The Canuck Way’s All-Time Canucks roster is here
After TSN released their version of the Vancouver Canucks’ All-Time roster, The Canuck Way explores what the team could look like with no restrictions.
On Monday morning, TSN released what they believe to be the best possible version of the Vancouver Canucks‘ All-Time lineup. With 50 seasons worth of roster players to choose from, there was much debate between fans within the hockey universe on who exactly would make the final cut.
TSN’s All-Time #Canucks team. pic.twitter.com/VGJ79JbYDp
— Brayden Ursel (@bkursel23) May 12, 2020
All said and done, there was never going to be a version that would leave the entire fanbase happy. Plenty of players have made their way through the rankings in Vancouver going on to be tremendous talents, but unfortunately, there’s only room for 20 players to make the final roster.
To make things a little more structured, TSN set up a list of criteria to confirm eligibility. Most importantly out of those set of rules was each player must have played a minimum of 225 regular-season games for the team. With the Canucks’ current core consisting of all young guns under 24, that rule left a couple of future franchise players off the team.
Check off every box! pic.twitter.com/mfJ3bK65It
— Brayden Ursel (@bkursel23) May 12, 2020
With that in mind, The Canuck Way decided to release their version of the Canucks’ All-Time roster. The only rule here though is that there are no criteria to follow, no restrictions, just pure talent regardless of the number of games played for each player. Let’s dive in.
Forwards
Line 1: Daniel Sedin – Henrik Sedin – Pavel Bure
TSN nailed it here. You can’t go wrong with the three best Canucks players of All-Time joining forces on line one. It would be an absolute dream come true to see what this trio could have been capable of. The Sedin twins will go down as the league’s deadliest playmaking duo, while the Russian Rocket is one of the greatest hockey players in history in terms of speed and pure goal-scoring ability. Put those three together and watch the magic happen.
Line 2: Markus Naslund – Elias Pettersson – Todd Bertuzzi
Trevor Linden was a great replacement for TSN’s new-look West Coast Express, but if it weren’t for their set of rules, Elias Pettersson would actually be the perfect fit. At only 21-years-old, Petey has already proven he has what it takes to be a franchise player. His awareness, stick-handling and playmaking ability jammed between two Canucks greats would be like Brendan Morrison on steroids. Pure domination.
Line 3: Stan Smyl – Trevor Linden – Alex Mogilny
Above all else, the snubbing of Alex Mogilny from the Canucks All-Time roster could have been TSN’s biggest mistake. He was a force in Van-city with a goal-scoring talent that was often overlooked and under-appreciated behind Pavel Bure. Not a doubt in my mind he should have been on this team. Not only was he a great Canuck, but he is also one of the greatest Russian hockey players ever.
Line 4: J.T. Miller – Ryan Kesler – Alexandre Burrows
Ever wondered what the Canucks’ All-Time two-way forward line would be? Well, you’re looking at it. Three of the greatest 200-foot players the Canucks have ever seen. Combine a Selke winner with his career-best penalty-killing partner, add in the 2019-20 leading scorer and you’ve got yourself a shutdown line capable of overcoming any combination of attackers.
Blueliners and goalies
Pairing 1: Quinn Hughes – Mattias Ohlund
He’s only played 73 NHL games, but it’s hard to imagine a Canucks All-Time roster without him on it. To put it simply, the Canucks have never once in there 50 years had a defender with the pure talents of Quinn Hughes. He’s already the franchise’s best defender and he has years and years of hockey left to add to his resume. Partner him with the bone-crushing Swede and you’re all set.
Pairing 2: Alex Edler – Kevin Bieksa
Another perfect pairing by TSN. Nothing to change here. This duo was both popular and effective during their prime-time in Vancouver. Edler continues to build on his franchise leading statistics, while Bieksa remains one of the team’s most beloved players.
Pairing 3: Jyrki Lumme – Sami Salo
Points, points, and more points. When healthy these two ex-Canucks were two of the most effective power play quarterbacks. Put the puck on their stick and let them fire away.
Goaltenders: Roberto Luongo, Kirk McLean
Combine the franchise leader in regular-season wins with the franchise leader in playoff wins and you have yourself a deadly 1a, 1b combo. Not to mention, Roberto Luongo is third All-Time in wins across the entire NHL; he’s a bonafide future hall-of-fame goalie.
Final thoughts…
dark. Next. Canucks: Looking at who would make the All-Time Canadian team
The fact that the Canucks All-Time roster should already include players like Pettersson and Hughes can only be a good thing for Vancouver. The best is yet to come for this great hockey city.