Brendan Batchelor breaks down the upcoming season for the Vancouver Canucks

By: Andrew Benson
RP Show Intern

Disappointment

That is the word almost all Vancouver Canucks fans will use when they think of last season. After missing the playoffs, the Canucks were searching this offseason on how to turn the ship around, and make a playoff push this coming season.

“When you look at last season it’s more about not saying what went wrong but rather what went right, and the answer to that question is not much,” said Brendan Batchelor, the voice of the Vancouver Canucks.

“I think both for the players, the organization, the fans and for those of us that covered it as well, it’s a season we want to put behind us and hopefully move onto better things this year.”

It seems the Canucks have made some moves to try and move in that direction over the last few months. Most notable, the addition of Oliver Ekman-Larsson is likely the biggest name fans and analysts will be keeping their eye on during season

“I would say Ekman- Larson is probably, if I had to pick one player that could be a make-or-break player for the Canucks season this year, it’s him,” said Batchelor. “They brought him in to help solidify the top four on the blueline.”

After a few lackluster seasons with the Arizona Coyotes, it will be interesting to see if Ekman-Larson can return to form when he puts on the blue jersey for the Canucks.

““I’ve watched him a ton with the Coyotes, and I don’t think his best years are behind him,” said Rod Pedersen. “He is a tremendous, tremendous player.”

Batchelor said moving forward into this season, he isn’t worried about goals or goaltending.  The success of the Canucks comes down to the play of the defenseman.

“Thatcher Demko is not something you are worried about,” said Batchelor. “He has turned himself into a legitimate starting goaltender in the NHL. The Canucks forward group through the top 9 is as deep as I have seen it in my time covering this job. They will be able to score and they’ve got goaltending. It’s their defensive core that will make or break how well they do this year.”

Larson will be the key to getting the Canucks blueline in tip top shape if the team hopes to improve from a disappointing season last year.

“If he comes in and plays well, the Canucks will do well and their blueline will improve,” said Batchelor. “If he continues to struggle as we’ve seen in Arizona over the last couple of years, then it’s going to be a struggle for the Canucks to keep the puck out of their net.”