2009-10 NHL preview: Vancouver Canucks

They say to the victors go the spoils, but in the NHL Northwest Division this off-season we could change that to the victors go a stay of execution. While many of the teams in this division spent the off season replacing General Managers or Head Coaches, the Canucks and GM Mike Gillis and Bench boss Alain Vigneault spent the off season plotting on how to defend their division title.

In the first year of the Gillis era, the Canucks were able to stay healthy enough to run down the injury depleted Calgary Flames to win their third division title in the past five years. However, as usual the Canucks disappointed in the post season. They were one minute away from a 3-1 series lead in the second round versus Chicago, but managed to lose that series. The main difference, this season is these Canucks should not regress.

The Canucks return all the key pieces of their core, and given the turmoil their divisional foes went through this past off season they should be the favorites for yet another division title. While the initial hiring of Gillis was criticized by many, it seems the Canucks found the right guy. While Mats Sundin turned into an 8 million dollar bust, Gillis was wise enough to maintain his core and added grit and speed to his roster in the off season. Sundin will not be back as he announced his retirement earlier today.

Additions- D Christian Ehrhoff, D Michael Funk, W Tanner Glass, D Brad Lukowhich, D Lawrence Nycholat, G Andrew Raycroft, D Aaron Rome, RW Mikael Samuelson, D Mathieu Schneider

Subtractions- C Mark Cullen, D Zack Fitzgerald, D Shaun Heshka, RW Jason Jaffray, C Jason Krog, G Jason LaBarbera, D Mattias Ohlund, and G Curtis Sanford