2015–16 Vancouver Canucks season

The 2015–16 Vancouver Canucks season was the 46th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on May 22, 1970.[2] The season began its regular games on October 7, 2015, against the Calgary Flames with a 5−1 win. On March 25, 2016, the Canucks lost 4−0 to the St. Louis Blues and were eliminated from playoff contention. The Canucks missed the playoffs for the second time in three years.[3]

2015–16 Vancouver Canucks
Division6th Pacific
Conference13th Western
2015–16 record31–38–13
Home record15–21–5
Road record16–17–8
Goals for191
Goals against243
Team information
General managerJim Benning
CoachWillie Desjardins
CaptainHenrik Sedin
Alternate captainsAlex Burrows
Dan Hamhuis
Daniel Sedin
ArenaRogers Arena
Average attendance18,431 (97.5%)[1]
Minor league affiliate(s)Utica Comets (AHL)
Team leaders
GoalsDaniel Sedin (28)
AssistsHenrik Sedin (44)
PointsDaniel Sedin (61)
Penalty minutesDerek Dorsett (177)
Plus/minusJannik Hansen (+16)
WinsRyan Miller (17)
Goals against averageRyan Miller (2.70)

Off-season

Off-season changes began in late June at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Due to the Canucks having three goaltenders requiring waivers, goaltender Eddie Lack was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes (for a third-round pick at the draft and a seventh-round pick in 2016)[4] to make room on the roster for Jacob Markstrom. This trade was disliked as fans saw the two draft picks as very little compensation for Lack. The Canucks would draft seven players at the draft. A few days later, long-time Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a second-round pick in 2016.[5]

On July 1, Zack Kassian and a fifth-round pick in 2016 were traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Brandon Prust.[6] Jim Benning continued by signing various free agents, including former Boston Bruins defenceman Matt Bartkowski[7] and prospects Taylor Fedun[8] and Richard Bachman,[9] coming from the San Jose Sharks and Edmonton Oilers, respectively.

The following day, Hockey Operations Staff Laurence Gilman, Lorne Henning and Eric Crawford were released by the Canucks.[10]

On July 28, the Canucks traded centre Nick Bonino, defenceman Adam Clendening, as well as the second-round pick acquired in the Bieksa trade, to the Pittsburgh Penguins for centre Brandon Sutter and a conditional third-round pick.[11] One week later, the Canucks resigned Sutter to a five-year contract extension, lasting until the 2020–21 NHL season.[12]

Training camp

The Canucks at their 2015 training camp.

The Canucks held their training camp at CN Centre in Prince George, British Columbia, from September 18–20.

Training camp consisted of various activities, such as power-play drills, strength and conditioning exercises, and intra-squad scrimmages.

Head coach Willie Desjardins was unable to attend training camp. Desjardins was forced to have surgery on September 8 (a mere 10 days before training camp was due to begin), due to a flare-up of a chronic hip condition. While Desjardins wanted to be in attendance, the Canucks medical staff was unable to give him clearance to head to Prince George. In his place, assistant coach Glen Gulutzan (former Dallas Stars head coach) stepped up to run the training camp. Assistant coaches Perry Pearn and Doug Lidster were also in attendance.

Many Canucks prospects and minor-league players were invited to training camp. Some, such as Nicklas Jensen, Jake Virtanen and Alexandre Grenier were fighting for roster spots on the NHL club. The preseason came to an interesting end when the Canucks placed centre Linden Vey and defensemen Alex Biega and Frank Corrado on waivers in favour of defenceman Ben Hutton and forwards Jake Virtanen and Jared McCann. Corrado was claimed by the Toronto Maple Leafs the following day.[13] Biega and Vey cleared waivers and were sent to the Utica Comets. Both were called up in December and would finish the season with the Canucks.


Standings

Pacific Division
Pos Team GP W L OTL ROW GF GA GD Pts
1 y Anaheim Ducks 82 46 25 11 43 218 192 +26 103
2 x Los Angeles Kings 82 48 28 6 46 225 195 +30 102
3 x San Jose Sharks 82 46 30 6 42 241 210 +31 98
4 Arizona Coyotes 82 35 39 8 34 209 245 36 78
5 Calgary Flames 82 35 40 7 33 231 260 29 77
6 Vancouver Canucks 82 31 38 13 26 191 243 52 75
7 Edmonton Oilers 82 31 43 8 27 203 245 42 70
Source: National Hockey League[14]
x Clinched playoff spot; y Clinched division
Western Conference Wild Card
Pos Div Team GP W L OTL ROW GF GA GD Pts
1 CE x Nashville Predators 82 41 27 14 37 228 215 +13 96
2 CE x Minnesota Wild 82 38 33 11 35 216 206 +10 87
3 CE Colorado Avalanche 82 39 39 4 35 216 240 24 82
4 PA Arizona Coyotes 82 35 39 8 34 209 245 36 78
5 CE Winnipeg Jets 82 35 39 8 32 215 239 24 78
6 PA Calgary Flames 82 35 40 7 33 231 260 29 77
7 PA Vancouver Canucks 82 31 38 13 26 191 243 52 75
8 PA Edmonton Oilers 82 31 43 8 27 203 245 42 70
Source: National Hockey League[15]
x Clinched playoff spot

Schedule and results

The Canucks set a franchise record with a goal drought of 234 minutes and 52 seconds beginning after the Daniel Sedin goal at 12:00 of the first period on March 16 against Colorado and ending with the Bo Horvat goal at 6:52 of the first period on March 24 against Nashville.

Pre-season

Regular season

2015–16 game log

Legend:   Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)

Detailed records

Player statistics

Skaters

Goaltenders

Regular season[17]
Player GP GS TOI W L OT GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Ryan Miller51513043:31172491372.701634.9161012
Jacob Markstrom33301847:2613144842.73988.9150024
Richard Bachman1159:5210033.0131.9030000

Traded to Canucks mid-season. Stats reflect time with Canucks only.
Traded (or lost by waivers) to another team mid-season. Stats reflect time with Canucks only.

Suspensions and fines

Player Explanation Length Salary Date issued Ref
Brandon PrustSpearing Boston forward Brad Marchand.$5,000.00December 6, 2015[18]
Jannik HansenDiving/embellishment during NHL game no. 510 in Tampa Bay on December 22, 2015, at 10:15 of the third period.$2,000.00December 31, 2015[19]
Jake VirtanenInterference against San Jose defenceman Roman Polak.2 games$9,614.70March 30, 2016[20]

Awards and honours

Awards

Milestones

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