The Cup has been raised.

The draft has occurred.

The big free agents have been signed.

And yet, there are still over two and a half months left until the puck drops on the 2024-25 season.

I give GMPA props for addressing some of the concerns that most of us had at the end of the season, but questions still remain about this team and if they have the pieces necessary to get past the second round.

Question #1: Is Demko going to be healthy for the start of the year?

Demko’s absence was the issue the Canucks didn’t get out of the 2^nd round. One or two more saves and the Canucks may have had a shot at the Cup. Over the past 5 years, Demko has had 2 knee issues specifically and 2 more “lower body” issues. For this team to be a real contender, they need a healthy Demko. I will add this, one more major lower body injury, and I do believe that the Canucks might not be so eager to sign that next contract that is coming up is fast.

Question #2: Did the Canucks really address 2^nd line scoring?

Line one: Boeser-Miller-?

Line two: DeBrusk-Petey-?

Line three: Garland-Bluegar-Joshua

Line four: Sprong-Suter-?

That leaves Heinen, Sherwood, Hogs, Podz, Aman and PDG, to be slotted in or shipped down…or shipped out. Now, I am not sure about the pairings I have up there either, but I think you keep Brock/JT together and therefore Petey gets the new guy. A guy with some touch and toughness and hopefully the two of them can find a little speed. Maybe Sprong and Heinen get a chance with the top lines to see if they can bring some more goals, since both have had season around 20 goals.

Question #3: Is the defense as good as last year’s?

Short answer….look at question number one. If we actually look at the defensemen, I don’t think so. It’s not a big difference but I think GMPA would love to have a better 2^nd pairing. Right now there are a bunch of 3^rd pairing guys who will have to step it up. I think the forwards might be better defensively this year and it may make a guy like Soucy look better than he is on the 2^nd pairing.

Question #4: Is Boeser here for the full year?

Boeser hit the promised land last year with 40 goals and he was one of the best Canucks in the playoffs before taking that slapshot in the leg. The 27-year-old has always been trade bait before last year, and so the question becomes, “Do you believe that Brock can hit 30+ goals for the next 3-4 years?” Do you believe it enough that he should get a 5-7 year contract? I fear what the asking price is right now and heaven forbid if he has 20 goals by Christmas. If the Canucks are nearly as good as they were last year and Brock gets his goals, GMPA may have no choice but to sign him to 6-7 years at $8 million/yr. Or you trade him for a 1^st rounder or 2.

Question #5: Is Petey Healthy?

There seemed to be some disagreement between Petey and the Canucks over his health after the locker cleanout press conference. Petey said he had some knee/leg issues after the All-star break and the Canucks said, “Excuse me?...since when did you tell us?”. We can all agree that Petey played like crap for the 2^nd half and in the playoffs and him being injured was the logical conclusion. The Canucks and Taco always denied that Petey was hurt, when asked during the season, so maybe Petey is to blame. He didn’t talk to the Canucks before the contract got signed and then kept playing with the injury so the Canucks didn’t think he screwed them over. Sounds like a perfect relationship. Anywhose….I really hope that Petey is able to get his shit together so he can skate faster than a labradoodle.

Question #6: Will Hogs get traded?

I think the quick answer is yes. Nils is in his last year of RFA and while he scored 24 goals for the team last year….he might be the chip that gets a draft pick or two back for this team, who didn’t really have any value picks this year. If we look at Hogs scoring, you’ll see that he got most of his goals with Petey as a linemate, but his assist total was dismal. Hard to be a top 6 forward if you can’t create for others.

I am sure you have lots of questions as well….go ahead….ask them in the comments. We might answer them….I’m sure we will….in some sort of manner which includes sarcasm.