Core locked up: Forward Elias Pettersson is signed for the next two seasons, goalie Thatcher Demko for four, and defenseman Quinn Hughes for five, giving the Canucks three players to build around. Pettersson, 23, has scored 66 points (32 goals, 34 assists) in 78 games; Hughes, 22, has scored 66 points (eight goals, 58 assists) in 74 games; Demko, 26, is 33-22-7 in 64 games (61 starts).
Boudreau full season as coach:The Canucks are 31-15-9 (.645 points percentage) since Boudreau took over and third on the power play (26.8 percent). It's clear Boudreau has made an impact after guiding teams to the postseason in 10 of his 13 seasons as an NHL coach prior to this one, including his first season with each of the previous three he coached (Minnesota Wild, Anaheim Ducks, Washington Capitals).
J.T. Miller: The 29-year-old forward is having the best season of his 10-season NHL career. He's three points from 100 with 97 points (31 goals, 66 assists) in 78 games, has set NHL career bests in goals, assists, points, power-play points (37) and overtime goals (three), and his six game-winning goals are tied for his career high set with the New York Rangers in 2016-17. Miller plays all situations, leading Vancouver forwards in shorthanded (2:05) and power-play (3:20) ice time per game and has won 53.6 percent of his face-offs.