Vancouver Canucks: Who Will Take Blame If They Fall Short of a Cup?

Each of the past three seasons, the Canucks exited the playoffs earlier than expected, with last year obviously being the closest they have come to the Stanley Cup.  

As soon as the team's postseason run ends, the blame game begins and fans start searching for scapegoats, some of whom deserve the label.  

This year the expectations are as high as last, and if the Canucks fall short again, fingers will be pointed.  

The following are the six most likely individuals to take the brunt of the blame in that unlikely event.  

6. Keith Ballard

With a $4.2 million cap hit, fans expected much more out of Keith Ballard. 

Whether it's because of his 14 points in 112 games played with the Nucks, or his zero points and minus-four rating in 10 playoff games last season, the Canuck fans love putting the weight of a loss on his shoulders.  

Personally, I think Ballard brings much more to the table than he's given credit for. Worth $4.2 million? Probably not. But he is a great fighter and could possibly be the best hip-checker in the game, which is something the Canucks could use down the stretch.  

Nonetheless, if the Canucks don't go all the way this time, unless he puts up numbers like he did back on the Florida Panthers, Keith Ballard is going to take a decent portion of the blame...if he's healthy for the playoffs, of course. 

5. Mike Gillis

Up until March 27 of this year, Mike Gillis was considered by most fans as one of the best general managers in the league. 

Then he traded Cody Hodgson.  

Whether or not it was a smart move is yet to be seen and likely won't be for a long time. But one thing is certain: Fans loved Cody Hodgson, and it hurt to see him go.  

Since the trade that saw Cody Hodgson and Alexander Sulzer go to Buffalo in exchange for Zack Kassian and Marc-Andre Gragnani, Kassian has picked up just two points, both of which were against his former team in a 5-3 loss.  

If a lack of offense has anything to do with an early exit for Vancouver, there's no doubt that fans will be asking "what if?," and the speculation could put Mike Gillis in the hot seat.  

4. Alain Vigneault

Media skills and lack of control behind the bench aside, Alain Vigneault could actually be in the hot seat if the Canucks fall short this season.

When a team is good enough on paper to get it done but time and time again falls short, it falls on leadership: the captain and the coach.  

In this case, the coach will take the brunt of it.  

Personally, I think Vigneault's biggest shortcoming in past years has been his unconditional loyalty to Roberto Luongo. But that seems to be changing.  

Cory Schneider has recently been playing half the games for the Canucks, and he's shining as usual. If Vigneault continues to rotate through the playoffs, I would view that as one of the best coaching moves he could make.  

Not only could teams not get used to a goalie, but it would partly insure the Canucks against a Luongo meltdown and give Mike Gillis a true understanding of who should be sent packing following this season.  

3. Hank & Dan

Perhaps after back-to-back Art Ross Trophies, the fans have grown to expect too much from the Sedin twins. 

Two seasons ago, the Sedins both surpassed the point/game mark in the postseason, and last year they fell just short; not bad by any means. But whenever offense is an issue with the Canucks, the Sedins take the blame, while the rest of the team gets a free pass.  

It's possible that a slower season in production will lower expectations of the twins, but I wouldn't count on it. 

They will be expected to produce at mass levels, and if they don't the weight of a loss will fall heavily on their shoulders.  

2. Duncan Keith

Fans, and not just Canuck fans, will jump on the opportunity to put blame on something or someone external from the team roster, and that could be the case if Daniel Sedin isn't able to return for the playoffs.  

So far, the Canucks haven't struggled since a vicious elbow by Duncan Keith removed the Canucks' leading goal scorer from the lineup, but the repercussions could be seen in the playoffs.  

If the Canucks' postseason run comes to an end before Daniel returns, Duncan Keith will surely be a marked man in Vancouver...more so than he already is.  

1. Roberto Luongo

Of all the individuals who have gotten blame for the Canucks' past postseasons, the only one whose play clearly impacted the outcome was Roberto Luongo.  

Sure, he's had well-played games in the postseason, but that doesn't excuse six, seven and eight goals against. 

If Luongo shows any signs of inconsistency or mental issues this postseason, fans will not only be blaming him for a loss, but they'll be calling for a trade.  

Hopefully the leash is a little shorter this time around, and Cory Schneider will take the reins at the first sign of a struggle.