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Canucks: Bold Predictions For The 2021-22 Season

By William Akers

VANCOUVER, BC - APRIL 18: The Vancouver Canucks take to the ice prior to the start of their NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Rogers Arena on April 17, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - APRIL 18: The Vancouver Canucks take to the ice prior to the start of their NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Rogers Arena on April 17, 2021 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /
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The Vancouver Canucks are turning the page on a disastrous 2021 season in the Scotia North Division. After one of the most action-packed offseason’s in recent Canucks history, it’s finally time to look forward towards the start of the 2021-22 season. This season will be the return of normalcy in the NHL as the Canucks return to the Western Conference and the Pacific Division and will hopefully have fans in the stands at Rogers Arena. Vancouver will embark on an 82 game regular season journey beginning on October 13th when they travel to Edmonton to face the Oilers at Rogers Place.

With the season less than two months away, it’s time to get excited for what we hope to see on the ice come October, as opposed to reflecting on the disappointing season past.

In this article, I’ll give you three of my bold predictions for the upcoming season, and I’ll explain why I feel the Canucks and their roster are destined for these outcomes. Please take note that between now and when the season starts in two months, plenty of things may occur (injuries, signings, trades) which may alter my thoughts on the Canucks potential, but as of right now, these will be my thoughts.

With that being said, let’s get started!

Bold Prediction number one: Canucks miss the playoffs, finish fourth in the Pacific with a 39-35-8 record

This edition of the Canucks should be a better team than last year’s squad. However, I believe they finish fourth in the division just outside the top three, and end up not getting one of the two wildcard spots. Vancouver should remain competitive throughout the season right to the end. I predict that Vegas, Edmonton, and Calgary all beat them to playoff berths. The potential is there for the Canucks to beat out Calgary to the third spot in the Pacific, but I feel that Vancouver has too many questions and inconsistencies to get over before they are ready to earn a playoff spot.

A big key to the Canucks fortune this upcoming year are the additions of Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Conor Garland, both acquired in the blockbuster trade with Arizona. If OEL can settle down the erratic play on the defensive end and pair up and get the best out of Tyler Myers, and if Garland can reach the 20-25 goal mark like he did in 2019-20, then the Canucks give them an excellent chance to reach the postseason. Expect the 2022-23 season to be the year Vancouver molds the roster into serious playoff contenders and a threat in the division.

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