It’s been a minute since The Canuck Way put out its last mailbag, so we’ve decided it’s time for another one! And why not? The Vancouver Canucks have won four of their last five games, and look determined to scratch and claw their way back into a playoff spot.
The impressive thing about it all is the team is winning without their star player, Elias Petterson. Without him, the Canucks have had to come together as a team, and for the most part — minus their 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens — they have done a quality job.
The team’s most recent win came last night against Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the Edmonton Oilers. Thatcher Demko was the first star of the game, playing lights out for a full 60 minutes — just like he did against the division-leading Toronto Maple Leafs on back-to-back occasions last week.
It’s the type of hockey you want to see from the Canucks. You know, when they’re actually winning? It’s brought new light to the season and hope that maybe — just maybe — the Canucks can pull off a comeback. Now, I’m not saying it will be easy because it won’t be. It’s a long shot at this point but it’s got Canucks fans excited and asking questions. So let’s jump right into it!
Can Thatcher Demko single-handedly bring the Canucks into the playoffs?
— James Kenneth (@JamesKe74835850) March 14, 2021
With the way he has been playing lately, why the heck not? No bias here, Demko has looked like one of the best goaltenders the National Hockey League has to offer. Forget separating himself from Braden Holtby to grab the starting spot. He’s gone from a potential 1B netminder for the Canucks to their legit starter to the goaltender with the most saves in the NHL (608).
Realistically, it’ll take a full team effort to climb out of the hole that the Canucks have created for themselves, but none of it will be possible if Demko isn’t playing the way he has been. His save percentage keeps climbing, from well below average to a respectable 0.917SV%.
With Vancouver facing a lighter schedule through the back half of the season, Demko could see the net a whole lot more moving forward. And he should. “Bubble” Demko has returned, and it’s time to remove the name completely. It’s just Demko now, and this is the level of goaltending that should be expected of him moving forward.
Sure, he’ll have his hiccups now and again, but Demko is proving to be the right long-term choice for the Canucks. He’s their most important player when it comes to making the playoffs this year.
Shouldn't the #Canucks play Juolevi and Chatfield more? Playoffs chances are slim anyways so might as well let them develop.
— GLrebirth (@GLrebirth) March 13, 2021
If it was up to me, Olli Juolevi would be a regular in the Canucks lineup. He’s played better than most people expected and he looks like he’ll be able to turn his injury-riddled past into a bright future.
Jalen Chatfield has been a nice surprise as well. He’s leaped other defenders on the depth chart and has solidified himself as an extra skater for the Canucks. With a completely healthy roster, he’s the eighth defenceman on the squad, I just don’t see Travis Green selecting two rookies like Juolevi and Chatfield over Jordie Benn and Travis Hamonic. It’s just not going to happen, especially when the playoffs are still a possibility.
However — for a couple of different reasons — I think it would be smart for Green to start rotating Juolevi and Benn. First of all, Juolevi has played well enough to claim a top-six spot. Secondly, he’s going to be the guy to fill the boots of this team’s defensive future, and it would be wise to get him playing more games while he still has a quality veteran presence in Alex Edler watching over him.
But with the way Benn has been playing this year, he might just be good enough to start quiet rumblings of a trade at this year’s deadline. It wouldn’t be much of anything in return, but a late-round selection is better than nothing, especially if the Canucks fall out of favour in the playoff race.