Significant change throughout organization since start of 2021-22 NHL season
Change is a constant in pro sports. And the Vancouver Canucks are certainly proof of that. Two years ago at this time, Jim Benning was still in charge and Travis Green was entering his fifth season as head coach.
Over the past 24 months, however, the Canucks have undergone some of the most significant changes in franchise history. That includes a complete front office overhaul, a pair of coaching moves and it certainly applies to the roster of players the hockey club is rolling out for tonight's season opener against Edmonton -- the fifth straight season the Canucks have opened against the Oilers.
To underscore the level of turnover of talent, here are the opening night line-ups from the past two seasons.
Vancouver Canucks 2021-22 opening night roster
Vancouver Canucks 2022-23 opening night rosterThe Canucks will have at least 10 new faces in their line-up for tonight's season opener that were not on the roster at this time a year ago. And for a third straight season, the team will have a new head coach behind the bench.
Since the curtain was raised on last season, the Canucks have added Anthony Beauvillier, Filip Hronek, Sam Lafferty and Casey De Smith via trade. Teddy Blueger, Pius Suter, Ian Cole and the injured Carson Soucy were all signed in free agency. Phil Di Giuseppe, Guillaume Brisebois and Noah Juulsen have both been promoted from Abbotsford. And Tyler Myers, who started last season on the injured list, is healthy this season and will be ready for action tonight.
Depending on the healthy status of Blueger and Brisebois, who both missed practice Tuesday, the Canucks may have to recall players from Abbotsford who were not part of the opening night roster a year ago.
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