Vancouver Canucks Preview

By Jon A. Dolezar, SI.com

Canucks at a Glance Head coach: Marc Crawford 2002-03 record: 45-23-13-1 2002-03 Player Stats 2003-04 Roster 2003 Draft Picks

Last season was one of both remarkable revelation and horrible heartbreak for Vancouver.

The Canucks had their best club since the 1994 Stanley Cup finalists, and they came within a final-week fade of winning the Northwest Division before being nipped by the hated Avalanche on the final day of the regular season.

Vancouver's 104 points set a franchise record, breaking the mark of the 1992-93 club, which featured Pavel Bure, Cliff Ronning, Geoff Courtnall, Murray Craven, Trevor Linden, Petr Nedved and Kirk McLean. But like that Pat Quinn-coached bunch, the 2002-03 Canucks couldn't get past the second round, despite having Cup-contending talent.

Vancouver played its best hockey of the season in November, going 12-1, including a 10-game win streak. But after running their record to 15-4-4-0 at the close of the month, the Canucks went 14-11-3 over the next two months before rebounding in February and March. But their collapse in the final week cost them the division crown, when just one win could have put away Colorado, which earned its ninth straight division title by just one point.

It didn't matter in the end, though, as Minnesota rallied from 3-1 deficits against both Colorado and Vancouver, overcoming the home-ice advantage and fast starts each team had in their respective series with the Wild.

For Vancouver, the postseason tank job was especially disconcerting because of Dan Cloutier's already fragile confidence. The Wild dominated Games 5 and 6 by scores of 7-2 and 5-1, then came back from a two-goal deficit in Vancouver in Game 7 to win 4-2 before a silent, stunned crowd at GM Place.

As with the Red Wings series in the 2002 postseason, the fingers immediately pointed toward Cloutier, who had an awful 5.71 goals-against average and .750 save percentage in the last three games. In an attempt to push Cloutier, the Canucks acquired Johan Hedberg from the Penguins to serve as a backup/standby starter if Cloutier can't hack it.

Other than that deal, the Canucks had a quiet offseason. The team's payroll will jump from $36 million to around $41 million, with some of that $5 million difference going to sign left winger Magnus Arvedson from Ottawa to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million.

As the preseason rolls on, rumors have emerged that Russian oil tycoon billionaire Roman Abramovich may be interested in purchasing the team. Abramovich spent $177.6 million to buy English Premier League club Chelsea, and has poured cash into its operations, including an additional $120 million on player acquisitions.  Abramovich also currently owns Russian club Avangard Omsk, and tried unsuccessfully to buy the Dallas Stars a few years back. The 36-year-old is the richest man in the world under the age of 40 and has a net worth estimated at $13.5 billion.

For a team that has spent the better part of the past decade counting its pennies, such a rumor ignited a cacophony of excitement, including a faux column in Saturday's Vancouver Province about how Abramovich's moneybags routine helped the Canucks raise their payroll to $275 million and win the 2006 Stanley Cup.

"There's so much speculation and rumor you never know what's true and what's not," Brendan Morrison told The Canadian Press. "As long as we're in Vancouver, that's all that matters."

But the Canucks will head into the regular season with low-profile owner John McCaw (a Seattle cellular telephone magnate) at the helm. Vancouver is in position to contend largely because of shrewd moves by general manager Brian Burke in his five years running the club. After bottoming out with 58 points in Burke's first season in charge, the Canucks have made a steady climb up the standings in the four seasons since.

The Canucks will enter the season as the second choice again in the Northwest Division behind the offensively loaded Avalanche. But with the Wild having ousted both of them, there may be a new contender on the block, as well.

This season will be telling for Vancouver. Markus Naslund has expressed the desire to finish his career in Sweden, and could leave the NHL prematurely in the event of an owner's lockout upon the expiration of the existing collective bargaining agreement. And Todd Bertuzzi is one of the players in the gray area who possibly could gain newfound unrestricted free-agency status once a new CBA is hammered out.

It's highly unlikely that Vancouver could afford to keep Bertuzzi if he made it to the open market at age 29. With a 2003-04 salary of $3.7 million, "Big Bert" is one of the league's best bargains. But in the land of the free spenders, he surely could command nearly double that from a large-market club in need of a power forward.

