2008–09 Vancouver Canucks season

The 2008–09 Vancouver Canucks season is the Canucks' 38th season in the National Hockey League.
==Season events==
===Off-season===
On June 17, 2008, the Canucks named Ryan Walter as an assistant coach. He joined head coach Alain Vigneault and assistant coach Rick Bowness on the Canucks' coaching staff.CANOE - SLAM! Sports - Hockey NHL - Vancouver - Canucks hire Walter as assistant Walter, 50, played in 1,003 NHL games over 15 seasons with Washington, Montreal, and Vancouver, scoring 264 goals and 382 assists. He won the Stanley Cup with Montreal in 1986. A native of New Westminster, British Columbia, Walter was the second overall pick by the Washington Capitals in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft.
The Canucks lost two key veterans to free agency. Markus Naslund, the Canucks' captain for the previous seven seasons, signed a two-year, $8-million contract with the New York Rangers, while Pitt Meadows native Brendan Morrison signed a one-year, $2.75-million contract with the Anaheim Ducks.
The Canucks also lost a promising young defenceman in Luc Bourdon, who died in a motorcycle accident in his hometown of Shippagan, New Brunswick. The Canucks honoured Bourdon with a tribute in the season opener, October 9, against the Calgary Flames.
Among the Canucks' roster additions was Steve Bernier, who was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres for a second and third round draft pick, and Pavol Demitra, who signed a two-year, $8-million contract.
The Canucks announced on September 4, 2008, that they will honour Linden in a pre-game ceremony on December 17, 2008 before a game against the Edmonton Oilers. His jersey number, 16, will be retired by the team, joining former captain Stan Smyl as the second Canuck to have his number retired.
===Pre-season===
The Canucks' 2008 pre-season began on September 12 with the opening of their annual prospects training camp. The camp consisted of 22 players and was held in Vancouver, British Columbia at both General Motors Place and the University of British Columbia campus, as well as in Camrose, Alberta. The prospect camp was then followed by the main training camp, held over two days beginning September 20 in Whistler, British Columbia.
On September 30, 2008, the Canucks named Roberto Luongo as the twelfth captain in team history, with Luongo becoming only the seventh goaltender in NHL history to be named team captain. NHL rules prevent goaltenders from physically wearing the captain's letter "C", however, they do not prevent goaltenders from being named captain. The Canucks also named Willie Mitchell, Mattias Ohlund, and Ryan Kesler as alternate captains. Mitchell will be responable for dealing with officials during games, while Ohlund will be responsible for ceremonial faceoffs and other ceremonial duties.
2008 Pre-season Game Log: 6–0–1 (Home: 3–0–1 ; Road: 3–0–0)	2008 Pre-season Game Log: 6–0–1 (Home: 3–0–1 ; Road: 3–0–0)	2008 Pre-season Game Log: 6–0–1 (Home: 3–0–1 ; Road: 3–0–0)	2008 Pre-season Game Log: 6–0–1 (Home: 3–0–1 ; Road: 3–0–0)	2008 Pre-season Game Log: 6–0–1 (Home: 3–0–1 ; Road: 3–0–0)	2008 Pre-season Game Log: 6–0–1 (Home: 3–0–1 ; Road: 3–0–0)	2008 Pre-season Game Log: 6–0–1 (Home: 3–0–1 ; Road: 3–0–0)	2008 Pre-season Game Log: 6–0–1 (Home: 3–0–1 ; Road: 3–0–0)	2008 Pre-season Game Log: 6–0–1 (Home: 3–0–1 ; Road: 3–0–0)	2008 Pre-season Game Log: 6–0–1 (Home: 3–0–1 ; Road: 3–0–0)	2008 Pre-season Game Log: 6–0–1 (Home: 3–0–1 ; Road: 3–0–0)
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score 	Home 	OT 	Decision 	Attendance 	Record 	Recap 	
