Time flies when you’re having fun… or something like that, right?
It’s hard to believe that the Vancouver Canucks have already reached the quarter mark of the 2021 NHL season, but it’s true. The Canucks played their 14th game of the year against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night, which only resulted in another blowout loss (7-3).
It appears that the Canucks of 2020 — the last Canadian team left standing — have vanished entirely. And judging by their recent play on the ice, this new-look 2021 squad appears to be nothing more than a shadow of what they used to be. Gone is the confidence that once made this Canucks team so entertaining.
Despite multiple offseason changes on the blueline, Vancouver’s defence has been performing well below par, and the Canucks have given up at least 5+ goals more often than not (eight times). They’ve been outscored 55-47. Because of that, Thatcher Demko and Braden Holtby have been left out to dry and it’s resulted in multiple embarrassing losses.
The season isn’t over yet, but the Canucks have to sort themselves out and they have to do it quickly. They have some excellent players who are in a position to rise up and help guide this team. They need to lean on the bright spots of this squad to help dig them out of this hole. And believe it or not, a few Canucks players are shining brighter than ever right now. Here are three positives from the first quarter of the 2021 NHL season.
1. Nils Hoglander is the real deal
If anyone was doubting Nils Hoglander as a true NHL threat, they aren’t anymore. The 20-year-old Swedish winger has become a fan-favourite overnight and for good reason. Through 14 games with the Canucks he’s registered seven points (three goals, four assists) and is currently third in rookie scoring.
His smaller frame hasn’t held him back one bit. The 5-foot-8, 190-pound forward has been full steam ahead, unafraid to get involved down low and jump into the dirty areas to retrieve pucks. Despite his size, he’s usually the man who comes out with the puck on his stick and he does a fantastic job of finding an open teammate to make a play.
The chemistry formed between him, Tanner Pearson and Bo Horvat has been top-notch and there has been zero reason for a Hoglander demotion. In fact, if it wasn’t for Hoglander, the Canucks would be in much more trouble than they already are.
Despite the Horvat line being matched up against the opponent’s best players on a nightly basis, it’s the only line on the Canucks roster that currently holds a positive Corsi For Percentage. That has a lot to do with how quickly Hoglander has been able to translate his foreign game to the NHL. With the way he’s begun his NHL career, this is only just the beginning of another great Swede playing hockey in Vancouver.