The Canucks may have a tough time matching last season's 104-point regular season, but fans in Vancouver gladly would settle for fewer points between October and April, and a more wins between April and June. After all, parking a shiny new trophy named Stanley in The Garage is the goal, not taking home the meaningless Presidents' Trophy.

Markus Naslund, LW and Todd Bertuzzi, RW -- It's so hard to differentiate between Nazzy and Bertuzzi because, like peanut butter and jelly, they just wouldn't be the same without each other. The Canucks' top-line wingers come as essentially a package deal, offering different styles but usually the same glorious result for Marc Crawford's team.

Naslund has been the more clutch, scoring 12 game-winning goals and one game-tying goal, while Bertuzzi had seven game-winners and one tying tally last season. That has been the case for Naslund throughout his 10-year career, with 38 game-winning goals to his credit, of those, 29 have come in the past five seasons. Naslund had five goals and nine assists in the playoffs, while Bertuzzi had two goals and four assists. Naslund had 24 goals and 30 assists on the power play, while Bertuzzi had 25 goals and 17 assists.

Naslund seemed like a lock to take home some personal hardware in the middle of the season, only to be out leaned at the tape for the Art Ross Trophy by childhood friend Peter Forsberg and for the Rocket Richard Trophy by Forsberg's linemate Milan Hejduk. But Naslund never has focused on personal accomplishment and is excited to get another crack at a Cup with Bertuzzi.

"Yeah, it's one of the trademarks on this team that we are not cliquey," Naslund told the Winnipeg Sun. "We have a good bunch of guys. Everyone gets along well and it's important that not only do the star players hang out with everyone else, but that also the nationalities blend in together and make it a team."

Despite hailing from very different backgrounds and having different dispositions, the two bond in an incredible way on the ice.

"You can't explain the chemistry," Bertuzzi told the Winnipeg Sun. "It just happens. We were meant to play together. It's something you build. It's a trust factor and it's a confidence in each other, knowing where each other is. It just fell into place."

The Nazzy and Bert duo is among the best pairs in the league, battling with Forsberg and Hejduk, Boston's Joe Thornton and Glen Murray, and Toronto's Mats Sundin and Alexander Mogilny for league bragging rights. Having the second- and fifth-leading scorers in the league is a luxury that Crawford certainly enjoys.

"Todd and Markus are at a different level on how they view the game," Crawford told the Winnipeg Sun. "For most offensive players, one of their gifts are that offensively they have very creative minds. Often that's the difference between a role player and a great offensive player. It's not only the talent that they have but how they see the game, how they see things develop and how they try to capitalize on what's developing. Both of them are very similar in that regard. They have creative minds and they really are quite brilliant offensively."

It's impossible to mention the Canucks' Big Two without pointing out that Brendan Morrison has done a tremendous job playing between them for the better part of the past two seasons. Morrison may be the bread that holds the PB&J together, but Naslund and Bertuzzi are clearly the star attractions.

Offensive production from wingers not named Bertuzzi or Naslund

Vancouver got balanced scoring last season, with the top line combining for 119 goals and the other three forward units pitching in with 145. Linden, Trent Klatt, Matt Cooke, Daniel Sedin and Trevor Letowski all finished in double digits in goals among the non first-line forwards. But a shift in some roles and the departures of Klatt and Letowski makes scoring from the second, third and fourth line a concern.

Newcomer Arvedson scored 16 goals last year and should come somewhere close to that total again. Playing with a pivot like Henrik Sedin, who always looks to pass first, likely will give Arvedson more scoring chances than he had playing on Ottawa's third line.

Linden bounced back with 19 goals last year (his most since 1995-96), but he yielded his spot on the second line with the Sedin twins to Arvedson and may take less of an offensive role at age 33. Daniel Sedin had 14 goals last season after scoring just nine in 2001-02, but his overall point total dipped to a career-low 31. And Arvedson's refusal to play the right side means that Daniel Sedin will be playing out of position on the right wing. Will he even recognize his brother from the other side after so many years of playing on Henrik's left?

