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Three simple words have never meant so much as they do now.

Something's gotta give.

The Vancouver Canucks are off to a brutal 0-3-0 record for the start of the new season; their worst start in nearly 8 years.

After going 7-0-2 in the pre-season, the Canucks are proving to the letter just how unreliable exhibition game results truly are, and now we can take that statement to the bank.

After averaging nearly 3.5 goals a game in the pre-season, the Canucks have managed to produce nothing from the powerplay and their secondary scoring is absolutely nowhere to be found. While no person in particular is getting any majority share of the blame that is currently thick to pass around, sooner or later, something or someone has to be held accountable.

Quite frankly, the Sedins aren't playing like 6.5 million dollar players. When will they evolve and take the next step forward from top-line players to elite-level players? Consider this: The Sedins have not changed their playing style since 2006. Back then, their cycle was a bargain at 3.575 million each. Now, it's overpaid, overused and overrated.

Roberto Luongo seems to have no desire to play for the upcoming 2010 Games by the way he's been playing lately. I haven't seen a goalie let in 3 goals on 3 shots since last year's All-Star Game where the league opted to hire a Junior-B goaltender in the elimination shootout. This is not the type of goaltending that the Canucks, or any team suggesting they are contending for the Cup, can get away with. When you lose to Miikka Kiprusoff, that's understandable-- But getting outplayed heavily by the likes of Craig Anderson and Steve Mason is completely unacceptable.

Mikael Samuelsson does not look like a Detroit Red Wings player at all. Since when were Red Wings players hesitant with the puck and opt to constant turnovers? Something is holding Sammy back, whether it's a confidence issue or a nagging injury; the speed in his shot isn't there and his skating is sluggish.

Ryan Kesler seems to content on competing for the Selke this year and has no ambition for even dreaming of the Art Ross. Even so, by the way he's playing, Kesler will be a no-show for any award nomination. No goals, no offense, no success for the Canucks. A big part of the Canucks success last year was building the secondary offense behind the Sedins. And speaking of,

Sergei Shirokov seems to be stuck in a state of starstruck shenanigans. It won't be a great long-term solution, but Shirokov may need a shakeup and could afford to watch a few games from the press-box while the Canucks add some emotion and grit into their lineup by inserting Tanner Glass.

Glass literally fought his way onto the roster, and for a Canucks team that is largely without heart or determination after falling a goal behind (which is a horrifyingly recurring theme) they could use a body that is willing to hit, fight and yap all game long.

Now, Ryan Kesler is a great player who could very well be a consistent 30-goal scorer in the league someday, but it really looks as though the absence of both Mats Sundin and Pavol Demitra has humbled the Michigan-native. Yes, he notched a career-high 59 points last year and has a lot to play for this year what with an Olympic roster spot on the line, including a new contract for next year. But Kesler has been given the bulk of the offensive responsibility this year (at least until Demitra's return) and he hasn't delivered.

Suddenly, Cody Hodgson sounds like a fantastic option.

And for the real cynics, Michael Grabner is always a phonecall away.