The Sedin brothers are one of the best pairs out there, yet when it comes down to it where are they? Playoffs last year they slacked off and were nowhere to be seen, a major cause of their team’s failure. This year they have been playing a lot better again, now that the pressure is off, but are they really leading the team? Do they need to take a course on leadership and example setting?

Also, Luongo. Schneider has been playing way better than you have. He did during the playoffs and he is again. You are being paid a lot of money and are a top notch goalie, why aren’t you playing at your skill level? And don’t give me that crap about having a bad October, that is just superstitious crap that you have convinced yourself of. If you believe you are going to have a bad October, of course you are going to play bad. You have no good excuse, play better! You are better than you are showing us; make the saves!

As I sit here and watch the Vancouver game against Washington, I can celebrate because they have finally gotten a first goal and have scored another on their first power play. But they have ended up in the penalty box early on once again, and shortly after it ends they let in a goal. If you spend a majority of the game in the penalty box with lazy penalties that should never have been taken, it is really hard to win games. Your players are tired, goalies overworked, and the other team just has too much room to work with. Stay out of the box! Don’t take stupid penalties!

Defensively they have been kind of weak as well. Not enough leg movement happening. You can’t stand in front of the net waiting for things to happen, make things happen! Put on the pressure and don’t give the opposing team any room to work with.

Offensively, where is the finish? They are getting the shots, but don’t seem to be finishing the plays. Follow up and get those rebounds! Be like Kesler; get your butt in that goalie’s face. Don’t be afraid to get hit by that puck. Redirect shots and don’t give the goalie a clear line of site nor any room to work with. Get in there!

Hopefully as the season progresses things will improve, but this has been a terrible start to the season! Rant over…

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Players like Martin St. Louis, Antti Niemi and even recent Hall of Fame inductee Dino Ciccarelli, weren’t able to revel in the excitement of being drafted by an NHL club. Such athletes have had to rely on years of determination, hard work and an innate belief in themselves and their own abilities, just to have the right to play in the best league in the world.

In April 2010 professional Finnish hockey club TPS, which plays in the SM-liiga, had just been crowned playoff champions and were awarded the Kanada-malja (or “Canada Cup”). American-born defenseman Lee Sweatt played a pivotal role for his squad and was largely responsible for helping his side win the championship.

In 15 playoffs games he was the leader with seven goals and six assists. He was later presented with the Pekka Rautakallio trophy as the league’s best defenseman. Sweatt then decided to return to North America in the hopes of pursuing a professional contract either in the NHL or American Hockey League.

On May 31, 2010, the 25-year-old Illinois native signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Vancouver Canucks. After many years he was finally given the opportunity to prove he could be a professional hockey player in North America; getting the one chance that had previously eluded him.

Like Ciccarelli, Sweatt wasn’t lucky enough to get drafted by an NHL team.

“During my draft year I was in my freshman year at Colorado College,” Sweatt said. “Although I performed well compared to where I was earlier in my career, I still wasn’t seen as a potential draft choice and as a result I went undrafted.”

While attending college he had to choose between his studying and hockey.

“I progressed as my years went along at school and I had a couple of offers to leave school early, but I decided to stay because I valued finishing my education.”

Once he had completed his degree, an AHL team showed an interest in his services, the Canucks defenseman explains.

“After my senior year I signed an ATO (amateur tryout contract), to play with the San Antonio Rampage, during the last 11 games of the season.”

In those 11 games he tallied one goal and one assist with eight penalty minutes, and wasn’t offered a professional contract.

“That was quite the learning experience but again I did not play up to the level needed to earn an NHL two-way contract.”

Unable to find a home with a team in North America, Sweatt was determined to continue playing the sport he loved, making the tough decision to leave his country and seek employment in one of the many European Elite Leagues.

“I knew the European game was more modeled towards skill instead of brute strength, so it would allow me to develop the skills that I needed in order to get a contract over here in North America.”

He started his European tour of duty in Finland but collected air miles in Austria and Latvia, playing in the Kontinental Hockey League. Sweatt eventually settled once again in Finland for TPS Turku. Even though he was playing on a different continent he was able to receive attention from the NHL.

“During the time I played with TPS, there were a few teams that were interested in me signing back in North America with an NHL two-way deal.

Although many general managers coveted him, there was a particular organization that was in pursuit of his talents much more than any other.

“Vancouver was the one team that has been following me throughout my career and has always shown and continues to show the most interest in my potential and me as a player.”

Almost three months after giving Sweatt a contract, Vancouver GM Mike Gillis signed a player who Lee Sweatt new very well—his younger brother Bill. Forward Bill Sweatt was drafted 38th-overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks.

The arrival of the brothers from Elburn, IL, meant the Sedins weren’t the only brother duo within the Canucks’ organization. Lee was very happy to be reunited with a familiar face.

“Having the chance to play with my brother is really something special.”

This wasn’t the first time they had been teammates.

“I had the opportunity to play with him in college for my senior year, we never thought that would happen again in professional hockey but it has, it’s been a real treat and we are both very fortunate to be able to experience this together.”

After training camp, both Sweatt boys were sent down to the Manitoba Moose. Lee played 41 games for the farm team scoring five goals with nine assists.

One man’s misfortune can often be a great gain for someone else. An injury to Canuck defenseman Alex Edler, meant that the young prospect received an unexpected call, one that until then he had only been dreaming about.

“Getting called up was a dream come true. I was actually on my way to play the Toronto Marlies, here in Winnipeg for a Sunday morning game, when I got the call. I was just about to hop into the car with my suit on, when Claude Noel, the head coach for the Manitoba Moose, called and said I got called up to play in the NHL.”

The transition from the AHL to being a member of the Canucks was a great and valuable experience. Just sharing a dressing room with players like Ryan Kesler, Kevin Bieksa and Alexandre Burrows taught the rookie a lot about playing at the NHL level.

“Being in the Canucks’ locker room was an education in leadership and character. All the guys are class acts and real professionals. The things they say and how they go about their business every day is an exceptional learning experience. I am glad to be a part of it.”

A few players even gave him some advice.

“They told me to keep doing what has always made me successful and what got me the call-up in the first place.”

Like any raw recruit he was determined to make a huge impression during his debut. The young novice’s first taste of life with the big club came in a match against the Nashville Predators, and what he was able to do in the game even surprised him.

“Getting the game-winning goal in my first game was shocking.”

He then described how he scored his inaugural goal.

“The pass was exceptional from Daniel Sedin and I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.”

He was a little unsure about what he should do, once he realized he had put the puck in the net.

“When I scored, I was actually in shock. I had no idea what to do—it took me a few seconds to comprehend that I needed to celebrate the goal. When the goal ended up being the game-winner it was really something to appreciate. I would have never imagined this happening in my career let alone the first game. I was just trying to play safe defense but ended up with the game-winner.”

With a flood of emotions he couldn’t wait to give his sibling the good news.

“My brother was so pumped for me when I talked to him after the game. He watched the game and my goal and was just blown away. I hope I get a chance to see, and possibly play with him, when he gets his first NHL goal.”

The defenseman not surprisingly has kept the puck from that initial match.

“I am planning on making it part of a collection of items from my first game and putting that together into some memorabilia item that I can hang in my house or office.”}

Most highs can only last for so long and sometimes fate has a tendency to deliver a crushing blow.

During a Saturday, February 5th practice in preparation for a game against the Ottawa Senators, Sweatt unfortunately broke his ankle and has missed the last 14 games. Sweatt hasn’t let that deter him while rehabbing his foot, however, as the Canuck freshman still remains positive and hopes to fully recover soon.

“My ankle is getting better every day. I just had a really good checkup yesterday and it is coming along very well.”

When healthy, Sweatt may be faced with the reality of traveling back to Manitoba, but if he gets his way it won’t be long until he’s pulling on a Canucks’ sweater again.

“I won’t feel disappointed. I will take it as a challenge and I will continue to work hard to make the Canucks’ team every day. I didn’t come over from Europe to play in the AHL, so I plan on getting called up as much and as often as possible.”

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The first deal was with Anaheim. The Canucks sent Joel Perreault and a third-round pick in exchange for Maxim Lapierre. As Vancouver were in the hunt for a fourth-line center, Lapierre will likely fill that role. He’s known as being a checker and agitator, and this season he has five goals, six assists and 11 points in 56 games.

Prospect MacGregor Sharp (25) was also included in the deal.

LW Chris Higgins is the player heading to Vancouver and Evan Oberg will be heading to Florida along with a third-round pick. Higgins is currently recovering from a hand injury, and in 48 games, he has 11 goals, 12 assists and 23 points.

He will add extra depth for Vancouver and may find himself playing on the second line with Ryan Kesler, as Mason Raymond, who normally plays on second unit, has been struggling of late with only three goals in 2011 and a total of 10 for the season.

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The match was only four minutes young when the North Stars centre was skating with the puck into the Seals zone. After making a pass to his teammate Wayne Connelly, he was checked by Oakland players Larry Cahan and Ron Harris. Masterton lost his balance falling backwards, crashing head first onto the ice.

The force of the hit was so powerful it caused blood to pour from his nose and mouth. A teammate who rushed to his aid moments before Masterton lost consciousness, heard him mutter “Never again. Never again.” The former native of Winnipeg suffered a major brain hemorrhage.

The severity of his injuries meant that doctors were unable to perform surgery. Bill Masterton passed away two days after sustaining what was to be a fatal hockey check; he was 29. The Masterton Trophy is named in his honour and is awarded to NHL players for dedication, sportsmanship, and perseverance.

Thirty-five years after Masterton’s death, one of the men partly responsible for the hit, Ron Harris, did his first and only interview with the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2003. Harris explained how he was still haunted by what happened on January 13th 1968. “It bothers you the rest of your life. It wasn’t dirty and it wasn’t meant to happen that way. Still, it’s very hard because I made the play. It’s always in the back of my mind.”

Cahan, Harris and Masterton all played in and era when it wasn’t mandatory to wear helmets. In 1979 it was ruled that players entering the league would have to don protective headwear.

Fortunately, that was the first and only incident in the NHL that resulted in a player dieing from a body check. Perhaps now the real concern is the increasing number of players who are enduring concussions. There are currently a total of fifteen skaters listed as having a concussion or concussion like symptoms.

During the 08-09 seasons, both Marc Savard and David Booth were sidelined with concussions as a result of severe hits to the head. The league implemented a new regulation, rule 48, to stop hits of this nature from happening. What is often referred to as the blindside rule was effective from the start of the 2010-11 campaign.

The rule is as follows: Rule 48 - Illegal Check to the Head

48.1 Illegal Check to the Head – A lateral or blind side hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or the principal point of contact is not permitted.

48.2 Minor Penalty - There is no provision for a minor penalty for this rule.

48.3 Major Penalty - For a violation of this rule, a major penalty shall be assessed (see 48.4).

48.4 Game Misconduct – An automatic game misconduct penalty shall be assessed whenever a major penalty is assessed under this rule.

48.5 Match Penalty - The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a match penalty if, in his judgment, the player attempted to or deliberately injured his opponent with an illegal check to the head.

48.6 Fines and Suspensions – Any player who incurs a total of two (2) game misconducts under this rule, in either regular League or playoff games, shall be suspended automatically for the next game his team plays. For each subsequent game misconduct penalty the automatic suspension shall be increased by one game.

If deemed appropriate, supplementary discipline can be applied by the Commissioner at his discretion.

Like all rules and regulations this one can be misunderstood, misinterpreted or even a little distorted. There will be hits that encompass the guidelines stated above, but what about dangerous checks to the head that don’t always comply with the blindside rule.

Such checks can leave a player recovering from a concussion but the opposing player faces no punishment. He is able to continue potentially injuring opponents because he is within the NHL’s legal parameters, which means people are still getting hurt.

Dan Hamhuis, Mathew Lombardi and the face of the NHL Sidney Crosby, are all out indefinitely because of checks that are considered to be clean. Does this not demonstrate that a very thin line exists between a safe and dangerous hit to the head? Are Commissioner Gary Bettman and his cohorts doing enough to prevent and safeguard athletes that grace the ice?

If the league wants to use a rule as a way of sending a message to the players that any harmful contact to the head wont be tolerated, then there needs to be more consistency when penalizing players. A body check elbow or hit to the head is just that, it doesn’t matter whether there was intent to injure or the incident was lateral or from the blindside, a players safety should be paramount.

There are people that subscribe to the theory that a player with possession off the puck should try to protect themselves and not the puck when skating near the boards. In the heat of a game a player is doing his job by trying to help his team win the ensuing on ice battle. Should individuals in that situation be worrying about their own safety?

When Dan Hamuis was recently hurt from a hit by Ducks’ center Ryan Getzlaf, did Canucks coach Alain Vigneault point the finger of blame at his own player when he made these comments? “I thought it was a good hit by a big player,” Vigneault said. “(Hamhuis) was watching his pass and he should have been trying to protect himself a little bit. “Some guys finish hits, some guys don’t. If Hank or Danny are coming at you, maybe you can watch your pass. If Getzlaf is coming at you, you’ve got to have your head up.”

Is the league solely responsible for the safety of players or does there need to be a greater onus given to the NHLPA, helmet and equipment manufacturers, or players’ coaches and GM’s?

There is a distinct difference that separates a concussion from other injuries like a broken leg or torn ACL. A concussion is an injury to the brain the damage can often be severe enough to end careers or ruin lives.

Dustin Fink, a certified athletic trainer (ATC) working in Central Illinois believes that everyone from the league, NHLPA, equipment manufactures, players, coaches and GM’s are responsible for protecting players from serious head injuries, as it impacts players beyond repair.

“A concussion occurs when a violent blow to the head causes the brain to slam against the skull beyond the ability of the cerebrospinal fluid to cushion the impact,” said Fink. “In simple terms it is a brain injury sustained by a blow either to the head or to the body resulting in traumatic unnatural forces being applied to the brain. The take home message is that the brain has been disrupted both physically and physiologically.”

