Canucks make coaching change, add experience in offseason

After the NHL Draft, free agency and other offseason moves, NHL.com is taking a look at where each team stands. Today, the Vancouver Canucks:

The Vancouver Canucks finished with the second-fewest points (69) in the NHL last season, missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second straight season and third time in the past four. But they have refused to sit back and watch, responding with a flurry of offseason activity.
\[RELATED: Complete Team Reset coverage\]
The Canucks fired coach Willie Desjardins on April 10, replacing him with Travis Green on April 26. Vancouver then strengthened its depth by signing forward Sam Gagner to a three-year, $9.45 million contract, goaltender Anders Nilsson to a two-year, $5 million contract, and defenseman Michael Del Zotto to a two-year, $6 million contract on July 1.
Vancouver continued to boost its prospect pool by selecting Swedish center Elias Pettersson with the fifth pick in the 2017 NHL Draft. The Canucks have a potential impact rookie in right wing Brock Boeser, but some of their other top prospects may have a more difficult time earning full-time NHL roles after Vancouver signed more experienced players.
But the biggest storyline for the Canucks is that longtime forwards Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin are each in a contract year and will turn 37 on Sept. 26. Vancouver's performance this season will go a long way in determining the future of the Sedins and the team's long-term direction. The Canucks, though improved, remain in the middle ground between postseason contention and a rebuild.
Here is what the Canucks look like today:

Key arrivals

Travis Green, coach: The 46-year-old was promoted after four seasons coaching Utica of the American Hockey League. Green played 14 NHL seasons, totaling 455 points (193 goals, 262 assists) in 970 games. … Sam Gagner, C/RW: The 27-year-old brings versatility to the Canucks lineup, and will most likely play on either the top line with the Sedins or the third line with Brandon Sutter. Either way, he should see significant power-play time after scoring 18 power-play points on the first unit for the Columbus Blue Jackets last season. Gagner is coming off an NHL career-high 50 points (18 goals, 32 assists) in 81 games. … Anders Nilsson, G: The 27-year-old had the best save percentage (.923) of his NHL career last season, going 10-10-4 in 26 games with the Buffalo Sabres. … Michael Del Zotto, D: The left-shooting defenseman had 18 points in 51 games with the Philadelphia Flyers last season. He has shown even more offensive flair in the past, scoring 41 points in 2011-12 with the New York Rangers and 32 in 2014-15 with the Flyers. … Alexander Burmistrov, C/LW: The 25-year-old signed a one-year, $900,000 contract July 1. He scored 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 26 games after being claimed off waivers by the Arizona Coyotes from the Winnipeg Jets on Jan. 2. … Patrick Wiercioch, D: The 26-year-old signed a one-year, $650,000 contract July 1. He has 74 points (16 goals, 58 assists) in 268 career NHL games with the Ottawa Senators and Colorado Avalanche. … Elias Pettersson, C: The 18-year-old excelled in Sweden's second division with 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists) in 43 games, and is expected to play for Vaxjo of the Swedish Hockey League this season.

Key departures

Ryan Miller, G: The 37-year-old goaltender signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Anaheim Ducks on July 1, opening the door for a potential time-share situation in Vancouver involving Nilsson, Jacob Markstrom and possibly Richard Bachman. Miller went 18-29-6 with a 2.80 goals-against average, .914 save percentage and three shutouts in 54 games last season. … Luca Sbisa, D:The 27-year-old defenseman was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL Expansion Draft. He played the past three seasons in Vancouver, totaling 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists) in 199 games. His 352 hits in the span led the Canucks, and his 308 blocked shots ranked third on the team. … Nikita Tryamkin, D: The 22-year-old signed a contract with Avtomobilist of the Kontinental Hockey League. … Philip Larsen, D: The 27-year-old signed a contract with Salavat Yulaev of the KHL.

On the cusp

Brock Boeser, RW:The 20-year-old joined the Canucks late last season after his sophomore season at the University of North Dakota, and made an immediate impact with five points (four goals, one assist) in nine games. He combined to score 94 points (43 goals, 51 assists) in 74 games over two NCAA seasons. …Nikolay Goldobin, RW: The 21-year-old scored all three of his goals in 12 games with the Canucks after being acquired from the San Jose Sharks for Jannik Hansen on March 1. He has an outside shot at a top six role but is more likely to land on the third or fourth line. … Jake Virtanen, RW:The 20-year-old played under Green in Utica and will compete for an NHL roster spot in the final season of his entry-level contract. … Anton Rodin, RW: The 26-year-old was limited to three NHL games and three AHL games last season because of a knee injury, but should be in the mix with Goldobin and Virtanen for playing time. … Olli Juolevi, D: The 19-year-old has yet to play an NHL game and will have a tough time cracking the lineup with seven more proven defensemen under contract. That said, Juolevi's point production for London of the Ontario Hockey League speaks for itself; he has 84 points (19 goals, 65 assists) in 115 games over two OHL seasons.

What they still need

The Canucks' biggest priority is to sign Bo Horvat, a restricted free agent. The 22-year-old is coming off an NHL career-high 52 points (20 goals, 32 assists) last season and is Vancouver's most promising offensive player. He played frequently with left wing Sven Baertschi last season and could take a further step forward if he centers Boeser for a full season. … Forward Brendan Gaunce, who scored five points (all assists) in 57 games with the Canucks last season, is another restricted free agent.

Pete Jensen's fantasy focus

Considering the Sedins' scoring pedigree and Horvat's fantasy outburst last season in a secondary role, Boeser has a real chance to emerge as a Calder Trophy candidate on either of Vancouver's top two lines. Boeser had impressive category coverage with five points (four goals, one assist), two power-play points and 25 shots on goal in nine NHL games, and has a ceiling of 25-30 goals if he plays on the first power-play unit.

Projected lineup

Daniel Sedin -- Henrik Sedin -- Loui Eriksson
Sven Baertschi -- Bo Horvat -- Brock Boeser
Markus Granlund -- Sam Gagner -- Brandon Sutter
Nikolay Goldobin -- Alexander Burmistrov -- Derek Dorsett
Alexander Edler - Troy Stecher
Michael Del Zotto - Chris Tanev
Ben Hutton - Erik Gudbranson
Jacob Markstrom
Anders Nilsson