1 	September 22 	Vancouver 	4–3 	Edmonton 	SO 	Schneider 	16,839 	1–0–0 	 	
2 	September 23 	Edmonton 	1–2 	Vancouver 	 	Luongo 	18,630 	2–0–0 	 	
3 	September 27 	Vancouver 	3–2 	San Jose 	 	Luongo 	16,721 	3–0–0 	 	
4 	September 28 	Vancouver 	5–4 	Anaheim 	SO 	Sanford 	16,481 	4–0–0 	 	
5 	October 1 	Calgary 	1–6 	Vancouver 	 	Luongo 	18,630 	5–0–0 	 	
6 	October 2 	San Jose 	2–3 	Vancouver 	 	Sanford 	18,630 	6–0–0 	 	
7 	October 5 	Anaheim 	4–3 	Vancouver 	OT 	Luongo 	18,630 	6–0–1 	 	
==Standings==
===Divisional standings===
===Conference standings===
==Schedule and results==
===Regular season===
2008–09 Game log	2008–09 Game log	2008–09 Game log	2008–09 Game log	2008–09 Game log	2008–09 Game log	2008–09 Game log	2008–09 Game log	2008–09 Game log	2008–09 Game log	2008–09 Game log	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
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{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%	October: 6–5–0 (Home: 2–1–0 ; Road: 4–4–0)	October: 6–5–0 (Home: 2–1–0 ; Road: 4–4–0)	October: 6–5–0 (Home: 2–1–0 ; Road: 4–4–0)	October: 6–5–0 (Home: 2–1–0 ; Road: 4–4–0)	October: 6–5–0 (Home: 2–1–0 ; Road: 4–4–0)	October: 6–5–0 (Home: 2–1–0 ; Road: 4–4–0)	October: 6–5–0 (Home: 2–1–0 ; Road: 4–4–0)	October: 6–5–0 (Home: 2–1–0 ; Road: 4–4–0)	October: 6–5–0 (Home: 2–1–0 ; Road: 4–4–0)	October: 6–5–0 (Home: 2–1–0 ; Road: 4–4–0)	October: 6–5–0 (Home: 2–1–0 ; Road: 4–4–0)
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score 	Home 	OT 	Decision 	Attendance 	Record 	Pts 	Recap 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1 	October 9 	Calgary 	0–6 	Vancouver 	 	Luongo 	18,630 	1–0–0 	2 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2 	October 11 	Vancouver 	5–4 	Calgary 	OT 	Luongo 	19,289 	2–0–0 	4 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
3 	October 13 	Vancouver 	1–5 	Washington 	 	Luongo 	16,847 	2–1–0 	4 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
4 	October 16 	Vancouver 	4–3 	Detroit 	OT 	Luongo 	19,011 	3–1–0 	6 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
5 	October 17 	Vancouver 	2–5 	Buffalo 	 	Sanford 	18,449 	3–2–0 	6 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
6 	October 19 	Vancouver 	2–4 	Chicago 	 	Luongo 	21,193 	3–3–0 	6 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
7 	October 21 	Vancouver 	2–4 	Columbus 	 	Luongo 	12,057 	3–4–0 	6 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
8 	October 25 	Edmonton 	3–6 	Vancouver 	 	Luongo 	18,630 	4–4–0 	8 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
9 	October 28 	Boston 	1–0 	Vancouver 	 	Luongo 	18,630 	4–5–0 	8 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
10 	October 30 	Vancouver 	4–0 	Los Angeles 	 	Luongo 	13,652 	5–5–0 	10 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
11 	October 31 	Vancouver 	7–6 	Anaheim 	SO 	Luongo 	16,704 	6–5–0 	12 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
===Playoffs===
2009 Stanley Cup playoffs	2009 Stanley Cup playoffs	2009 Stanley Cup playoffs	2009 Stanley Cup playoffs	2009 Stanley Cup playoffs	2009 Stanley Cup playoffs	2009 Stanley Cup playoffs	2009 Stanley Cup playoffs	2009 Stanley Cup playoffs	2009 Stanley Cup playoffs	2009 Stanley Cup playoffs	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
