Vancouver Canucks Progress Report: 16 Games In

It seems like it’s only been two weeks, but already 16 games have passed in the busy schedule of the Vancouver Canucks.  So what’s the progress report?  How have they done?  Who have been their best players?  Who have been their worst? Are they keeping pace in the tight Northwest Division? 

Through the first 16 games, the Canucks have a record of 9-6-1 and are tied for tops in their division due to the tiebreak process.  When you think about it, 9-6-1 is basically only 2 games above .500.  Yet, when you also take that into consideration, the Canucks have already played a six game road trip. I’d have to say that their record is pretty good. 

Roberto Luongo was honestly not very efficient in the month of October, but the surprising offense was able to bail him out during the first month of the season.  Now it’s November, and it’s Roberto’s time to shine.  In his favorite month of the season Roberto has already posted a streak of over four consecutive games worth of shutout minutes. Unfortunately, the Canucks offense has slightly tailed off during November. 

The Canucks have also had to play through some injuries early in the season.  Pavol Demitra has been out for nearly four weeks and news has just broken out that Kevin Bieksa will be out for two weeks with a broken foot.  Minor injuries to Sami Salo and rookie Jannik Hansen have also been a challenge to the Canucks and their coaching staff.  If the Canucks are able to combine their incredible, yet shocking offense from October, plus their great defensive play and goaltending so far in November, they could get really hot in an attempt to solidify a playoff spot. 

Who have been the Canucks best players?  To me there are three men that stick out in mind when I think of people that have played well so far in the season.  Those three are: Kevin Bieksa, Ryan Kesler and, Roberto Luongo.   Luongo already has a league high five shutouts, Bieksa leads all Canucks defensemen in goals and points, and Kesler has been contributing offensively as well as perfecting his role as a shutdown center.  Yet, with players playing well, there has to be some that need to improve, like the Sedin twins.

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