X-Factors of the Pacific Division

The Canucks are entering a battleground this upcoming season.  The new Pacific Division for the 2013-2014 NHL season is full of hatred, tenacity, and competitiveness.  The Vancouver Canucks will be seeing the Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, and Phoenix Coyotes more often.  There is no love loss between the Canucks and the California hockey clubs.  The Canucks are already familiar with the Province of Alberta as a natural Canadian rivalry.  Phoenix is a pesky team and always plays a close game with Vancouver.

So what can we expect in this new Pacific Division?  What players will stick out in this battleground of a division?  Which players could cause some trouble for the Canucks?

Here are some of the X-Factors of the Pacific Division...

Anaheim Ducks: Ryan Getzlaf

X-Factor: Getzlaf is one of the most underrated centres in the NHL.  He is a terrific playmaker with good hands and excellent vision on the ice.  He controls the puck well and has a sneaky shot.  Getzlaf is a willing combatant when sticking up for teammates and is the Captain for the Ducks for a very good reason.  On a side note, he has worn a helmet so long, it is doing wonders for his receding hairline.

Here is Getzlaf using a Vancouver defensive screen to his advantage:

Calgary Flames: Curtis Glencross 

X-Factor: Glencross is one of Calgary's gems.  The Saskatchewan native is a gritty winger who has speed and good hands to boot.  He can put up 20 goals consistently and is a threat on both the powerplay and penalty kill.  I would put his name in for consideration as the next Captain of the Calgary Flames.

Here is Glencross stealing the puck from Henrik Sedin and ripping a shot past Cory Schneider:

Edmonton Oilers: Jordan Eberle

X-Factor: Eberle has all the tools to score 50 goals in a season.  The young Oilers winger is not a large guy but plays a big man's game.  He has good wheels and is a hound on the puck.  While he is stuck in Taylor Hall's shadow, I think Eberle is a better rounded player.  He knows when to shoot or when to pass, and knows how to get his mitts in the dirty areas.  Eberle has my vote to be the next Captain of the Edmonton Oilers.


Here is Eberle driving into the zone showing off his slick puck handling and wripping the puck past Roberto Luongo...

Los Angeles Kings: Jonathan Quick

X-Factor: Quick is one of the best goaltenders in the NHL right now.  The Conn Smythe Trophy winner is among the league's elite.  He helped carry the Kings on their tremendous 2012 Stanley Cup run with an impressive 1.41 GAA and staggering .946 SV%.  Quick is the backbone of the Kings lineup and will be for the next decade.

Here is Quick with an impressive breakaway save on Daniel Sedin...

Phoenix Coyotes: Shane Doan 

X-Factor: Keanu Reeves...err... Shane Doan is what any team wants their Captain to resemble.  He can score, shoot, hit, fight... the list can go on forever.  The heart and soul of the Coyotes comes out through Doan.  He is a player whose energy can be magnetic to his teammates.  Doan is a loyal to his family, his team, and his city.


Here is Doan mixing it up with LA Kings forward Mike Richards...

San Jose Sharks: Logan Couture

X-Factor: The Ontario native is a first round pick of the Sharks.  At the tender age of 24, he is already a consistent 30 goal scorer and is one of the top faceoff centres in the NHL.  The future of the Sharks is through Logan and his willingness to win.  He is involved in all situations and can be shifted throughout the Sharks lineup.

Here is Couture's magic on the powerplay against the Canucks...

Vancouver Canucks: Ryan Kesler 

X-Factor: Kesler is the motor that drives the Canucks.  He is a former Selke Trophy winner as the league's best defensive forward.  While plagued by injuries the past couple seasons, Kesler finally gets a full summer and a full training camp.  If Kesler can avoid the injury bug, there is no doubt that he can reach the 40 goal plateau once again.

Here is Kesler in 2011 playoffs form...

Until next time, stay classy. Go Canucks! -George