Quote:
Originally Posted by カナダ人です
...Their core is still reasonably aged, with guys like Edler (27), Hansen (27), Kesler (28), Garrison (28), Higgins (30), and Hamhuis (30) still firmly in their prime...
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I hear what you are saying here, but the only player in your list that will make a substantial difference where the Canucks need it most is Kesler. Last season, the Canucks were a bottom-third offensive team in the League, and most of that due to the fact that the Sedins are progressively, slowly but surely diminishing as elite scorers. A bit of a boost from the backend won't do a lot to compensate for this.
Quote:
Originally Posted by カナダ人です
...A full season with a healthy Kesler should help, and I'd expect Edler to bounce back after an off year last season. Also, if Torts can get 25 goals out of Booth that would help the Canucks offence. Luongo should be very well motivated...
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I can see a bounce-back year from Edler, but why should we 1) expect Kesler to play a full season, and 2) why would we expect Booth to score 25 goals? Kesler is now two full years removed from his last 82-game season, and Booth similarly hasn't come close to 25 since 2011. Unless there are factors which suggest an expected improvement in the upcoming season, then I see no reason to expect the trends for both of these players to continue.
Quote:
Originally Posted by カナダ人です
...This team has traditionally done well in the regular season. Final NHL rank (based solely on points) over the last 5 seasons: 6th, 4th, 1st, 1st, 7th. That is an average rank of 4th in the league. They might be trending downwards, but I still highly doubt they finish 3rd or lower in their own division...
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Seriously? The Canucks finished below two Pacific teams that are both younger and arguably more balanced last season, and the fourth-place team swept them in the opening round of the playoffs after finishing only a single win below the Canucks in the standings. Based on recent history, it seems highly probable to me that the Canucks will finish in the range of #3–4, and will come as no surprise to see them slip to fifth.