Welcome to this segment of "From the Archive," where we revisit notable past articles from Hockey News about the Vancouver Canucks. Today’s feature is from Volume 63, Issue 22, where Eliotte Papp discussed the potential for the Canucks to reach the 2010 Stanley Cup final.
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Expired 12 Year Itch, Volume 62, Issue 22, April 12, 2010
Many believed 2006 would be the year of the Canucks’ deep playoff run. Since joining the NHL in 1970, the Canucks made it to the Stanley Cup final in 1982, where despite losing to the dominant New York Islanders, they generated great excitement by winning three playoff rounds.
Twelve years later, they surprised fans again by reaching the finals in 1994, pushing the star-studded New York Rangers to a seven-game series, creating another memorable chapter for fans. These occurrences in 1970, 1982, and 1994 led to the so-called "12-year rule," fueling hopes for a repeat in 2006. However, that year ended disappointingly without a playoff appearance.
Major changes soon followed: Manager Mark Crawford was replaced by Alan Vinny, and star Todd Bertuzzi was traded for goalie Roberto Luongo, signaling a new era in Vancouver hockey.
By 2010, under coach Alain Vigneault and general manager Mike Gillis, the Canucks looked poised for a successful playoff run. Veteran player Mikael Samuelsson, a 2008 Stanley Cup champion, cautiously remarked that while the team had potential, success also relied on luck with injuries and game bounces.
In 1982, despite injuries to key defenders, the Canucks benefited from upsets like the famous "Miracle on Manchester," where the Edmonton Oilers were defeated by the Los Angeles Kings, smoothing Vancouver’s playoff path.
Goalie Richard Brodeur, known as "King Richard," was crucial before the Islanders ended that dream. In 1994, aside from the loss of defenseman Dana Murzyn, the team showed resilience, winning tough road series with remarkable goaltending by Kirk McLean, whose Game 7 save against Calgary remains iconic.
Like McLean, Luongo had strong regular seasons and Vezina Trophy nominations but limited playoff success. Before joining Vancouver, he never made the playoffs, and with the Canucks, he held a balanced 2-2 playoff record, including a Game 7 win against Dallas in 2007. Although critics doubted him at times, Luongo proved his clutch ability, notably by leading Team Canada to Olympic gold in 2010.
With strong goaltending and stars like Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler—the latter developing into a top two-way player and penalty killer—the Canucks were well-equipped offensively. Kesler’s growth as a scorer and defensive expert enhanced their playoff prospects significantly.
While lacking a game-breaking player like Pavel Bure, the Canucks’ depth scoring and balance, including contributions from Daniel Sedin, Alex Burrows, Samuelsson, and Mason Raymond, added to their strengths.
However, the biggest concern was the defense. Long-term injuries to key defenseman Willie Mitchell and loss of Brad Lukowich weakened their blue line depth, challenging the coaching staff to compensate with players like Alex Edler and Christian Ehrhoff. Both Ehrhoff and Sami Salo were vital to defense and transition play, making their health critical for a playoff run.
Kevin Bieksa emphasized the importance of depth, good goaltending, and special teams in winning playoff games. The Canucks showed improvement in power play and penalty killing, with goaltending remaining a strong factor despite Mitchell’s absence.
In summary, the Canucks had the necessary components for success, but luck and a healthy blue line remain essential for a deep playoff journey.
Fan Take: This article highlights the blend of talent, resilience, and fortune necessary for playoff success, underscoring why hockey is a thrilling sport where outcomes are never guaranteed. For fans, it’s a reminder of the Canucks’ rich history and the challenges teams face in their quest for a Stanley Cup, inspiring excitement and anticipation for future seasons.
