The Canucks Problem

The post mortum continues on the Vancouver Canucks 2009-10 season and please stop talking about Luongo as captain being a problem. Maybe it is a problem but it is not what Mike Gillis and company should be focusing on because there are bigger fish to fry.

The other day I heard this and it makes complete sense, the Canucks need a #1 defenceman. It is something they've never had in their 40 year history. I'm talking about a guy who can quarterback your powerplay and be your shutdown guy, someone like a Lidstrom, Pronger, Neidermayer, etc. Every team that has won the Cup recent memory has had one (if not 2) with the exception of Carolina in 2006. Don't believe me, check it out.

2009 - Pittsburgh - Sergei Gonchar
2008 - Detroit - Nick Lidstrom
2007 - Anaheim - Scott Neidermayer & Chris Pronger
2006 - Carolina - the exception to the rule
2004 - Tampa Bay - Dan Boyle
2003 - New Jersey - Scott Stevens & Neidermayer
2002 - Detroit - Lidstrom
2001 - Colorado - Ray Bourque & Rob Blake
2000 - New Jersey - Stevens & Neidermayer
1999 - Dallas - Sergei Zubov & Derian Hatcher
1998 - Detroit - Lidstrom
1997 - Detroit - Lidstrom

Getting that elusive d-man won't be easy, but if they can find one it would go a long way in getting them to the promise land.