Vancouver Canucks Midseason Report Card

At the halfway point of the NHL season, Canucks fans have to be surprised and excited for what is to come with this team. Expected to do very poorly at the start of the year, the Canucks surprisingly sit in fifth place in the Western Conference with the likes of Mats Sundin due to play soon and Roberto Luongo coming back Vancouver providing a lot to cheer about.

It's time to assess this team so far—the players, management, and coaching staff. So here are my grades for the Canucks so far this season.

Roberto Luongo: A+

Despite missing over a month due to a groin injury the Canucks would not be where they are if not for the play of their captain, with 19 games played he is 11-5 and leads the league with five shutouts, a 2.17 GAA, and a .928 save percentage, Luongo has been simple outstanding.

Kevin Bieksa: A

The Canucks defenceman who was the talk of several trade possibilities at the start of the season has answered the critics with 5 goals and 20 points to lead all Canucks defencemen, he has shown some offensive punch and a big physical presence.

Daniel Sedin: A

With 19 goals already he is on pace to break his career best of 36 goals in the 06-07 season, with his free agency looming he is giving Mike Gillis a lot to consider in keeping him.

Henrik Sedin: B+

While his offensive punch seems to have come and gone at points he is second on the team with 37 points and remains their top play maker. 

Pavol Demitra: B+

Despite some early injury problems Demitra has shown great chemistry with the Sedins and has taken some pressure off the big guns with 22 points in 31 games. 

Ryan Kesler: B+

The Canucks centre has maybe not been as much of an offensive presence but he has really established himself as a premiere shut down forward in the NHL. 

Willie Mitchell: B+

Has been a real solid presence on the ice weather it be blocking shots or killing penalties Mitchell has always been in the right place at the right time.  

Canucks Management: B+

Mike Gillis and company promised there would be changes, that this team would rebound and be much tougher and more aggressive, he has so far lived up to his word, getting rid of Naslund and Morrison, and acquiring  O'Brien and Hordichuk not to mention his patience in finally getting Sundin, Gillis has come a long way in turning this team around. 

Canucks Coaching Staff: B+

Alain Vigneault and company were given another chance this off season to get it right, on a team that lost two huge weapons in Morrison and Naslund, and the likes of Trevor Linden, Vigneault deserves a ton of credit for the Canucks being where they are with the players he has at his disposal. 

Kyle Wellwood: B

With his time with the team very much in question Wellwood surprised everyone with great offensive numbers scoring 14 goals to this point, he has brought the Canucks a huge advantage in the face-off circle winning well over 50% of his draws.

Alex Burrows: B

Eight goals so far this season, but he is no doubt become one of the ultimate agitators in the league today and along with Kesler and Hansen is a terrific shut down winger. 

Mason Raymond: B

The former Camrose Kodiak burst onto the scene last year before an injury and he has picked up where he left off with nine goals this season and a spot on the second line. 

Darcy Hodichuk: B-

The Canucks acquired him to add some much needed grit and toughness, Hordichuk has been that and then some getting under players skin and putting up a +3 rating.

Janik Hansen: B-

In his first full season with the Canucks he has quickly developed into a solid third liner, though his offensive numbers may not be what was expected so far there is plenty of room for him to grow.

Ryan Johnson: B-

While injury problems have plagued him of late Johnson has been a good fourth liner he has been solid though some more offence would help his cause. 

Mattias Ohlund: C+

The Canucks big defenceman has as usual been a physical force but his play offensively has slipped dramatically this season with only three goals, the Canucks need more from him if they want to be serious contenders.

Sami Salo: C-

It may not be fair to judge Salo due to his injury problems but Salo in his time playing has been weak offensively and appears to be a little slower on the back check, maybe it's his injuries but Sami definitely does not look like his old self. 

Curtis Sanford/Corey Schneider: C-

While they have not been terrible they have both shown a lack of consistency in their game and do not intimidate opposing shooters like Luongo. (I did not grade LaBarbera as I thought I needed to see more games of him to make an assessment, though he has been terrific so far).

Rob Davison: C-

Has at time been a good physical presence on the back end but he should be more responsible in his own zone with his experience.

Shane O'Brien: D+

The big Canucks blue lines was acquired to bring some toughness and he has delivered leading the league in penalty minutes, must improve his mental game however and not take quite as many penalties. 

Taylor Pyatt: D-

The native of Thunder Bay is definitely not the same guy he was when he came to the Canucks on 06-07 and put up 23 goals with the Sedins.

Steve Bernier: D-

Was the big offseason acquisition and expected to put up big numbers and be a premiere power forward but so far he has been a very inconsistent winger who is really squeezing his stick and appears to feeling the pressure.