Taking a Look At The Vancouver Canucks Offseason Departures and Additions a Month Into The NHL Season
As the 2024-25 NHL season heats up, fans in Vancouver have had plenty to cheer about with the Canucks' strong start. Yet, the departure of several familiar faces from last season has left many wondering how these former players are faring with their new teams. Here's a roundup of some notable ex-Canucks and their performances so far.
Casey DeSmith - Dallas Stars
Casey DeSmith, who played a key backup role for the Canucks last year, has seamlessly transitioned into his spot behind Jake Oettinger in Dallas. DeSmith's season began on a high note with a 25-save shutout against the Seattle Kraken. His current numbers-a 2.03 GAA and a .922 save percentage over four games-show he's off to a promising start. Notably, he ranks ninth in goals saved above expected (3.7) and shines in high-danger saves with a .929 percentage. While his sample size is small, DeSmith's early success has made him a valuable asset for the Stars.
Ian Cole - Utah Hockey Club
Ian Cole's exit may not have generated as many headlines as other departures, but his influence is missed on Vancouver's blue line. Now with the Utah Hockey Club, Cole has contributed a steady defensive presence, already racking up 28 blocked shots in 14 games-outpacing any current Canucks defenseman. He's also managed 10 shots on goal, showing a more aggressive approach compared to last season.
Ilya Mikheyev - Chicago Blackhawks
Mikheyev's tenure in Vancouver was marred by an ACL injury that hampered his effectiveness. Now in Chicago, he's skating alongside former Canuck Jason Dickinson and Teuvo Teräväinen. With just one goal and one assist in 15 games, Mikheyev's offensive production remains limited. However, his defensive contributions continue to be valued as he settles into his role with the Blackhawks.
Sam Lafferty - Buffalo Sabres
Traded in June, Sam Lafferty has found himself on Buffalo's fourth line, playing alongside Peyton Krebs. While not a major scoring threat, he registered his first goal of the season against the Rangers' Igor Shesterkin. With 17 hits in 13 games, Lafferty's physical play is a consistent element of his game and helps round out Buffalo's depth.
Key Offseason Additions
Now let's look at their three key offseason additions. Jake Debrusk has been good, not great, with 3 goals and 4 assists in 12 games. That's right on par with his career average. Fans may have hoped for a "Zach Hyman effect," where DeBrusk would suddenly become a 40+ goal scorer, but the reality is that he's performing as expected and playing to his strengths.
As for Kiefer Sherwood and Danton Heinen, they have been excellent depth pickups. Sherwood, in particular, has quickly become a fan favorite and is leading the league in hits as he aims to solidify himself as the league's premier grinder and pest. Heinen has also contributed solidly, rounding out the lineup with reliable play.
| POLL | ||
Who of these 4 departures do you think was the biggest mistake to let go for the Canucks? | ||
| Casey DeSmith | 42 | 23.7 % |
| Ian Cole | 82 | 46.3 % |
| Ilya Mikheyev | 21 | 11.9 % |
| Sam Lafferty | 32 | 18.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
