If you look at stats, you’ll notice that the Vancouver Canucks have owned one of the worst defensive units in the NHL for some seasons now. Over the last four years (2014 to 2017), they’ve ranked 15th, 17th, 24th and 24th in goals against per game.
Fans shouldn’t really be all that surprised. Veterans Kevin Bieksa (traded to the Anaheim Ducks in 2015), Dan Hamhuis and Alexander Edler all regressed quicker than expected — not exactly looking like the players that took this team to the 2011 Stanley Cup Final.