Drew O’Connor is set to make franchise history on Monday when the Vancouver Canucks take on the San Jose Sharks. Barring any last-minute lineup changes, the 26-year-old will become the first player in Canucks history to play over 82 games in an 82-game season. O’Connor is on pace to finish 2024-25 with 84 games played and is one of less than ten players who have a chance to play over 82 games this season.
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The reason O’Connor has this opportunity is because of the timing of his trade to Vancouver. When he was dealt from the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Canucks, O’Connor had already played 53 games this season. Flash forward to today, and he has suited up for 29 games with Vancouver, which equals out to 82 games, despite the Canucks having only completed 80.
It is important to note that there are players in franchise history that have played either 83 or 84 games in a season. The difference is that the seven previous times it has happened were during 84 games seasons. Yes, the NHL had 84-game seasons at one point, with the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons being the only two to eclipse the 82-games played mark.
While playing over 82 games in a season is not uncommon in the NHL, it has never happened in Vancouver. According to the NHL’s stat page, no Canucks player has finished the season with over 82 games in an 82-game season. In the end, it is a unique first in Vancouver’s history as O’Connor will now become the answer to a Canucks-related trivia question.
Vancouver wraps up their season series with the Sharks on Monday night. The Canucks are 3-0 against their Pacific Division rivals, and will have their eyes on the season sweep. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm PT from Rogers Arena.
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