Five Canucks that could take a big step forward in 2022-23

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The Vancouver Canucks look to get back into the playoffs in 2022-23 after missing out the last two seasons.

Last season, the Canucks got off to a very poor start which led to head coach Travis Green and general manager Jim Benning losing their jobs. In came Bruce Boudreau and later Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin.

Under Boudreau, the Canucks did enjoy a good second half but it ultimately wasn’t enough for the playoffs.

The team did make some improvements to the forward core this offseason. They brought in highly touted KHL star Andrey Kuzmenko, speedy winger Ilya Mikheyev and solid depth centre/winger Curtis Lazar.

They have not fixed the defence, (yet) and that is an area that needs massive improvement. With the lack of cap space, it’s going to be tough to do that between now and when the season starts on October 12 when the Canucks open their season in Edmonton.

Obviously, it is going to take a trade (or two) to fix the blue line. Perhaps this is a certain forward they could trade…anyway, that’s another story.

As you have read by the title of this article, we are here to take a look at five players that could take a step forward in 2022-23. These are players that may have bigger seasons than last year.

#1: Vasily Podkolzin

The Canucks 2019 first-round pick arrived after two years in the KHL last fall.

It took time for him to fully settle in and adjust to life in the NHL and life in North America. As the season went on, Podkolzin progressed.

He was getting involved more offensively. Podkolzin was shooting the puck more and his skating looked better as the season went on. His passes looked accurate and he showed a lot of strength with the puck. That is probably what he is best at.

Podkolzin is showing signs of becoming a solid and rugged two-way forward that is physical and strong on the forecheck. He will need to find a way to avoid the sophomore slump next season. With more ice time, he has the opportunity to elevate his game.

I expect Podkolzin to be involved even more offensively next season.

Mar 9, 2022; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Chris Wideman (20) checks Vancouver Canucks forward Nils Hoglander (21) in the third period at Rogers Arena. Canucks won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports /

#2: Nils Höglander

Nils Höglander had a tough 2021-22 season. He was a victim of the sophomore slump.

While many players improved after Boudreau’s arrival, Höglander didn’t. He was struggling on both ends of the rink, especially on the defensive side. Höglander also finished the season with nine fewer points than 2020-21.

Boudreau gave some harsh, but fair criticism of Höglander last season.

#Canucks Boudreau on Höglander: ‘he needs to learn how to play the game. he has skill and he might score 40 someday, but if you’re going to hover around the 20-goal mark you better learn to play at both ends of the ice’
— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) January 18, 2022

Next season is a “prove it” year for the 21-year-old. He will likely get limited minutes to start the season but if he does well in those minutes, he can get more.

Since he is still quite young, there is lots of room for growth in Höglander’s game. I do think he can take a step forward next year mainly because he has a high work ethic. But he needs to improve his game on both ends of the rink.

#3: Brock Boeser

Brock Boeser has been marred by three things throughout his NHL career: Skating, injuries and inconsistency.

Inconsistency is a big one. Last season, he showed flashes of brilliance under Boudreau but there were times when he just disappeared.

When he is on his game, Boeser is a lethal goal scorer. However, he wasn’t that for most of last season. His shot was missing the net or he looked hesitant to shoot or he just flat out missed the net.

With a new contract under his belt, Boeser will be determined to prove his doubters wrong. He just needs to find a way to score goals consistently. He has plenty of linemate options this upcoming season thanks to the forward depth the Canucks forward group has.

I have a feeling we will see a big year from Boeser.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 23: Jack Rathbone #3 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) /

#4: Jack Rathbone

Jack Rathbone only played nine games with the Canucks last season and spend the majority of the year with the Abbotsford Canucks.

In those nine games in Vancouver, he wasn’t very good defensively. But his stint in the AHL was best for him. In Abbotsford, he had 40 points in 39 games and it looked like he was too good for the AHL.

An absolute 🚀ROCKET🚀 from Jack Rathbone and heck of a call from @brandon_astle! pic.twitter.com/Krud4Mz9Xf
— 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 Faber 🔥🎙 (@ChrisFaber39) April 4, 2022

Rathbone already has excellent skating and offensive abilities, he needs to prove he has improved defensively at training camp and during the preseason.

It’s crunch time for Rathbone and if he (hopefully) makes the NHL out of camp, he needs to prove he can stay. I believe he can.

#5: Conor Garland

Conor Garland’s first year in Vancouver was a display of hard work in spins. In fact, he spun around so much, that he looked like a Beyblade on the ice.

Garland was one of the best Canuck forwards at 5 on 5 last season. His first season in Vancouver saw him score 19 goals and manage 33 assists for 52 points. Those were career highs in points and assists for him.

I feel like we haven’t seen the best of Garland yet, especially since he didn’t get much power play time. Garland clearly gives 100% effort every game and year two in Vancouver could be a big one for him.

Next. https://thecanuckway.com/2022/08/21/canucks-prospects-lekkerimaki-jurmo-win-medals/. dark

Who else do you think can take a step forward on the Canucks next season? Let me know in the comments below!

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