The Canuck Way
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Canucks: 10 things we learned from the first 10 games

ByJoshua Rey|
VANCOUVER, BC - NOVEMBER 2: Goalie Thatcher Demko #35 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates with teammate J.T. Miller #9 after defeating the New York Rangers 3-2 in overtime on November 2, 2021 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - NOVEMBER 2: Goalie Thatcher Demko #35 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates with teammate J.T. Miller #9 after defeating the New York Rangers 3-2 in overtime on November 2, 2021 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 23: Conor Garland #8 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against the Seattle Kraken during the franchise’s inaugural home game at the Climate Pledge Arena on October 23, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 23: Conor Garland #8 of the Vancouver Canucks skates against the Seattle Kraken during the franchise’s inaugural home game at the Climate Pledge Arena on October 23, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

2. Conor Garland came as advertised, perhaps better than that

Conor Garland has probably been the Canucks best forward so far.

Acquired in a draft-day trade in July and later signed to a five-year contract, Garland was brought in to boost some goal scoring in the top six and also brought a reputation of being a pest.

So far, he has come as advertised or perhaps better than advertised.

Through ten games, Garland is second on Vancouver with 10 points (Three goals and seven assists) behind J.T. Miller who has eleven.

The man Travis Konecny called an “angry little elf”, has been a thorn in opponents’ side and has helped score goals. Like Demko, he is an early candidate for team MVP.

In pretty much every shift, Garland has come out determined and displayed speed, energy, and spin-o ramas. The guy spins as much as a Beyblade.

Garland makes things happen on the ice and hopefully, he continues to do so.

3. It’s been good so far for Oliver Ekman- Larsson

Oliver Ekman-Larsson was the other piece (and biggest) acquired in that draft-day trade with the Arizona Coyotes.

So far, the former Coyotes captain has settled in nicely in Vancouver.

OEL has looked good on the blue line. He has been defensively sound so far and consistently gets shots through from the blue line. There haven’t been any glaring errors and he has moved the puck well up the ice.

Ekman-Larsson leads all Canucks in Corsi for at 55.80 % per NaturalStatTrick.

The analytics haven’t been kind to the Swedish defenceman the last couple of years but so far, they have been kinder.

His contract is quite steep but Canucks fans can hope his strong play continues. Through ten games, it looks like a fresh start was something Ekman-Larsson needed.

4.Elias Pettersson hasn’t looked like himself

Elias Pettersson signed a three-year contract worth 7.3 million dollars per year before the season started.

So far, it is fair to say he has not lived up to expectations.

Pettersson only has one goal and four assists in ten games. That one goal came from a bounce off the boards and Carter Hart in the 5-4 shootout win in Philadelphia.

He also has a disappointing 37.81 % goals for.

Pettersson has looked like he has been stuck in quicksand. He has looked slower, the shot isn’t what it used to be and he has looked invisible.

However, there are signs of Pettersson coming back to form. He has been taking shots more, his passing looks sharper, and has played with more energy in his game the last two games.

When there is smoke, there is fire or when it rains, it pours.

Pettersson is like a Jedi trying to get better with the power of The Force. Once, he figures it out, he will show us why he is one of the best in the NHL.

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