LATEST | Journalist makes big claims about the Canucks' future: Brighter days are ahead

A reader sent in a question for Rosen asking who he thinks are dark horse teams for the playoffs this coming season and for the Western Conference, he named the Vancouver Canucks.

Rosen went on to say that the Canucks improved defensively once Rick Tocchet was brought in back in January and that once Thatcher Demko returned from injury, the team played very well. He also added that free agent signings Teddy Blueger, Ian Cole and Carson Soucy should help the team's penalty kill quite about this season.

Along with their free agent signings, big seasons from Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, Thatcher Demko, Andrei Kuzmenko, among others, could help propel the Canucks towards a playoff spot in the Western Conference. In their divsion, they'll be in tough with the Edmonton Oilers, Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings and Seattle Kraken, but a wild card spot can't be ruled out, especially if they make an addition or two during the season towards the trade deadline.

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Source: Dan Rosen - NHL.com