His experience with concussions and MTBI (mild traumatic brain injury) in athletics for 10+ years as a professional and another 8 as either a student athletic trainer or athlete himself makes him fully aware of the impacts of serious head injuries to athletes as well as what should be done to prevent future occurences.

“It is ALL of their responsibilities, plain and simple, if you were to rank them in importance I would opine it should be this; 1. League, 2. Players, 3. Medical Staff, 4. GM’s, 5. Coaches, 6. Equipment. The league sets the standards and rules, but with concussions they can happen with the cleanest of play, so it is inherent that the players stay vigilant about their condition as a concussion is a subjective injury, or “invisible” they are the only ones that know what is going on,” said Fink.

Fink explains what steps he thinks should be taken to prevent concussions as a result of hits to the head.

“The NHL needs to follow the lead of the IIHF and ban all hits to the head, period, accidental or not, any contact to the head should be avoided. Now if players fight or are hit and the result is a blow to the head that is tougher to define. What is extremely important to know is that you can sustain a concussion without being hit in the head. The traumatic shifting of the brain case (skull) can and will elicit the physiological response that is a concussion,” said Fink. “However staying away from deliberate hits to the head will be a good start.”

Fink has set up his own website called www.theconcussionblog.com.

“I started my website to give information with a small dose of opinion from an athletic trainers perspective,” said Fink. “In no means is it the be all end all of resources, but it is a place where anyone can voice an opinion and gather information from current sport stories, to neuropsychological testing, to unique data, to listings, to posts about my experiences.”

Dustin is someone who is concerned about concussions, but not overly so. He hopes his kids play contact sports when they are older.

“I would want more than anything for my kids to participate in contact sports, like hockey and football if they choose,” said Fink.

Scott Norton is a hockey agent and President of Norton Sports Management he has such clients as Cam Janssens, Dustin Brown and Brent Sopel. Like Fink, Norton feels that it’s not just the NHL who should safeguard players.

“I think that everyone involved in the sport has a hand in not only the responsibility, but also the solution. Like every sport, the athletes continue to get bigger, faster and stronger,” said Norton. “We all have to understand that, and respect the speed and risk involved in the game of hockey.”

He thinks the league is going in the direction to reduce the risk.

“You can never prevent against every injury, and sometimes things will happen. The one thing I would like to see is the League crack down more extensively in their punishments to those who carelessly injure others,” said Norton

Norton feels that agents should also take an interest in their player’s welfare.

“Player agents certainly have a role in this conversation, but more after any situation. I believe we need to remember that hockey players are human beings, and it is our role to advise our clients not to risk their health and futures by playing before they are healthy enough to do so,” said Norton.

Just like slap shots breakaways and fights, checking is a fundamental part of hockey and is certainly not something that should be removed. Injuries to the head still need to be addressed further, as no one wants to witness another incident like Bill Masterton, most of all the NHL. You have to wonder though if rule 48 is about protecting the players from serious head injury, or more to protect the league from litigation.

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During the course of an 82 game NHL season each team will find themselves facing adversity. Take the New York Islanders who after having a few problems in net decided to claim Evgeni Nabokov off waivers only to have him refuse to play for the club.

Or the Penguins who were relieved to get star Centre Evgeni Malkin back in the line up after a 5 game absence due to knee problems and sinus infection. Relief would have turned to dismay when the Russian tore the MCL and ACL in his knee, and will likely be out for the rest of the season. The loss of Malkin was just another slap in the face for a team already missing Crosby

When Canucks defenseman Keith Ballard was seen writhing on the ice clearly suffering a lot of pain in the early stages of Monday night’s game against Ottawa, it meant the club would have to survive another match with only five members of the defense.

Later in that game Aaron Rome, who along with Andrew Alberts had previously missed a total of 8 games each with injury, was handed a 17-minute penalty for an altercation with Chris Neil. Vancouver still managed to beat Ottawa even with that much bad luck.

Unfortunately the Vancouver blue line has taken another dent, as Ballard will be inactive 3-4 weeks with a mild knee sprain.

This season the Canucks are perhaps better equipped to cope with misfortune than in other years. During the 2009-2010 campaign hardship and bad luck was something the player’s coaches and management had to quickly learn to deal with.

The troubles started early last season in the month of October eight players endured numerous injuries, missing a combined total of sixty-five games, that was just in the first month of play. From October to March there was at least one person a month recovering in the Canucks infirmary.

Edler, Salo Daniel Sedin and Luongo all suffered injuries, but the team kept battling on. It wasn’t just afflictions to the roster that caused difficulties. Who can forget the grueling fourteen game Olympic road trip?

This year there have again been many injuries to players, which will undoubtedly continue. Stars Luongo and Kesler have welcomed new babies into their lives; any parent knows how disruptive the birth of a child can be. Yet it hasn’t fazed them as they are each having stellar years.

One of the differences that separate this Canuck squad from those of recent years is the resilience, determination and maturity to overcome the bumps in the road. Mishaps that would have derailed the club in the past are now actually making Vancouver stronger; the players have a greater sense of belief.

Of course the steps management took in the off-season to create more depth across the entire roster, is another reason why the Canucks seem to be so invincible. Like most things there will be a time when the organizations resolve is tested even further but the lesson learnt from last season will mean that the club is more prepared to tackle any adversity head on.

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On January 11th 2011 the Canucks were due to start a 5 game road trip and had just won four of its previous 5 games, the only loss was in the shootout to an injury plagued Detroit side.

Until this point in the season Vancouver had managed to only endure a few minor player injuries. A year earlier the team was struck by the injury bug that for a while meant that there were a total of eight players in the sickbay at any one time.

Then on January 11th Mike Gillis recorded part one of an interview for Canucks TV called “From The Top With Kristin Reid”. During the interview he discusses his teams success so far. At 2:20 minutes into the video Kristin Reid asks about Sami Salo, Gillis gives an update on his recovery.

The conversation then moves on to how management plans to fit Salo’s salary under the cap. At around the 3:49 mark, Mike Gillis utters these fateful words “ We are unsure what the future holds, you could play a game tonight and someone could get injured.”

Gillis Video

“Or you could play a game three nights later and not one but two players get injured.”

On January the 14th during a game against Washington, defenseman Bolduc suffered a shoulder injury while d-man Rome sprained his MCL. Then 2 days later another defenseman Andrew Alberts fell victim to a shoulder ailment, against the Wild.

Perhaps the most severe affliction to a Canuck player and most detrimental to the squad happened on the 24th, when Alex Edler injured his back which resulted in him requiring surgery.

Edler has undoubtedly been the best Canuck defenseman this year; his absence will leave a huge gap. The Swedish rear guards recovery is estimated to be 8-10 weeks, or it could be much longer. Luckily Alberts and Rome took their first practice on Monday, so they might return sooner than anticipated.

Maybe next time Mike Gillis does an interview he will not tempt fate!

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When these two clubs lock horns it will be the first of four meetings, last season both teams met on four occasions with each side winning a game at home and once on the road. Nashville took to the ice on Monday 24th January against the Flames, where they tried to extend their three game winning streak. Calgary had other ideas by handing the Predators a 3-1 loss. David Legwand got the lone goal for the visiting Predators, goalie Pekka Rinne made 24 saves but it wasn’t enough. This month Nashville currently has a road record of 6-3-0. A win would mean that they were just two points behind Central Division leading Detroit, also extending the lead they have on fifth place Anaheim.

Vancouver (30-10-9) Points 69

The Canucks last opponent was Dallas prior to that game Vancouver were nursing a four game losing skid. A win was imperative and that’s what they got by beating the Stars 7-1.
The goals came thick and fast with seven different players scoring. It wasn’t just a great victory for the best team in the West; it was also an opportunity for three players to kick the monkey of their back by ending the slump they found themselves in. Defenseman Hamhuis registered his first goal in 25 games, Samuelsson had been kept off the score sheet for 15 games and for Raymond it was 12 games.

Hot Predators

Goaltender Rinne ranks second in two categories, goals-against average (2.11) and save percentage (.927). Forward David Legwand was inactive due to injury from November 20th – December 26th, since his return the clubs record is 10-3-0. His goal on Monday meant he now has ten points in his last 13 games. Legwand plays on a line with Colin Wilson, who got an assist in the last game. Wilson has 11 points (5g-6a) in his last 14 contests.

Hot Canucks

The Sedins continue to lead the Canucks, with identical four-game point-scoring streaks. Henrik has 2 goals and 4 assists in his streak, while Daniel has 5 assists. Raymond and Samuelsson will undoubtedly try to prove that their slump is a thing of the past. Raymond has 23 points on the season (9g 4a). Samuelsson’s 18 assists place him sixth for his team (9g 18a 27 points). Goalie Luongo hasn’t lost a game in regulation in the last 16 outings.

In The Sick Bay

Predators forwards J-P Dumont (neck) and Marek Svatos (lower body) also defenseman Francis Bouillon (upper body) are questionable for Wednesday’s game. Canucks forward Aaron Rome is out with a sprained knee. Forward Alexandre Bolduc is out with a shoulder injury, as is defenseman Andrew Alberts. Defenceman Alex Edler missed practice Tuesday for maintenance, but he is expected to play against Nashville.

A win for Vancouver would mean the team would be tied for first overall with Philadelphia.

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There aren’t many people who are perfect; even those individuals that are considered great have to work hard to fine-tune their skills or talents. After all greatness isn’t something a person is, its something they become.

Ryan Kesler is one such person who knows all about improvement, last season the Michigan native had a career year where he tallied for 75 points in 82 games, (25G, 50Ast, 75Pts).

Many believed that they had seen him at his best, but Kesler is certainly going out of his way to prove that his critics were wrong. In just 41 games so far he has 23G, 17Ast, 40 Pts. That puts him on pace to score 46 goals, and is one of the hottest players for the Canucks with a point in each of the last 4 games.

It wasn’t long ago that the 2 time Selke Trophy finalist was struggling to find his identity in the NHL as Vancouver’s third line centre. Playing a largely defensive role whose job was to shut down opponents top forwards.

It’s thanks to head coach Alain Vigneault who promoted his checking-centre man to the second line in 2008, since then Kesler has been able to develop into the offensive force that is currently un-nerving opposing goalies.

Keepers like Mathieu Garon who was unfortunate enough to be in net on December 15th when the surging Canuck scored his fist NHL hat trick. On January the 7th at the hands of the lowly Edmonton Oilers he earned his second three-goal game of the year. He is having a huge impact on his team game after game.

Perhaps his biggest area of improvement is one that can’t be practiced in the conventional way, that a player would try to be more accurate with their slap shot technique or work on his skating skills. Kesler has definitely grown in maturity he displays a calmer demeanor and is less likely to engage in a war of words, or wrestle with the nearest goon that tries to throw him of his game.

While Kesler’s transition is generally due to his own hard work commitment and desire to become a better all round player, there is a teammate that may deserve a little gratitude.

When Manny Malhotra arrived in Vancouver he was assigned the job of third line centre, this meant that he could now be the teams shutdown specialist. The appointment of Malhotra has allowed Kesler to concentrate more on putting the puck in the net instead of containing the leagues best forwards.

With the season at the halfway point the man from Livonia Michigan is proving an invaluable force for the Canucks, is this Kelser at his best or is the best yet to come?

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Vancouver’s next game will be at Rogers Arena on Wednesday night when the Canucks host Columbus. The Blue Jackets most recent meeting was a 3-2 overtime loss to the Flames in Calgary. That was the first of a short 3 game road trip; the Jackets have been struggling as the visiting club, loosing their last four games away from home. Rick Nash is on a hot streak scoring a point in his last four games; against the Rangers on December 11th he had 2 goals and 1 assist.

Antoine Vermette has 9 goals 8 assists - 17 points in 29 games, he also registered an assist and 2 goals in his most recent outing. RJ Merger and Derick Brassard are currently second and third in team points.

Brassard is a minus 1 in 4 of the last 5 games Umberger isn’t much better, he’s been at least a minus 1 in 3 of the last 5 and was a minus 2 versus Calgary. The biggest concern for head coach Scott Arniel may by in net, as he had to replace Steve Mason again on Monday night.

On Sunday evening Vancouver’s defense held a master class by limiting the young Oilers offense to a total of 12 SOG and only allowing 1 shot in the entire 3rd period preventing Luongo’s shutout.

Burrows and Henrik Sedin both scored their 5th goals of the season against Edmonton, Daniel Sedin and Kesler both earned an assist. The Canucks defense has been helping out its team in the opponent’s offensive zone as well. Ballard, Hamhuis and Edler each have at least 1 point in the last 5 games. Ballard even scored a goal against Tampa on Saturday.

Vancouver certainly know how to put the “special” in special teams, the Canucks are currently 1st in the NHL on the power play with 25.0% and a PK of 85.0% placing them 6th in the league for penalty kills. Columbus isn’t quite so impressive sitting 29th with 11.7% on the PP and 80.5% placing them 23rd on the PK.

In The Sick Bay:

Blue Jackets Derek MacKenzie questionable for Wednesday’s game against Vancouver with a groin injury, Jared Boll also questionable for Wednesday’s game with back problems and Kristian Huselius on IR high with an ankle sprain.

Canucks Sami Salo on IR for Achilles heel problems, Christian Ehrhoff out indefinitely following a concussion and Mason Raymond out indefinitely with a broken thumb.

Notes: Jackets head coach Arniel will be facing some familiar foes, as this is his first tenure as an NHL boss, he was previously appointed as the coach of the Canucks AHL affiliate Manitoba Moose.

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When compiling a list of Swedish born hockey players past and present who have graced the ice in a Canucks jersey, most people would include such names as Thomas Gradin, Mattias Ohlund, Markus Naslund, Mikael Samuelsson and of course the omnipresent Sedin twins.

