Vegas Golden Knights scouting report on a division rival with the Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks came out of nowhere to win the Pacific Division last season, surprising hockey pundits and fans alike. They finished with a record of 50-23-9 and 109 points, coming within a game of eliminating the Edmonton Oilers.

They also had superstars such as James Norris Memorial Trophy winner, Quinn Hughes (75 assists, 92 points in 2023-24), and Elias Pettersson (34 goals, 89 points) emerge, turning them into a Stanley Cup threat. With their newfound success, fans aren't going to forget about the Canucks anytime soon.

In fact, the entire NHL will remember Vancouver for the next few years. They have a solid goaltender in Thatcher Demko, a Vezina Trophy finalist (he finished second). Although injury concerns could keep him out for the start of the 2024-25 season, fans will watch intently to see how well he'll perform.

Of course, their talent stems beyond Hughes, Demko, and Pettersson. They also have a bottom-six group that rivals Vegas. They just re-signed Teddy Blueger for another two years and added Jake DeBrusk. There are also solid players such as Pius Suter, Dakota Joshua, and Conor Garland. The Canucks are a well-rounded threat that can punish any team.

However, that doesn't mean the Golden Knights can't beat them. There's a viable path for Vegas to defeat their Pacific Division adversaries and reclaim the crown. Hockey is a game of parity where unsuspecting teams can win it all.

So you're saying there's a chance...

Look at the Florida Panthers as a good example, where they were barely scratching past the first round a couple of seasons ago. Now, they're the Stanley Cup champions. Plus, Vegas will have new faces like Noah Hanifin for a full season. That should give them a chance to compete.

That's especially true with the stable ownership and front office the Vegas Golden Knights have had. No team has made six playoff appearances in seven seasons looks easy like Vegas. The Vancouver Canucks made it for the first time since 2012-13, bringing a promising youth movement to the team. Now, they reign as the Pacific Division champions.

So that leaves the Golden Knights wondering how they can be the kings of the Pacific again. What adjustments must they make to defeat their newfound adversaries? What opportunities are there to move past the Canucks? Here's the blueprint for regaining the throne.