NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Boston Bruins at Florida Panthers - Source: Imagn — Looking at three Vancouver Canucks players who could have breakout seasons (Picture credits: IMAGN)

3 Vancouver Canucks' bounce-back candidates for 2024-25 NHL season

Modified Jul 31, 2024 16:47 GMT

Last season, the Vancouver Canucks finished their regular season with the best record in the Pacific Division, narrowly beating out the Edmonton Oilers. When it came time for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, however, the team got eliminated by the Oilers in the second round of the seven-game series.

This year, the Vancouver Canucks will be looking to replicate their success from the regular season in hopes of improving their postseason record. While the team has bolstered their roster, there are a couple of players who are expected to bounce back, for ex: Jake DeBrusk.

3 Vancouver Canucks players poised to bounce-back in the upcoming season

#1: Carson Soucy

Last season, Carson Soucy played in just 40 games, a career low for the 30-year-old, who is on a three-year deal with the Canucks.

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Edmonton Oilers at Vancouver Canucks - Source: Imagn

After posting back-to-back seasons in Minnesota with 55 and 50 games, Soucy then played 64 games for the Kraken during the 2021–22 season, and 78 games for Seattle during the 2022–23 season.

Last year, however, Soucy played in just 40 games before dealing with a hand injury sustained in January. Given his production with Seattle, it's clear that Soucy can be a difference-maker in Vancouver, so long as he stays healthy during the season ahead.

#2: Thatcher Demko

After being a finalist for the Vezina Trophy last season, Thatcher Demko is expected to have the best year of his career.

Last season, he posted a career-high save percentage of 91.8%; however, the big concern here is whether or not he'll be able to stay healthy this season.

NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Nashville Predators at Vancouver Canucks - Source: Imagn

After playing in 32 games during the 2022–23 season, he stayed healthy for most of last season, playing in 51 games while earning Vezina Trophy consideration.

Despite that, injuries plagued the second half of the season for the netminder, which puts him in a position to bounce back in a big way this year.

#3: Jake DeBrusk

Last season, Jake DeBrusk was able to play in 80 games for the Boston Bruins before signing a seven-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks. Despite that, he logged just 40 points, marking a down year after logging 50 points in the 2022–23 season, where he played just 64 games.

While he was healthy last year, this year the Vancouver Canucks are hopeful that he will be able to see an improvement in his efficiency and a return to form for a player who nearly averaged a point per game during the 2022–23 season.