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{| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=100%	Western Conference quarter-final vs. (6) St. Louis Blues: Vancouver won series 4–0	Western Conference quarter-final vs. (6) St. Louis Blues: Vancouver won series 4–0	Western Conference quarter-final vs. (6) St. Louis Blues: Vancouver won series 4–0	Western Conference quarter-final vs. (6) St. Louis Blues: Vancouver won series 4–0	Western Conference quarter-final vs. (6) St. Louis Blues: Vancouver won series 4–0	Western Conference quarter-final vs. (6) St. Louis Blues: Vancouver won series 4–0	Western Conference quarter-final vs. (6) St. Louis Blues: Vancouver won series 4–0	Western Conference quarter-final vs. (6) St. Louis Blues: Vancouver won series 4–0	Western Conference quarter-final vs. (6) St. Louis Blues: Vancouver won series 4–0	Western Conference quarter-final vs. (6) St. Louis Blues: Vancouver won series 4–0
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score 	Home 	OT 	Decision 	Attendance 	Series 	Recap 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
1 	April 15 	St. Louis 	1–2 	Vancouver 	 	Luongo 	18,630 	1–0 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2 	April 17 	St. Louis 	0–3 	Vancouver 	 	Luongo 	18,630 	2–0 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
3 	April 19 	Vancouver 	3–2 	St. Louis 	 	Luongo 	19,500 	3–0 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
4 	April 21 	Vancouver 	3–2 	St. Louis 	OT 	Luongo 	19,250 	4–0 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
==Player stats==
===Skaters===
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/Minus; PIM = Penalty Minutes
Regular season	 	 	 	 	 	
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable sortable" width="100%"	 	 	 	 	 	
Player 	GP	G 	A 	Pts	+/-	PIM
 	82	31	51	82 	+24	36
 	82	22	60	82 	+22	48
 	82	26	33	59 	+8 	61
 	69	20	33	53 	+6 	20
 	82	28	23	51 	+23	150
 	72	11	32	43 	-4 	97
 	80	10	27	37 	+11	54
 	81	15	17	32 	+4 	27
 	41	9 	19	28 	-5 	28
 	74	18	9 	27 	+2 	4
 	82	6 	19	25 	+14	105
 	60	5 	20	25 	+5 	26
 	72	11	12	23 	+2 	24
 	82	3 	20	23 	+29	59
 	55	6 	15	21 	+5 	37
 	69	10	9 	19 	0 	43
 	76	0 	10	10 	+6 	196
 	62	2 	7 	9 	+1 	12
 	73	4 	1 	5 	+1 	109
 	14	2 	2 	4 	-2 	14
 	12	3 	0 	3 	-3 	19
 	23	0 	2 	2 	-4 	51
 	4 	1 	0 	1 	0 	2
 	3 	0 	1 	1 	+1 	0
 	7 	0 	1 	1 	+1 	4
 	14	0 	1 	1 	+3 	6
 	20	0 	1 	1 	-5 	85
 	3 	0 	0 	0 	+1 	0
Playoffs	 	 	 	 	 	
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable sortable" width="100%"	 	 	 	 	 	
Player 	GP	G	A	Pts	+/-	PIM
 	10	4	6	10 	+2 	2
 	10	4	6	10 	+4 	8
 	8 	3	5	8 	-1 	2
 	10	1	7	8 	-2 	6
 	7 	3	4	7 	0 	2
 	10	1	5	6 	-1 	0
 	10	0	5	5 	+3 	14
 	10	3	1	4 	+3 	20
 	10	2	2	4 	-1 	7
 	10	2	2	4 	-2 	14
 	10	2	1	3 	-2 	2
 	6 	1	2	3 	-2 	2
 	10	1	2	3 	+5 	6
 	10	1	1	2 	0 	2
 	10	1	1	2 	-3 	24
 	10	0	2	2 	-2 	22
 	10	0	2	2 	-1 	40
 	10	1	0	1 	+1 	14
 	2 	0	0	0 	0 	0
 	3 	0	0	0 	0 	2
 	4 	0	0	0 	-3 	2
===Goaltenders===
Note: GP = Games Played; TOI = Time On Ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime Losses; GA = Goals Against; GAA= Goals Against Average; SA= Shots Against; SV= Saves; Sv% = Save Percentage; SO= Shutouts
Regular season	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable sortable" width="100%"	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Player 	GP	TOI 	W 	L 	OT	GA 	GAA 	SA 	SV 	Sv% 	SO
 	54	3181	33	13	7 	124	2.34	1542	1418	.920	9
 	19	973 	7 	8 	0 	42 	2.59	448 	406 	.906	1
 	9 	451 	3 	2 	2 	20 	2.66	235 	215 	.915	0
 	8 	355 	2 	4 	1 	20 	3.38	162 	142 	.877	0
Playoffs	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="wikitable sortable" width="100%"	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Player 	GP	TOI	W	L	GA	GAA 	SA 	SV 	Sv% 	SO
 	10	618	6	4	26	2.52	304	278	.914	1
†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Vancouver. Stats reflect time with the Canucks only.‡Denotes player no longer with the team. Stats reflect time with Canucks only.