Alex Edler may not be one of the first names considered for that list but maybe he should be. The 6′ 3″ 215lbs Defenseman is quietly making a difference for his team. Through twenty five games Edler has 2 goals 15 assists, his 17 points has him tied for third with Kesler and Samuelsson, he sits in third place for team assists, behind you guessed it the Sedin twins.

His assist and points total place him in tenth place in the NHL for a D-man. He plays an average of twenty-four minutes a game, that’s more than teammates Hamhuis Ehrhoff and even those twins. Most nights he is the best member of the Canuck defensive core.

If it wasn’t for a former Vancouver player Edler might not have set foot on an NHL rink. The Canucks drafted him in 2004 with the 91st pick. That year Edler was virtually unknown and was unranked by NHL Central Scouting Bureau.

Thomas Gradin is an erstwhile Canucks player and current Associate Head Scout for Vancouver. The Swedish scout saw Edler playing junior hockey for Jämtlands HF in Sweden’s third-tier hockey league, he was so impressed with the young D-man that he encouraged management to draft him.

After being chosen by Vancouver, Thomas Gradin had to pull a few strings to arrange a deal so Edler could play for Modo Hockey’s junior club of the J20 SuperElit, Naslund and the Sedins had previously been members of that club.

After a year with Modo, the Östersund native was selected by the Kelowna Rockets in the first round, 58th overall of the CHL import draft. In September 2005 after reporting to the Manitoba Moose he was sent back to the Rockets.

In his first and only WHL season he had 13 goals and 53 points in 63 games, that year he ranked fifth among WHL defensemen and fourth among rookies in scoring. He was part responsible for the Rockets playoff run where Kelowna reached the second round but was eliminated by the Everett Silvertips. During twelve playoff games Edler had eight points.

A year later the defenseman was awarded an entry-level contract by Vancouver, he then spent time playing with Canucks farm club the Manitoba Moose. During the 2007-2008 season the Swede eventually made the big club, where he registered 8 goals 12 assists 20 points in 75 games. Since then he has proven to be one of the best and most exciting current Canucks Defensemen.

He owes a lot to his Swedish compatriot Gradin, that’s why he chose to wear the same jersey number (23) in honor of the scout that discovered him.

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That’s pretty impressive when you consider that originally Malhotra was believed to be over paid. Torres is a former first round pick who’s often been thought to have not reached his full potential. While Hansen has often been criticized for having no hands.

Malholtra and Torres were acquired to add toughness, grit size and strength to a team that had often struggled in that area. They are both proving that they can also bring an offensive element to their game.

Yesterday Torres was voted the NHL’s first star for scoring five goals and one assist in four games during the last seven days. He currently has seven goals two assists and nine points in thirteen match-ups.

Last season was somewhat of a disappointment for Torres who split the year between Columbus and Buffalo. He took to the ice in sixty games for the Blue Jackets where he scored nineteen goals, before being traded to the Sabres.

He failed to light the lamp in Buffalo, as he was goalless in fourteen outings and he has been haunted by inconsistency throughout his career. The Toronto native signed with Vancouver for $1 million, Mike Gillis hopes that he can prove a bargain and play like he did in 2005/06 when he had an NHL personal best of twenty-seven goals.

At 6′ 2” 220lbs Malhotra knows how to look after himself, he’s not the sort of guy who is going to be pushed around on the ice. Apart from his large stature he is proving invaluable in the face off circle, he’s currently second in the league for face off percentage with 64%.

Like Torres, Manny has recently contributed offensively, in Saturdays game against Detroit he was even voted the second star, for scoring two goals one assist and three points, he currently has ten points on the season.

Perhaps the thirty-year-old center’s biggest asset to his team and the third line is one that can’t me measured on the ice. The Mississauga native acts as a mentor to Hansen and Torres. Hansen recently said “Manny has a lot of experience, he brings that to me and he is a calming influence”. Torres also referred to Malhotra as a kind of professor of the third line who is always teaching and talking to his wingers. There is a reason team captain Henrik Sedin picked the third string centre to be one of his assistants.

Hansen may be the youngest member of this trio but he brings speed skill and toughness, it’s also evident how playing with two veterans is having a positive effect on the Dane. He is averaging around just over fifteen minutes a game, which is a sign his coach has confidence in him.

Collectively Hanny, Manny and Raffi are doing it all, they are capable of playing in any situation conceivable and excel on the penalty kill power play and as a shut down squad against opposing first lines.

For the last two seasons the Canucks organization have been searching for the right ingredients to complement the third unit, if there is such thing as a prototypical third line Mike Gillis may have just found it.

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The good news is that Alex Burrows will return to the line up after spending October on LTIR recovering from a shoulder injury. The bad news is that Vancouver’s road record isn’t quite as impressive as when playing at home. The Canucks are 0-3-1 when they play away; this is obviously an area that needs improvement.

Edmonton last played on Friday 29 October when they beat the Hawks 7-4. The Oilers young guns all contributed to the win, with goals from Hall Eberle and assists from Paajarvi.Special teams are a problem for the home team, the Oilers are 29th in the league when playing short handed with a 70.4 PK percentage.

Players To Watch Vancouver: Daniel Sedin has at least 1 point in 4 of the last 5 games. Henrik Sedin doesn’t just look like his twin he also has a knack of recording similar statistics as his brother. The first line centre remarkably has a point in 4 of the last 5 games he has played in. Alex Burrows will give the Canucks a boost on offense when he plays his first game of the season. With Burrow’s return players like Hansen, Schaefer or Tambellini may eventually be the odd man out.

Players To Watch Edmonton: The kids are all right in oil country, RW Eberle has managed to get on the score sheet during each game since October 21st. Taylor Hall was the first round pick this June for a reason and he has a goal and assist in his last 2 games. Finally Shawn Horcoff may not be a kid but he is leading his team in goal’s scored (4) and is second in points (8) for Edmonton.

Vancouver will have more than enough opportunities to improve its performance on the road. After playing the Oilers the team will return to Rogers Arena to play the Red Wings on Saturday, then the squad will be away from home until November 20th. A win against the Oilers would not only earn valuable points but also help to bolster the Canucks confidence as the visiting club.

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The melee that ensued directly after the on ice scuffle was a complete display of un-professionalism from the Vancouver player, who’s made a name for himself as a middleweight pugilist. Once the fight between both players was finally broken up Rypien headed towards the Canucks dressing room clearly enraged, he then took his frustrations out on a Wild fan by shoving the spectator and shouting at him. This was a sign of a player who was out of control a man who crossed the line and forgot that he was a professional athlete.

The league obviously doesn’t take to kindly to this type of behavior and will severely discipline Rick Rypien. A meeting has been set for this Friday when the Canucks Brawler, Vancouver GM Mike Gillis and his Assistant GM Laurence Gilman, will face NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Senior Vice President Colin Campbell. Its expected that due to the nature of the incident Rypien could face at least a five game suspension.

The dark cloud looming over Rypiens’s head may actually be about to burst. James Engquist the 28-year-old Wild fan who was shoved by the angered Canuck player is taking legal action. Engquist told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that he’s “definitely seeking legal representation.”

Engquist said to Star-Tribune hockey writer Michael Russo.”This is a crazy incident. I’ve seen a lot of hockey in my day, and I’ve never seen someone actually come into the stands and assault a fan”.

James Engquist was at the game with his brother Peter the tickets were given to them by their Dad as a gift.

He also said. “I was just standing straight up applauding as he was getting kicked out,” “He was out of control. And then I said, ‘way to be professional,’ and he obviously didn’t care for that comment and decided to grab me and almost dragged me over the rail. If my brother wasn’t grabbing me and the other player wasn’t grabbing him, he probably would have dragged me over the edge.”

Rypien has forged a career out of being the tough guy that’s how he earns his bread and butter. When a hockey fan goes to a game they expect to be entertained, at times the audience will get excited and raucous, some members of the crowed may engage in playful heckling or banter towards a player. As a member of a hockey club a player has a responsibility to his team, league and the reputation of the sport.

Hockey is an aggressive game, unfortunatly Rypien forgot to leave his aggression on the ice when he attacked a fan. At times anger gets the best of everybody, Rypien just chose the wrong time.

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One area of concern is the lack of goal scoring especially when you consider Vancouver finished the previous season with the second most potent offense in the entire league. The absence of injured winger Burrows is going to cause a hole not just to the first line but this will impact all four lines by creating a ripple affect.

The top line of the Sedin’s and Samuelsson are in fact the only unit that has actual experience of playing together. The twins and fellow compatriot
Mikael Samuelsson were line mates at various times last year, prior to that they have played together for their country.

Vancouver has the potential to be a powerful offensive force perhaps the biggest problem facing the second, third and forth lines is chemistry, this is something that’s a fundamental key to any clubs success. Unfortunately you can’t really coach line mates to play with synergy, like many things it can only be achieved with time, perseverance and experience.

New Canucks like Torres and Malhotra not only have to become familiar with their colleagues, they have to adjust and adapt to a new coaching system. Having a head coach who likes to experiment with his lines at this time of the year is understandable but it does have its downside and may hinder team cohesion.

Burrows is projected to return to the line up in November his arrival is likely to help with goal production. It could take him a while to find his feet, as he will have missed training camp, the pre season and at least a months worth of competitive action.

Surprisingly Luongo seems to have broken with tradition by starting strong instead of being his usual sluggish self. Play in front of the Canucks net is a different story Vancouver’s defense needs to reduce the amount of shots they are allowing on their net. In just three games Luongo has faced one hundred and six shots, the coaching staff will have to find a way to reduce this.

Other areas of concern are key players like Kesler and Bieksa taking too many unnecessary penalties. The club also has to play the full sixty minutes rather than nursing a one or two goal advantage which can often lead to opponents executing a come from behind win.

At this stage of the season some teams will have a slow start but the Canucks can ill afford to dig themselves into a deep hole, because if they do there will be no emergency rescue teams sent to dig this group of men out of a dark dank cavern.

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Like most teams this time of year Vancouver has more than one vacancy, there are a myriad of hopeful applicants who are eager to impress the coaching staff enough to secure a home on the Canucks squad.

One such player is former Canuck Brendan Morrison, who was invited to camp on a professional tryout. Like most people he is fighting to make the team, although he is actually faced with a somewhat gargantuan ordeal, he’s literally trying to save his hockey career, as he currently doesn’t have an NHL contract.

The Canucks ended training camp this Monday and the focus now turns to pre season hockey. The veteran center will face what could potentially be his final test, when he is given the opportunity to prove that he still has what it takes to be an effective player in the NHL.

Of course he wont be the only one, newcomer’s like Manny Malhotra, Joel Perrault and regulars like Rick Rypien, will all be competing for head coach Alain Vigneault’s attention. If Sergei Shirokov or Victor Oreskovich had an outstanding pre season campaign they or anyone else could inadvertently slam the door shut on Morrison and prevent him from gaining employment with Vancouver.

Last season with the Washington Capitals he had 42 points and tallied for 12 goals, an 30 assists in 74 games, that’s his greatest point total since the 2005-06 season with Vancouver. Morrison may actually be a good fit with the Canucks as a replacement for the previous years fourth line center Ryan Johnson. Or perhaps he will find himself playing the wing, like he did last year in on a line with Backstrom and Ovechkin. As Burrows is recovering from a shoulder injury, the BC native might be able to fill a temporary role on either of Vancouver’s top two lines.

When making a decision as to a players future coaches and management will look at many variables like skill, raw talent and experience to name but a few. At thirty-five Morrison is no spring chicken, and for some players in his age bracket it maybe time to hang up the skates. Being thirty-five isn’t necessarily a bad thing for the erstwhile member of the west coast express, his experience would be valuable if the organization were looking for someone to fill the role of mentor to the likes of Cody Hodgson.

The Canucks are roughly three million dollars over the cap so in the coming weeks GM Mike Gillis and his staff will be dusting of their abacuses and furiously working to reduce the salary limit to $59.4-million, they have until October 6th to achieve this. Management will need to juggle many salaries just to get under the cap, before they can consider signing anyone else.

There is undoubtedly a long line of forwards waiting to complete the final roster; Morrison isn’t likely to be at the front of that queue. He will have a mountain to climb just to get his name on the back of a Canucks jersey. A player like Morrison is probably more capable of reaching the top of the proverbial mountain than most veterans, but if he does make it he could ultimately discover that a younger more talented group has already set up base camp and he’s the odd man out.

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The last time a goalie was named Captain was in the nineteen forty’s. Since then the league has made rule changes that mean goalies can’t officially fulfill the role. Something that initially would have been an honor and given him a certain status ultimately came back to haunt Luongo.

The world of professional sports is often a highly pressured environment where athletes are scrutinized and an individuals every move can regularly be put under the microscope. Due the nature of sport, players and teams sometimes have to face criticism from fans, media and management and this requires a large degree of fortitude. Like Quarterbacks and Pitchers, Goalkeepers are often relied upon to steal that all important win or pull the team back from the brink of loss. The expectations are much greater, so is the pressure placed on those positions; with the added responsibility of team Captain the pressure would have been huge.

Luongo has long been considered one of the premier goalies in the league so at times when he has struggled people have wondered if being the Captain was more of a hindrance or burden to him. Wearing the C isn’t just about being the best leader on a team or the most vocal player in the locker room. The role also dictates that the Captain has to be held accountable for the clubs actions. Facing the media scrum after a big loss could be a daunting task especially in a microcosm like Vancouver.

In a months time the Vancouver Canucks will likely have a new Captain and a goaltender that has been freed from what could have been the shackles of Captaincy. It’s believed that Luongo’s workload will be reduced, as this has also been an area of concern. The 2010/11 season is fast approaching and the stakes are high for a Vancouver team that has not progressed past the second round of the play offs in the previous two seasons. The Canucks star keeper can’t afford to have a poor season this time around, but without the C he may actually have an even heavier weight on his shoulders because now there is less reason for failure and the Captaincy cannot be used as an excuse any more.

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Earlier today they signed Manny Malhotra to a $7.5 million contract over 3 years. It is expected that he will be the centre on the 3rd line. Last season he chalked up 14 goals and 19 assists for the Sharks.

