VANCOUVER CANUCKS
LAST SEASON: 49-29-5, 101 points. Lost to Calgary in Western Conference quarterfinals.
COACH: Willie Desjardins (one NHL season, 48-29-5).
ADDED: G Richard Bachman, D Matt Bartkowski, D Taylor Fedun, C Blair Jones, LW Brandon Prust, C Brandon Sutter.
LOST: D Kevin Bieksa, C Nick Bonino, RW Zack Kassian, G Eddie Lack, C Shawn Matthias, C Brad Richardson.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Goalies Ryan Miller and Jacob Markstrom. Just three seasons ago, Vancouver had perhaps the NHL's best goaltender tandem in Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider. Then former GM Mike Gillis traded Schneider to the New Jersey Devils and Luongo went to Florida after then-coach John Tortorella alienated the goaltender by selecting Eddie Lack to start the Heritage Classic outdoor game.
OUTLOOK: The reconstructed Canucks will face a challenge in making the Western Conference playoffs. A 101-point team last season, Vancouver replaced useful components Kevin Bieksa, Nick Bonino, Zack Kassian, Eddie Lack, Shawn Matthias and Brad Richardson with just Brandon Sutter and Brandon Prust. That may not be enough.