==Awards and records==
===Awards===
*Daniel Sedin was named the NHL's first star of the week for the week ending October 12, 2008.
*Roberto Luongo was named the NHL's first star of the week for the week ending November 9, 2008.
*Henrik Sedin was named the NHL's second star of the week for the week ending November 23, 2008.
*Roberto Luongo was named to the Western Conference roster for the 57th National Hockey League All-Star Game in Montreal, Quebec.
*Daniel Sedin was named the NHL's second star of the week for the week ending March 29, 2009.
*Henrik Sedin was named the NHL's second star of the month for March.
*Roberto Luongo was named the NHL's first star of the week for the week ending April 12, 2009.
===Records===
*Roberto Luongo set a franchise record for consecutive shutout minutes with 242:36 on November 12, 2008 versus the Colorado Avalanche.
*The Canucks set a franchise record for consecutive home losses with 7 on January 18, 2009 versus the Columbus Blue Jackets.
*Mattias Ohlund set a franchise record for the most points scored by a defenceman with 322 points on March 15, 2009 versus the Colorado Avalanche.
*The Canucks set a franchise record for consecutive home wins with 11 on March 19, 2009 versus the St. Louis Blues.
*Roberto Luongo set a franchise record for most shutouts in a season with 8 on April 9, 2009 versus the Los Angeles Kings, and ended the season with one more, for a total of 9 shutouts and tying Kirk McLean for the all-time franchise lead in shutouts.
===Milestones===
Regular Season 	Regular Season 	Regular Season 	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season	Regular Season
Player 	Milestone 	Reached 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Pavol Demitra 	700th point 	October 11, 2008 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Alexander Edler 	100th game 	October 13, 2008 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Jannik Hansen 	1st goal 	October 16, 2008 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Roberto Luongo 	200th win 	October 16, 2008 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Alain Vigneault 	200th win 	October 16, 2008 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Jason Krog 	200th game 	October 25, 2008 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Roberto Luongo 	500th game 	October 31, 2008 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Mattias Ohlund 	700th game 	November 2, 2008 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Henrik Sedin 	300th assist 	November 4, 2008 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Kyle Wellwood 	200th game 	November 12, 2008	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Rob Davison 	200th game 	November 20, 2008	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Daniel Sedin 	400th point 	November 24, 2008	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Alexandre Bolduc	1st game 	November 27, 2008	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Henrik Sedin 	400th point 	November 27, 2008	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Steve Bernier 	200th game 	November 29, 2008	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cory Schneider 	1st game 	November 29, 2008	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Steve Bernier 	100th point 	December 4, 2008 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cory Schneider 	1st win 	December 5, 2008 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Curtis Sanford 	100th game 	December 17, 2008	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Ryan Kesler 	100th point 	December 22, 2008	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Henrik Sedin 	600th game 	December 26, 2008	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Jason LaBarbera 	100th game 	January 2, 2009 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Daniel