The Canucks kick started the free agency this morning by signing centre Joel Perrault. It is suspected he will spend time playing for the Moose.

With the arrival of Hamhuis could this signal a trade for Kevin Bieksa?

Dan Hamhuis

Manny Malhotra

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It’s almost a month since the Vancouver Canucks were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoff’s, the dust has settled and everyone and their Auntie have analyzed and over analyzed what went wrong. The players may now even be more concerned with how they will get a birdie on the eighteenth hole then anything pertaining to the ice. For Mike Gillis and his Management team its still business as usual. Gillis and his colleagues are left with the job of righting the ship. Recently Gillis addressed some of the issues the team has by restocking his shelves when he signed three young defensemen. One of the players who put pen to paper with the Canucks GM was Lee Sweatt. Sweatt was awarded a one-year; two way deal, worth $650,000.

Lee Sweatt hails from Illinois, he started his hockey career playing for the Chicago Steel in the USHL during the 2002 –2003 season, he then spent time with Colorado College, he was also a member of the AHL’s San Antonio Rampage from 2006 – 2007. Since then he has been plying his trade in some of Europe’s best leagues, with stints in Austria, Finland and Russia. Last season he played for both Riga Dynamo in the KHL and TPS Turku of the Finnish SM Liga. He has been teammates with former NHLer’s like Marcel Hossa, Sandis Ozolinsh and Tomas Plihal. He’s competed against the likes of Jagr, Yashin and Radulov. Sweatt ended his most recent season by helping TPS win the SM Liga Championship.

So what does the Canucks defenseman like to eat, who does he think is the best player on the Canucks roster and what similarities does he have with NHL All Star Brian Rafalski? Who better to answer those questions than Lee Sweatt?

The interview starts with questions about Lee, the conversation then moves on to his European hockey journey. Lee explains his expectations and hopes about the Vancouver Canucks. He also kindly agreed to answer a few questions from Canucks fans:

JE - As a child from Illinois which hockey team if any did you support?
LS - Growing up in Chicago, I was a definite Blackhawk’s fan.

JE - When you’re not on the ice how do you spend your time, do you have any hobbies?
LE - I am currently getting a triple-major MBA in Technology Management, Project Management, and Finance, so most of my time goes to that. I spend a lot of time reading and I really do enjoy a lot of sushi, so most days, that is what I will be eating for lunch.

JE - Who has supported you throughout your career?
LS - My family and friends.

JE - How would you describe your defensive style of play?
LS - My defensive style of play has evolved over the last three years of my professional career and especially in the last year or so. Early on in my career, I was much more of a “run-around” kind of d-man that utilized my feet to play guys tight man-on-man. This style, while successful in college, didn’t really work out at the pro level and I have had to adjust my game. I play a body-position, containment defensive style where I use my footwork to always keep my body position between the attacking player and myself. I gradually take time and space away and I try to finish checks on guys whenever advantageous for me to do so.

JE - How do you think you will make the leap from playing in Europe to playing in the NHL or AHL?
LS - I am not worried about making the leap from the leagues in Europe to the NHL or AHL. The NHL will be an adjustment, in terms of size, speed, and skill, but that is why we all play the game; to be in the NHL, so I am not worried at all about trying to adjust to it, I will find a way.

JE - What is the best and most memorable moment of your hockey career so far?
LS - Probably winning the Finnish league title this past season. Either that, or being awarded a scholarship to play college hockey for Colorado College.

JE - In Canada and the U.S. some NHL players are considered superstars and worshiped by fans. How popular with fans were you in the KHL and SM Liga, and what are the fans like in Europe?
LS - The same holds true with fans in Europe. I have always been the guy that stays late with the fans and takes as many pictures as people want to take. I figure that these fans are the reason why we can play the sport we love for a living, so why not give them a little piece of my time. When we won the Finnish title, I would have to say that was one of the most exciting, yet chaotic events that I have ever been apart of in my life. Hockey is life to many Finnish people, especially in Turku, so it was really amazing to be a part of that.

JE - When playing hockey what do you excel at the most what is the best aspect of your game, and what makes you better than other defensemen?

LS - I would say my drive to compete in any situation is a stand-out attribute of mine, as well as my offensive abilities, especially on the PP, where my shooting skills from the point, either a one-timer or a wrister, create a lot of opportunities in front of the net.

JE - You are also a good inline hockey player and represented the USA at the 2008 Men’s World Inline Hockey Championships. During the tournament you scored 4 goals 6 assists and were named best defenseman of the Championships. How does it feel to play for your country, and what attracts you to playing a different kind of hockey?

LS - Actually, I wouldn’t be here without Roller Hockey. Roller hockey has helped me develop my offensive game since I was about 8 or 9 years old. Without it, I think I probably would have been out of hockey and doing something much different now. Playing for my country for the last nine years in that tournament (since I was 15), has really been amazing and to have been fortunate enough to win the World Championships twice, was really unbelievable.

JE - You have spent the last few years playing hockey in Europe, what was that experience like, and how does the European game differ from North American hockey?

LS - I have experienced a collection of different leagues and countries during my three-year tour of Europe and I have learned a lot about each league that I played in and the countries involved. The style of play, in general, can be considered more of a puck control game, especially from a defensemen’s point of view, than the North American game can be at times. Defensemen need to be able to find seams and make plays and are encouraged to be creative. In general, the game is more open and more flowing than the North American game, but an interesting caveat exists in the Finnish game. In Finland, the style of game is a hybrid between this creative, flowing style of hockey and dump-and-chase hockey. I suppose that is why that league is so heavily scouted by NHL teams because the jump from that league to North America is much, much easier because the game is pretty similar to North America, at least by European standards.

JE - You had quite a successful season playing for TPS Turku you set a new record for points scored by a TPS defenseman in one playoff season you were also a member of the SM Liga All Star Team, and you were awarded the Pekka Rautakallio trophy for the SM Liga Defenseman of the year. How do such accolades make you feel?

LS - Honestly, it is quite an honor. Some really great Finnish hockey players held those records and awards before I did, and I was just fortunate enough to play on a team with players that really complemented each other. I believe the last time a North American defensemen was awarded with these accolades, was in Helsinki and the player was Brian Rafalski. It is a real honor to be mentioned in the same category as a player like Rafalski and I am just very appreciative of the opportunity and support I was given in Turku.

JE - You spent last season playing for Dynamo Riga in the KHL where you played 37 games, you also spent time with TPS Turku why did you switch teams during the season?

LS - Opportunity. When I was in Riga, our team was competing against teams of much higher caliber than us and to stand a chance, we had to play a very defensive style of play. I was told once that it was better to ice the puck than try to make a play because our team wasn’t “skilled” enough to make creative plays. Once I heard that and started playing a strict defensive role, I knew that I was really limiting my exposure to NHL clubs. I am actually grateful that I did play a very defensive role for a while because it taught me how to play defense against players like Jagr, Yashin, and Radulov, and now my defensive ability has flourished because of it. But, as a 5’9” defenseman, I needed to show I could put numbers on the board, especially on the PP. I had a great relationship with TPS since I left, and especially their director of player development, Ari Vuori, so I was able to come back to the team and have the exact type of opportunity that I needed to show NHL teams that I could dominate one of the best leagues in Europe offensively. I guess the rest, everyone knows.

JE – As you mentioned your height, if someone told you that you were lacking in stature to play at the NHL level what would you say, how do you compensate for this?

LS - All I would say is that I use my low center of gravity, my weight, intelligence, and footwork to my advantage and I have surprised everyone in my career so far that has doubted my ability to succeed at higher levels, so I guess doing that again is not going to be an issue.

JE - In your opinion who is the best player on the Canucks roster?

LS - Ooooooo, loaded question. I am going to play it safe and say Luongo, because he is the one that is going to hopefully help me out of a jam every now and then.

JE - Vancouver Canucks fans love their team and are some of the most passionate fans in hockey what do you think of them and how do you intend to get in their good books?

LS - Like I said earlier, my work ethic on the ice, no matter what the situation, is something that they can always depend on from me. Off the ice, I am very approachable and friendly, so if they want to come and take pictures or whatever, feel free.

JE - What does it mean to you to be given the opportunity to play for a team like the Canucks?

LS - It is amazing to be able to be given the opportunity to play with Canucks for this upcoming year. I have worked my whole career, from when I was a kid growing up in Chicago to now, to be able to play in the NHL. I am very fortunate to have a team with the prestige of the Canucks to offer me a contract.

JE - Veteran Canucks defenseman Sami Salo is from Turku, Finland, he played for TPS Turku during the early part of his career. You also played for his former team will you be able to have a conversation with him in Finnish?

LS - I actually have practiced with Sami a few years ago when I first went to TPS. He was warming up for camp during our August practices and skated with us. Have I learned enough Finnish to have a conversation? Not even close. I can’t even tell you, “Hi, my name is Lee” in Finnish. It is such a difficult language, but the beauty of Scandinavian countries, in particular Finland, is that their English skills are great, so I am sure I will have no problem getting to know Sami.

JE - Which Canucks players are you looking forward to meeting the most?

LS - I am excited to meet all of the guys. It will be quite a different experience being in a locker room that features English as the dominant language once again, although there is a lot of Swedish influence.

JE - If you could compare yourself to a current or past Canucks Dman who would it be?

LS - I don’t believe I have a direct comparable on the Canucks right now. The best comparable I can make is a young Brian Rafalski, or my agent, Scott Norton, likes to compare me to Stephane Robidas from Dallas.

JE - When you report to training camp you will be expecting to challenge for a spot with the Canucks. What will you do at training camp to impress the coaches enough to give you a spot on the roster and why should they choose you over other players? If you don’t make the roster how will that make you feel?

LS - I am definitely expecting to challenge for a spot on the Canucks. My goal is to surprise some people at camp and come out of there with one of the spots on defense. I will try to display my offensive abilities in order to show them that I can be a good 2nd PP unit guy for them for this first year and have the potential to develop into a top PP guy down the road. Obviously, because of my size, I am going to have to show that I can play against the big guys and hold my own. Most people think that because I am 5’9”, I am small, but I weigh around 188-192 lbs, and enjoy physical play. I will also need to show how my body positioning and my defensive style will enable me to use my footwork to my advantage and keep opposing players outside the dots. If I don’t make the roster, I will take it as a challenge and I will continue to work to make the team every day. I did not come over from Europe to play in the AHL, so I plan on getting called up as much and as often as possible.

JE - Why should Canucks fans be excited about seeing you play in a Vancouver Jersey?

LS - They should know that I have always surprised people with my size, especially because I am very physical and that I will always give everything I have for the team, no matter what the score is on the board or what place we are in during the season.

JE - What have you heard about the city of Vancouver and are you looking forward to exploring the sites?

LS - I have heard great things and that it is like a northern San Francisco. I am definitely looking forward to seeing the town and experiencing what the city has to offer.

Lee kindly answers some of the fans questions:

Josh Hall from Surrey BC asks: As a now NHL signed D-man, I wanna know Lee, in a 1 on 1 situation, when you are last man back defending against the on coming player, do you take the puck or the man?

LS - I use my body position to force the player to the outside while keeping my stick on his stick, taking his time and space away.

Lia Cacatian from Vancouver BC: Would like to know what your initial assessment is of the Canucks defense?

LS - NHL defensemen are good and they are in the NHL for a reason; Vancouver’s D-men are no exception.

David Roy who lives in Vancouver: Wonders who your hockey hero was growing up?

LS - When I was younger, my hockey hero’s progressed from Bobby Orr, to Ray Bourque, and then towards the later part of my “fan years (during high school and college)” – Brian Rafalski.

Clayton Corley from Calgary Alberta: Would like to know how you are preparing for your first NHL camp?

LS - Right now I am working out every day for about 2 hours a day. Mostly weights and dry conditioning right now. During July I will start skating more intensively for about 2-3 times a week with my brother and some other players in Colorado. In the first two weeks of August, I will bump that up to about 3 times a week. The last two weeks of August about 4-5 times a week and the first week in September, before camp, I would like to skate every day for the week before I go.

Henrike Wöbking who lives in Cologne Germany: Has a question about 1 of your former coaches. Pierre Pagé, who was your coach in Salzburg, has a great reputation working with young players, developing them. Did you benefit from that?

LS - Pierre is a great coach that has a lot of history and prestige and he definitely helped show me a few things about body positioning that I use to help develop my defensive game. The only hard part is that in Austria, you are not playing against the best talent, but what he showed me helped make me a better defensive player when I got to the KHL.

The start of training camp is still a few months away, for Lee Sweatt this will mean countless hours of mental and physical preparation on and off the ice to ensure he is in perfect condition and ready to impress the Canucks coaching staff. Perhaps there is one final question that can only be asked of Lee, will blue be your lucky color?

I would like to say a big thank you to Lee Sweatt for doing the interview, and good luck.

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After a 7-4 defeat at the hands of the Blackhawks, the Canucks headache is getting worse. Will the dark cloud looming over Canuck nation finally blow away?

Vancouver have certainly put themselves in a very difficult position, but a comeback is still possible, with a win tomorrow night the tables can be turned, the battle is not over its only just begun. If your feeling like the season is reaching its course remember what enabled the boys in blue to reach the playoffs in the first place. Perhaps a little song will improve your mood?

Click on the boys, we can make this song the Canucks playoff anthem tell your friends, neighbors, work colleagues, school friends and any Hawks fans you know. Download the song to your iPod, your stereo, make it a ring tune for your phone. If ever there was a time to believe it is now lets get behind the team, because it’s not over yet!

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Question One: Alex, Mason, and Ryan each have a bag of pucks. In Alex’s bag there are 35 pucks, Mason has 25 pucks and Ryan also has 25. If you add up all of the pucks what is the total?

Question Two: Mason, Alex, and Ryan like to collect hockey jerseys, Mason has 28 jerseys, Ryan has 50 and Alex has 32. How many jerseys do the three friends have all together?

