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Arizona Coyotes 2015 Opponents: Vancouver Canucks

By William Grigsby

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The rivalry between the Vancouver Canucks and the Arizona Coyotes is classic

2014-15 record: 48-29-5, 2nd in the Pacific, Lost in six games to Calgary in the Western Conference Quarterfinals

 How the Arizona Coyotes did last season: 5 games, 2-3-0

Schedule this year against the Arizona Coyotes:  Fri 10/30 at Home, Mon 1/4 at Vancouver, Wed 2/10 Home, Wed 3/9 at Vancouver

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Team Newcomers:  LW Brandon Prust, C Brandon Sutter, G Richard Bachman

Now Ex-Players: G Eddie Lack, D Kevin Bieksa, RW Zack Kassian, C Nick Bonino, D Adam Clendening, C Shawn Matthias, RW Brad Richardson, D Ryan Stanton

Coached by: Willie Desjardins (2nd year)

 Who’s in Net:

Ryan Miller will be the starter, but the Canucks are not going to stop too many pucks from entering the net. They have AHL Phenom Jacob Markstrom, plus backup Richard Bachman ready to be targets for the second goalie spot.

Quick thoughts about the Canucks:

  •  The Canucks have had more goaltending problems than Donald Trump has supporters. They have had Luongo, Schneider, and then Lack, with the team now putting its hopes in Ryan Miller. And, the Canucks fans are feeling like they could protect the net better than Ryan Miller.
  • The twins have been fun to watch, but Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin may be on the down side of their best days.
  • It seems to us that the Vancouver team is in trouble, and we smell a rebuild soon, since most of their players including the Sedin brothers are close to collecting their retirement pension.

Why the Canucks will win the Stanley Cup:

 The only way that could happen is if they trade the Sedin twins, which is highly unlikely. Then if Jason Markstrom performs like a Vezina Trophy performing goalie (unlikely) they might have a shot… on second thought – not going to happen.

Why the Canucks won’t win the Stanley Cup:

 They’re beyond old, and didn’t get enough replacement players to make a run. The playoffs may just be a distant memory. They are going to fall as quickly as the Flames rose last season. We could even finish above them, if you know what I mean. As painful as it sounds, HOW DO YOU SPELL REBUILD?

Three Things We Like About You:

  •  We love your fans; they are boisterous and unruly, but loyal. At one game there was a row of Canucks fans attending a game in Phoenix who had their shirts off, and had a letter on each of their chests spelling “Canucks.” Well, the Coyotes were killing them in this game 5-0. Not even close. It didn’t deter the Canucks fans to chant: “We’ve got healthcare!”
  • There isn’t a goalie or coach who you don’t like, because you’ve gone through the list.
  • We have to admit we have played some fun games. Last season you won one game 7-1, and we slaughtered you 5-0, with Hanzal scoring a true hat-trick.

Three Things We Don’t Like About You:

  1. The Sedin twins give us a lot of trouble, if for nothing else we can’t tell them apart.
  2. We still have hard feelings about you stealing away Radim Vrbata, and haven’t had a 30 goal scorer since he left.
  3. We’re not certain why your team name has anything to do with a whale. When we looked it up it’s merely a slang word for a Canadian. Oh, right, that name was taken, so they improvised. Again, what about the whale? It may keep me up at night wondering.

Prediction:

We think the Canucks could finish below us this season. Unlike us they are not even planning to rebuild yet. If they come out skating with walkers soon, maybe the management will get the idea that their players are past their prime. Of course, then we may lose out to them for the right to draft Auston Matthews… what a dilemma.

Next: Arizona Coyotes Questions For Next Season

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