2019 Vancouver Canucks Odds to win Stanley Cup with Expert Predictions

The Vancouver Canucks have not made the playoffs since 2015, so there is a need to rebuild - and though they aren't taking necessarily the best path to do so, that's what they are doing. Though last year was a long way from a success on the ice - just 81 points in 82 games - it did mark an important turning of the page. For the first time since 2000, the creepiest twins in all of sports, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, did not play last year. They both retired after the 2018 season, and that allowed new guys to step up. And in Brock Boeser, Elias Pettersson and Bo Horvat, they have some pretty impressive younger talent to step into the top shoes on this team. But do they have enough depth to improve in any significant way from last season? Or is the rebuild just going to linger a little longer?

Vancouver Canucks Offseason Moves

GM Jim Benning received a three-year extension from the Canucks this summer. It's tough to see that as a good thing. Benning has a bad habit of targeting guys that aren't in high demand and then overpaying for them anyway - just to make sure he gets them. It's not an ideal strategy, but he is committed to it. Vigorously.

Benning proved his commitment by swinging a trade with Tampa Bay for J.T. Miller. Miller is a solid enough player - a two-way forward who is useful. But he's not a serious difference-maker, and the Lightning were not mourning the loss of him . But Benning paid a huge price - goalie prospect Marek Mazanec, a third-round pick in 2019, and a first-rounder in 2020 - which turns into a 2021 pick if the Canucks don't make the playoffs this year. That is, frankly, an insane price to pay for a guy on the second line. For the other wing on the second line, they added Micheal Ferland in free agency, though the contract for him was only a little higher than ideal.

Benning didn't just work his magic on offense. He brought Tyler Myers in to be a top pairing defenseman. Myers is fine, but he's not an elite, superstar quality talent. And it's hard to believe that the Canucks had many competitors in their quest to sign the injury prone, giant defender - certainly not many who were willing to pay him $30 million over five years. Benning also brought in Jordie Benn and Oscar Fantenberg as depth defenders. The biggest boost on the blueline, though, comes from a guy who was already in the system. Quinn Hughes, the brother of this year's first overall pick Jack, was picked by Vancouver seventh overall in 2018. It was a surprise to almost everyone that he was sent back to Michigan for a second season last year, but he had an excellent year there. Expectations are high for him now and down the road.

The Canucks had the 10th pick in the draft and selected Russian winger Vasily Podkolzin. He was the second-rated European skater, so he was solid value where he was taken. He's under contract in Russia for two more years, though, so his impact won't be coming any time soon.

Vancouver Canucks NHL Outlook

Brock Boeser has a new three-year contract and now gets to prove that he needs a much bigger deal after this bridge deal ends. Elias Pettersson ran away with the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year last year and was stunningly impressive. He certainly didn't play like it was a fluke, and his ceiling is higher than the 66 points he posted in 71 games last year. Those two are a heck of a force on the top line, Hughes has the chance to be special. But the forward depth is underwhelming, the defense has enough depth but not enough talent, and the goaltending duo of Jakob Markstrom and Thatcher Demko leaves us with many questions. The West is deep, and the battle for a wild card berth is going to be intense, and it is just tough to see how this squad is good enough to be in that mix.

Vancouver Canucks Schedule

If the team can make it into the month of December in decent shape, they have a chance to gain some ground there. They play 12 of 15 games through December and into the start of January at home. That includes two five-game homestands, and the longest trip is a short two-game trip. It's a very luxurious stretch of games. They'll pay for that at other times, but it's an opportunity to shine.

Vancouver Canucks NHL Futures Odds

The Canucks are tied with the Oilers at +4000 to win the Stanley Cup , which puts them ahead of just six teams. They are tied with Edmonton to win the Western Conference at +200, which only puts them ahead of Anaheim and the Kings, and at +1200 to win the Pacific Division , they are the sixth of eight teams. The season point total sits at 86.5 , with the action split evenly. They are at +150 to make the playoffs and -170 to miss them.

2019-20 Vancouver Canucks Predictions

I'd feel better if the team had been smart enough to get rid of Benning. They have some very nice talent but not enough of it, and I don't love how this team has been constructed at this point. They won't be embarrassing, but they aren't going to be a playoff team.

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