With the pre-season officially getting underway Monday, here's a look at where everyone stands in the battle for roster spots.
Rankings will be updated as the pre-season progresses.
Forwards
The Canucks will likely carry 13 forwards, but that could change due to cap considerations.
- "Safe Group"
-
- 1 Daniel Sedin
- 2 Henrik Sedin
- 3 Ryan Kesler
- 4 Mason Raymond
- 5 Mikael Samuelsson
- 6 Manny Malhotra
- 7 Raffi Torres
- 8 Jannik Hansen
- "Should Make It"
- 9 Cody Hodgson
- 10 Brendan Morrison
- 11 Victor Oreskovich
- 12 Rick Rypien
- 13 Tanner Glass
- "Outside Looking In"
-
- Darcy Hordichuk
- Jeff Tambellini
- Alexandre Bolduc
- Joel Perrault
- Peter Schaefer
- Aaron Volpatti
- Jordan Schroeder
- Sergei Shirokov
Defencemen
For now the defense rankings will be based on merit and not salary cap considerations, with the exception of Aaron Rome who is a lock to make the team due to his cap friendly $750k contract. That leaves O'Brien and Alberts battling for the 6-7 spot.
- "Safe Group"
- Christian Ehrhoff
- Keith Ballard
- Alexander Edler
- Dan Hamhuis
- Kevin Bieksa
- Aaron Rome
- "On The Bubble"
- Shane O'Brien
- Andrew Alberts
- "The Depth Guys"
- Nolan Baumgartner
- Evan Oberg
- Lee Sweatt
- Kevin Connauton
- Yann Sauve
- Christopher Tanev
- Sean Zimmerman
Goalies
These are unlikely to change, but their is a small possibility that Lack puts a little pressure on Schneider.
- Roberto Luongo
- Cory Schneider
- Eddie Lack
- Tyler Weiman
Injured
- F Alexandre Burrows
- D Sami Salo
So that's how things stack up heading into the pre-season. Unlike most years there are many jobs available in 2010.
Up front spots in the bottom 6 are up in the air, while there's even room for someone to jump into the top 6. Will Hodgson earn a spot and if so can the Canucks afford the cap hit? Will one of the ex Canucks earn a contract? Will the Canucks go with muscle or is there room for Tambellini in the bottom 6?
On defense, the Canucks are very deep and very expensive. The salary cap will likely decide who makes it and who does not.
