If you didn’t see the NHL finally put out the Vancouver Canucks quarter-century team. While some of the choices were obvious, there were also a couple debatable ones. The first team consisted of Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin and Markus Nasland for the forwards as well as Alex Edler and Quinn Hughes on defence. In goal is no other than Roberto Luongo. Not too much debate on the forwards end you have two hall of farmers and the top two Canucks ever. Along with one of the best players of the 2000s.
Meet the @Canucks' Quarter-Century Team! 🤝 #NHLQCTeam
Read more here ➡️ https://t.co/XzTmdTWZ1B pic.twitter.com/iXTkkgXfVM
— NHL (@NHL) January 21, 2025
On defence some fans might be surprised to see Quinn Hughes on the first team so soon. However I’m not. I think he’s already the best defenceman in franchise history and the numbers back it up. Plus he is the only defenceman in franchise history to win a Norris Trophy. Edler being on the first team is up for debate however. A lot of people would have Mattias Ohlund over him and I agree. Not saying Edler isn’t deserving, he’s the second highest scoring defenceman in Canuck history. But Ohlund has finished in the top ten in Norris Trophy voting which is something that Edler’s never done.
The second team consists of Ryan Kesler, JT Miller and Elias Pettersson for the forwards. Kevin Bieska and Mattias Ohlund on defence and Thatcher Demko in goal. I don’t think there should be much debate for Kesler and Pettersson as the two of them have been key players for the franchise. Kesler was a key member of the 2011 team scoring 41 goals, finishing eighth in Hart trophy voting along with capturing the Selke trophy. Pettersson has been a superstar since he entered the league in 2019 winning the Calder Trophy and putting up 102 points in 2022-2023. For the third forward spot questions arise. Miller does have the eleventh most points in franchise history, but when you think of the Canucks from 2000 on is he a name that comes to mind? Alex Burrows the dragon slayer himself or Todd Bertuzzi may seem more fitting.
Thatcher Demko for the goaltender may seem like a surprise at first, but when you look at the numbers it’s not. Demko has the fourth most wins in franchise history and was a Vezina trophy runner-up and a two time all-star. You might be thinking about Jacob Markstrom but he played on his bad Canucks teams early in his career hurting his numbers. Across some of the others that have been revealed they don’t stack up as bad as I thought. What are some changes you might have made to the team?