Vancouver Canucks

An offensive juggernaut with a heavy Swedish accent is talking of nothing less than the Cup

By Michael Farber

Team Page | Predicted Finish: 5

Expectations are high in Vancouver or, as some like to call it, Stockholm West. There are seven regulars from Sweden on the Canucks' roster, including captain Markus Naslund. They join monster right wing Todd Bertuzzi and Norris Trophy-caliber defenseman Ed Jovanovski on a team that should comfortably return to the playoffs. But a premature exit, like the shocking second-round loss after being up three games to one to the Wild last spring, is no longer acceptable. "Our expectations have to be higher," says Bertuzzi.

Markus Naslund Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images/NHLI SI RANKING (1 best - 30 worst) OFFENSE 3 DEFENSE 11 GOALTENDING 22 POWER PLAY 3 PENALTY KILLING 9 G.M. AND COACH 9

And well they should, given that Vancouver has the NHL's most explosive linemates -- Bertuzzi and Naslund combined for 94 goals and 201 points last season. But the Canucks will remain vulnerable in the playoffs unless they develop a second scoring unit. They added free-agent wing Magnus Arvedson, a checker with the Senators but a projected second-liner in Vancouver. He could flank identical twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin, who have virtually been spectators in Vancouver's steady rise from the Canuckleheads who missed the playoffs from 1996-97 through 1999-2000 to Stanley Cup threats.

After three years in the league the brothers have averaged a combined 65 points per season, but many observers think this will be their breakout year. "I expect nothing but outstanding play from them," Bertuzzi says. "Daniel's a 30-goal scorer and Hank's a 60-point guy."

The biggest problem for the Canucks is that they give up too many goals at pivotal moments. For the third straight postseason Dan Cloutier ranked near the bottom among playoff goaltenders in save percentage. Thus, to give coach Marc Crawford a viable alternative if Cloutier falters again, Burke acquired -- what else? -- a Swede, Johan (the Moose) Hedberg, in a trade with Pittsburgh.

Burke says he does not check passports, just hockey ability, and Vancouver has enough of that to make it to the Western Conference finals, maybe beyond. Given the popularity of the Maple Leafs, the Canucks probably wouldn't become Canada's Team even if they won the Cup. Being Sweden's Team is a nice consolation.

Insider

Ed Jovanovski might be the most feared two-way blueliner in the league. He jumps into the play well and is also a devastating bodychecker. ... Over the last two years G.M. Brian Burke has done a good job of adding complementary players such as defensemen Sami Salo and Marek Malik and F's Mats Lindgren and Magnus Arvedson. ... The Canucks must play with more self-control early in games. They're overly aggressive and take too many penalties, often putting themselves in a hole.

Issue date: October 13, 2003