Question Three: During a period of one month each friend likes to consume various energy drinks, Ryan has 75 bottles a month Alex gulps on 67 and Mason quenches his thirst by having 53 drinks. If you add up the combined number of energy drinks each friend has over the month what is the total?

If you are still reading this, don’t worry you haven’t accidentally been directed to a teach yourself math’s website. The three friends in each question are of course Burrows Raymond and Kesler. Question one actually pertains to the amount of goals each player has scored over the course of the 09/10 regular season, that figure is 85.Question two represents the number of assists the forwards had this season, 115. Finally the third sum corresponds to the maximum number of points individually earned, if you tally each quantity up the skaters have 195 points.

This season the Canucks second line has had many guises but on more than one occasion it has been manned by the aforementioned trio of Burrows Kesler and Raymond, most recently in the first round playoff series against the Kings. The Canucks were able to terminate LA’s playoff assault by committing regicide when the Kings were defeated this Sunday in game six of the first round.

Over the course of this best of seven games match up the Canucks second line wasn’t able to contribute a great deal to the teams overall scoring production. Each member of that line has had a career year and is a very talented unit. So why, in the playoffs, have the threesome only managed to score three goals (a goal each), and why is Kesler the lone player on the second line to register an assist?

The third line has scored six goals, four of which were Bernier’s; Bernier is currently tied for second place on the Canucks playoff stats. In Fifty-six games prior to the post season Bernier managed to score a paltry 11 goals. That’s twenty-four fewer than Burrows, so why is Bernier out scoring the Canucks leading goal scorer, after just six playoff games? Why does the third line have 12 points, whereas the second line only has 8?

Does this really matter?

After all Vancouver have progressed to the next round of the playoffs, and will be facing an old foe in the Blackhawk’s. Chicago ended the Canucks cup run this time last year, so the rivalry will mean that Burrows Kesler Raymond and their teammates will be working indefatigably to exact revenge. When all is said and done a win is a win, regardless of who produces the most goals assists or points for their team, but having a second line that can consistently add to team scoring makes the job that much easier, especially in the quest for the cup.

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On Saturday April 10th the Canucks beat the Flames 3-7 in a game that completed the regular season for both teams. After the game GM Place was echoing with the sound of jubilant Canucks fans chanting MVP at the top of their voices, for newly crowned Art Ross Trophy winner Henrik Sedin.

Those same fans will now be focusing on a rather different contest, that will see nails bitten on each and every finger and evenings will be spent on the edge of their seats. Could the faithful members of Canucks Nation witness their dreams unfold in front of their very eyes or will they spend the summer nursing more heartbreak?

If the Canucks can grant wishes the team will first have to overcome the LA Kings. The Kings have a roster that consists of a young and talented team. Six of the current players have never danced under the spotlight of the Stanley Cup playoffs; the Kings haven’t made the post season since 2002. LA on paper may look the weaker team, but could prove to be a dark horse. The Kings and their supporters will be hoping that they can cause an upset by beating the Canucks.

Players like Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown or even Wayne Simmonds could all cause problems for a Vancouver team that has dealt with quite a few injury problems of late. Gold medal winning defenseman Drew Doughty will also try his best to irritate the Canucks. Unlike Vancouver, The Kings have a healthy roster; will LA be able to extinguish the Canucks playoff hopes?

In recent years Vancouver have not progressed past the second round of the playoffs and have only reached the final on two occasions. The last time the team achieved this was sixteen years ago in 1994. Could this be third time lucky? In 1994 the club had great players like Pavel Bure (The Russian Rocket) Trevor Linden and Geoff Courtnall. This years version has The Super Sedin’s, Burrows Kesler, Samuelsson, and Luongo to name but a few. Luongo may have had his difficulties recently but for him and his teammates it’s do or die!

When LA faces Vancouver both teams regular season’s play is history, game one this Thursday will signify a new battle, of skill, grit, determination and perhaps a little luck. Will this playoff series be the start of a fruitful journey that ends when the pride of British Columbia are crowned Stanley Cup Champions?

If this is the clubs’ time for glory the streets of Vancouver, Chilliwack, Kamloops and even the sleepy English town of Bromsgrove will again be echoing with the sound of joyous fans shouting at the top of their voices, but this time they shall be chanting different words. We Are The Champions! Do you believe?

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Every team needs its heroes, who could be talented and skilled enough to help the Canucks during the teams hunt for the cherished silverware? Lets take a look at a few possible candidates.

Henrik Sedin: In previous years Henrik has been one half a very successful duo along side his brother Daniel. When his twin was injured in October, Henrik established himself as being one of the best centers/players in the league. He currently leads the league in points with 106, his closest rival being Alex Ovechkin who has 104. If that wasn’t enough Sedin has the most assists with 77. Canucks fans hope they can have their wish granted and see him awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy as the leagues most valuable player. This year he has most certainly been one of the most valuable players for his team and truly deserves to be named league MVP. There is even a Facebook page called Hank for the Hart 2009/2010.

Alex Burrows: Last season Burrows had the best year of his NHL career. During the 09/10 campaign he has gone one better and broken his own record by scoring 35 goals, with just three games left can he inch closer to his first 40 goal season? With his current goal total he has lit the lamp more times than stars like Iginla, Kopitar and even Patrick Kane. Burrows is proving to be a short-handed goal specialist with his league best 5 goals. The Quebec native has matured into one of the best members of his organization, two years ago the most goals he had scored for Vancouver was 12.

Ryan Kesler: Like Burrows, Kesler has made excellent progress in the last few years. He was formally known as a shut down centre, he is now considered to be one of the best two-way players in the NHL. He was a huge factor throughout team USA’s Olympic outing and instrumental in bringing home a Silver medal for his country. He has 24 goals and 50 assists to date for his team. The perfect mix of offense and defensive skill he provides could prove invaluable when facing a tough playoff opponent.

Mikael Samuelsson: Samuelsson is another forward who is having a wonderful year for Vancouver. Apart from his excellent play this season Samuelsson has a Stanley Cup ring, so his playoff experience will be an added bonus on and off the ice. He has taken part in 69 playoff games and won the Cup with Detroit. He currently is second in goals scored for the Canucks with 30.

Roberto Luongo: Recently his performance in net has been less than stellar, his struggles have been discussed by the media, and caused sleepless nights for countless fans. The clock is ticking for this Gold medal-winning goalie. He will be relied on to perform at his best when his team needs him to make that spectacular glove save or to provide a veritable wall in front of the Vancouver net. Luongo could be the difference between winning and loosing.

Christian Ehrhoff: Ehrhoff has been quite possibly the best defenseman for the Canucks this season he leads his team in goals for his position with 14. He has helped to carry the defense core while other d-men have been injured. He really has been one of the better off-season acquisitions by Mike Gillis. That’s the good news the bad news is he suffered a knee injury on Sunday 4th April. This blow to his team could keep him out of the line up for at least a week.

Other worthy mentions go to Mason Raymond and D Sedin, who are 2 of the 6 Canucks forwards to have scored 20 or more goals for the club. During the battle for the cup some players will become heroes others unsung heroes, if Vancouver are victorious in their quest for the Cup those who were responsible may become the stuff of legends.

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Kyle Wellwood currently fills that spot. On July 1st he will become a UFA. This season has been rather inconsistent for Wellwood, he has found it difficult to continue the success from last season that saw him score a career high 18 goals, to date he has a total of 11 goals.

Over the course of the current campaign he has been stuck in numerous scoring slumps, where he has failed to earn a single point. On more than one occasion he has been without points in at least three consecutive games. From January 7th he was in a scoreless drought that stretched a staggering six games. It’s no surprise that he has spent time observing games from the dreaded press box.

The Kyle Wellwood story is not filled with complete doom; in the last three games he has 2 goals and 7 points over the course of 11 games. In recent outings he has been proving that he can also excel at the defensive side of his game. This was very evident when the Canucks faced the Sharks and again on Saturday against the Red Wings.

At twenty-six Wellwood may never become a thirty-goal scorer. Alex Burrows is twenty-eight, when he was the same age as Wellwood, there were few who would have predicted that two years later Burrows would be leading the Canucks in goals with a total of 32. Until last season Burrows was more known for being a checking winger on a line with Kesler. So perhaps like Burrows, Wellwood needs more time to develop his ability?

The Canucks depth at Center past the third line is a little sparse with only Rypien and Johnson in the regular line up. After July 1st Johnson will also enter the free agent market. At 33 Johnson is the clubs resident shot blocker, who often takes more beatings than the average Piñata. Over the last few years his body has started to pay the price for his Kamikaze like antics in front of the net, so he may opt to retire at the end of this season? With just one goal in fifty-one games is Gillis really going to want to renew his contract? Rypien is under contract until 2011 and can also play the wing.

So if Gillis doesn’t keep Wellwood on his books and Johnson chooses to hang up his skates, or Johnson’s ties with Vancouver are broken. Apart from Rypien, who is the most suited person for the job of third line Center? It could be fan favorite Cody Hodgson? Hodgson has had a glittering junior career and has been the recipient of several accolades. For example he was the CHL player of the year in 2009, he has played in two CHL All Star Games, and helped lead Canada to victory in the World Juniors twice. Throughout his OHL tenure he has played 197 games, he’s scored 114 goals, has 129 assists and 243 points. He does possess great talent, but could he possibly replace Wellwood?

One thing Hodgson is lacking is experience at the NHL level, he may now be ready to make the leap to the professional ranks, or perhaps, would he be more suited spending some time playing with the Moose? The last thing the Canucks organization, and fans alike want to do is rush Hodgson’s development.

For the majority of this season Wellwood has looked like he has been playing himself out of a new contract. Gillis has got some options to explore before he finds the correct fit for his third line. Perhaps Hodgson will be given the opportunity he craves, or maybe Gillis will test the open market, but if Wellwood continues to improve he may find himself providing a more permanent fixture in Vancouver.

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With approximately five weeks until the start of the playoffs, barring any complications Samuelsson should be fighting fit by then. What is also worth noting is that the last time the Swede spent any considerable time recovering from an injury was in 2007 when he was inactive for eighteen games nursing a broken foot. Of course his presence will be missed.

One thing that the current version of the Vancouver Canucks has often faced is adversity, at times enduring more than most. When dealing with hardship nature usually dictates that people or in this case a team of athletes will either be overcome by the challenges forced upon them and fall by the wayside, left forever lamenting what could have been. Or fight the continued battle whilst gaining strength and determination. The latter may best describe Vancouver’s season so far.

Consider a few things that The Canucks have conquered since the initial puck drop to open the 2009 – 2010 campaign on October 1st: Throughout the month of October eight players suffered various injuries missing a combined total of sixty five games. Some of the injured were key players like Daniel Sedin and Luongo. In fact each month since October there has been at least one Canucks roster player re-habing from injury. People like Edler, Salo, Demitra and most recently Bieksa have all been a victim of some kind of ailment this year, and yet the Canucks have still been able to turn its fortunes around. While other teams like Detroit and Anaheim have perhaps suffered more, with fewer injuries. Not to mention Vancouver managed to complete the grueling road trip with their heads held high. Such a schedule may have spelled disaster for some lesser clubs?

Of course getting the better of bad luck or misfortune doesn’t build champions, and success can only be measured by performance on the ice. That said Vancouver currently sit in third place in the Western Conference and will likely win the North West Division title again, giving the team another chance to win the real and most important title, The Stanley Cup. Before such a title can be awarded the team may have to remedy some other problems.

Recently Luongo’s play has been somewhat inconsistent, he has been pulled four times in the last thirteen games. That’s certainly not what you would expect from an Olympic gold medalist. Is Luongo just feeling the affects of the Olympics, or is the problem much deeper? Either way Luongo and his coaches will have to address this issue soon.

One other concern for Canucks coaches and fans alike might be whether the current defensive core really has what it takes to help carry the team through the playoffs, especially if Willie Mitchell’s return isn’t soon. In the last nine games the team has given up a total of twenty-eight GA, but other teams have similar numbers. Colorado has a total of twenty-seven GA in nine games, and San Jose has also allowed twenty-seven goals, but in fewer games, just seven. Neither of those teams are having to patch up their defense due to the gap left by the absence of a key defenseman like Mitchell. For a new addition to the Canucks back-end like Andrew Alberts, he is faced with the task of learning an unfamiliar coaching system, so far he has played in seven games, is that enough? Also Bieksa may still be trying to find his feet (no pun intended) after sustaining an ankle injury that saw him on the IR for almost three months.

Like most teams at this time of year the Canucks have a few injuries, and perhaps a few problems on the ice. With the playoffs likely starting April 14/15 the Canucks should have time to iron out any future obstacles that could come their way.

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Like most huge excursions there were many highs and lows. During the Olympics, Luongo was able to feel perhaps the ultimate high, when he helped Canada win the gold. Prior to Canada’s hockey victory there where people who felt that if Luongo was part of such a great achievement he could prove some of his doubters wrong. Certain people have often felt that Luongo really hadn’t done enough during his career to be considered one of the best keepers in the league. In his last game before the Olympics Luongo allowed five goals against the Wild. Since his return he has given up three or more goals a game, apart from the March 7th game against the Predators where the puck ended in his net on just two occasions.

Fortunately Luongo’s teammates have proved that they are more than capable of winning games for their net minder. In most one-sided games where a team has a huge lead over its opponents it’s usually safe to assume that a come back is out of the question. Recently the Canucks have won that many games when the team has had to come from behind, that Vancouver seems to have perfected a new art form, the Canucks are currently the NHL’s comeback kings.

When Vancouver’s two most prolific scorers the Sedin twins found themselves in a scoring slump which until this week looked likely to continue the Canucks still managed to find ways to win games. Players like Kesler have really contributed to the team’s success. Since January 30th Kesler has scored a point or more in thirteen of the fourteen games while on the road.

