While some publications insist on doing weekly power rankings of NHL teams, we thought it would be even more abstract and pointless to do a weekly power ranking of the players on the Canucks. And yes, we understand that Sunday is technically the start of the week, but no one thinks that way. Here’s how each Canuck fared against the Avalanche, Blackhawks and Lightning.

22. Nic Dowd (19) ↡

It seems as if Canucks brass has come to the rightful conclusion that Dowd has no place in the lineup while Sutter is healthy. After being healthy scratched twice this week, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Dowd found himself on waivers before the season is over.  

21. Ben Hutton (15) ↡

Hutton once again has found himself in Travis Green’s doghouse. He was scratched twice this week and played just over 12 minutes during the one game he was active for.

20. Derrick Pouliot (NR) ↔

Green thought that the young defenceman was “fighting it a bit” against Tampa Bay. That doesn’t bode well for his chances of staying in the lineup. Here’s betting he’s scratched in favour of Hutton against Florida on Tuesday. He and Gudbranson were…uh…not good together. 

19. Alex Biega (16) ↔

Only played against Colorado after Gudbranson returned. Don’t tell anyone, but he’s much more effective than Gudbranson and had his moments against the Avs. His rough play near the net is badly missed when he’s scratched.

18. Sam Gagner (15) ↡

Gagner is slowly becoming less and less of a factor on this team. He only played 11 minutes against Colorado before being injured in the Chicago game. Good thing he’s signed for two more years. 

17. Jake Virtanen (18) ↔

Two assists for Virtanen and solid underlying numbers (excluding the game against Tampa) make for a decent enough week. It’s hard to say he’s truly moving the needle though, as Green still had him stapled to the bench. 

16. Erik Gudbranson (NR)

If you’re wondering why the Canucks might re-sign a defenceman who routinely logs under 18 minutes a night for a cellar-dwelling team to a big money contract, I have three words for you: sunk cost fallacy.

15. Brendan Gaunce (NR)

Goals! Actual goals! Those two against Chicago were a sight for sore ass eyes.

14. Loui Eriksson (18) ↔

Good defensively against Chicago. Not really a factor otherwise. Par for the course.

13. Michael Del Zotto (17) ↟

Scored against Colorado and contributed some physical play, which was good to see. He actually led the team in ice time against Chicago which says a lot about where this team is at right now.  

12. Markus Granlund (10) ↔

11. Brandon Sutter (9) ↔

They got absolutely blasted possession wise all week (except Granlund against Chicago). Honestly, that's to be expected at this point, as they play the hardest minutes for Green.

This isn’t surprising at all to be honest:

https://twitter.com/HockeyDipshit/status/960538615305547776

10. Daniel Sedin (12) ↔

9. Henrik Sedin (11) ↔

Two points each for the Twins, and an absolute dominance of their old rivals Chicago. You’d think the ‘Hawks would have some idea on how to stop the Swedes.

8. Thomas Vanek (8) ↔

Another two points for the veteran even as he sees less and less ice time.

7. Sven Baertschi (7) ↔

Positive Relative Corsi all week and probably the highlight of his season so far in overtime against Colorado.

https://twitter.com/Canucks/status/958581211445817346

6. Jacob Markstrom (4) ↔

It’s very hard to blame Markstrom for individual goals this week, but overall his save percentage is hurting and it didn’t get any better this week, even after a sparkling performance against Chicago. He’s keeping the Canucks in games, and that’s all they can ask.

5. Troy Stecher (6) ↟

Three assists and mostly solid underlying numbers while playing other teams’ best competition and logging huge minutes, Stecher has been a force lately.

4. Chris Tanev (5) ↔

Three assists in one game against the Avs, but you wouldn’t know it. Just the same old solid play from Tanev, even as he has to drag Del Zotto up and down the ice most nights.

3. Alex Edler (3) ↔ 

The most divisive player on the Canucks is logging huge minutes and playing well for the most part with Stecher. Some defensive miscues this week, especially against Colorado and Tampa, but he’s still the kingpin of this defensive corps right now.

2. Bo Horvat (2) ↔

1. Brock Boeser (1) ↔

Really not sure what it’ll take to bump these two off the top spots.

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/960137256194400257

Didn’t Play This Week: Anders Nilsson

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