Canucks Defence: Bottom Four Struggling, Is It Time to Panic?
The Vancouver Canucks have been a rollercoaster of a team so far this season. They've had some fantastic wins and some absolutely brutal losses. But one consistent issue has been the bottom four on the defense. While the top pairing of Quinn Hughes and Oliver Ekman-Larsson has been a bright spot, the rest of the D-corps has been a real struggle.
The struggles haven't been a total surprise. The Canucks' offseason moves saw them bring in some experienced, but potentially over-the-hill defenders in Luke Schenn and Kyle Burroughs. They also had some younger players in the mix, like Jack Rathbone and Christian Wolanin, trying to find their footing in the NHL.
The Bottom Pairing Blues
The bottom pairing of Schenn and Burroughs has been particularly problematic. They've been prone to turnovers, and they haven't been able to generate much offense. It's been tough to watch at times, and you can just feel the pressure mounting on them. The team's lack of depth on defense has been a huge problem, and it's a question that's gotta be addressed, right?
Can the Canucks Fix This?
The good news for Vancouver is that there's still plenty of time to fix this issue. They've got a good core of players, and they can still make some moves to improve the defense. But the pressure is on. The Canucks have to figure out a way to get their defense back on track, or they'll be in for a long season.
One option could be to give more ice time to the younger guys like Rathbone and Wolanin. The Canucks need to find some combination that works, because right now, their defense is just too inconsistent.
It's Not All Bad
Even with the struggles of the bottom four, the Canucks still have a chance to be a good team. Their offense has been pretty good, and if they can get their defense figured out, they could be a real force in the Pacific Division.
The Canucks' defense is a work in progress. It's not all doom and gloom, but they need to make some changes. Will they make the changes and have a successful season? Time will tell.