Seven months removed from finishing second last in the NHL with a frustrating 69 points, the Vancouver Canucks find themselves in a position few around the league expected them to be in through a quarter of the season: holding down the first Western Conference wild-card spot.
Sure, there's still plenty of puck left to be played, but the fact remains, the Canucks are one of the biggest pleasant surprises so far, and a lot of that has to do with the seamless meshing of old and new regimes.
The combination of established veteran Canucks and players new to the team is plain to see when you take a look at Vancouver's forward lines, with a nice mix of youth and experience sprinkled throughout the lineup:
(Lines courtesy: DailyFaceoff.com)
Although, let's not get it twisted, as much as the Canucks have been a feel-good story, a lot of that success has to do with the top line of Sven Baertschi, Bo Horvat, and Brock Boeser.
The "Killer Bs" have been nothing short of sensational for head coach Travis Green and Co., combining to lead the offensive charge for Vancouver.
Through 22 games, Boeser (11), Baertschi (8), and Horvat (8) have posted impressive numbers, combining for 44 percent of the Canucks' total goal output (61).
While Boeser continues to dominate Calder Trophy chatter (sorry, Clayton Keller), some of Vancouver's offseason additions are being somewhat overlooked despite playing some excellent hockey.
When the Canucks added veterans Thomas Vanek, Michael Del Zotto, and Sam Gagner this past summer, hockey fans in B.C. couldn't help but feel a sense of nervousness. Nervous about the potential results that would stem from adding three guys with their better days likely behind them.
However, so far, general manager Jim Benning's risky moves are paying off, as the combination of seasoned vets and talented young guns is currently powering the team to a playoff position.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Also, don't forget, another big reason for Vancouver's .500 record of 11-8-3 has been the play of another offseason veteran addition in netminder Anders Nilsson, who is serving as a superb second option to No. 1 'tender Jacob Markstrom.
Across his seven starts, Nilsson has been rock-solid, going 5-1-1 while posting a .934 save percentage and 2.25 goals-against average in relief of Markstrom.
Stellar performances from their young stars, unexpectedly strong starts from the supporting cast, and consistency in net have the old and new regimes combining quite nicely for the Canucks.
But who's to thank for this harmonious combination?
Look no further than first-year bench boss and former 16-year NHLer Travis Green, who already has his name being mentioned in early Jack Adams Award discussions.
Green was taking heat from fans and media just over a month ago for sitting Boeser for the first three games, choosing not to rush the 20-year-old into any regular-season action this campaign.
Funny how winning can change things.
That move, along with others, is another major reason Vancouver is currently proving the haters wrong.
Green's four years spent grooming the Canucks' future NHL talent in Utica with the AHL's Comets has allowed him to watch some of his current players with a keen eye, leading the club to taste success in a season that most expected them to be bottom feeders.
Again, there is still lots of hockey left on the schedule, and Vancouver could end up finding itself in the basement come April. But for now, meshing of the old and the new have the Canucks forcing people to take notice.
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