In examining the strengths and weaknesses of the Canucks, there’s a relatively unanimous divide.



Seventh in the NHL in goals for thanks to the monumental strides they’ve made as a net-front team, Vancouver’s done an admirable job of filling pucks in the back of their opposition’s net. An ideal scenario would see them acquire another winger to play alongside Bo Horvat, but the club’s forward pool is still relatively strong.



Between the pipes, Jacob Markstrom has been a brick wall fully deserving of Vezina Trophy consideration. Markstrom’s excellence has masked many of the team’s defensive deficiencies as they bleed even-strength shots and scoring chances at a bottom-five rate in the NHL.



Suffice to say, defence is by far the biggest area the Canucks need to improve.



The forwards shouldn’t be absolved from blame in this respect given that teams defend in five-man units, but Vancouver would certainly...