Jarkko Ruutu is a tremendous pest, but no one will confuse his offensive ability with that of his younger brother, Tuomo, the Calder Trophy favorite in Chicago this season. Cooke tallied a career-high 15 goals last year, but if he's asked to play left wing on the third line (assuming Artem Chubarov stays in the middle) he may not see the same scoring opportunities.

Klatt and Letowski only combined for 27 goals last year, but their absence from the lineup hurts the team's scrappiness and overall chance to score some ugly goals. While ugly goals may be a problem for the second, third and fourth lines, pretty ones might not be plentiful, either. Mats Lindgren and Chubarov are both responsible in their own end, but are very limited offensively. The Canucks could use some of Brandon Reid's creativity and playmaking flair; he might be the prescription for what ails Vancouver's bottom two lines.

The addition of Arvedson to the mix will make Vancouver even better defensively up front, but it may be goals and not backchecking prowess that the Canucks need Arvie to pitch in with this season.

How short of a leash will Crawford give Cloutier?

The Canucks have a good enough team to contend for the Stanley Cup, so if they feel at any point during the regular season or postseason that Cloutier isn't getting the job done, Hedberg will get the call as the new top guy.

After posting a career year with a 33-16-7 record, a 2.42 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage, Cloutier slumped in the playoffs to 7-7 -- 3.24 G -- .868. April hockey is clearly not Cloutier's forte. Soon after the postseason ouster, disgruntled Canucks fans doctored a picture of Cloutier having given up a goal and superimposed the image of a beach ball sitting the Vancouver net. Cloutier could be in trouble with Canucks fans if he gets off to a slow start to the regular season.

Cloutier has averaged just shy of 60 games per season in his two full years in Vancouver, but that was with iffy Peter Skudra serving as his primary backup. Now that Hedberg is on the scene, a 50-32 split (or even something closer to 41 games apiece) is more likely. A decreased workload and a capable partner to push him may be just what Cloutier needs to kick-start his competitive nature and help him regain his confidence.

"The way this league goes, you only get better by getting out there and playing a lot -- so I plan to play a lot of games," Cloutier told the Winnipeg Sun. "[Having Hedberg] is going to be good for myself and for the whole team. He's been a No. 1 before and he's capable, so it's going to push me and make me better. We're going to have great goaltending this year."

While Cloutier's downfall has been the postseason, that has also been the one shining light in Hedberg's short tenure in the NHL. Hedberg led Pittsburgh to the Eastern Conference finals, getting wins over the Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres  before falling to New Jersey.

The Canucks are thrilled with Hedberg's puckhandling ability, likening him to Martin Brodeur. The slow-footed Cloutier doesn't do much outside of his crease, so the ability to add a "third defenseman" when Hedberg is in net is something that could swing the pendulum in his favor at some point.

Having come from the sparse crowds and dwindling interest in Pittsburgh, Hedberg is thrilled to be playing in front of hockey-crazed fans in Vancouver.

"This is an amazing hockey town," Hedberg told the Vancouver Province. "You meet people on the street and they want to talk hockey. It's the preseason and there's this great crowd."

Cloutier still needs work on his rebound control and his positioning. He appeared to make strides last regular season, but his bad habits came tearing back in the second round of the playoffs. His emotions get the best of him at times, while the composed Hedberg never appears to get rattled. Crawford will have an interesting decision to make late in the regular season as to who he will go with for the playoffs, but for now he's just pleased to have a solid tandem he can count on.

"It's the best goaltending group we've had in a long time ... we're miles ahead of where we used to be," Crawford told the Winnipeg Sun. "Danny has shown tremendous resolve. He is really coming into his own and looks extremely polished right now. He's got a nice routine and he's working harder than we've ever seen him work. That's a big step for him."

 Tomas Mojzis, D, 6-1, 192 pounds
 Born: May 2, 1985 
 Hometown: Kolin, Czech Republic
 Acquired: Trade with Toronto

The 21-year-old Czech blueliner may have leapfrogged past better-known Canucks youngsters such as Alexander Auld, Fedor Fedorov, Ryan Kesler, Kirill Koltsov, Lukas Mensator, Brandon Reid and R.J. Umberger with his impressive training camp. Whereas Vancouver might have earlier reached for Koltsov or Rene Vydareny from AHL Manitoba in a pinch this season, it's not likely that Mojzis will get the call at some point this season.

