8. Vancouver Canucks
Total points: 115
Last season: 50-23-9, first in Pacific Division, lost in second round (EDM)
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Quinn Hughes, who won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman last season, said in Las Vegas that the Canucks learned a lot last season about being a winning team and what it takes to be a contender. He said they will be better for it. He might very well be right. They took strides in that direction this offseason by signing three players in forwards Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen, and defenseman Derek Forbort, who all come from a winning culture in Boston. They will bring that to the Canucks, who need to build on last season's success in order to establish the winning culture they want to have in Vancouver. Re-signing defenseman
Filip Hronek and signing defenseman
Vincent Desharnais, who also comes from a winning culture in Edmonton, are two important moves as well. I have the Canucks No. 8 in my Super 16. With Thatcher Demko back in goal and lessons learned from last season, they could find their way into the top five quickly. The Canucks are for real. They know it and now the rest of the NHL does too." -- Rosen"