Canucks Bounce Back Candidates

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Demko signed a three-year extension with an AAV of $8.5M this year. Can he live up to that expectation?

To say last season was underwhelming for the Vancouver Canucks is an understatement. Star players took steps back. Goaltender Thatcher Demko didn’t look like himself. Everything that could’ve gone wrong went wrong.

Still, there are plenty of reasons to feel hopeful.

Quinn Hughes is one of the best defensemen in the NHL. A new coach in Adam Foote has entered the fray. Plus, new acquisitions like Evander Kane and Pierre-Oliver Joseph add extra depth threats to a promising offense.

What the Canucks ultimately need, however, is a bounce-back season from two of their biggest players.

If Vancouver hopes to make the playoffs, their stars need to take their next big steps. Hughes has shown he’s capable of bearing that burden, but he can’t do it alone. These two players in particular have to bounce back strong this upcoming season if the Canucks want to fight for the Stanley Cup.

Elias Pettersson Needs Big Season

Three seasons ago, Elias Pettersson had an explosive season with the Canucks, scoring 39 goals and 63 assists for 102 points in 82 games. Last season, he looked like a completely different player. While there were struggles off the ice with former teammate J.T. Miller, the flashy forward just couldn’t get back to form in time to help right the ship.

Former head coach Rick Tocchet noticed this more than anyone else.

“I think he’ll tell you that his preparation has to get better,” Tocchet said. “There’s no secret, if you want to be a great player, you have to prepare, almost to that obsessive type of preparation. He’s got to practice better. He’s learning. Do I think he will do those things? I do; I really do. I think I can bank on him taking this information, going away for four months, and make sure he has a plan and the plan has to change. I’m not sure he can train the same way. To be honest with you, that’s got to change.”

Next season is pivotal for both Pettersson and the Canucks to see what type of player he will be moving forward.

Thatcher Demko Ready to Step Up for Canucks

Demko signed a three-year contract extension with the Canucks last month. This year, he’s ready to return to form. The former Calder-winning goaltender had a rough go of it last season, ending the year with a 10-8-3 record and a .889 save percentage.

His new contract, carrying an AAV of $8.5M per season, shows that the Canucks are willing to bet on him as a player. Whether or not he lives up to it will ultimately depend on his ability to bounce back next season.

“Thatcher is one of the top goalies in the National Hockey League and a key leader in our locker room,” said general manager Patrick Allvin. “His desire to continue his career in Vancouver says a lot about what we are trying to accomplish and where this organization is headed. Demmer is one of the hardest working players on our team and gives our group great confidence when he takes the net. A complete package of size, strength, rebound control, and athletic ability, our players know that they have an opportunity to win each and every game he plays.”