Yeah, it’s bad. It’s arguably as bad as it’s ever been. The Canucks are due to finish in the bottom of the league for the third year in a row. In fact, when they miss the playoffs for the third straight season, it’ll mark only the third time in team history that’s happened.

The other stretches were the much-maligned (for people who were around and can remember them) expansion years from 1970-71 to 1973-74 and the Keenan/Messier dynasty of 1996-97 to 1999-2000.

And while there have been some highlights for this year’s Canucks squad (namely Brock Boeser and Bo Horvat), the team has recently plummeted into mostly unwatchable depths.

The Canucks haven’t scored in three straight games. The only forward to score in the last five is Jussi Jokinen, who was waived by Columbus before being sent to Vancouver in a salary dump.

Simply put, it’s been really bad lately, and extremely hard to watch. The Canucks haven’t looked dangerous at all since Boeser went down with what’s most likely a season-ending injury. And with the recent season-ending injury to Erik Gudbranson adding on to the already overflowing pile of Vancouver players on injured reserve, these last 11 games are undoubtedly going to be hideous to watch as the Canucks take on a bunch of teams jostling for playoff position.

Is there any reason to keep watching? Yes, actually. Here are seven.

7. Jake Virtanen

Coach Travis Green said recently that Virtanen has “turned the corner” and that he “hopes we haven’t seen the best of him.” It’s hard not to agree with both of those assessments. Virtanen has looked much better of late, and while 17 points in 65 games in his third year as a pro isn’t exactly what you want out of a sixth overall draft pick, consider that last year Virtanen put up 19 points in 65 contests…in the AHL.

This is an improvement. And it’s interesting to see him try and prove himself on the team’s top line. The end of the season is going to be an important stretch of games for Virtanen.

6. It's fun to predict when the team will next score a goal

Start a pool with your friends and take bets on who finally finds the twine. It'll make every shot exciting and inject some actual enthusiasm into games that will otherwise have very little. 

5. Thatcher Demko?

It probably won’t happen, especially with the Utica Comets in the thick of a playoff race, but it sure would be nice to see Demko get in a few games with the big club. At this point, the team knows what they have in Jacob Markstrom and Anders Nilsson. What does Vancouver have to lose in handing a few games over to the much-awaited prospect? Might as well see what the kid can do. It would probably sell some more tickets, too.

Even if he doesn’t get brought up, the constant calls to do so will remain entertaining, as will forcing the team’s coaches and management to answer why he’s not getting a chance against all logic.

4. Adam Gaudette

It’s possible that the team will bring up the college star when his Northeastern University season ends, similar to the way the Canucks brought in Boeser at the end of last season.

A Hobey Baker finalist for the top player in the NCAA, Gaudette led the league in scoring and will of course want to see how he fares at the NHL level while burning a year of his entry level status. The Canucks may simply send him to Utica for the AHL playoff run, but there’s a good chance he gets at least a few games in Vancouver. Fans will no doubt want to see what he’s made of.

3. The Sedins

Is this it? One would hope not, mostly for nostalgia’s sake. And one would think not, since they are second and third in team scoring. Yes, they are slower than they once were, but it’s not like they’re holding the team back. Might as well give them one last farewell tour and do it properly, this team likely isn’t going to the playoffs next year anyway.

But if this is it, one hopes they don’t go out the way they came in, by being ridiculed by fans that don’t appreciate them for what they are or were.

2. Fallin’ for Dahlin

You have to admit, even if you hate the concept of tanking, it’s intriguing to see where the Canucks could end up in the draft lottery. After all, if they come last in the league they’re guaranteed at least the fourth pick. Might as well make some lemonade out of this season, right?

Rasmus Dahlin is the Swedish defensive phenom who is almost guaranteed to go first overall in the upcoming draft. The Canucks badly need blueline prospects, as the cupboard is more or less bare behind Olli Juolevi (no matter what GM Jim Benning says about Guillaume Brisebois).

If the Canucks are able to win the lottery, it would be massive for the franchise. And, with the way the team keeps losing, anything is possible.

1. Because you’re a tortured soul

If you’re still watching Canucks games at this point in the season, you’re clearly in it for the long haul. Buckle in, this ride looks like it’ll get far bumpier before it ever gets smooth again.

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