For a number of years, the Canucks have struggled to ice an effective fourth line. Whether that be due to injuries, or simply a lack of talent, it can be argued that their last true valuable fourth line was centered by Maxim Lapierre in 2012. This was most amplified last season, as the likes of Jack Skille and Michael Chaput highlighted a line that was, at its best, uneventful. Heading into the 2017-18 campaign, however, the team boasts a number of options for what could form a productive fourth line.
The Canucks signed Sam Gagner this off-season, who put up a career-high 50 points with the Columbus Blue Jackets in a sheltered, fourth line role.