Unlike, the twins, Kesler and Luongo, Mikael Samuelsson didn’t represent his country in the winter games. Before Samuelsson took an Olympic break he struggled to score goals, only scoring three during the initial half of the road swing. He has lit the lamp in the last five games scoring his first NHL hatrick this Tuesday.

During this mammoth voyage it’s clear that the players pulled together and helped each other out, when it was needed, allowing the team to overcome the rigors of being away from familiar surroundings where fatigue is not the only concern.

This coming Saturday the Canucks will play their first game on home ice since January 27th when the team hosts the Senators. The Senators won their last game against the Oilers and will face the Flames before meeting the Canucks. Vancouver last met Ottawa on February 4th in a 3-1 loss for the Canucks, like every game this wont be easy.

The longest road trip in NHL history is finally over with just fifteen games remaining. For Vancouver the really journey has not begun, it wont be completed until Lord Stanley’s Cup is won.

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Leading up to the deadline the Canucks had some issues that needed to be addressed, the primary concern was to add extra depth on defense due to the injuries to Bieksa and Mitchell. An upgrade on offence to help improve the somewhat mediocre third and fourth lines was also expected to be on Gillis’s to do list.

The most significant and possibly the only new face in the Canucks dressing room will be that of defenseman Andrew Alberts who was dealt from Carolina for a third round pick in 2010. Alberts weighs in at 216 lbs and is six foot five. This season he has 2 goals 8 assists and 10 points in 62 games, Alberts likes to throw his weight around by administering big hits he is also a useful shot blocker. Alberts is under contract until 2011 and currently earns $1.5 million a year.

The other deals made were sending Mathieu Schneider to Phoenix for defenseman Sean Zimmerman and PC Labrie was shipped to St Louis for forward Yan Stastny. Both Stastny and Zimmerman will likely spend the majority of their time playing for the Moose.

The big questions are, will these new additions be the key pieces that can lead Vancouver to cup victory this season? Perhaps not, should Mike Gillis have thrown out large nets to reel in some bigger fish? Of course landing players like Hamhuis Wolski or even Iilya Kovalchuk doesn’t guarantee success for their respective teams. The positives that can be drawn from the movements Gillis made, are the fact that Vancouver didn’t loose any significant roster players or talented prospects like Hodgson (it was rumored that the Maple Leafs wanted to trade Kaberle for the Canucks prodigy).

If a team carries out a huge overhaul during deadline day it can affect team chemistry that could cause greater problems when a team is in the middle of a play-off series. When Oli Jokinen was sent to Calgary on deadline day a few years ago he struggled to find his feet thus creating problems for his line mates and coach.

Most fans long for their teams to be major players on what many people believe to be one of the most important and exciting days of the NHL calendar. If you’re a fan of the Phoenix Coyotes you may be feeling as if Christmas has come early considering that Phoenix were one of the most active members of this annual soirée, although it may only be a matter of time before the Coyotes train is permanently derailed.

Vancouver wasn’t the only team who were quiet; teams like Chicago and San Jose both chose to stand pat. The Hawks and Sharks currently sit in first and second place in the Western Conference while Vancouver is third. The Canucks are on the second half of their Olympic road trip with two consecutive wins plus a two-point lead over their closest divisional rivals Colorado. Vancouver are surely heading to the play-off’s with a team that has so far proved to be successful, why would you want to upset the dynamics, maybe sometimes less is definitely more?

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When you consider which current members of the Vancouver Canucks roster fit the role of the teams aggressors, most would agree that the likes of Rypien, Hordichuk and relative newcomer Tanner Glass are the teams resident hard men. They serve as valuable members of their organization who can be very versatile, bringing physical aggression and skill to their team. Glass, Rypien and Hordichuk are all notorious for their penchant to drop the gloves. Rick Rypien is considered by some to be the middle weight fighting champion of the NHL. Perhaps his ability to fight is due to the fact that his Dad was a former Canadian Golden Gloves boxing champion as a young man. Hordichuk, even spent time training with former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell during the summer of 2008.

Each of these forwards are very good at the defensive aspect of the game, often playing as a third or checking line type player who can be relied on to kill penalties while also possessing enough skill to contribute offensively, scoring goals or adding assists when needed. Wingers of this ilk are not expected to score goals every night and with Vancouver’s top two lines playing as brilliantly as they currently are some might wonder if having an abundance of secondary scorers is as imperative as it could be if the Canucks were struggling to win games. Will the Sedins, Burrows, Raymond and his second line mates continue to dominate once the Canucks are deep into the team’s grueling Olympic road trip, or during the play offs?

Vancouver’s three tough guys are very important to the team but do lack some of the scoring prowess of other third or fourth line players. The last time a member of the Vancouver tough guy trio registered a point was when Rypien scored a goal on January 5th 2010 during a win against the Blue Jackets. Tanner Glass hasn’t contributed to team scoring since December 31st 2010 and it’s been even longer for Hordichuk since he collected a point way back on November 5th 2010. When you also consider that players like Wellwood, Bernier and Hansen, who are supposed to offer support to the teams main offensive threats are underachieving more times than not, is there such a great demand for three skaters who are more likely to spend five minutes in the penalty box for fighting than scoring the game wining goal; wouldn’t one enforcer be enough for Vancouver? Surely having three offensively skilled goal scorers play on the bottom two lines would be of greater benefit to the Canucks organization than three brawlers?

As Mentioned earlier Georges Laraque is a player who is well know for his militant fist first mentality and he forged a twelve-year career playing that way. That was until last week when he was told that the Montreal Canadiens would rather do without his services. Laraques’s head coach Jacques Martin said that he didn’t need a player of Laraque’s nature to win games. Martin also said “The Red Wings, I don’t think they have an enforcer and they’ve won some Cups. The game has changed and speed has become a major factor. ” Will the tough guy eventually become a thing off the past, perhaps not? The NHL will undoubtedly find homes for players like Rypien and his cohorts. The question still remains do Vancouver need as many tough guys as they currently have and can they prove to be a winning formula?

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of the two teams in the first and second periods, especially when playing five on five. Sam Gagner was the first skater to get points on the board. The Oilers were in the middle of a line change that seemed to disorientate the Canucks leaving Gagner open in front of the Vancouver net allowing him to easily shoot the puck past Luongo. Grebeshkov had the assist on Gagner’s goal, which was the only power play goal for the Oilers. Later on in the first Burrows, Sedin and Sedin once again proved why they are one of the best trios in the league as Burrows tied the game with assists from Daniel and Henrik. That goal now sees Burrows with a current total of twenty-two so far this season.

The Oilers started the middle frame with their second goal just two minutes into the period. Marc Pouliot won the battle for the puck that saw the teams deep in the Canucks offensive zone; Pouliot passed the puck back to Souray who fired the puck past an unsuspecting Luongo. The Oilers were by far the better team in the period. If it hadn’t been for Luongo’s skill and determination, players like O’Sullivan and Gagner could have extended the Oilers lead.

During the final period Vancouver took more control of the game but failed to equalize until late in the third when they were on a four on three power play advantage. With help from the twins, Sami Salo skated from the point and blasted the puck past Dubnyk taking the game to overtime.

From the start of the extra frame the Oilers once again found themselves killing a three on four penalty. The Canucks quickly took advantage of that fact and sealed the win when Henrik Sedin made an excellent pass to his brother Daniel who was open in front of the Edmonton goal, the Canucks sniper tapped the puck into the net for the 3-2 win.

Vancouver’s next opponent will be the Dallas Stars who are currently sat in tenth place with forty-nine points. The Stars have won each of their last two games. The Most recent win came against the Wild on Monday where the Stars won 3-4 at home. If Vancouver is victorious against the Stars they will narrow the gap between them and Colorado. Vancouver has sixty points the Avalanche have sixty-two.

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Pavol Demitra celebrates after scoring a overtime goal in 2008.

After suffering a shoulder injury last May, there has been much speculation as to if or when, Pavol Demitra will finally make his return to the Canucks roster. Well, the good news for Vancouver and it’s loyal fans, is that his return could be much sooner than expected. This week the veteran Slovak native, has been partaking in on ice practice with his team. He could possibly play in Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh, although a return to the line up around January 20th could be more likely. It’s expected, when he does leave IR, that he will skate on the 3rd line.

When you look at the three time All Stars career, it’s difficult to ignore facts like he has had fourteen seasons where he scored twenty or more goals, three seasons when he had well over thirty goals and in the 98-99 season he had a total of thirty-seven goals. He has been very successful at his job.

Unfortunately Demirta also possesses some rather unattractive stats that some people might be unaware of. It was during the 93 –94 season when Demitra began his profession in the NHL as a member of the Ottawa Senators. Since then he has played in eight hundred and nineteen games. During his tenure as an NHL player he has only completed a full eighty-two game season twice. To date he has missed approximately one hundred and seventy games since the 93 –94 campaign, due to injuries with varying degrees of severity. He has suffered forty-six injuries ranging from hamstring; concussion and he even spent time in the sickbay with a bout of chicken pox. At thirty-five he is hardly a young man and some might think at that age he is nearing the end of his career.

After suffering two recent defeats an injection of offensive talent might be quite rewarding for the Vancouver Canucks, especially to a somewhat underachieving third line. At this point in the season most teams would love the opportunity to add a talented forward to the roster. Is Pavol Demitra that player and do Vancouver really need to rearrange their line up to accommodate an ageing, injury prone, thirty five year old man?

Prior to the aforementioned losses, Vancouver were playing better than they had all season. Even during times when Vancouver struggled, did many people actually think Demitra would remedy the situation? Of course the third and fourth lines need to contribute more on a nightly basis, but adding Demitra could possibly quell any chemistry that the current third line has. Not forgetting that placing Demitra on the third, or any other line, means that certain players could be demoted or made a healthy scratch.

When you also consider that Ryan Johnson is close to returning, there will need to be even more bodies juggled to help reduce the veritable logjam. A player like Hansen could be the odd man out, he is a young forward trying to become a regular member of the Canucks organization and at his age being a constant victim of line juggling could seriously dent his confidence.

There is no guarantee that Demitra will be able to add another element to a team that is already excelling offensively. His last competitive appearance in a Canucks uniform was during the playoffs in May 2009; that’s approximately nine months away from the game. We all know how hard it is to force yourself back to the gym after a two-week break, imagine how Demitra will be after months of absence?

In the sixty-nine games played last season Demitra proved to be a beneficial member of his team, mostly playing on the second line. He could perhaps be a vital piece of the puzzle again? If he is able to display some of the offensive skill that he has in the past, teams like the Rangers could show more interest in his services. With a successful Olympics, other teams maybe willing to take a chance on him around the trade deadline?

Demitra’s return is not a negative for Vancouver and as discussed, it potentially does have many positives, but perhaps his return is at a time when Vancouver does not need his presence as greatly as they have in the past. Demitra is currently in the final year of his contract, which still owes him four million dollars. After which point he will become a UFA on July 1st so if his arrival is less than fruitful he may be on the trading block.

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One of the reasons the Canucks are now looking like a formidable team is due to the performance of the Sedin twins especially Henrik Sedin. Henrik is not only proving to be one of the most valuable members of his team he is also officially one of the best players in the league as he leads the NHL in points with sixty one. If that wasn’t enough he was awarded the title of NHL player of the month for December. When Daniel Sedin missed 18 games due a foot injury, questions were asked as to how Henriks play would be affected with his brother’s absence. The answer was that Henrik managed to cope very well without his shadow Daniel. Since Daniel’s return the twins along with fellow line mate Alex Burrows have been showing teams that the Canucks first line is a force to be reckoned with. In last night’s game against the Coyotes, Burrows scored his second consecutive hat trick. That makes Burrows the first Canucks player to score three goals in succession since the 1986-87 season when Petri Skriko did it last.

Vancouver’s present success cannot only be attributed to the first line; players like Raymond, Kesler, and Samuelsson have all been contributing to the team’s current string of victories. There are approximately five Canucks players who are on pace to score twenty or more goals.

Kyle Wellwood unfortunately may struggle to score twenty goals this season. Wellwood’s season has so far not gone to plan with only four goals in thirty seven games, on a plus note he does have four points in the last eight games. Wellwood does appear very suited to his role as a third line centre man, however he needs to improve and increase the amount of goals he scores during the remainder of the season. Wellwood’s line mates of Bernier and Glass have both played a valuable role on the team.

Defensively Vancouver fairs well compared to other teams in the league. Vancouver is sat seventh in the league with goals against (105). The most notable name on defense for Vancouver is Christian Ehrhoff. Ehrhoff leads all NHL players with a plus minus rating of + 23 he is also fifth in the NHL for most goals scored by a defenseman, he has nine goals. Clearly Mike Gillis made the right decision when he acquired Ehrhoff from San Jose. Certain players like Sami Salo and Alex Edler need to produce more offensively.

Having a good goalkeeper can often be paramount to success in the NHL. After a somewhat shaky start and then enduring another injury, Luongo is now playing on top form. In thirty seven games he has a save% of .923 and a GAA of 2.21.When backup keeper Raycroft has played he has shown that he can play well, winning four of the seven games as the starter.

Vancouver’s special teams performance is quite reasonable too, the PP% is fourth in the league. The PK% is thirteenth in the league. Vancouver has played forty-four games thus far, with thirty-eight left on the schedule. Vancouver currently has the potential and talent to evolve into one of the best teams in the Western Conference. If the Canucks continue to perform in the same vain that has helped to elevate them to the fifth place in the West then the season could well be a memorable one for all the right reasons.

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The first period was quite uneventful; Vancouver looked very sluggish and failed to create many scoring chances in the Coyotes zone, although neither team was able to score. Phoenix dominated this period and played with more intensity than Vancouver.

The middle frame started very much like the first, until Jovanovski decided to turn up the momentum an opened up the scoring for the Coyotes, Doan and Upshall got the assist’s. Approximately 49 seconds later Samuelsson tied the game for Vancouver with help from fellow Swede Henrik Sedin. Phoenix regained the lead late in the second when Prucha fired a shot past Luongo into the open net.

