Vancouver Canucks: 7 Reasons There Is No Need to Panic

Through the first month-and-a-half of the season, the Vancouver Canucks are nowhere near where they had expected to be coming off their excellent run to the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals last season. Sitting 10th in the Western Conference with just 15 points in 15 games, many Canucks fans are ready to hit the panic button.

Fear not, Canucks fans, the team is too talented to keep playing this inconsistent. Alain Vigneault is too good of a coach to allow his team to struggle for so long, and Mike Gillis is not afraid to make a move if it means a better opportunity for success for the Canucks.

There are several reasons why Canucks fans should not hit the panic button yet, and even though there is reason for concern, it is only 15 games into the season; there are still 67 games left to play.

Ryan Kesler Needs Time to Return to Form

Many Canucks fans thought that when Ryan Kesler returned to the team almost a month earlier than expected that he would just be right in midseason form and be a quick fix to all of Vancouver’s woes. Unfortunately for these unaware fans, coming back from major surgery requires a solid amount of on-ice play before a player can return to form.

It is not only clear to fans, but also to Kesler himself that he has lost a step and will need to do some additional rehab if he wants to get his stride back. 

Ryan Kesler is one of the most dedicated athletes in the NHL and will no doubt be working his hardest to get back into shape so he can break his poor performance and begin contributing on the second line. Kesler will not be terrible all season long. His conditioning should kick into gear and he will begin contributing and helping the Canucks to several wins over the course of the season.

Improved Power Play Equals Wins

Five of the Canucks' last 10 games have resulted in victories, and their improved power play deserves much of the credit. In those victories, the Canucks have gone 46.4 percent on the power play, but in the losses they have gone just 4.8 percent. 

It appears as though the Canucks are finally figuring out their power play, and so long as they continue to capitalize with the man advantage, the wins will come, but they must keep their power play going if they want to return to the success they experienced last season.

Nearly Perfect Penalty Kill

Since October 18th, the Canucks have successfully killed off 37-of-38 power plays, for a kill rate of 97.4 percent. So far in November, the Canucks' opposition is 0-for-16, and the penalty kill has given the Canucks tremendous opportunities to win games.

The Canucks' penalty kill has remained the only consistent in their game so far this season. The PK is one of the crucial aspects to a team's success in the long run, and as long as the Canucks' PK is executing all systems go, they will provide the opportunity to walk away with two points game in and game out this season.

Multiple Contributors Offensively

The Vancouver Canucks' top contributors offensively this season are again the Sedin twins, but they have also received excellent secondary scoring.

Of the Canucks past 30 goals scored, 14 different players have scored goals. Ranging from the likes of Chris Higgins, who has notched four goals, or Dan Hamhuis with two, or even the likes of David Booth, Max Lapierre, Aaron Rome and Sami Salo, who have all contributed in recent games.

It is a rare feat to have so much offense come from so many different players on an NHL team. The Canucks have the talent to continue this trend in the months to come and will soon improve their goals-per-game average, which will translate into victories.

Cody Hodgson

Cody Hodgson has just seven points this season, but all of those points have come on the road. Hodgson and the second line are finally beginning to gel, and he most recently played a big role in two of the six goals the Canucks scored against the Blackhawks on Sunday afternoon.

Hodgson's potential is only growing as the season moves forward, and his play will be a key to the Canucks' success this season. Hodgson has matured into a good young player and can only grow from here. 

If the Canucks' season so far isn't something the fans are pleased with, they should at least see the glimpse of hope Cody Hodgson is providing.

Sami Salo

There is no doubt that Sami Salo has been the Canucks' best defenseman this season. Prior to getting injured with a strained groin, Salo had eight points in 12 games and was easily the best two-way defenseman on the team.

Salo's shot on the power play created not only opportunities for him to score, but also created rebounds and mayhem in front of opposing goaltenders. When Salo returns from injury, he will return to create havoc for both shot blockers and opposing goalies with his hard slap shot and precision.

Salo is a key piece to the Canucks' puzzle in 2011-12 with the loss of Christian Ehrhoff in the offseason, and a strong offensive presence on the blue line is crucial in a Western Conference full of top-notch defensemen.

Notorious Bad Starters

In 2006, Alain Vigneault's first season as the Canucks head coach, the team started the season 8-10-1. They went on to finish the season with the Northwest Division title. In 2007, they started 5-8 and missed the playoffs. 2008 saw them start 4-5, and they won the division again. And in 2009, they started 7-7 and also won the division. Finally, the team began last season 3-3-2 and ended up in the seventh game of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Canucks fans need not hit the panic button. Historically speaking, the Canucks always begin the season poorly. They will improve and return to being a Cup contender this season. It is only November, so perhaps if they are still struggling in January or February, then sure, hit the panic button. But not now. There is still a lot of time to improve and the Canucks have played just five divisional games this season.

Divisional games are so important in the NHL, as they are usually what separates a division champ from a loser. The Canucks will return to the win column more times than not this season, and there is no need to panic. Fans be concerned, but do not panic and lose all hope.