Myers Signing was a Must but will Canucks Make Playoffs in 2020?

The Canucks have never gone more than four years without missing the playoffs and if things don't work out this year they will set a franchise record that Jim Benning and company do not want to be part of. 

I'm completely ok with the J.T. Miller trade and if we are going for a playoff run next year we had to sign Myers and Benn. Our D-core looks better than it was last year and I'm crossing my fingers that we will get Nikita Tryamkin and Jett Woo the year after which would help replenish the disappointing  Vancouver Defensive core that we have witnessed the past four years. 

If I was a betting man, my hard earned money would be on that the Canucks miss the playoffs next year but they make it in 2021. For us to make the playoffs we will have to beat out at least two teams that think they are playoff contenders. 

Here is my projected Pacific and Central Division Standings as of now:

1. San Jose                    1. Dallas            

2. Calgary                      2. Colorado 

3. Las Vegas                  3. Nashville 

4. Edmonton                 4. St. Louis 

5. Vancouver                 5. Winnipeg 

6. Arizona                     6. Chicago 

7. Anaheim                   7. Minnesota  

8. L.A. 

As you can see, I think 4-7 could be very competitive. Despite Edmonton's circus, they are still hard to bet against and I think Ken Holland puts them nose ahead of Vancouver. The Central division is where things get interesting. There seems to be a changing of the guard where Dallas and Colorado look super strong but Nashville, St. Louis and Winnipeg still have playoff expectations. 

We would have been in a lot of trouble without Myers. Last year was a down year for the Western Conference with 90 points making the playoffs. I would imagine that the bar would increase to about 95 next year. 

If that is true, the Canucks would have to improve by 14 points next year. I'm skeptical if this team can do that especially with the injury issues that this team has been through the last few years. 

Benning neeeded to go for it however, my gut tells me that his job is on the line in the 2019-20 season. He at least needs to have an above 500. record but with the Miller trade, he has basically put himself on the chopping block if they miss the playoffs next year.