Phoenix were physical throughout the third playing a very good defensive game that kept the Canucks from tying things up. Luongo helped to keep his team in the game especially when he made a great save on a shot from the Coyotes leading scorer Shane Doan. With just over 6 minuets left in regulation Kyle Wellwood silenced the now raucous Coyotes fans when he rifled the puck into the net, forcing the game into overtime.

During overtime Phoenix threw everything they had at Luongo but he made things very difficult for the Coyotes. LaBarbera also made some great saves that ensured that this game could only be won with a shootout.

This would be the second consecutive shootout for Phoenix who lost to San Jose the night before. The shootout went to the third round when Vrbata, Wellwood and Raymond all failed to score for their respective teams. Korpikoski sealed the win for Phoenix and helped to extend his teams home win streak by scoring the only goal of the shootout. This helped to set the franchise record of ten wins at home

Vancouver’s next game will be on New Years Eve, when they face The St Louis Blues. The Blues are currently sat in 12th place in the Western Conference and have lost their last three games. After the defeat to Phoenix Vancouver are still placed in the 8th spot in the Western Conference. Unfortunately Vancouver maybe without defenseman Kevin Beiksa for the next game as he suffered a bad skate cut to his left leg during the second period. Bieksa will not be with the team for the next game, he will travel back to Vancouver. The injury could possibly mean he is out of the line up for a few weeks.

On a final note as expected Team Canada have announced today that Canucks goalkeeper Roberto Luongo will play for his country in the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

All feedback is welcome. You can follow me at www.twitter.com/canuckulhead

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The Vancouver Canucks cannot afford to focus on anything other than making the most of the 3 wins they currently have at home. Vancouver are in the 10th spot in the west tied with Dallas both teams have 38 points, just one point shy of Detroit who are in the 8th position. With a game every other night until the 23rd December the Canucks need to extend the 3 game streak they currently have. With games against Anaheim, Washington, St Louis and Nashville this week. A win in each of those would make the job much easier after the Christmas break.

A week ago the situation was rather dire the Canucks loosing consecutive games to Carolina and Nashville. Things seemed to have reached a boiling point that saw Luongo and his captain’s call an on ice meeting during practice. A few days’ later tensions seemed even worse as Mitchell and Kesler came to blows and fists went flying. Luckily for the Canucks things have been resolved now and the outlook is much brighter.

When Vancouver faces the Anaheim Ducks in their next game they will play an opponent who are surprisingly last in the Western Conference. Anaheim are currently on a 4 game road trip the Ducks last game was on Saturday the 12th, where they were able to beat the Blue Jackets 3-1. Anaheim’s current win percentage on the road is 0.423, which places them 23rd in the league for wins in that category. Vancouver has a respectable home win percentage that makes them 3rd in the league with wins at home. While a win against the Ducks may seem easy it is not guaranteed the last time the teams met the Ducks won 7-2. The Canucks will need to keep an eye out for Ducks forward Dan Sexton who is currently on a hot streak; he has a point during his last 3 games. Sexton has been added to the line up to replace the injured Teemu Selanne who has an injury to his hand. A win against the Ducks will increase Vancouver’s confidence and prepare them for the game on Friday when the Canucks do battle with Washington. That game could prove to be very tough as the Capitals have one of the best records in the league.

The keys for success during the home stand will be continuing the style of play from the three previous games. This will mean that the Sedin line dominates offensively and the 2nd line will also be required to carry the load. The Sedins and Mason Raymond all have a point in the last three games. Henrik Sedin is third in the NHL in scoring. Kesler, Burrows and Samuelsson all have a point in two of their last three games. Players like Bernier, Beiksa, Salo and O’Brien have been helping to contribute to the team’s current winning performance. Unfortunatly Wellwood is still struggling to find any of the offensive talent he displayed last season. He could find himself once again sitting in the press box during the next game. If he is unable to snap out of this complete lack of production he may well be looking for a job by the end of next season, which could quite possibly mean playing in Europe.

If Vancouver can remain focused with the job in hand and proceed to do the little things right, this stretch of home games could prove to be rather positive for Vancouver, which would prepare the team for the next half of the season. Most Vancouver fans would like nothing more than to see the Canucks end this year on a high note. With the way Vancouver played in the previous three games those fans might have a good Christmas.

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But you also need some energy guys. You need guys who can play a good shift, hopefully keep the puck in the opposing team’s end, and who can get the crowd (and their teammates) energized with either a big hit, a fight, or whatever. It also helps to have a tough guy that can keep your star players safe by taking on the other team’s tough guy. The Vancouver Canucks thought they had this when they signed Darcy Hordichuk, but something’s happened to him. He doesn’t fight any more; he doesn’t really hit, and when he does try, he often misses. Tanner Glass has earned his spot on the Canucks by doing a lot of this, and I’m really glad to have him on this team. However, he’s not the guy I think of when I look at all of these qualities.

No, I think of Rick Rypien. Rypien has a checkered past with the Canucks, though coach Alain Vigneault seems to really love him and gives him ample opportunity. However, he has historically been injury-prone. Two years ago, he was out for most of the season with an injury after starting off really well. Last year, he scored in two of the first three games, I believe, and then promptly got injured. Later in the season, he went on leave from the team for “personal reason” which have never been disclosed (and good on the Vancouver media for actually giving the guy some privacy; if any reporter actually knew what was going on, I never heard about it).

This year has been much better, though there have been stretches where he’s been out. However, when he is in the line-up, he gives the team just what it needs. He’s always skating hard, going around hitting people right and left. He doesn’t score much, but when he does, they’re beauty goals (hmm…people said the same about Burrows a couple of years ago. Could it be? Nah.) He never takes a shift off, always doing his best to spark his team when they’re down. He doesn’t have a lot of skill, but he’s got enough that he doesn’t look out of place out there on the ice. Most important of all, though: he’s taking Hordichuk’s place as the go-to guy in the fighting department.

Boy, does he ever. Rypien is not afraid of anybody. So what if the guy he’s taking on has 10 inches and 50 pounds on him? That’s not going to stop him. More often than not, he wins the fight, too! Or at least makes it a draw. Just look at Thursday night’s game against Atlanta, and this fight against Boris Valabik. Valabik actually laughed in his face when Rypien challenged him. And look at the outcome. It was a fairly even fight, but Rypien clearly came out ahead. Valabik probably didn’t know what hit him. Rypien has a history of doing this, too. Zach Stortini in Edmonton, Derek Boogaard in Minnesota, Hal Gill in Montreal (ok, Gill’s not a fighter, but he’s still huge compared to Rypien). The list goes on, and Rypien has no fear of any of them. It’s why he’s quickly become a fan favourite here in Vancouver.

And rightfully so. Rypien’s most likely not going to win you the game in the dying seconds. But he may be instrumental in actually getting you to those final seconds.

He’s definitely a keeper.

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Vancouver currently has a total of 32 points that’s just 8 points behind Colorado, who are second in the west. With some consistency and more games played the way Vancouver did against the Devils and Flyers, that gap can be reduce considerably. The Canucks are only 2 points shy of the 8th position, which the Dallas Stars currently occupy. Dallas lost to Edmonton in their most recent match up. The Stars start a road trip tonight that will see them play the Ducks, Sharks and the Kings. On paper Vancouver’s next three opponents should be a tad easier, they are Nashville, Atlanta and Minnesota, each of these teams has lost its last game. Vancouver will end their current road trip tonight against Nashville. On Thursday the Canucks will meet Atlanta, this will be the 1st of a stretch of games at home.

Vancouver have sixteen wins so far, ten of those wins were played at home, their home win percentage is 0.74 while on the road it’s 0.40. The Canucks have also scored more goals at home, 49 compared to 40 goals on the road. Their goals against record at home is much better than on the road, when playing away from home the Canucks have allowed a total of 47 goals, at home it’s only 28.Another noteworthy fact is that Vancouver is currently 4th in the NHL in PP% 22.69. Playing a series of games at home may well prove beneficial for Vancouver.

All Vancouver fans are fully aware of the ability that the Sedin twins have when they play as a tandem. Although Henrik Sedin proved that he was very competent and skilled when his brother was absent. Daniel Sedin was clearly missed by his brother and the whole team; perhaps Alex Burrows missed Daniel Sedin more than most. Daniel was inactive for 18 games due to injury; during that time Burrows only scored twice. Whilst Sedin was in recovery, Burrows was goalless for exactly 16 games, since Daniels return Burrows has scored 5 goals in the last seven games. Alex Burrows has regained his position on the first line; he is once again a big threat to opposing teams. The return of Sedin also saw Kyle Wellwood finally score his 1st goal his presence on the ice is more noticeable of late. Players like Glass and Bernier have also been producing offensively.

With only two players on the IR (Demitra and Grabner) it seems that Vancouver has overcome the injury bug that proved to be a hindrance earlier in the season. If the reports are true Demitra could be back in the line up within a few months. His arrival to the team may well produce extra firepower on offense. When Grabner is back to full health his return will provide on extra spark to the team. Although Gillis might opt to reassign Grabner to the Moose.

Vancouver is 29 games into the season they, have 16 wins and 13 losses. That gives them a win percent of .552 so they are just over .500; the Canucks have a total of 53 games remaining. Due to the demanding schedule they will endure around the time of the Olympics, it’s imperative that this team starts to lay the foundations ready for the Olympic road trip. In other words build on the 2 wins earned whilst on the current road trip. After the 2010 games the season will move into the next phase. The competition for the play-off race will increase thus creating a greater urgency for success. That will mean the margin for error is much smaller.

There is no such thing as a good defeat but the last game was not a complete disaster. The Canucks didn’t play very well in that game, but they showed a determination to come from behind. Unfortunately when offered a chance to tie the game the team squandered a PP opportunity, that was handed to them on a plate. The outcome however could have been much worse, for example if the game ended 5-1 rather than 5-3. When the Canucks play the Predators in their next game, the disappointment of the loss to the Hurricanes might provide the impetus needed to secure another win. Nashville is also coming off a 3-5 loss at the hands of the Wild. Nashville sit 7th in the West with just a 2 point lead over Vancouver. A win in that game would improve a less than stellar road record while also ensuring the trip ends on a reasonably high note.

It may seem as if Vancouver is often traveling in the wrong direction. With the hopes of reaching the playoff’s becoming more unlikely. The good news is that there are enough games left for Vancouver to make sure this ship gets back on course. The Canucks are not that far from executing an assault on the standings, thus keeping the playoff dream well and truly alive. With more consistency and help from every member of the team, not forgetting some good luck, the wins will become a mere formality. Then fans will certainly have more reasons to be cheerful.

One other significant note: The Toronto Sun is reporting that the Rangers are interested in negotiating a trade with Vancouver that would see them acquire Demitra. This maybe more of a rumor than fact.

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And sure enough, that’s what happened yesterday in the 5-3 debacle that looked much closer than it was. Only a couple of things allowed the Canucks to even make it that close. First, the Hurricanes are truly an awful team right now. The Canucks, as horribly as they were playing (I can’t count the number of giveaways or bad passes that resulted in glorious Hurricane opportunities where Andrew Raycroft had to make great saves or the Hurricane player just made a bad shot), they still kind of controlled the first period. Two power plays helped, but even without that, the Hurricane’s weren’t doing anything. When Jannik Hansen scored against the flow of play to make it 1-0, it looked like the ‘Canes might decide to pack it in. If the Canucks had stayed focused and continued to play their game (however ineptly they were doing it at the moment), the ‘Canes may have folded right there. But no. Ray Whitney is given a glorious chance and Raycroft plays the shot badly, letting it go top corner on him. BOOM! 1-1, 20 seconds after Hansen scores, and they have life again.

I’ve criticized the Canucks’ lackluster play in 2nd periods of late, and yesterday was a perfect example. The ‘Canes came out flying, applying the pressure that the Canucks just couldn’t handle. They were just chipping it out of their zone and the ‘Canes would bring it right back in. Sure enough, they end up scoring. And then again, and again, and again. Suddenly, it’s 4-1 and the Canucks don’t know what hit them. They mount very little sustained pressure, and when they do manage to keep it in the ‘Canes zone for a little while, either Manny Legace stones them or they just don’t get the right shot off.

The second thing that allowed the Canucks to make it close is that, inexplicably, the ‘Canes just sat back in the 3rd period, allowing the Canucks to get their legs back underneath them. Goals from Bernier and Burrows made it 4-3, but the hole they had dug themselves was just too big. With Raycroft out for the extra attacker, Cole scored his hat trick goal to make the final score 5-3. Yes, you heard that right: Cole.

You see, yesterday was a big slump-bumper for many of the ‘Canes. Staal missed some wonderful opportunities, and I could tell he was getting really frustrated with himself, though he did have 2 points. Cole had a hat trick. Whitney had three points. The Canucks’ reputation for this was shown in full force!

The Canucks just looked horrible most of the day, even during their comeback. Errant passes to nobody. Pucks bouncing over sticks. Shots that were way off the target. Hansen sprung Kesler for a breakaway and he ended up putting it over the net. Daniel Sedin had a couple of close-in chances and couldn’t bury any of them. One great 2-on-1 opportunity, Daniel didn’t even get a shot off.

It was a game to forget. And the Canucks will have to, because Nashville is a much better team than the Hurricanes are. They can’t afford to play like they did yesterday.

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Thankfully, that wasn’t the case this time around. The Canucks started a 4-game eastern road swing with a convincing 5-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, where the only minor let-down was at the end of the first period. The Canucks played with a fire in their belly the rest of the way, so there was no ghastly second period as there has been recently. Even better, with a one-goal lead going into the third, the Canucks showed that killer instinct by getting two more past potential Team Canada starter Martin Brodeur. Henrik Sedin continued his excellent play with two assists, his brother Daniel scored a goal and got an assist, as did linemate Alex Burrows. The defense has started scoring (more than just Ehrhoff, who has been scoring a lot recently), with both Alex Edler potting his second and Sami Salo breaking through to score his first. Edler had a 3-point night. What’s even more important for the Canucks is that that other Team Canada potential starter, Roberto Luongo, slammed the door after giving up two questionable goals late in the first to let the Devils back into the game. The Canucks played a classic road game the rest of the way and the Devils could never get anything going in the third period to try and mount a comeback. The only chance they had was a very late 5-3 power play, where Luongo was brilliant, as was the hard-working Burrows, who was phenomenal.

