5 Ex-Factors
Did the departure of certain ex-Canucks hurt the team?
Written by Hosea C
Canucks Access
It’s been two months since the start of this season and Vancouver Canucks fans are already hurling criticism towards GM Dave Nonis’ managing tactics.
A lot of backlash has to do with the lack of scoring produced by the Vancouver offense and the inability for them to put together a solid winning streak, but it certainly didn’t seem that way on paper earlier this season. The moves made my Nonis over the off-season gave a good indication of this team’s potential ability, however, quite a few players are under-achieving. Can you really blame him for that?
The Vancouver GM had no choice but to shake up last year’s team after a disappointing season in which they failed to make the playoffs. No one could possibly fault him for wanting to rebuild last season’s team in order to improve and prevent certain failures again; actually a lot of people encouraged it. So he did just that.
Looking at the team now, it’s pretty obvious that the Canucks at this point last season was very different roster-wise. But would that same team generate more success right now if they were still together?
Nonis knew what players he had to let go, either due to salary cap issues or locker room issues, and out of those that had to leave, I highly doubt he’s regretting their departure. Here’s what I mean.
Todd Bertuzzi was probably the biggest name that left the team. How’s he doing right now? As of today, he is expected to be out another 4 to 8 weeks, after his back surgery on November 2. He has only played seven games for his new Florida Panthers team, earning one goal, six assists and a minus-4. He is also the highest paid Panther as he garners $5.27 million a year. Compare that to the players that were acquired for him, Roberto Luongo and Lukas Krajicek, and it looks like a steal for Vancouver.
The other players involved in that blockbuster trade to Florida aren’t doing that well either. Goaltender Alex Auld has a 6-9-3 record and a goals-against-average of 3.01, as he shares the number one goaltending duties with Ed Belfour. Defensemen Bryan Allen is quietly blending into Florida’s defensive core as he has tallied seven points this season and is a measly minus-11.
How about Ed Jovanovski? The offensively minded defensemen signed a massive 5-year, $32.5 million contract with the Phoenix Coyotes this off-season. There was no possible way Nonis could match that offer. However, ‘Jovo’ hasn’t really been the $7 million stud that the Coyotes hoped he would be, as his five goals, 10 assists, and plus-2 rating is definitely not up to par on the slumping Phoenix team.
Last season’s leading goal scorer for Vancouver also left the team this off-season in search for a wealthier contract. Anson Carter bolted to the Columbus Blue Jackets in hopes of repeating last year’s goal scoring feat. But it’s been the same story as other ex-Canucks as he has only accumulated five goals and six assist, in what would be a poor offensive showing compared to last year.
Nolan Baumgartner can also be added to that list, as he led Vancouver defensemen in scoring last season with 34 points. Currently, he’s playing on Philadelphia’s farm team as he has only registered one assist in the NHL this year. He is definitely not worth $2.4 million over two years.
I don’t even think it’s worth talking about Richard Park or Wade Brookbank, as they are clearly not making any noise currently in the NHL. Also, last season’s trade deadline acquisitions are nowhere to be found on the current Vancouver Canucks team as Keith Carney is now with the Minnesota Wild, while Eric Weinrich is retired. Mika Noronen and Sean Brown aren’t even playing in North America, as they could not come to a contract agreement with Vancouver.
As we continue our list of ex-Canucks, don’t forget Dan Cloutier, whose goaltending blunders continue in Los Angeles under ex-Canucks coach, Marc Crawford. I’m sure many fans just want to put those dark Vancouver goaltending days behind them.
The exit of many Vancouver players from last season stung the most in one specific area of this year’s team: toughness. The Canucks lost a lot of big body players who would provide the team with grit and size, especially those mentioned above. Also the feistiness of Jarkko Ruutu is missed, however, he has yet to make any sort of noise on his new team, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Were these losses big factors to the current Canuck’s slide? It’s not like they lost a whole lot with the departures, especially with the contracts these players were demanding and the lack of production on their new teams this season. But most fans are still making an argument that they didn’t improve with the acquisitions completed by Nonis for this off-season.
But hey, lets save that for another Point Shot.
