Injuries have really taken the Canucks out of the game this year. Losing Demko for a long stretch early in the season, the numerous number of defensemen led to a major lack of stability in the team's defensive core. Had Demko not gotten injured earlier in 2022, with the team's resurgence ever since Tocchet came in, the team would've possibly been in a totally different position with less than 10 games on the season.
With a defensive core built around Hughes, Hronek, and Bear, if the Canucks can manage to keep a healthy core, can we hope for a playoff run next year?