Through their first nine games, the Vancouver Canucks are averaging 12.01 shot blocks per 60.

One concerning trend that isn't being discussed enough is the Vancouver Canucks inability to block shots. Through their first nine games, the Canucks rank 31st in blocked shots with 110 and 30th in blocked shots per 60 at 12.01. Whether the issue is positional or players shying away from blocking shots, Vancouver needs to find a way to block more shots on a nightly basis. 

Shot blocking is not a new issue, as it can be traced back to last season. In 2023-24, the Canucks finished with 13.92 blocked shots per 60, which ranked 28th. While Vancouver did see a slight increase in the postseason, they were still near the bottom, ranking 12th out of 16 teams with 15.71. In the end, the inability to block shots had a direct impact on the Canucks success, as, according to NHL EDGE, Artūrs Šilovs allowed six goals on 55 long-range shots in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

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Flash forward to this season, and Vancouver's ability to block long-range shots has not improved. In three starts, Šilovs has faced 17, while Kevin Lankinen has stopped all 40 he has faced in his six games. While long-range shots aren't the most dangerous, the fact that Canucks forwards and defenceman can't get in front of them on a consistent basis is a problem that needs to be addressed.

When looking at the individual total blocked shots, some concerning numbers appear. Only two forwards (Conor Garland & Elias Pettersson) have blocked more than five shots, while five forwards who have played six games or more have two or fewer blocked shots (Nils Höglander, Pius Suter, Danton Heinen (2), J.T. Miller (1), Daniel Sprong (0)). Below is a list of the top ten skaters on the roster so far this season:

Vancouver's other issue is screening the goaltender. Often, players will attempt to block a shot but instead create the perfect screen for the opposition. This has happened on multiple occasions this year, including last night against the New Jersey Devils. While trying to poke check the puck away is a good defensive practice, sometimes the best option is to try and block the shot, especially if the opposing player is in a shooting motion. 

In the end, while blocking shots is not easy and even painful sometimes, it needs to be incorporated more often by the Canucks. Vancouver is allowing too many chances through the first nine games of the season, with a decent amount of shots being ones that could have been blocked. While shot block totals may not be near the top of the panic scale, it is a concerning trend that needs to be fixed sooner rather than later.