3 Canucks that must perform well in preseason finale
The Vancouver Canucks have a chance to earn their second and final win of the preseason with the opportunity to get revenge on the Calgary Flames, but they won’t be able to do that without strong performances from players looking to prove themselves.
In their last outing, the Flames turned Rick Tocchet into Sean Payton in a 10-0 defeat of Vancouver, and the Canucks find themselves in need of some positive momentum ahead of the start of the season. There’s still a handful of bubble players hanging around, while others need to earn the final stamp of approval to seal their places.
#3. RD Noah Juulsen
Noah Juulsen has a lot to prove in this final game after opting to remain in Vancouver during the summer. The former first-round pick has played parts of last two seasons with the Canucks, but most of his time has been spent with the Abbotsford Canucks. Availability has also been a real issue for Juulsen; the right-shot defenseman hasn’t played more than 50 regular season games in one year since his last season with the WHL Everett Silvertips (2015-16).
The 26-year-old is still a relatively young player, but at the same time, this is a make-or-break age for Juulsen given his history in the league. The British Columbia native is staying home, and he finds himself with a legitimate chance to make the Canucks as the team’s sixth or seventh defenseman.
Only Christian Wolanin and Guillaume Brisebois stand in Juulsen’s way, but it’s now up to him to seize the opportunity. Given that Juulsen is a righty, he just might have the inside edge right now.
#2. F Dakota Joshua
Dakota Joshua had an alright year for the Canucks last season, but GM Patrik Allvin was quick to pour water on that slow-burning fire. Just one year into his two-year, $1.65 million contract with Vancouver, the former St. Louis Blue now has to compete with Teddy Blueger and Nils Aman for ice time.
Ohhh yeah... Dakota Joshua heard Rick Tocchet loud and clear.
— 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 Faber 🔥 (@ChrisFaber39) September 29, 2023
📹: KONG pic.twitter.com/HuYnPn9y9n
If Allvin was truly convinced of Joshua he would not have brought Blueger aboard in the first place, and though Aman is still waivers-exempt, his entrenchment as a regular makes the AHL a relative impossibility. Joshua did score 23 points in the 2022-23 season, but as the Canucks continue to try to improve, that offensive production becomes less and less meaningful.
The 27-year-old posted fairly good even strength underlying numbers both offensively and defensively, but the fact of the matter is that Aman and Blueger are more useful players thanks to their special teams ability. If Joshua wants to earn his place back in the lineup, he’s going to need to make a case, and a strong one at that.
#1. RD Cole McWard
Cole McWard has had his superstar captain praise him and his coaches speak highly of him during the preseason; no pressure, right? McWard admitted to his nerves earlier in the week, but he looked fine without Quinn Hughes in the Canucks’ most recent game against the Seattle Kraken.
Even at this point, the 22-year-old may or may not have earned a spot on the NHL roster yet, and like Juulsen, McWard needs to prove himself and make Tocchet and co. 110 percent sure he can handle what’s being thrown at him. After all, it’s not like Vancouver is swimming in options outside of McWard and Juulsen.
Ultimately, the former Ohio State warden probably makes the Canucks’ roster with ease. The question is more of whether or not he appears on the top pairing, the bottom pairing, or the seventh defenseman. Considering McWard has already established chemistry with Hughes, Vancouver won’t be ardently campaigning to give Tyler Myers a shot, and the offensive-minded Filip Hronek isn’t a great fit there either.
Next. Travis Green making early impact with Devils. dark
The stakes aren’t super high here, but the outcome of the game against the Flames and the lineup that plays in it will tip the Canucks’ hand heading into the regular season. Barring any last-minute surprises, the opening night roster has already been decided.