Canucks: Who would be on their All-American starting lineup?
By Ben Steiner
We previously ran the all-Canadian Vancouver Canucks lineup. Up next, we present the all-American team lineup.
The Vancouver Canucks have had some great players over their history, but most have not been from the home country of the team. Foreign countries have been the home of most of Vancouver’s top players, and one of those main nations has been Canada’s biggest international hockey rival: The United States of America.
The Canuck Way took a look at some of the best Canadians to suit up for the Canucks last month. Today, we present our All-American Canucks lineup. It isn’t just a “Top five” Americans list, it’s the best five players to make one complete line that could technically work in a real game.
Right wing: Brock Boeser
He’s new, but he’s got the best hair, and that makes him an instant lock. Okay, that’s a bit of a joke, but the hair doesn’t hurt his case. The Canucks have not had many great American right wingers, and Brock Boeser’s success in his first three seasons has vaulted him to pole position. In 197 NHL games, Boeser has scored 161 points, and he’d have even more if he wasn’t sidelined by multiple injuries.
Some of those injuries have been a nagging problem throughout the year for Boeser. When he lit up the league in his rookie season (29 goals, 55 points), some thought he was a potential future superstar for the hockey club. But it’s unlikely he’ll end up being such.
His inconsistencies have plagued his career so far, making Boeser an above average player at best, and not a superstar. Nevertheless, the Canucks haven’t had an abundance of top-end American right wingers, leading Mr. Boeser to the top of the list.
Centre: Ryan Kesler
Some may accuse me of recency bias with the first two picks, but it was impossible to leave Ryan Kesler off the list. The 2010-11 Selke Trophy winner was an integral part of the best team in franchise history, and he had a solid presence on the American national team. He is the all-time American leader in nearly every category for Vancouver, with 655 games played, 393 points and two team MVP awards (2008-09 and 2013-14).
The Michigan native had his moments with the fans and the city — leaving many with a bitter taste — but he’s worked hard to endear himself to the fanbase recently. Kesler deserves the respect, given his performance on the near Stanley Cup winning team of 2011.
Left wing: Donald Brashear
This line would be a tough one to play against. Donald Brashear is the oldest of these players and never played on a contending Vancouver team, but the time he spent in the city was memorable.
When he was with the Canucks, Brashear was one of the league’s most feared enforcers. It’s a role that is seldom seen in today’s NHL, but when Brashear played, it was critical. However, he wasn’t merely a fighter; Brashear chipped in offensively, scoring 8-11 goals in five straight seasons for Vancouver.