Quoting: Warpbox
Under Boudreau they were on a 109 point pace. This year they also get to work on systems before the season and have added Kuzmenko who could be up to a 50-60 point guy. They were destroyed by their PK and since then have added Mikheyev and Lazar. I think they could be a sneaky good team this year
My comment on the defensive capabilities was mainly geared towards the dcore, and that they are much more reliant on Demko for the overall success of the team. Mind you, while the forward core has gotten better defensively with additions like Mikeyhev (contract will likely bite them) and Lazar as you mentioned, I would still put them in the bottom third of the league in defensive capabilities. If the Canucks can get 1 or 2 guys at RHD that can stop the Canucks from getting walked as easily and reduce the workload on Demko, they will be a much scarier team that can actually be taken as a legitimate threat.
The only problem with that is teams will be asking an exorbitant price for those players, especially since RHD is the money position at the moment. Vancouver will either have to start drafting their own or accept the price that is asked.
Just a bit of curiosity to do with Horvat, with the recent extension given to Miller, where does that leave Horvat. Add in the extensions they need to give to Petey, Kuzmenko, and Podkolzin, among others, I wouldn’t be surprised if Vancouver deals Horvat at the deadline if they are on the outside looking in. Genuinely curious, but if they are on the outside of a playoff spot come the trade deadline, what do you think will happen with Horvat, cause I can’t see Vancouver just letting him walk for nothing.