Mojzis was acquired in a minor-league trade with the Maple Leafs last season for Brad Leeb, and the Canucks feel as if their end of the deal could be a long-time NHL rearguard with the strides that he made during training camp. He battled veterans Mike Keene and Brad May admirably during drills in training camp, and Mojzis especially impressed with his wheels, showing a quick turnover on his skating stride.

"He tempts me to play him," Crawford told the Vancouver Sun. "He's close to the NHL level now. Some things he does really well; he skates at an NHL level. We're excited about the possibilities he presents."

Mojzis had 36 points in each of his two WHL campaigns before exploding for 21 goals and 49 assists in 62 games last season with Seattle. Included in his breakout season was a nine-game goal streak, which is only one short of the WHL record. His improved offensive instincts and desire to join the rush are something that stood out in Vancouver's training camp.

"He could be a star in this league," Naslund told the Sun. "I don't know how Toronto gave him up. He's a very good player."

Mojzis was once regarded only as a future third or fourth defenseman, at best, but with the development he's made in the past year, Vancouver is hopeful he could emerge into a Ed Jovanovski-type blueliner who plays the power play, penalty kill and tons of even-strength ice time on the top pair.

"Mojzis played a couple of exhibition games for me last year in Thunder Bay and he wasn't as strong as he is now," Manitoba head coach Stan Smyl told the Canucks' Web site. "He's really filled out. Obviously he's worked on his body to get stronger and it shows. He knew he had to do that after playing against NHLers in practice and exhibition last year. Tomas reads the play, knows when to jump and moves the puck quickly. All those abilities are things you really want in an offensive type of defenseman. He has that."

Forwards Line Left Wing Center Right Wing First Markus Naslund Brendan Morrison Todd Bertuzzi Second Magnus Arvedson Henrik Sedin Daniel Sedin Third Matt Cooke Artem Chubarov Trevor Linden Fourth Jarkko Ruutu Mats Lindgren Brad May Extras Darren Langdon Brandon Reid Mike Keane Extras Fedor Fedorov Ryan Kesler Pat Kavanagh Defensemen First Pair Mattias Ohlund Ed Jovanovski Second Pair Jiri Slegr Brent Sopel Third Pair Marek Malik Sami Salo Extras Bryan Allen Nolan Baumgartner Extras Tomas Mojzis Mikko Jokela Goaltenders Starter Dan Cloutier Backup Johan Hedberg Arrivals Player Position Signed from Bryan Allen D Re-signed Magnus Arvedson LW Ottawa Nolan Baumgartner D Re-signed Tyler Bouck RW Re-signed Artem Chubarov C Re-signed Dan Cloutier G Re-signed Dallas Eakins D Atlanta Martin Grenier D Trade from Phoenix Johan Hedberg G Trade from Pittsburgh Pat Kavanagh RW Re-signed Ryan Kesler C Ohio State (CCHA) Kirill Koltsov D Avangard Omsk (Russia) Zenith Komarniski D Re-signed Mats Lindgren D Re-signed Marek Malik D Re-signed Brad May LW Re-signed Tomas Mojzis D Seattle (WHL) Justin Morrison RW Re-signed Tyler Moss G Re-signed Chris Nielsen C Re-signed Ryan Ready RW Re-signed Jarkko Ruutu LW Re-signed Sami Salo D Re-signed Jesse Schultz RW Kelowna (WHL) Daniel Sedin RW Re-signed Henrik Sedin C Re-signed Jiri Slegr D Avangard Omsk (Russia) Departures Player Position Signed with Murray Baron D St. Louis Martin Brochu G Pittsburgh John Craighead RW Nottingham Panthers (England) Regan Darby D Not re-signed Darrell Hay D Not re-signed Bryan Helmer D Trade to Phoenix Chris Herperger C Krefeld Penguins (Germany) Trent Klatt RW Los Angeles Justin Kurtz D Krefeld Penguins (Germany) Trevor Letowski C Columbus Denis Martynyuk LW Amur Tigers Khabarovsk (Russia) Peter Skudra G Ak Bars Kazan (Russia) Herbert Vasiljevs RW Not re-signed

Jon A. Dolezar covers the NHL for SI.com.