Player grades for every member of the Vancouver Canucks halfway through the 2024-25 season.
Well, we’re slightly over halfway at 42 games, but who’s counting? Other than the NHL, for purposes of accurate statistics and the standings. Look, it’s not my fault that games 41 and 42 were on back-to-back nights.
Unfortunately, Bains struggled defensively after his strong start and he got limited ice time. Bains was sent down to the AHL not long after Dakota Joshua returned to the Canucks’ lineup and he hasn’t been back up since. Blueger’s underlying numbers on the penalty kill aren’t particularly good either, so that’s also an area that could use some improvement.
Erik Brännström - C- We’ve seen two different Erik Brännströms this season. There was the Brännström of the first quarter of the season, who controlled puck possession, competed hard defensively to make up for his smaller stature, and chipped in some secondary scoring. Jake DeBrusk - B+ Let’s not complicate matters in our grading process. Jake DeBrusk leads the Canucks in goalscoring with 17 goals. He’s played a decent two-way game, though he’s had some defensive lapses — looking at you, overtime goal in Washington. He’s largely lived up to expectations.
Vincent Desharnais - C- Some might suggest that I’m being too kind to Vincent Desharnais with a C- grade, but I’ve been genuinely impressed with how he’s improved as the season has progressed. He’s provided next to nothing offensively but his defensive game has taken steps forward as he’s settled into the Canucks’ system.
Derek Forbort - C Derek Forbort has dealt with a lot this season, from personal loss to injuries, so has only played 16 games. In those 16 games, Forbort has looked slow and has struggled to move the puck. Conor Garland - A- The Canucks would be in a lot of trouble this season if not for Conor Garland, who has stepped up when the team’s star forwards have struggled or been absent from the team due to injury or personal leave. Garland leads the Canucks forwards in scoring with 30 points in 42 games, putting him on pace for new career highs in goals, assists, and points.
Hronek is actually first on the Canucks in expected goals percentage at 5-on-5, just ahead of Hughes, though that’s largely because he’s the one who got injured and he didn’t have to spend a big chunk of the season playing alongside Tyler Myers.Quinn Hughes - A+ Was there any doubt? Of course, Quinn Hughes is getting an A+. Of course.
Instead, Höglander hasn’t even been able to stay in the lineup consistently. He has just 2 goals and 8 points in 39 games and has repeatedly found himself in Tocchet’s doghouse thanks to poor decisions in the defensive zone or penalties in the offensive zone. Noah Juulsen - D There have been times this season when Noah Juulsen has looked borderline unplayable. But, to a certain extent, it’s not his fault. With Filip Hronek injured, Juulsen was forced to play bigger minutes against tougher competition and struggled in that larger role.
Signed after the start of training camp, Lankinen has been the Canucks’ best goaltender and arguably saved the Canucks’ season with his play in the first half. His .906 save percentage may not look like much but it’s actually clearly above the league average of .901 and he’s already posted four shutouts this season.
Still, Miller’s underlying numbers at 5-on-5 are quite strong. He leads all Canucks forwards in expected goals percentage, just ahead of Garland, as well as in on-ice goals for per 60 minutes, even if he’s not the one scoring the goals most of the time. Elias Pettersson - B- Yes, I’m giving Elias Pettersson a lower grade than J.T. Miller. Don’t freak out about it.
Aatu Räty - C- Aatu Räty’s 20 games for the Canucks this season have been very non-descript but there is one area where he excels: faceoffs. On top of that, Sasson has shown some confidence in holding onto the puck and distributing it in the offensive zone, allowing him to pick up a few points: 6 points in 19 games, to be exact.
Sherwood is on pace to shatter the record for most hits in a season, as he leads the league with a whopping 249 hits in 42 games.
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