The Canuck Way
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3 Canucks that must perform well in preseason finale

By Jonathan Bailey

TEMPE, ARIZONA - APRIL 13: Cole McWard #48 of the Vancouver Canucks skates with the puck against the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena on April 13, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Zac BonDurant/Getty Images)
TEMPE, ARIZONA - APRIL 13: Cole McWard #48 of the Vancouver Canucks skates with the puck against the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena on April 13, 2023 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Zac BonDurant/Getty Images) /
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Dakota Joshua of the Vancouver Canucks waits for a face-off during a game against the Minnesota Wild. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)
Dakota Joshua of the Vancouver Canucks waits for a face-off during a game against the Minnesota Wild. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images) /

#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.

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.

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