Four wins in a row, all on the road, where they outscored their opponents 13-6. Not what most fans would consider a tragedy, for most teams. But these are the Vancouver Canucks, and the Vancouver Canucks fans come with them. And there's a difference of opinion on which direction they should go.

Streaks or Substance

First comes a definition of "tanking" that everyone will accept. I've always hated the term because it implies sabotage or deliberately throwing a fight, and that's not something the folks in the game are going to do. Likewise, the definition of management making the team worse isn't actually sabotage - it's strategy. So I don't like that being called "tanking" either, but, for now, it will do.

The Quinn Hughes trade is a big deal. The Canucks received a solid return, bolstering their weakest position, acquiring a potential star, and securing a little something for the future. I was generally optimistic about how well the new arrivals would fit, but they surprised me with how quickly they have done so. Marco Rossi being the last to score a point with Vancouver wasn't in my expectations, certainly.

And it's been fun! Watching your favourite team win four in a row sure beats watching them win twice in the previous ten. But there is a wasp in the beer can right now, and that's Gavin McKenna. Or, more to the point, what Gavin McKenna represents: that really, really high draft pick that can set a team up with their Star of the Future(tm). And to get that, the Canucks need to lose.

While the Canucks have been better of late, it's still a bit of a stretch to call them good. Vancouver's goalies have had 30 more shots directed against them than their opponents. They've taken advantage of depleted lineups, odd schedules, and apparently an absence of home cooking. Seriously, why the "Road Warrior" thing? FOUR wins at home, but ELEVEN on the road?

In any case, the team isn't going to win every remaining game on the schedule. But the danger many fans feel is that they'll improve just enough to convince everyone who matters that the [rebuild/retool/remake/reincarnation] is done and they can stop working now. And while it's reassuring to know the team isn't exactly good, they will get better unless something is done to stop them.

Things Can Only Get Better(?)

The upcoming schedule doesn't look good. If you're interested in a team tanking, that is. They face the Flyers, who are eleventh in the league right now, but have just 17 wins in 34 games, twice. Detroit is actually playing well, and they're coming up. Otherwise, the next dozen games look decidedly unintimidating.

Now, Vancouver has the (lack of) ability to lose any one of these games, of course. But it wouldn't surprise to see either eight losses or eight wins coming out of them. The Sword of Damocles has been removed, and everyone is playing a more relaxed game. They're having fun while still working their tails off, and that can do a lot for a team. If they get a bit lucky, the Canucks are in real danger of being in a playoff spot a month from now. Or at least within shooting distance of one.

That is why it is absolutely vital that management not lose sight of the goal. The Canucks have two eight-game home stands coming, one of which happens before the Olympic break. They cannot afford to fall in love with their players during that home stretch. They have to move folks out as soon as they possibly can.

If that happens to be Thatcher Demko, then it's Thatcher Demko. If it's Elias Pettersson the Forward, then it's Elias Pettersson the Forward. If it's Conor Garland, then, well, it's probably a mistake, but so be it, it's Conor Garland. We've been over the names, and they haven't changed.

Focus!

And while they're at it, throw the old "no trades within the conference" maxim out the window. Hint to Winnipeg that they're in too deep to rebuild now, so they better get another scorer. Suggest to San Jose that they owe their fans to make the playoffs this year, not just get close, and need to shore up that defence with a veteran. Ask Edmonton if they ever want a REAL goaltender before McDavid leaves.

Make room for some of the younger players we have now, and get a few more back. The Canucks don't need every draft pick to be from this year, surely? Future picks have current value, if an opportunity to pick up a disgruntled star happens to arise in the future.

In the meantime, encourage the old, 1980s "lovable loser" mentality. All that led to was loveably losing, but this time, do it deliberately. Acknowledge that "the kids" may not all hit, but by gum, they're gonna try! And maybe a few of the better ones can, ah, "learn to dominate" in the AHL this season. Go for another championship there, maybe get some rings before the 2025 champions do.

Because the truth of the matter is that, as good as Zeev Buium looks, he's still just a rookie. Liam Öhgren may be finding his legs, but a good bottom-six winger isn't going to change the world. And Marco Rossi will help, not save, the team.

Sure, move the unrestricted free agents for something. But don't forget the underlying problems on the team aren't cosmetic. No, you don't win Stanley Cups with a team of 20-year-olds, but everyone on a Cup-winning team was 20 years old sometime.