Vancouver Canucks 2021-22 Predictions, Betting Odds and Season Preview
Canucks GM Jim Benning had himself a busy offseason and one that could possibly save his job.
Looking Back
After an exciting push in 2020’s NHL playoff bubble, the Canucks were expected to take a huge step and contend in the North Division. Well, the season was riddled with COVID-19 shutdowns as the virus hit most of the team, leaving them with a disastrous 23-33 record. Missing Elias Pettersson for most of the season is a big reason why they scored the least in their division, playing the under in 28 of their 56 games.
Key Acquisitions and Moves
Jim Benning got the ball rolling in the offseason with a huge trade, moving out Loui Eriksson, Jay Beagle and Antoine Roussel, three contracts Benning regretted ever signing. In return, Arizona sent them Connor Garland and Oliver Ekman-Larrson, two players stuck on a garbage team that could have bounceback seasons.
On free agent day, the Nuck’s did not extend veteran Alexander Edler and after 15 seasons with the club, he heads to Los Angeles. Also leaving the team were Nate Schmidt, Jake Virtanen and goalie Braden Holtby.
The most important signings for Benning this summer were Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes who are the real tempo pushers in the lineup. He added some depth as well with Jason Dickinson, Luke Schenn, Tucker Poolman and backup Jaroslav Halak all coming in as free agents.
Betting Odds – Futures, Props
Last year’s 24th place finish certainly lowers the expectation for this season, but oddsmakers still have them in the running for that last wild card spot. Betting on the Canucks to make the playoffs at +114 would double your money. Still looking for their first Stanley Cup, they open at +4200 to win it right behind Chicago and St. Louis.
The Canucks will need big seasons from a lot of their young stars this year if they want to get back into the playoff picture. Defenceman Quinn Hughes is a +1800 for the James Norris Trophy, the eighth highest on the board. 22-year-old Hughes models his game after Duncan Keith and was the Calder Trophy runner-up two seasons ago. Thatcher Demko cracks the top 10 on our Vezina Trophy Winner board at +2100. Demko has less than 100 games of NHL experience, but with his backup goalie leaving the team, he will likely get more starts than he is used to. The rookie to watch at Canucks camp was Vasily Podkolzin. He has +1400 odds to win this year’s Calder Trophy ranking ninth on the list.
Vancouver Canucks 2021-22 Season Prediction
With Peterson back healthy and some much-needed improvement on the point, Vancouver should improve the way people expected them to last season and in the Pacific Division, betting them to make the playoffs is well worth the risk at that payout. Thatcher Demko will see more starts than usual, making him a nice dark horse Vezina pick at +2100.