Craig Coxe was chosen by the San Jose Sharks in the expansion draft, and Steve Bozek signed with the same club as a free agent.
On November 3, the Canucks paid tribute to their long-time captain and all-time leading scorer turned assistant coach (Smyl) with a special pre-game ceremony.
The Pavel Bure debacle was being settled during that time and two nights later he made his NHL debut before a packed Coliseum against the Winnipeg Jets.
Playing with Larionov and Greg Adams, Bure completed the "BIG Line", which became, arguably, the most dangerous offensive unit in Canucks history.
Though all of the experts were predicting otherwise, the Canucks remained among the NHL's elite throughout the season, hitting a high point with an 11–0 shellacking of the Calgary Flames on March 1.
Kirk McLean rebounded to have a terrific season in goal, winning a club-record 38 games and recording a 2.74 goals-against average with five shutouts earning him team MVP honors.
Finally, the streak of losing seasons had been halted at 16 years and, for the first time since 1982, the Canucks would open up a playoff series at home.
Monthly Record: 9–3–1 (Home 5–1–1; Road 4–2–0) Monthly Record: 7–4–2 (Home 6–2–1; Road 1–2–1) Monthly Record: 6–4–3 (Home 3–1–2; Road 3–3–1) Monthly Record: 7–3–1 (Home 2–2–0; Road 5–1–1) Monthly Record: 5–6–2 (Home 3–2–1; Road 2–4–1) Monthly Record: 7–5–2 (Home 3–1–1; Road 4–4–1) Monthly Record: 1–1–1 (Home 1–0–1; Road 1–0–0) Vancouver wins series 4–3 Edmonton wins series 4–2 Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; Sv% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; +/- = Plus/minus; PIM = Penalty minutes Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; Sv% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average Vancouver's losses at the 1991 NHL Dispersal and Expansion Drafts in Buffalo, New York.