A Way Too Early Look At An Opening Night Lineup!

The Canucks have made a few moves this offseason, and in turn, we could see a slightly different opening night lineup. Below I have what I think should be our opening day roster plus my reasons as to why plus the different tiers that I put each player into.

Tier 1 -Superstar Players

This Tier is simple. Who are the two players you can’t live without on this team? Elias Petterson and Quinn Hughes.

Elias Petterson: In the 2022-23 season, Pettersson solidified his place among the NHL elite. His remarkable performance included a staggering 102 points (39 goals and 63 assists) in 80 games, showcasing his extraordinary offensive capabilities. Pettersson’s remarkable consistency, leadership, and ability to excel under pressure make him a true superstar for the Vancouver Canucks.

Quinn Hughes: Quinn Hughes, an exceptional defenseman, has earned his rightful place as a superstar for the Vancouver Canucks. His remarkable playmaking abilities, hockey intelligence, and unmatched offensive skills have propelled him to the top of his game. As a true leader on and off the ice, his remarkable talent and dedication continue to inspire both teammates and fans alike. Quinn Hughes has firmly established himself as one of the league’s premier defensemen and a superstar in the NHL.

Tier 2 – Star Players

Now there are some amazing players still on the team that just aren’t at the “Superstar” level in my opinion. These Players include Ilya Mikhayev, Andrei Kuzmenko, JT Miller, Filip Hronek, Anthony Beauvillier, and Brock Boeser.

Every team needs these types of players, who can score, Defend and so MUCH More.

Tier 3 – Middle of the lineup players

These players are the core of a deep team. This is where I find the Canucks lack some needed pieces and the pickups that Patrik Allvin has done are growing the team. I still think we need some more talent in the Tier 2 and 3 buckets however, it’s getting better. Players in this Tier: Tanner Pearson, Carson Soucy, Tyler Myers, Ian Cole, Nils Hoglander, Vasily Podkolzin.

As a team that has Deep winger depth, and little top-end Defense talent outside of Hughes and Hronek this is where the team rounds out. When you look at teams like Vegas, coming off their cup run, This is the last tier and the least amount of players. For a team like the Canucks, if these players start to hit above their weight class it could be the difference between a playoff birth and not.

Tier 4 – Bottom End

These players probably would be 4th liners or 7th D on a truly competitive team. Not that these players are bad, you just need to limit them on your roster and top-end teams don’t have more than 1-2 of these players. Players in this Tier: Teddy Blueger, Dakota Joshua, Sheldon Dries. Noah Juulsen. Phil Di Giuseppe, Nils Aman.

Now a couple of these Players I have as Extras on the Roster, but Still too many for a team that “needs” to make the playoffs.

Way too early Line-Up Projections

Line 1 Kuzemnko Petterson Mikheyev
Line 2 Beauvillier Miller Boeser
Line 3 Pearson Blueger Joshua
Line 4 Hoglander Dries Podkolzin

Pair 1 Hughes Juulsen
Pair 2 Soucy Hronek
Pair 3 Myers Cole

Extras: Di Guiseppe, Aman.

What do you think of the Hughes Sports Early Opening Night Lineup? Comment below! Who did we mis-tier or what does your lineup look like?

Ep 68 – Canucks can Hang with the Oilers Plus Our Game one Expereince Plus It's the Old Man Vs Jeh – Was it a High Stick? – Hughes Sports Podcast- HSP

Canucks Fans, This One's for You!Join Jake and Kevin Hughes on Episode 68 of the Hughes Sports Podcast as they dive deep into the question: Can the Canucks hang with the Oilers in the NHL Playoffs? Fresh off attending Game 1, the guys share their experiences and insights, offering a Canucks fan's perspective on the series. But that's not all! They also provide analysis and predictions for the rest of the NHL Playoffs, keeping you up-to-date on the hottest matchups and contenders.Here's why Canucks fans will love this episode:Get the Inside Scoop on Canucks vs. Oilers: Hear firsthand experiences from Canucks fans who attended Game 1.Canucks Playoff Hopes Analyzed: Dive into a deep discussion on whether the Canucks can compete with the Oilers.The Rest of the NHL Playoffs Preview: Stay ahead of the curve with predictions and analysis on the hottest matchups across the league.Whether you're a die-hard Canucks fan or a casual hockey enthusiast, this episode is packed with entertaining commentary and playoff predictions you won't want to miss. Tune in to the Hughes Sports Podcast today!Keywords: Canucks, Oilers, NHL Playoffs, Playoffs, Hockey, Analysis, Predictions, Hughes Sports Podcast

1. Ep 68 – Canucks can Hang with the Oilers Plus Our Game one Expereince Plus It's the Old Man Vs Jeh – Was it a High Stick? 01:05:47
2. Ep. 67: Can the Canucks Close the series? Plus the rest of the NHL Playoffs 01:00:12
3. Ep 66: Arland Bruce IV Joins the Show Prior to the NFL Draft PLUS breaking down the Canucks Series 01:00:12
4. Ep. 65: NHL Playoff Preview Extravaganza! Plus Catching up on all the NHL News with Special Guest Darren Dupont 01:01:28
5. Ep. 64: Canucks Playoff Bound! Who's the Matchup? Ft. Kelly Kellner (Cool Bets) 57:12