Vancouver Canucks: Midseason Review, Part 2

It is impossible to mention the success at the halfway point (or at anytime for that matter) without talking about Roberto Luongo. His six shutouts lead the league thus far and he is in the top three in both wins and goals against average. Arguably the best goaltender in the game today, he will again contend for the Hart and Vezina trophies.

As difficult as it is to imagine the team contending without Luongo, a strong case can also be made for the invaluable Sedins. The team is 0-9-2 when neither Daniel nor Henrik records a point—and they are both on pace for career high seasons. Daniel is on track for 40 goals season and Henrik, already fifth in the league in the assists category, was added to the Western Conference All Star roster earlier this week.

It should also be noted that Roberto Luongo was voted to start in goal for the second straight season, but is electing to travel to Florida during the break instead to be with his wife. The couple is expecting their first child.

Relishing in the ice time he has received due to the absence of Bieska and Ohlund, is rookie defensemen Alex Edler. He averages more than 20 minutes a night and his +18 is second only to Nicolas Lidstrom, and first among rookies. While Edler is astounding in his defensive play, it is interesting to note that he has been somewhat of a hero as of late, scoring the game winning goals in each of the Canucks last two shootout victories.

Although the Canucks are currently tied for first in their division a few holes are still present from the team that was eliminated last season in the second round by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks.

First and foremost, they need to score more goals. Vancouver currently sits 23rd in the league in scoring, fewer then the dredges in Los Angeles, Toronto, and Tampa Bay. Second, Captain Markus Naslund needs to drastically improve his play. While he has shown signs of the greatness he had before the lockout, as a leader his inconsistency reflects on the entire team and only proves to highlight their secondary scoring woes. 

The team—built from the elite Luongo out—also boasts a defense that is arguably the best in the league when healthy. With Brendan Morrison out indefinitely following wrist surgery, the Canucks have relied on call-ups and recently signed Kris Beech. It’s clear that aside from the Sedins, the Canucks are still very thin up front, especially at center. With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Canucks have about $2 million of cap space left and perhaps another $2 million to account for the players on the injury reserve.

One very intriguing prospect is Peter Forsberg. The injured Swede is reportedly skating again and has stated publicly that he would like to return to a Cup contender. Given that he and Markus Naslund are childhood friends, and that the team also boasts fellow countrymen Ohlund, the Sedins, and Edler, Vancouver would be a very good fit for Forsberg, whose playoff dominance is a perfect match for a club that struggled to score last postseason.

That rumor out of the way, the club also possesses a very strong farm team and could perhaps part with future star netminder Cory Schneider or the club's first round pick in 2005, defensemen Luc Bourdon, who played well in recent call ups. 

Will GM Dave Nonis make any moves before the Feb. 26 trade deadline or will he ride a defense first team into the playoffs like he did last season and hope to miss the high flying Red Wings or San Jose Sharks who have dominated the Canucks this year?

One thing is for certain—given the Vancouver Canucks penchant for turning it on after Christmas, the second half of the season will be very interesting to watch.

Is this finally the year Luongo and the Canucks capture the Stanley Cup that has eluded them?

Only time will tell.