Why the Canucks don’t win
An answer for the Vancouver franchise who is yet to win a Stanley Cup
April 2, 2008
Josh Schweitzer
Now before I get into my article, most of those who know me at all know very well that the Vancouver Canucks are my least favourite National Hockey League franchise. Thus, writing a seemingly controversial article might seem like an act of hatred towards my dreaded home-province team. However, this is not merely hate mail, this is a whole-hearted explanation as to why the Vancouver Canucks have not won a Stanley Cup in their 38-year-old lifespan.
The problem is their inability to select the rights to available amateur players who will develop into bona fide NHL superstars, i.e. the draft.
With the exception of the Sedin twins, who can hardly be called NHL superstars, the Canucks currently have a single regular roster player who was drafted in the first round since 1995 (Ryan Kesler), and three since 1988 (Kesler, Mattias Ohlund, and Trevor Linden).
A look at the team’s more recent history at NHL entry drafts further proves the Canucks dire need to change the way things have been going. In 2003, the Canucks passed on the opportunity to select Mike Richards and Corey Perry, and instead went for Kesler. In 2004, Vancouver selected goaltender Cory Schneider; the Washington Capitals picked up speedy defenseman Mike Green, who leads all NHL defensemen in goals this season, just a couple picks later.
The following year they drafted Luc Bourdon tenth overall, only to have the Los Angeles Kings nab Slovenian sniper Anze Kopital the following pick. In 2006, Vancouver drafted Michael Grabner, who is putting up decent numbers in the American Hockey League.
Last year, the Nucks went way off the board to select center man Patrick White from the Tri-City Storm of the USHL. One draft pick later, the St. Louis Blues chose promising up-and-comer David Perron who has already played over 50 games in the NHL and has 22 points.
The answer to the Canucks’ problems is better drafting. Whether or not the scouting crew in Vancouver needs to be cleaned out, this franchise will continue to come up short year after year unless this issue is addressed. For the time being, I am quite content with the situation.
Take a look at the history of Vancouver Canuck outings at the NHL entry draft here.
Now you go...
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