10 Reasons Why the Canucks Have No Chance Next Season

The Vancouver Canucks had a disappointing season to say the least last year, and here are ten reasons you "Nuckleheads" out there can most likely expect the same next year. But hey, your reward may be John Tavares, or maybe even Brian Burke back in the fold, so there is light at the end of the tunnel.

10. Markus Naslund factor

It doesn't look like captain Canuck will be returning next season, especially if Alain Vigneault is still the coach, and for all you fans with the short term memory that ragged on this guy last season for scoring 25 goals and 30 assists, well those kinda numbers are hard to replace in the NHL now-a-days.

I don't think Markus Naslund should have ever been named captain in the first place, but he has been their best player for the better part of 12 seasons. I don't believe in any other hockey city would a player that scored 346 goals, 410 assists in 884 games be chased outta town by the fans and media, but hey what do I know...right?

9. Alain Vigneault still the coach

Okay what gives? So Mike Gillis takes Vigneault to Las Vegas for a weekend to discuss hockey operations and somehow he keeps his job? Am I missing something? Maybe Vigneault does a killer Elvis impersonation? Maybe he treated Gillis to a lap dance?

Either way he is not a player's coach, just ask your beloved Trevor Linden, or your goaltender Roberto Luongo. I'm sure they would tell you behind closed doors they are not fans. He hasn't got the job done in two seasons, that to me is grounds for dismissal. It may not just be Naslund who walks because of it, Brendan Morrison will most likely be gone as well, this is starting to look like a Beatles reunion show isn't it?

8. Sedin twins

For all you fans of the Sedin sisters, the wonder twin powers only put up 44 goals together. Naslund, when he was playing top line, had 41, 40 and 48 respectively. Not to beat a dead horse, but these guys are not top line players. They are second liners at best, and the sooner somebody in the organization realizes it, the sooner they can begin to fix this mess!

7. Mike Gillis

Are you kidding me? Did the Canucks not learn anything from the Toronto Maple Leafs and the John Ferguson Jr. fiasco? The fact is Mike Gillis is a player agent, not a general manager! This to me is like making that 16 year old pimpled faced boy at McDonald's the regional manager, yes he knows the customers but could he run the restaurant? Besides the fact he conducts important business matters in Las Vegas and not Vancouver, he named Scott Mellanby an assistant gm...doesn't Tambellini already hold that spot? Wouldn't Trevor Linden been a better choice? My gut tells me this ain't gonna work fella's.

6. Over rated defense

The top two scoring D-men were Salo and Ohlund at the 8th and 9th positions on the team, and both were and are injury prone. Salo played 63 games while Ohlund only 53, you look past those two its a who's who patrolling the blue line.

Alexander Edler looks like he may be promising and Luc Bourdon is a blue chipper but still needs some seasoning. Bieska is over-rated and is a 5th or 6th at best on any team's depth chart.

Luongo got hung out to dry a few times this season, if they are really building from the net out they may want to take a run at Mike Green from Washington or Brad Stuart from Detroit, both whom are free agents come July.

5. Trevor Linden factor

It was true when Mike Keenan said this guy was happy being a mediocre player, but what he brings to the Canucks and the Vancouver area is far greater than his statistics on the ice.

That being said, Linden was one of the team's best fowards in the last 20 games or so as they tried to make a playoff spot. His relationship with Vigneault may be the deal breaker, and I'm not sure any team would offer him a contract, so we may see Linden walk away from the game similar to Paul Coffey, where it wasn't by choice.

4. The uniforms

I like the throw back uniforms alot, but call me superstitious; the team has never had success in them. I would like to see them go back to the ones they wore in the '94 run to the cup. They aren't as pretty, but as a hockey fan, that 1994 team sticks out in my head, and you couldn't help but cheer for them during those fantastic playoffs.

3. The fans

I don't mean to rip on you guys again, as I already devoted an entire article towards it, and I truly believe it is just because the tickets are so outta whack now-a-days that the true hockey fan can rarely attend and cheer for their Canucks.

It has become a building full of suits and their dates, who aren't there for the game, simply for something to do. Get loud, get rowdy, look at the Saddledome in Calgary-bring back the towels. I don't care who ya are that kinda energy in a building can make Ryan Shannon play like Theoren Fleury.

2. Roberto Luongo factor

A happy Luongo makes for a competitive, playoff bound team. An angry Luongo makes for the complete opposite. If I'm Mike Gillis, I have a sit down with my star player and find out how he's feeling. If he doesn't want to be here, well the good news is his value is still at it's peak. The team likely has no chance this season anyhow, and it could be Gillis' defining move as a GM. Turn Luongo into a packaged deal that may make this team Stanley Cup worthy in a few years.

1. Scouting

If you look at the Detroit Red Wings, and to a lesser extent the Pittsburgh Penguins, the top two teams in the playoffs this season, good drafting has got them in a position to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup.

Over the past few years the Canucks have been anything but stellar at the draft, and signing Fabian Brunnstrom is not the answer. I mean really, does this team need another Swede?

If the organization is going to improve into next season it starts here. A smart move would be taking a run at 20 year old, undrafted CHL Player of the Year Justin Azevedo, of the Kitchener Rangers.

He fits the mold of the "new" NHL, he is a speedy shifty player, who can win the battles in the corner despite his 5'8" and 180 pound size. You can't argue with the numbers in 67 games this year he had 43 goals and 81 assists, and has lit it up in the playoffs with 10 goals and 26 assists in 20 games. This is the type of player the Canucks should be taking a run at, but I'm sure 29 other teams will before they do!