The NHL’s conference finals have been highly competitive and a showcase of exceptional hockey skill. The remaining teams in the playoffs have proven themselves to be of high quality, with an average of 110 points in the regular season. Despite their strengths, there are still areas where they can improve.
The Vancouver Canucks, in particular, have shown significant improvement this season and came close to advancing to the third round of the playoffs. By comparing their roster to that of the conference finalists using The Athletic’s Net Rating model, we can identify areas where the Canucks excel and where they need to focus on in the offseason.
Starting with goaltending, the model underrates Arturs Silovs due to his limited NHL experience. However, if we replace him with Thatcher Demko, the Canucks’ goaltending becomes more formidable than that of the average conference finalist.
In terms of center depth, the Canucks stand out. J.T. Miller is rated as a superstar-level contributor, and Elias Pettersson’s struggles in the second half of the season are overlooked by the model. Vancouver’s center depth is better than that of the average finalist.
However, when it comes to wingers, the Canucks lack quality, depth, and star-level talent compared to the conference finalists. While Brock Boeser is seen as a star by the model, he falls short of the level of other top wingers in the playoffs.
On defense, Quinn Hughes is seen as equivalent in value to other top defensemen, but the Canucks still lack a top-pair-caliber defender. Their blue line depth is weaker compared to the conference finalists.
Based on this analysis, the Canucks should prioritize maintaining their center depth, acquiring another star-level winger, and adding two more top-four-caliber defenders. The challenge for Canucks management will be balancing the need for these improvements with preserving salary cap space.
In conclusion, while the Canucks have made significant strides this season, there are areas where they can still improve to have a better chance of advancing further in the playoffs next season. By addressing their weaknesses and building on their strengths, they can become stronger contenders in the future.