# 1987–88 Vancouver Canucks season

The 1987–88 Vancouver Canucks season was the team's 18th in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Canucks missed the playoffs for the second season in a row.

## Regular season

The Canucks had a very disappointing season, they were not capable of winning 3 games in a row during the season. However, after the season they were able to draft future captain Trevor Linden.

### Final standings

Smythe Division :
| | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Pts |
| Calgary Flames | 80 | 48 | 23 | 9 | 397 | 305 | 105 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 80 | 44 | 25 | 11 | 363 | 288 | 99 |
| Winnipeg Jets | 80 | 33 | 36 | 11 | 292 | 310 | 77 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 80 | 30 | 42 | 8 | 318 | 359 | 68 |
| Vancouver Canucks | 80 | 25 | 46 | 9 | 272 | 320 | 59 |
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

### Record vs. opponents

Smythe Division record vs. opponents :
Vs. Campbell Conference
Vs. Smythe Division
1987–88 NHL records
Team
CGY
EDM
LAK
VAN
WIN
Total
Calgary
—4–3–14–46–0–23–4–117–11–4
Edmonton
3–4–1—4–2–27–0–14–1–318–7–7
Los Angeles
4–42–4–2—3–4–13–512–17–3
Vancouver
0–6–20–7–14–3–1—3–57–21–4
Winnipeg
4–3–11–4–35–35–3—15–13–4
Vs. Norris Division
1987–88 NHL records
Team
CHI
DET
MIN
STL
TOR
Total
Calgary
2–0–11–1–12–0–12–13–010–2–3
Edmonton
1–21–22–0–13–02–0–19–4–2
Los Angeles
2–11–23–02–11–1–19–5–1
Vancouver
1–21–22–11–21–1–16–8–1
Winnipeg
1–1–10–2–12–0–12–12–17–5–3
Vs. Wales Conference
Vs. Adams Division
1987–88 NHL records
Team
BOS
BUF
HFD
MTL
QUE
Total
Calgary
1–22–13–02–0–13–011–3–1
Edmonton
1–1–13–02–10–31–1–17–6–2
Los Angeles
0–2–11–20–31–22–14–10–1
Vancouver
1–21–1–10–1–20–2–13–05–6–4
Winnipeg
0–31–1–11–20–32–0–14–9–2
Vs. Patrick Division
1987–88 NHL records
Team
NJD
NYI
NYR
PHI
PIT
WSH
Total
Calgary
2–11–22–13–00–2–12–110–7–1
Edmonton
1–21–22–12–13–01–210–8–0
Los Angeles
1–1–10–33–00–30–1–21–25–10–3
Vancouver
3–00–31–21–22–10–37–11–0
Winnipeg
2–0–11–20–2–10–32–12–17–9–2 :

