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Derrik Pouliot is not the answer.

At least not yet. Head coach Travis Green preached patience to anyone anxious to see Pouliot play.

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Until then, the coach said he really likes his defence. Green said any of his pairings can be a No. 1 pairing on any given night.

That’s not what we saw last year. Opponents averaged 31.8 shots a game against the Canucks. Only five teams gave up more. And that was a Vancouver team essentially trying to trap-it-up all year.

Green wants his defenders to go. How will that translate?

Well, here are the five biggest questions facing the Canucks’ defence:

1. Can the Canucks’ defence produce offence?

Twenty-two goals. That’s how many the Canucks’ defence scored last season. If it doesn’t sound good, it’s because it’s not.

Just check around their division. The San Jose Sharks’ blue-line chalked up 49. The Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks each pulled 37 goals from their defence. Edmonton and Calgary got 35 apiece.