Former Canucks Player Calls for Rebuild Amid Team Struggles

Former Vancouver Canucks player Jannik Hansen has publicly endorsed a rebuild for the struggling NHL franchise. Speaking on Sportsnet 650’s Canucks Central on November 10, 2023, Hansen suggested that it may finally be time for the organization to re-evaluate its direction. His remarks come amid ongoing frustration among fans who have long advocated for a different approach to team management.

During his conversation with hosts Dan Riccio and Satiar Shah, Hansen acknowledged that many supporters of the Canucks are in favor of a rebuild. He compared the current state of the team to that of Pacific Division rivals such as the Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers, both of whom endured prolonged periods of poor performance before successfully developing young talent.

“You can’t go into a season and say, you know what, Vancouver Canucks, that’s the team to beat this year,” Hansen remarked. He emphasized that the current construction of the team, which has involved continual adjustments without achieving the desired results, is not sustainable.

Despite having standout players like Quinn Hughes and Thatcher Demko, who has struggled with injuries, as well as a previously strong Elias Pettersson, Hansen believes the Canucks need more depth and consistency throughout their lineup. “You need four more [top players],” he stated. “And you don’t have the draft capital to get these players unless you get extremely lucky.”

The Canucks have experienced significant challenges since drafting key players like Demko, Pettersson, and Hughes between 2014 and 2018. With Demko’s ongoing health issues and Pettersson’s decline in production, the team’s hopes for a Stanley Cup run have been severely diminished. Hansen pointed out that merely trading for a solution or finding a player in free agency who is past their prime will not lead to the success the organization seeks.

Hansen criticized the repeated assurances from multiple management teams that the Canucks are on the verge of success. “It’s the third management team that’s in place now that’s singing the same song. ‘We’re going to retool. We’re right there. We’re almost there,’” he said. “Well, we’ve seen over the past decade that it’s not really almost there.”

Reflecting on his time with the organization, Hansen, who was traded away in 2017, noted that the Canucks have only made the playoffs twice in the past eight years, with one of those appearances occurring in the 2020 COVID-19 bubble. He conveyed the sentiment that fans deserve better and should be prepared for a difficult transition period.

“I have to anticipate that the fans here are knowledgeable and that you go out and tell them, ‘you know what, it’s going to be some tough years,’” Hansen said. He acknowledged the potential financial impact on the ownership, stating that fewer fans might attend games during a rebuild phase.

“Ownership has to be okay with there being 12,000 or 15,000 in the building instead of 18,000. And obviously, no playoff games for whether it’s two, three, or four years,” he added. Nevertheless, he believes this strategy could ultimately lead to a more competitive roster capable of contending for the coveted Stanley Cup.

Currently, the Canucks sit 27th in the NHL standings with a record of 8 wins, 9 losses, and 2 overtime losses. As the team grapples with its identity, Hansen’s call for a rebuild may resonate with both fans and analysts who recognize the need for a fresh approach to foster long-term success.