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Canucks: Bold predictions for 2021 NHL season

By Joshua Rey

EDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 04: Elias Pettersson #40 of the Vancouver Canucks consoles Thatcher Demko #35 after their teams 3-0 defeat against the Vegas Golden Knights during in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on September 04, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - SEPTEMBER 04: Elias Pettersson #40 of the Vancouver Canucks consoles Thatcher Demko #35 after their teams 3-0 defeat against the Vegas Golden Knights during in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on September 04, 2020 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Vancouver Canucks Braden Holtby. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Vancouver Canucks Braden Holtby. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Here are a few predictions for the Vancouver Canucks heading into the 2020-21 Season

Vancouver Canucks hockey is very close to returning and a new season brings hope for every fan.  This season will of course look different but it will still be just as exciting.

Last season, many predicted the Canucks wouldn’t make the playoffs or even get past the St. Louis Blues in the first round. They did get past the Blues in six games and battled with the Vegas Golden Knights before bowing out in seven games.

It is fun to make predictions and I thought it would be fun to make some before the season starts. I don’t expect these predictions to all come true because my takes are usually as cold as an Edmonton winter. That being said, here are a few bold predictions for the Canucks’ 2021 season.

1. Braden Holtby will return to form but will be exposed to Seattle

With Jacob Markstrom leaving for the Calgary Flames through free agency, the Canucks signed Braden Holtby to a two-year contract so that he could be a 1A/1B option with Thatcher Demko.

Holtby has had a rough couple of years as of late, but under goalie coach extraordinaire Ian Clark, he has the opportunity to return to form. I’m going to predict that he will return to form under Clark’s tutelage, though it probably won’t be Vezina calibre. Holtby will bounce back and be good enough to keep the Canucks within striking distance each and every night.

However, at the season’s conclusion, Holtby’s time in Vancouver will be over as his play will catch the attention of the Seattle Kraken and he will be exposed in the expansion draft. This leaves Demko as the starter for the following season. Seattle will have their starter in Holtby and Demko will be given the Canucks’ crease full-time.

2. Brock Boeser will score 20 goals

It has been a rough last few years for Brock Boeser because of injuries and he hasn’t been much of a sniper since his rookie season. While he still can score goals, his game has evolved into much more than that.

It is only a 56-game season but I’m going to predict he will score 20 goals. It seems doable even in a short season. Boeser is going to want be better than his 16 goal effort last season and hopefully, he can stay healthy as he is yet to play a full NHL season.

Boeser averages 0.38 goals a game last year and in a 56-game season, that amounts to 21 goals.  I see Boeser playing the majority of the season with the “Lotto Line” with J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson feeding him the puck and stacking his point production.

If he stays on the top line and can remain healthy, Boeser can hit the 20 goal mark, no problem.

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