canucks saw this progress and decided that they had their core pieces in place to turn the ship around.

A huge problem for the Canucks was a lack of secondary scoring, and they strategically addressed those needs by adding proven scorers in J.T. Miller and Micheal Ferland to their top six. The 2019 Stanely Cup Playoffs saw teams built on a fine combination of speed, skill, and strength outmatch their opponents.

Playoff time is the time when gritty yet skilled physical players shine, and it’s clear that both Ferland and Miller can bring that to the table. Ferland, in particular, gave the Canucks a front-row seat to his playoff abilities in 2015 when he garnered the attention of absolutely everyone with his physical play as he tried to make a name for himself.

At the introductory press conference on Thursday morning, Ferland explained that he can’t play that style of game for a full 82 game season and that he needs to make sure he’s healthy first and foremost. When it’s needed or when it’s crunch time, it’s good to know that Ferland has that style of play up his sleeve.

The forward group has a fairly different look to it than it did on opening night roughly a year ago. Markus Granlund wasn’t qualified this offseason and signed with the Edmonton Oilers. The forwards brought in who will make up the new-look opening night lineup include Josh Leivo and Tanner Pearson, along with both Miller and Ferland.

The Canucks also added to their forward depth by signing Tyler Graovac and Justin Bailey in free agency this offseason. While both players will almost certainly spend the majority of their time in Utica with the Comets, this only adds to the Canucks’ forward depth.

The majority of the scoring will come from the big three of Pettersson, Horvat, and Boeser, but the story of this year’s team is some much needed secondary scoring that may help this young team once again reach the playoffs.

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