## Schedule and results

| No. | R | Date | Score | Opponent | Record |
| 1 | W | October 8, 1987 | 8–2 | St. Louis Blues (1987–88) | 1–0–0 |
| 2 | L | October 10, 1987 | 1–7 | New York Islanders (1987–88) | 1–1–0 |
| 3 | L | October 12, 1987 | 2–3 | Detroit Red Wings (1987–88) | 1–2–0 |
| 4 | W | October 18, 1987 | 4–2 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1987–88) | 2–2–0 |
| 5 | L | October 21, 1987 | 4–5 | Boston Bruins (1987–88) | 2–3–0 |
| 6 | L | October 23, 1987 | 4–5 OT | Edmonton Oilers (1987–88) | 2–4–0 |
| 7 | L | October 24, 1987 | 5–9 | @ Edmonton Oilers (1987–88) | 2–5–0 |
| 8 | L | October 27, 1987 | 2–3 | Washington Capitals (1987–88) | 2–6–0 |
| 9 | T | October 30, 1987 | 3–3 OT | Calgary Flames (1987–88) | 2–6–1 |
| 10 | L | November 1, 1987 | 3–7 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1987–88) | 2–7–1 |
| 11 | L | November 3, 1987 | 2–3 | @ Washington Capitals (1987–88) | 2–8–1 |
| 12 | W | November 5, 1987 | 4–3 | @ Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88) | 3–8–1 |
| 13 | W | November 7, 1987 | 4–1 | @ Minnesota North Stars (1987–88) | 4–8–1 |
| 14 | L | November 8, 1987 | 1–3 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1987–88) | 4–9–1 |
| 15 | T | November 11, 1987 | 4–4 OT | Buffalo Sabres (1987–88) | 4–9–2 |
| 16 | W | November 13, 1987 | 6–4 | Quebec Nordiques (1987–88) | 5–9–2 |
| 17 | L | November 15, 1987 | 4–8 | @ Calgary Flames (1987–88) | 5–10–2 |
| 18 | W | November 17, 1987 | 6–4 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88) | 6–10–2 |
| 19 | W | November 19, 1987 | 4–1 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1987–88) | 7–10–2 |
| 20 | L | November 21, 1987 | 1–4 | @ St. Louis Blues (1987–88) | 7–11–2 |
| 21 | L | November 22, 1987 | 2–3 | @ Chicago Blackhawks (1987–88) | 7–12–2 |
| 22 | L | November 25, 1987 | 2–4 | Calgary Flames (1987–88) | 7–13–2 |
| 23 | W | November 27, 1987 | 4–2 | New Jersey Devils (1987–88) | 8–13–2 |
| 24 | W | December 1, 1987 | 3–1 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1987–88) | 9–13–2 |
| 25 | T | December 2, 1987 | 3–3 OT | @ Montreal Canadiens (1987–88) | 9–13–3 |
| 26 | L | December 5, 1987 | 3–6 | @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88) | 9–14–3 |
| 27 | W | December 6, 1987 | 5–1 | @ Buffalo Sabres (1987–88) | 10–14–3 |
| 28 | L | December 8, 1987 | 2–3 | Minnesota North Stars (1987–88) | 10–15–3 |
| 29 | L | December 11, 1987 | 1–2 | @ Edmonton Oilers (1987–88) | 10–16–3 |
| 30 | L | December 12, 1987 | 3–6 | Edmonton Oilers (1987–88) | 10–17–3 |
| 31 | T | December 15, 1987 | 2–2 OT | @ Hartford Whalers (1987–88) | 10–17–4 |
| 32 | L | December 17, 1987 | 2–3 OT | @ Boston Bruins (1987–88) | 10–18–4 |
| 33 | T | December 20, 1987 | 3–3 OT | Hartford Whalers (1987–88) | 10–18–5 |
| 34 | W | December 23, 1987 | 5–1 | Los Angeles Kings (1987–88) | 11–18–5 |
| 35 | L | December 26, 1987 | 2–3 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1987–88) | 11–19–5 |
| 36 | L | December 28, 1987 | 3–7 | @ Edmonton Oilers (1987–88) | 11–20–5 |
| 37 | L | December 29, 1987 | 1–4 | Montreal Canadiens (1987–88) | 11–21–5 |
| 38 | W | December 31, 1987 | 2–1 | Winnipeg Jets (1987–88) | 12–21–5 |
| 39 | L | January 2, 1988 | 1–4 | Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88) | 12–22–5 |
| 40 | T | January 4, 1988 | 7–7 OT | @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88) | 12–22–6 |
| 41 | L | January 6, 1988 | 2–4 | @ New York Rangers (1987–88) | 12–23–6 |
| 42 | W | January 7, 1988 | 6–3 | @ New Jersey Devils (1987–88) | 13–23–6 |
| 43 | W | January 9, 1988 | 3–2 | @ Quebec Nordiques (1987–88) | 14–23–6 |
| 44 | L | January 12, 1988 | 3–5 | Winnipeg Jets (1987–88) | 14–24–6 |
| 45 | W | January 13, 1988 | 8–2 | Winnipeg Jets (1987–88) | 15–24–6 |
| 46 | T | January 15, 1988 | 4–4 OT | Calgary Flames (1987–88) | 15–24–7 |
| 47 | W | January 17, 1988 | 6–5 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1987–88) | 16–24–7 |
| 48 | L | January 19, 1988 | 5–7 | @ Calgary Flames (1987–88) | 16–25–7 |
| 49 | L | January 22, 1988 | 3–6 | New York Rangers (1987–88) | 16–26–7 |
| 50 | L | January 24, 1988 | 1–3 | @ Chicago Blackhawks (1987–88) | 16–27–7 |
| 51 | L | January 26, 1988 | 6–7 | @ St. Louis Blues (1987–88) | 16–28–7 |
| 52 | L | January 29, 1988 | 2–4 | Hartford Whalers (1987–88) | 16–29–7 |
| 53 | L | January 30, 1988 | 3–4 | @ Calgary Flames (1987–88) | 16–30–7 |
| 54 | W | February 2, 1988 | 5–2 | Los Angeles Kings (1987–88) | 17–30–7 |
| 55 | L | February 3, 1988 | 2–7 | @ Los Angeles Kings (1987–88) | 17–31–7 |
| 56 | W | February 5, 1988 | 5–1 | New Jersey Devils (1987–88) | 18–31–7 |
| 57 | L | February 11, 1988 | 2–7 | Edmonton Oilers (1987–88) | 18–32–7 |
| 58 | W | February 13, 1988 | 6–5 | Boston Bruins (1987–88) | 19–32–7 |
| 59 | L | February 14, 1988 | 6–7 | @ Edmonton Oilers (1987–88) | 19–33–7 |
| 60 | W | February 17, 1988 | 5–0 | Pittsburgh Penguins (1987–88) | 20–33–7 |
| 61 | L | February 19, 1988 | 0–5 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88) | 20–34–7 |
| 62 | W | February 21, 1988 | 6–4 | @ New York Rangers (1987–88) | 21–34–7 |
| 63 | L | February 23, 1988 | 1–6 | @ New York Islanders (1987–88) | 21–35–7 |
| 64 | L | February 24, 1988 | 4–5 | @ Montreal Canadiens (1987–88) | 21–36–7 |
| 65 | L | February 26, 1988 | 3–5 | Calgary Flames (1987–88) | 21–37–7 |
| 66 | L | February 28, 1988 | 0–2 | Los Angeles Kings (1987–88) | 21–38–7 |
| 67 | L | March 1, 1988 | 3–7 | Philadelphia Flyers (1987–88) | 21–39–7 |
| 68 | L | March 3, 1988 | 3–4 | @ Winnipeg Jets (1987–88) | 21–40–7 |
| 69 | L | March 6, 1988 | 2–7 | @ Washington Capitals (1987–88) | 21–41–7 |
| 70 | L | March 8, 1988 | 4–7 | @ New York Islanders (1987–88) | 21–42–7 |
| 71 | L | March 10, 1988 | 2–5 | @ Detroit Red Wings (1987–88) | 21–43–7 |
| 72 | T | March 12, 1988 | 3–3 OT | Edmonton Oilers (1987–88) | 21–43–8 |
| 73 | L | March 13, 1988 | 5–7 | Buffalo Sabres (1987–88) | 21–44–8 |
| 74 | T | March 16, 1988 | 3–3 OT | @ Los Angeles Kings (1987–88) | 21–44–9 |
| 75 | W | March 18, 1988 | 5–3 | Los Angeles Kings (1987–88) | 22–44–9 |
| 76 | W | March 22, 1988 | 5–3 | Toronto Maple Leafs (1987–88) | 23–44–9 |
| 77 | W | March 25, 1988 | 3–2 | Chicago Blackhawks (1987–88) | 24–44–9 |
| 78 | L | March 26, 1988 | 1–6 | @ Calgary Flames (1987–88) | 24–45–9 |
| 79 | L | March 29, 1988 | 2–3 | Winnipeg Jets (1987–88) | 24–46–9 |
| 80 | W | April 1, 1988 | 6–1 | Minnesota North Stars (1987–88) | 25–46–9 |

