1987-1988: PAT QUINN TAKES OVER
Pat Quinn officially assumed the duties of President and General Manager on May 1. He quickly hired two of his former Philadelphia colleagues: Brian Burke as Director of Hockey Operations and Bob McCammon as Head Coach. His first major transaction would come later that summer when he dealt Patrik Sundstrom to New Jersey for G Kirk McLean and C Greg Adams.
Adams would make an immediate impact in a Vancouver uniform, scoring four times in the season opener, an 8-2 drubbing of St. Louis. He saved what was probably his best performance of the season for a visit by his old teammates, the Devils, on November 25 when he registered two goals, including a spectacular individual effort, and two assists in a 4-2 victory. As well, he seemed to have little trouble replacing Sundstrom as Tony Tanti's set-up man. Tanti became the first Canuck to register back-to-back 40-goal seasons and in five full seasons as a Canuck had now scored no fewer than 39 goals in a season. Tanti finished with 77 points, one ahead of Adams. Barry Pederson had 52 assists for the second year in a row and finished third in scoring with 71 points. McLean meanwhile, quickly displaced Richard Brodeur as the starting goaltender. Brodeur would only play 11 games for Vancouver before finally being dealt to Hartford for G Steve Weeks on the trading deadline. The Canucks seemed destined for the playoffs before hitting the skids in a big way in late February/early March. A 12-game winless streak (0-10-2), combined with a late surge by the Kings, sealed their fate. For the third time in four seasons, the Canucks finished the season with 59 points. Once again, there would be no playoffs.
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