$5 Takeaways From Vancouver Canucks\' Early-Season Play$

5 Takeaways From Vancouver Canucks' Early-Season Play

By Jeff Pearlman

Takeaways From Vancouver Canucks' Early-Season Play

Ryan Miller Vancouver Canucks — Exit terrific Torts, Roberto Luongo and Ryan Kesler, enter Willie Desjardins, Ryan Miller and Nick Bonino, and all of a sudden, the Vancouver Canucks are the cream of the Pacific Division crop.

No one knows if they can keep it up, but here are five things we've learned about the Canucks' early-season play.

5. The Twins are Back

Daniel Sedin Vancouver Canucks

5. The Twins are Back

Daniel Sedin Vancouver Canucks — In one year under John Tortorella's iron fist, Henrik and Daniel Sedin tallied a combined 90 points. It was their lowest combined point total in a decade.

This year, under new coach Willie Desjardins, the twins are on pace to rack up a combined 132 points, which will be their highest combined total since they scored 148 points in 2011-12.

4. Edler is Not an Elite Defender

Alex Edler Vancouver Canucks

4. Edler is Not an Elite Defender

Alex Edler Vancouver Canucks — Sorry Canucks fans, but there had to be bad news in here somewhere, right? Alexander Edler looked elite in 2011-12 when he scored 11 goals and added 38 helpers in 82 games, but he's only got 18 goals and 33 assists in 126 games since.

Furthermore, he's the No. 1 defender on a team ranked 20th in GAA, which proves that he's more of a complimentary piece than a go-to guy.

3. Burrows is Pesky as Ever

Alex Burrows Vancouver Canucks

3. Burrows is Pesky as Ever

Alex Burrows Vancouver Canucks — After a 2013-14 campaign that saw Alex Burrows score only 15 points in 49 games, the nettlesome forward is back to his old self. He's got nine points in 15 games this season, and he's already been suspended for an illegal hit.

It's back to business as usual for Mr. Burrows.

2. Miller is Not Luongo

Ryan Miller Vancouver Canucks

2. Miller is Not Luongo

Ryan Miller Vancouver Canucks — Ryan Miller is currently the owner of a 2.65 GAA and a .902 SV%. In eight seasons as the Canucks' netminder, Roberto Luongo's lowest GAA was 2.57 (2009-10) and his worst SV% was .907 (2012-13).

Miller is giving up more goals and whiffing on more shots than Luongo, but as the late, great Al Davis used to say, "Just win, baby."

At 11-3, that's exactly what Miller is doing.

1. Bonino Proving He's No Flash in the Pan

Nick Bonino Vancouver Canucks

1. Bonino Proving He's No Flash in the Pan

Nick Bonino Vancouver Canucks — In 2013-14, Nick Bonino had a break out campaign. His 22 goals and 27 assists were career-highs, and this year, the five-year veteran is on pace to appear on NHL scoresheets even more. Bonino currently has seven goals and seven assists, which puts him on pace for career-highs of 28 goals, 28 assists and 56 points.

Those aren't Ryan Kesler numbers, but looking at the Canucks' early-season success, it's clear that they don't have to be.

Jeff Pearlman is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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