<
>
EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
Get ESPN+

Canucks need to focus on old adage

Christian Ehrhoff was a good pickup for theCanucks, but they need more help on D. Getty Images

Plugging Holes -- Vancouver Canucks

The Hole: A shutdown defenseman

The Chicago Blackhawks exposed one of Vancouver's few shortcomings in the playoffs -- and its lack of shutdown depth on the blue line will only get worse if the Canucks part ways with unrestricted free agent Willie Mitchell. The Canucks threw the second-fewest hits and yet took the sixth-most minor penalties this past season, and they would benefit most from signing one of the many board-rattling but disciplined free-agent defensemen.