Vancouver Canucks disrespected in recent predictions by NHL Network radio show

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Cooper Godin
October 6, 2024 (2:27 PM)

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The Vancouver Canucks were disrespected in recent predictions for the 2024-25 season by the NHL Network's radio show �The Power Play'.

Being underestimated and disrespected is nothing new for the Vancouver Canucks. Heading into the 2023-24 season, the Canucks weren't expected to do a whole lot and many had them being in the mix for the wild card spot in the Western Conference, but they exceeded expectations. Rick Tocchet's group went on to finish first place in the Pacific Division and made it all the way to Game 7 of the second round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

There was a bit of change to the team's roster this summer. In comes Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, Daniel Sprong, Kiefer Sherwood, Kevin Lankinen, Derek Forbort and Vincent Desharnais, while Sam Lafferty, Ilya Mikheyev, Vasily Podkolzin, Casey DeSmith, Nikita Zadorov and Elias Lindholm all left the organization.

Expectations are high in Vancouver as many believe this team is capable of matching or even exceeding what they did last year and potentially making it to the Western Conference Final.

On Saturday, �The Power Play', a radio show on the NHL Network, shared their predictions on who would win each division during the regular season, as well as who they think will be hoisting the Stanley Cup in June 2025.

Only ONE analyst participating in these predictions believed that the Vancouver Canucks would win the Pacific Division for a second consecutive season and that was TSN's Craig Button. The eight others, including Frankie Corrado, Martin Biron and Anthony Stewart, picked the Edmonton Oilers to take home the Pacific Division title.

This group of Canucks players know what they're capable of doing and with the belief of their coaching staff, Vancouver can go quite far, but as with any team, there are some question marks. The biggest for Vancouver being their goaltending situation, with Thatcher Demko still working his way back from back-to-back knee injuries last season.

We'll have to wait and see what this season has in store for the Vancouver Canucks, but spirits are high among the team and the fan base, and that's great to see heading into a new campaign.