Canucks: 3 players that need to bounce back in 2021-22

After a rollercoaster 2021 campaign, the Vancouver Canucks are hoping that they can benefit from a return to normalcy for the upcoming season.

Vancouver will be hoping that a return to a typical 82 game regular season, in addition to having fans back in Rogers Arena, will be enough to spur their roster on towards a playoff spot in the competitive Pacific Division.

However, in order for the Canucks to achieve their lofty ambitions for the upcoming season, they’ll need specific key components of their roster to live up to their expectations, potential and contract. Last season, through injuries, a compact schedule, the NHL’s largest COVID-19 outbreak, and overall subpar play, many key players let the team down during a year in which many expected the Canucks to make a splash in the North Division.

As we all know, of course, lacklustre performances can lead to drastic and unexpected changes very quickly for players and their organization, and this could be a realistic case for the Canucks. If certain players continue to struggle and underperform heading into the 2021-22 campaign, then we should expect much of the same struggles for this Vancouver roster.

In this article, we’ll take a look at three Canucks players who had struggles last year, and examine why they each need to have a bounce back individual campaign.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

Bounce back candidate #1: J.T. Miller

Despite not being the captain, or even an alternate captain, left-winger J.T. Miller is one of the few vocal leaders in the Canucks dressing room. Miller is highly regarded amongst his teammates, and is always one to set the tone for Vancouver.

Despite his positive influence inside the dressing room, most would agreed that Miller underperformed last season, especially given his $5.25 million AAV.

Even though Miller was able to register 46 points (15 goals, 31 assists) in 53 games on Vancouver’s top line and first power play unit, it seemed that he lacked the discipline usually found in his game. He sustained a personal career-shattering pace in penalty minutes, recorded a minus seven rating (the lowest in his career), and had his most giveaways ever as a Canuck.

Frustrations seemed to boil over for Miller during some of his post-game interviews as well. Yes, he wasn’t the biggest of the Canucks concerns last year, but his potential and vital role to the team requires him to maintain a level of play that we’ve seen in previous years. Without that level of consistency and performance, the Canucks may be in for a struggle.

At only 28 years old, Miller should return to his best form, but there will definitely be concern if he can’t.