Can the Vancouver Canucks Make The Cut For the 2009 Playoffs?

Over the past few days at BR, there has been a lot of talk about the Vancouver Canucks and what the future has in store for them.

After reading many articles and readers' feedback, it's only fitting that we take a look at what their roster has to offer.

We all know that Vancouver isn't a gifted offensive team, but it would be stupid to think that they can't put the puck in the net. Whether fans like it or not, the Sedin twins once again be leading the way. Last season they were first and second on the team in points.

Their biggest issue was consistency—or lack of it, depending on how you look at it. As many people have pointed out, the Canucks were atop the Northwest for over half the season and still failed to make the playoffs.

People can argue that the gaps on the blue line due to injuries was the cause of this. But in reality the team's best players weren't the best players in 2008. Both Daniel and Henrik couldn't produce down the stretch, which was a big part of why the Canucks failed to make the postseason.

Vancouver also added Pavol Demitra up front in hopes to replace the now-departed Markus Naslund. Though Naslund's performance last season was beyond questionable, Demitra provides much of the same. In Minnesota, he racked up 54 points while playing alongside fellow-Slovak Marian Gaborik.

That point total was actually less than that of Naslund, who posted 55. Either way, Vancouver replaced Naslund with another player whose light is beginning to fade in the NHL. If you don't believe me, check out the stats for yourself.

Demitra is likely to play on the second line to provide more of a balanced-attack. It would be realistic to say he would play alongside Taylor Pyatt and Ryan Kesler, but it is a bit too early to guess line combinations.

It's worthy to state that Vancouver's other notable forwards include Alexandre Burrows, Matt Pettinger, Mason Raymond, and Kyle Wellwood. While they won't be expected to be offensive catalysts, the team will most definitely benefit from these players if they can play with a sense of urgency in their own end of the ice.

On the blue line, there were plenty of issues last season. Not because they weren't performing well—but because of injuries that brought down the Canucks' defensemen.

Mattias Ohlund, the team's top defenseman, finished the season having played in 53 games, tallying 24 points. However, Ohlund finished the season with a minus-1 rating.

It should also be pointed out that he has been a minus player in all three seasons since the lockout ended. If your best players can't be accountable defensively, you're going to have one helluva time winning hockey games.

All injuries aside though, the defense looks to have an upside. Kevin Bieksa has turned into a rock on the blueline, while Sami Salo has turned into a power-play quarterback. Not to mention, Willie Mitchell is one of the most heart-and-soul guys in hockey, and will compete every night.

Now, lets turn to the goaltending. Roberto Luongo's performance since arriving in Vancouver simply speaks for itself—and it has spoken volumes. In his first season with the 'Nucks, Luogno posted 47 victories (tied with Bernie Parent for second all-time) and was stellar in his first playoff series, in which he made 72 saves in the first game (a four-overtime win over the Stars, 5-4).

There is no question that he will be playing in over 70 games this season, and he will play an integral role, whether or not this team is playoff-bound this season. I personally expect Luongo to win the Vezina this year, as he will be seeing a ton of rubber in between the pipes. Will he answer the call? Sure, he will—but I can't say the same about his teammates.

Vancouver, geographically speaking, is the toughest place to play in. Outside of the Northwest and Pacific Divisions, all their road games will be in different time zones. Factor in the 82-game schedule that sees every team play each other at least once, and it could lead to serious jet lag and some tired Canucks.

The reason why people are under-estimating them now is because they have under-achieved before while boasting a much more skilled roster. Picking them over and over has just turned into a disappointment, and many fans and analysts alike have began to write off the team, and predict that they will be bottom-feeders in the Western Conference.

The reality is that the Canucks have players who can compete, therefore making them a competitive team for next season. However with the amount of up-and-coming teams in the conference (Chicago, Phoenix, Edmonton) it'll be a struggle just to make it to eighth place.

Once again, Vancouver will likely falter late in the season due to the lack of scoring. If a team can't score goals, how will they win games? I'm sorry, but Luongo can't score them for you.

This team needs offense and in a big way. Look at teams that have been successful as of late. Sure, the Red Wings were the best defensive team in the league. At the same time, their players were able to produce offense at key moments of a game to ensure that their team would walk away with a "W." They walked away with quite a few, and it gave the team its first Stanley Cup in six seasons.

I will go out on a limb to say that if the Sedins have another lackluster year, GM Mike Gilliswill be looking to replace them. With Naslund and Morrison completely out of the picture it will be up to the twins to carry the torch for Van-city. Now is the time to shape-up or ship-out for the Swedes, so hopefully Alain Vigneault can help light the fire under them to put up numbers and play consistently for all 82 games.

It will be a hard season to watch for Canuck fans. This team still needs to grow as a whole. But with the addition of another top-six forward this team could gel together and be successful for the 2009-10 season. Chemistry will be key for this team.

If by any event Mats Sundin does sign in Vancouver, I think the team will have the forward they need and a potential captain for the next two seasons. Sundin would bring experience, skillm and leadership to the table and could quite possibly be the difference maker if he suits up with the blue and green.

Until then, all we can do is judge the team by the roster they have on paper, and watch closely until next April rolls around.

Final prediction: Ninth place in the Western Conference