Though stripped and gutted by other teams (but mostly just Brad Treliving) during the offseason, the Vancouver Canucks roster retained all those young stars that made them the surprise story of the summer. Whether they replicate their postseason success in the shortened season, however, depends on how their firepower and fresh faces offset ongoing defensive struggles.
Vancouver Canucks
2019-20: 36-27-6 (3rd Pacific, 7th West)
Captain: Bo Horvat
Coach: Travis Green (otherwise known as Mark Ruffalo’s doppelganger)
GM: Jim Benning
Key Additions: D Nate Schmidt, G Braden Holtby, D Travis Hamonic
Key Departures: G Jacob Markstrom (to the Flames), D Chris Tanev (to the Flames), F Tyler Toffoli, D Troy Stecher, F Josh Leivo (to the Flames), D Oscar Fantenberg, G Louis Domingue (to the Flames)
Aside from Markstrom, Tanev and Leivo disrobing their red sweaters on the ice against the Canucks and revealing their signings as part of some clandestine conspiracy to infiltrate the Flames and sabotage their season on behalf of their former team, the Flames should be wary of their neighbours to the (Scotia) West for a few key reasons—beyond possible treason.