I don't think they needed a bunch of "tough WHLers". I think they needed a PP that was working. They were a whisker a way from winning the holy grail, but I think its a stretch to suggest they didn't have the right parts to win. It was one game away.
That said, it was evident the rule book changed as the playoffs progressed. Completely contrary to the way the league claimed it was going for the last few years.
And I used to enjoy the old style playoffs with the warrior battles. Just saying, the NHL blows all this smoke about the new improved game, the Canucks build their team according to the rules as they are now, and the league changes what they allow in the playoffs...