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Canucks: 5 questions that remain unanswered this season

By Brayden Ursel

Mar 17, 2021; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; The Vancouver Canucks celebrate their win against the Ottawa Senators in a shootout at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2021; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; The Vancouver Canucks celebrate their win against the Ottawa Senators in a shootout at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports /
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Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
Vancouver Canucks’ Brock Boeser. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /

Will Brock Boeser lead the team in points this year?

It’s been an incredible season for Brock Boeser. The 24-year-old has regained his shot from seasons past, and he’s used it to the best of his ability. He’s fully embraced the “shoot first, ask questions later” style of play, and it’s shaped him into a consistent goal-scorer the Canucks can count on.

Through the first 37 games of the 2021 season, Boeser has collected a team-leading 16 goals and 33 points. He’s already reached his goal total from the previous campaign, and he pulled off that feat in 22 fewer games — a remarkable improvement.

Boeser has been above and beyond the best forward on the roster. But can he continue his dominance over the next 19 games to solidify himself as a Vancouver Canucks all-star?

Because of injuries, Boeser has struggled at times to be a consistent threat in the past. If he can finish this season strong — and without injury — he stands a good chance of finishing the year back on top of the Canucks’ leader board.

Is Olli Juolevi ready to be a full-time NHL defenceman?

The Finnish defender finally got his taste of the big league, but unfortunately for him, head coach Travis Green prefers his defencemen be veterans and that they play on their proper side (if he can help it).

Despite a lot of resistance in his journey to NHL stardom, Olli Juolevi put the non-believers to bed this year. The 22-year-old arrived at camp in the best shape of his life (since being hurt) and he landed himself a spot on the opening night roster (potentially because Jordie Benn was on the COVID protocol list).

Juolevi’s ice time was limited at the NHL level at first, but slowly and surely, Green began to elevate his time the more he got used to watching him play. Paired with Tyler Myers for the majority, Juolevi provided a calm defensive demeanour in his game that allowed Myers to roam a little more freely.

Juolevi wasn’t much of an offensive spark-plug, but his mistakes in the defensive end proved to be few and far between. He scored his first NHL goal on January 25th in a win against the Ottawa Senators, got benched the following game, and has only laced up the skates in eight more contests since.

Benn has been given the nod over Juolevi ever since the Canucks blueline got healthy, but there seems to be this energy within the fanbase that wants to see Juolevi take over the sixth defensive position full-time.

Considering Benn is on the back nine of his career and Juolevi is the up-and-comer, wouldn’t it make sense for Juolevi to get in some game action? It would. It really would… But unfortunately, Green will likely keep the status quo until the Canucks are mathematically eliminated from the playoff race. Until then, Juolevi will likely remain a healthy scratch for Vancouver.

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