2012–13 Vancouver Canucks season

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2012–13 Vancouver Canucks season: a concise recap

The Canucks’ 2012–13 campaign was their 43rd in the NHL. They won their fifth straight Northwest Division title and finished third in the Western Conference. Vancouver entered the playoffs as the third seed but were swept by the San Jose Sharks in the first round. After the season, head coach Alain Vigneault was fired and replaced by John Tortorella.

Lockout and a shortened schedule
The NHL’s lockout shortened the season to 48 games. Cory Schneider began the year as the starting goaltender, while Roberto Luongo remained with the team amid trade rumors. The goalie situation led to a lengthy controversy, with both netminders sharing time early on.

Key players, injuries and team dynamics
The Canucks faced a string of injuries. Center Ryan Kesler was sidelined at the start of the season while recovering from shoulder and wrist issues, and winger David Booth missed weeks with an injury. Manny Malhotra was placed on injured reserve for the season due to risk of eye injury recurrence. Kesler later returned but with a fracture in his foot, forcing him out again for several weeks. The Sedin twins, Henrik and Daniel, carried the offense, but their production declined from previous years, and the team’s power play dropped from fourth to 23rd in the league. Alex Burrows led the team in goals, while Henrik Sedin set a new franchise scoring mark. Henrik also became the Canucks’ all-time leading scorer, surpassing Markus Naslund.

Derek Roy and late-season moves
To help at center during Kesler’s absence, Vancouver acquired Derek Roy from Dallas. Roy played as the team’s third-line center after the trade. The Canucks also added depth by signing defenseman Jason Garrison in the off-season, while Sami Salo departed as a free agent for Tampa Bay. Goaltending remained unsettled late in the season, and Schneider finished strong as the starter before an injury sidelined him for the playoffs.

Season highlights and records
- The Sedin twins’ production dipped, but Henrik Sedin still made history by passing Naslund for the franchise’s all-time points leader.
- Alex Burrows scored a notable six seconds into a game, the fastest goal in Canucks history.
- The Canucks wore a Vancouver Millionaires patch to celebrate 100 years of hockey in British Columbia, including a game with replica Millionaires jerseys.

Draft and trades
In the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Vancouver selected Brendan Gaunce 26th overall and Alexandre Mallet with a later pick. A notable trade occurred during the season’s draft period: Schneider was traded to the New Jersey Devils for the ninth overall pick, which Vancouver used to select Bo Horvat. The move surprised many fans and players, with Luongo and Schneider both reacting to the uncertain future.

Farm system and affiliates
The Canucks’ AHL affiliate was the Chicago Wolves. After the season, Vancouver acquired the Peoria Rivermen to become their new farm team, ultimately relocating the franchise to Utica, New York to form the Utica Comets.

Season results at a glance
- Regular season: 26–15–7 (48 games)
- Home: 15–6–3; Road: 11–9–4
- Goals for: 127; Goals against: 121
- Leaders: Goals — Alex Burrows (13); Assists — Henrik Sedin (34); Points — Henrik Sedin (45); Penalty minutes — Alex Burrows (54); Plus/minus — Henrik Sedin (+19)
- Goaltenders: Wins — Cory Schneider (17); Goals-against average — Cory Schneider (2.11)

Playoffs
The Canucks faced the Sharks in the first round and were swept 4–0. With Schneider injured late in the season, Luongo started Game 1, but Vancouver could not overcome San Jose. The series included controversial calls and heated moments, but the result ended Vancouver’s season.

After the season
Gillis moved to reset the roster, firing Vigneault and bringing in Tortorella as head coach. The organization also continued to shape its core around the Sedins while planning for future goaltending and depth.