Canucks officially eliminated from playoff contention
Posted March 24, 2017 8:09 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Let’s face facts Canucks fans. A Stanley Cup was never a realistic goal this year, despite the team starting the season in style going 3-0 to get the campaign underway.
Despite the disappointment for Canuck Nation, the goal now shifts to the team getting a top draft pick. That focus became clearer last night when the Canucks were mathematically eliminated from the post-season after falling 4-1 to the St. Louis Blues.
The news may be what some were hoping for so the team can move on and get younger.
Rick Dhaliwal in the NEWS 1130 Sports Centre is optimistic Vancouver will land someone that can ultimately help the team in the future.
“It’s not a superstar draft. There’s no Connor McDavid’s or Auston Matthews’,” says Dhaliwal, “But the Canucks — if they can pick in the top 5 — and anytime you pick in the top 5 whether it’s a good draft or a weak draft, you’re going to get a good hockey player, a good prospect.”
This is the third time in the last four years that there will be no playoff hockey in Vancouver, but there’s still a lot at stake for the organization with just nine games remaining. “There’s a lot of guys fighting for jobs.” says Dhaliwal, “There’s a lot of guys trying to impress the coaches and management for a job next year. Play the kids. Find out what the young kids have heading into next season.”
The Canucks currently sit 27th out of 30 NHL teams.
