Number Eightteen: Vancouver... same as last year?

The Canucks have always been defencive, ugly hockey for the past 3 years. Now they finally got that scoring punch back, or did they? It may seem like it, but on NHL.com, I learned that the Canucks had more goals against than for, and were in the bottom half of the league in goals for. So is the same old Vancouver? Not really. They have much more depth on offence now, and plus one big difference is that they are not off to a fast start, right now they are last in the division with a 4-5-0 record, while the Flames are off to an uncharacteristically good start, 2nd in the division at 5-3-1 and with less goals against than goals for. Like I said last year, I think the Canucks are in a rebuilding stage while the Flames are in the 'win now' situation Vancouver had a year ago. The Flames are losing some key guys at the end of the season. and they will not be able to afford them all. That said, Vancouver is in a pickle, as they will probably not be able to sign both Sedin twins, as they are asking for a whooping 12 million combined, a little over a quarter of every teams salary cap. I see a second round playoff exit by Calgary, and I see another year with no playoffs for the Canucks.