Vancouver Canucks: Cup Contenders or Cellar Dwellers?

With the recent re-tooling the Vancouver Canucks have done within the last month and a half, and the substantial offer they have put forth towards one Mats Sundin, the question must be asked—are they better now then they were last season? 

Some may argue with the fact that they lost Markus Naslund, Brendan Morrison and Trevor Linden puts them in a worse position than when those three players pulled the Blue, White and Green over their heads.

Of course, they have lost two of their all-time leading point producers in Markus and Trevor—not to mention their leadership—but with the solid decline in performance from Naslund, Linden being a healthy scratch more often than not, and BMO's inability to play to his potential after coming back after a wrist injury, did they really lose all that much?

With the addition of Kyle Wellwood, Steve Bernier, and Pavol Demitra the club has to look a bit better already—on paper, at least.

Bernier, who hasn't reached his full potential yet, is still very young and has only seen limited ice time in the past few seasons. He is sure to have a career year playing with the Sedin's, who are rumoured to be Steve's new linemates. In the same amount of games played last year (59), Bernier (13 G, 10 A, 23 P) nearly doubled Linden's output (7 G, 5 A, 12 P).

Demitra (68 GP, 15 G, 39 A, 54 P) should replace Naslund's numbers (82 GP, 25 G, 30 A, 55 P) fairly easily, if he stays healthy all season long. Demitra played on a team last year that was very defensive-minded. Coming to a team that is supposed to be "focusing more on offense" this year, he should find more success. 

Finally, we get to Kyle Wellwood. His points per game (0.36) are not as high as Morrison's (0.64), but that's no reason to overlook the 5'10'', 180-lb. Wellwood, who (as mentioned earlier) is thought to have some the best hands in the league when he is on his game.

Getting him on his game may be the tough part. Known for lack of effort and offseason training, "Woody" has a bad rep in that regard.  His 14 penalty minutes in 189 NHL games has also made him known as a soft player unwilling to battle in the corners and play with the passion that other players possess.

Other key signings include Darcie Hordichuck, a tough guy who brings grit, Ryan Johnson, who led the league in blocked shots by a forward last season, and Jason Krog, who hasn't had great success in the NHL but recorded 112 points in 80 games played for the Chicago Wolves last year.

All in all, compared to last year's roster, the Vancouver Canucks are looking a bit better on paper—but that doesn't mean a thing (cf. the New York Rangers of the new Millennium).

We will just have to wait and see what happens come training camp. Expect a few new faces and young talent to push hard for roster spots.

Given the changes in the Canucks organization on the forward lines, things are looking slightly better already. Throw in a healthy defense and one of the game's best goaltenders, and this team could make the second—maybe even the third—round of the playoffs this coming season.