## Player statistics

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM |
| Tony Tanti | 73 | 40 | 37 | 77 | -1 | 90 |
| Greg Adams | 80 | 36 | 40 | 76 | -24 | 30 |
| Barry Pederson | 76 | 19 | 52 | 71 | 2 | 92 |
| Petri Skriko | 73 | 30 | 34 | 64 | -12 | 32 |
| Stan Smyl | 57 | 12 | 25 | 37 | -5 | 110 |

## Draft picks

Vancouver's draft picks at the 1987 NHL Entry Draft held at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Canucks attempted to select Chris Gillies in the second round of the 1987 NHL Supplemental Draft, but the claim was ruled invalid since Gillies entered school after age 20 and therefore did not meet eligibility requirements.
| Round | # | Player | Nationality | College/Junior/Club team (League) |
| 2 | 24 | Rob Murphy | Canada | Laval Titan (QMJHL) |
| 3 | 45 | Steve Veilleux | Canada | Trois-Rivières Draveurs (QMJHL) |
| 4 | 66 | Doug Torrel | United States | Hibbing High School (USHS-MN) |
| 5 | 87 | Sean Fabian | United States | Hill-Murray School (USHS-MN) |
| 6 | 108 | Garry Valk | Canada | Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL) |
| 7 | 129 | Todd Fanning | Canada | Ohio State University (CCHA) |
| 8 | 150 | Viktor Tyumenev | Soviet Union | Spartak Moscow (USSR) |
| 9 | 171 | Craig Daly | United States | New Hampton School (USHS-NH) |
| 10 | 192 | John Fletcher | United States | Clarkson University (ECAC) |
| 11 | 213 | Roger Hansson | Sweden | Rögle BK (Sweden) |
| 12 | 233 | Neil Eisenhut | Canada | Langley Eagles (BCJHL) |
| 12 | 234 | Matt Evo | United States | Country Day School (USHS-MA) |
| S1 | 3 | Steve Johnson | United States | University of North Dakota (WCHA) |