Sedin 	600th game 	January 2, 2009 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Alexandre Bolduc	1st point1st assist	January 4, 2009 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Shane O'Brien 	200th game 	January 7, 2009 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Willie Mitchell 	500th game 	January 10, 2009 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Taylor Pyatt 	500th game 	January 13, 2009 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Willie Mitchell 	100th point 	January 18, 2009 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Henrik Sedin 	100th goal 	March 13, 2009 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Alain Vigneault 	500th game 	March 19, 2009 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Pavol Demitra 	300th goal 	March 31, 2009 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Alex Burrows 	100th point 	April 2, 2009 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
==Transactions==
===Trades===
June 4, 2008 	To Vancouver CanucksSteve Bernier 	To Buffalo SabresLos Angeles's 3rd round draft pick in 20092nd round draft pick in 2010
September 2, 2008	To Vancouver CanucksLawrence Nycholat 	To Ottawa SenatorsRyan Shannon
October 6, 2008 	To Vancouver CanucksShane O'BrienMichel Ouellet 	To Tampa Bay LightningLukas KrajicekJuraj Simek
December 9, 2008 	To Vancouver CanucksConditional draft pick in 2009	To Chicago BlackhawksJim Sharrow
December 30, 2008	To Vancouver CanucksJason LaBarbera 	To Los Angeles Kings7th round draft pick in 2009
February 4, 2009 	To Vancouver CanucksNathan McIver 	To Anaheim DucksMike Brown
===Free agents acquired===
Player 	Former team 	Contract terms
Darcy Hordichuk 	Carolina Hurricanes	Three-year, $2.25-million
Ryan Johnson 	St. Louis Blues 	Two-year, $2.3-million
Nolan Baumgartner	Dallas Stars 	Two-way deal, $1.2-million
Mark Cullen 	Detroit Red Wings 	One-year, $500,000
Pavol Demitra 	Minnesota Wild 	Two-year, $8-million
Rob Davison 	New York Islanders 	One-year, $560,000
Jason Krog 	Atlanta Thrashers 	One-year, $700,000
Mats Sundin 	Toronto Maple Leafs	One-year, $5-million
===Free agents lost===
Player 	New team 	Contract Terms
Drew MacIntyre 	Nashville Predators	
Markus Naslund 	New York Rangers 	Two-year, $8-million
Brendan Morrison	Anaheim Ducks 	One-year, $2.75-million
Mike Weaver 	St. Louis Blues 	
Brad Isbister 	Ottawa Senators 	Two-way deal
Trevor Linden 	 	Retired
===Received from Waivers===
Player 	From
Kyle Wellwood	Toronto Maple Leafs
Ossi Vaananen	Philadelphia Flyers
===Lost on Waivers===
Player 	New Team
Nathan McIver 	Anaheim Ducks
Matt Pettinger 	Tampa Bay Lightning
Lawrence Nycholat	Calgary Flames
===Draft picks===
Vancouver's picks at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft in Ottawa, Ontario.
Round	# 	Player 	Nationality	College/Junior/Club Team (League)
1 	10 	Cody Hodgson (C) 	 	Brampton Battalion (OHL)
2 	41 	Yann Sauve (D) 	 	Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
5 	131	Prab Rai (C) 	 	Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
6 	161	Mats Frøshaug (C)	 	Linköpings Jr. (Sweden)
7 	191	Morgan Clark (G) 	 	Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
==Farm teams==
===Manitoba Moose===
The Canucks' AHL affiliate based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Moose' home arena is the MTS Centre. The team has been affiliated with the Vancouver Canucks since the 2000–01 AHL season.
===Victoria Salmon Kings===
The Canucks' ECHL affiliate based in Victoria, British Columbia. The Salmon Kings' home arena is the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. The team has been affiliated with the Vancouver Canucks since the 2006–07 ECHL season.
==References==
==External links==
*Vancouver Canucks official website
Category:Vancouver Canucks seasons
Category:2008 in hockey
Category:2009 in hockey