But the Canucks have won the first games of these back-to-backs many times, so some were wondering how they would do against the Flyers on Thursday. Seemingly not tired at all, the Canucks played a great game on Thursday, barely taking a shift off. There was some tiredness late in the third, but Luongo once again stifled any Flyer offense, earning a 3-0 shutout victory. With two goals from defensemen (Ehrhoff and Willie Mitchell) and another tip in (off his hip, this time) by Alex Burrows, the Canucks got everything they needed and played a great defensive game for the most part. Luongo had to make some great saves in the third when the team looked tired and the Flyers really came on, with two beautiful saves on tips from Aaron Asham (who probably had Luongo nightmares last night). This was not the “second game of a back-to-back” that has plagued the Canucks recently. This was a team on a mission, and they handled the Flyers (who are admittedly reeling right now, having lost 7 of 8 ) with seeming ease.

While Alex Burrows may not be an offensive force in his own right, his play with the Sedins since Daniel has returned has demonstrated that he makes an awesome third twin. Luongo’s rounding into midseason form. Henrik’s 8th in league scoring right now (who would have thought that would ever happen?). So many things are going right for the Canucks right now, and both Carolina and Nashville are very beatable teams if the Canucks don’t take them lightly.

After two more games on this road trip, the Canucks play 17 of the next 23 at home before embarking on the murderous Olympic road trip. Earning these road wins, combined with their current excellent play at home, will greatly help when adversity inevitably sets in during the long trip. Hopefully, any panic that some Canucks fans were going through has abated.

At least for now.

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Thus, I missed the beginning of the thread, though I have caught up on it now. The basic premise is that the Canucks are losing ground to Calgary and Colorado even as they are beginning to get healthier again. Winning the division is beginning to look like a pipe dream, and the initial poster actually asks what the fallout will be if the Canucks miss the playoffs (they are currently in 11th place). The Canucks are 5-5 in their last 10, but 4-2 in their last 6. You could argue they should be 5-1, as they looked much better than Chicago in that 1-0 shutout loss. Reading through the thread, many people agreed with the original poster, though thankfully there were some more level heads who are currently arguing with them.

So why the panic?

My first thought is “Detroit’s in 10th place, one point ahead of the Canucks. Does anybody think they’re not going to make the playoffs?”

My second thought is that Colorado is one of those teams that’s going to crash and burn. They have been playing extremely high above their level, and they are actually starting to fall already. They’re 3-4-3 in their last 10 games, the Canucks have blown them out of the building twice within a week’s span, and hot goalie Craig Anderson has been extremely tepid lately. Other teams that will eventually come down from their initial high? My bet is that Phoenix will not make the playoffs, and they are currently there. The same with Nashville.

So are the Canucks in any danger? Of course they are. While they are doing “ok” right now, they do need to get on at least one hot streak, preferably a rather long one with that long Olympic road trip they have to go on. Their penalty kill needs to improve, and they have to start actually showing up in the 2nd period. Sometimes, I wonder if they’ve left something behind in the locker room when they come out for the second period, whether it’s their brains, their energy, or something. They consistently get outclassed in the 2nd, and that’s usually when they lose the game. Even though San Jose scored two quick goals in the 3rd to ice last Sunday’s game, you could say that their lackadaisical play in the 2nd is what cost them the lead for good.

However, I don’t see any need for panic yet, though December will be a telling month. They have quite a few home games this month, and they need to capitalize on them.

The main reason I’m in the “patience is a virtue” mode is that I think the main problem with this team as that some players have been seriously under-performing, and I don’t see that carrying forward much longer, and have even seen signs of improvement already.

1) Alex Edler

The young defensive stud from the last year or two was missing earlier this year. While he’s currently -4, he was much worse defensively in the early games. Many times he looked lost in the defensive zone. He wasn’t scoring, either. Recently he’s been doing much better. Whether it’s because he’s been playing on his natural side recently or whatever the reason, he hasn’t looked as horrible as he was. He still makes the occasional bone-headed play, but keep in mind he’s still extremely young. He also has one of the best passes I’ve seen. He currently is 2nd on the team in defensemen scoring, with 1 goal and 15 assists. He’d have even more assists if some of the forwards would be able to bury the chances that he’s produced for them with wicked breakout passes (Ryan Johnson, I’m looking at you). The kid’s got great instincts.

2) Alex Burrows

Burrows was reportedly hampered by a groin injury, and one report I read said that if the team hadn’t already been decimated with injuries, he probably would have sat some games out. He always played with some energy, but it did look like his offensive skill and energy level was hampered by that injury, along with missing Daniel Sedin, who was out with his own injury. Burrows works great as the “third” twin, but he doesn’t really cut it as a second. He wasn’t able to score with Henrik and he was then tried with other players who didn’t really complement his skill set. The last four games, since Daniel returned and that line has been reunited, it has been dynamite. Burrows also appears to be healthy, and you can tell because he does have a lot more jump than he did before.

3) Ryan Kesler

Kesler can’t seem to find the back of the net, getting robbed a number of times in recent games. However, he’s getting plenty of assists to compensate, either from rebound goals or from glorious passes. He’s still playing with the edge that he’s always had, and has been benefiting the team in that way, but I sense that one of these days his goals are going to start going in again. He’s looked a lot more consistent over the last few games too.

4) Kyle Wellwood

This guy is on fire over the last three games, and his play improved noticeably even before that. I suggested that he be sent down to Manitoba on November 15, and his play picked up quite a bit after that. Coincidence? I think not! He has 4 points in his last 3 games, including 2 goals. He’s creating opportunities, and the Wellwood line was arguably the best line on Sunday night. He’s much better than the way he was playing earlier in the season, and he’s starting to show that. As long as he keeps it up, he’ll probably maintain his spot in the line-up.

On paper the Canucks are a much better team than their 14-12 record indicates. One thing that’s been missing this year as compared to last (as shown in theref’s “Year-Over-Year comparison” post) is that the Canucks have not been able to get that extra point for losing in overtime or the shootout. They haven’t been able to scrape back into a game to take it to overtime, though they have two shootout wins. The teams around them have a bunch of extra points (Columbus - 5, Dallas - 7, Detroit - 4, St. Louis - 5). They need to find a way to fight their way into overtime (of course, it’s even better if you win your overtime games, but the Canucks have only been in two to begin with).

Thus, I don’t see any reason for worry quite yet. The Canucks are starting to gel as a team now that they are relatively healthy, and their play over the last 10 games (with a couple of exceptions) has been much better than earlier this year. They do have a job to do and many hurdles to climb, but I think they can do it. If they’re in the same position at the end of December as they are now, then it might be time to do something, and I think Gillis will do something. There have been so many positives this year (the improved play of Mason Raymond, the acquisition of Christian Ehrhoff), that I think the team will be much better when some of the others start playing up to their ability.

So relax, Vancouver fans. For now, things are ok. Let’s be patient, and re-evaluate in a month. Meanwhile, let’s sit back and watch how things go.

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Most people would be very surprised if this was to be Kesler’s final year donning the Canucks uniform. A few weeks ago assistant GM Laurence Gilman said in an interview on radio station the Team 1040, that management hope to resign Kesler. Of course Kesler wont be the only player the team will try and resign, the free agent list contains such players as Mitchell, Raymond, Hansen and Glass to name but a few. Mike Gillis and his staff may also hope to keep the aforementioned player’s on the payroll.

Kesler made his Vancouver debut in a 2-1 loss against Toronto on November 24^th 2003. Since then his role on the team has changed. Initially he spent time as a shut down center with the likes of Alex Burrows. He is clearly very skilled at playing a more defensive style; some believe that he is more suited to the defensive aspect of the game. That said last season he proved he is very capable of producing offensively, scoring 26 goals playing on the wing with Sundin and Pavol Demitra. He is still only 25 with more experience it’s likely he will develop his talent even further.

When you look at the Canucks roster it is somewhat difficult to find superstar forwards, it can be debated as to whether a player of that caliber exists on this team. If you look past the Sedin twins there are few major offensive producers, especially in terms of goal scorers. While Kesler is a very proficient player will he be able to score 26 goals again this season? He last scored a goal on November 1^st; he currently has 5 goals 19 assists and 24 points.

Next July players like Marleau, Jokinen, Savard and Toews will all be free agents. Those said players all have the ability to score 30 plus goals a season, and would be able to play on either the first or second lines. Some of the above players may command larger salaries than Kesler would, Vancouver may also have to find ways to free cap space to accommodate players of that ilk.

One possible way to reduce players’ salaries could be done by not renewing Willie Mitchell’s contract, relieving the team of his current $3,500,000 salary hit, he probably would be expecting an increase in earnings. Adding those types of centers to the roster would mean taking a gamble for Vancouver, but it could prove to be a very positive move. Lets not forget Keslers will be looking for a substantial pay rise so even resigning him will undoubtedly mean taking a risk.

There is also no guarantee he will want to resign in Vancouver if, the Canucks fail to make an appearance in the playoffs he could possibly start to look elsewhere. There is the potential that Mike Gillis could consider trading Kesler around February or at the trade deadline. If Vancouver are struggling down the stretch and are desperate to make the post season, a trade deal involving Kesler and Cory Schneider for example, may perhaps be a reality. Come March there could well be a myriad a teams battling to make the 8^th spot in their conference, few of them would over look the opportunity to acquire Kesler.

Vancouver may take the safest option and re-sign Kesler. Even though free agency is a while a way, don’t be surprised if contract talks start well before July 1^st, a deal may done much sooner than most would envisage. It’s unlikely all parties concerned will allow talks to hang in the balance for as long as they did with the Sedins? Although if contract conversations start to stall and grind to a halt the only option left for Vancouver could be to find him a new home with another team.

Ryan Kesler is a very skilled and talented player, who will probably play for the U.S.A in the 2010 Olympics, is he really a top six forward? He has adapted to the position very well, you have to wonder if he really does have enough offensive upside, to provide points for his team on a regular basis? If he were to play for a team who had a great abundance of offensive artillery, rather than a team who is slightly lacking in that area, would he be expected to play on the second line? Extending his contract is not a negative thing, but perhaps it would be more beneficial to sign a proven top six center? Thus allowing the team to play a more offensive style, also easing the pressure from the Sedin line. Another option would be to re-sign him and upgrade his wingers. If you could be the Canucks GM for the day what would you do with Ryan Kesler?

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First I learned that the hockey pre-season isn’t like other sports’ pre-seasons. Hockey players have said that the pre-season is really where you just find out who is making the team. It’s the beginning of the real season where you actually start learning how to play together. That’s why many teams have to find their footing when the season starts. By (US) Thanksgiving, they’ve usually been playing as a team for a solid month.

The second thing I learned is that Canada has their own Thanksgiving.

So here we are at (US) Thanksgiving and I wanted to see how The .Net’s teams are doing compared to this time last year.

The San Jose Sharks are just 1 point behind their point total from this time last year, and like last year they sit atop the NHL. Although there is nothing to be derived from this when it comes to the state of the team or their playoff prospects, all I will say is it’s nice to have a winning franchise to watch every few nights. The regular season is always fun in Sharkland.

rockandrollnobody’s Detroit Red Wings are 6 points behind where they were last year. While 34 points was worth 2nd place in the West last year, this year’s 28 points are only worth 10th. Given the goals the Red Wings lost when Hossa and Hudler left, and given the number of injuries they’ve suffered, a 6 point drop doesn’t sound too bad. However the increased strength of the rest of the West has them way down in the standings.

That strength is coming from hackett’s Chicago Blackhawks, who are surprising no one with their 9 point improvement over last season. With Marion Hossa finally joining the team the Blackhawks look to be the team to watch in the NHL. The only concern about this team is what to do next year. The Blackhawks could have serious cap issues so maybe it’s got to be this year.

The strength in the West is also coming from an unlikely source. That source is puckgal’s Phoenix Coyotes who are surprisingly occupying the 8th spot in the West. Perhaps the best thing that could have happened to the Coyotes was the loss of Wayne Gretzky. It makes complete sense that the Coyotes, under an experienced head coach like Dave Tippett, would be a better team. Could the Coyotes make the playoffs? By the way, to show just how little respect this team gets, wikipedia is still reporting Gretzky as the team’s head coach.

Where the West seems to have lost ground is with duxrox’s Anaheim Ducks. Unfortunately it looks like Brian Burke left town leaving behind two things: 1) a Stanley Cup Title (yay!) and 2) a salary cap strapped team in free agency hell (boo!). My question to duxrox: is it worth it? Is it worth a title if it means enduring a ‘rebuilding’ year, possible signaling a window of a few rebuilding years? It’s always been that philosophical question - do you want to win all just at least just once, or do you want a perennial winner?

Despite all of the woes of massive injuries, pittpen’s Pittsburgh Pengiuns are tied for second in the NHL with their 36 points. The fact that they’re 5 points better than the were last season doesn’t really mean much when you consider that they made a coaching change later in the season to go from 10th in the East to Stanley Cup Champions. The Penguins seem to be skating along nicely despite having the longest hockey seasons two years in a row.

Tied with those Penguins are colonelbagpuss’ Washington Capitals. Here’s my beef - the marketing gurus at the NHL have been promoting Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby and Washington’s Alex Ovechkin as the face of hockey. I understand that they’re both stars, but the ‘beef’ part is that they get more attention because, I think, they’re in the East. The Sharks have Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley - but the Sharks are in the West. This is one of the reasons why I started The .Net - not only does the NHL lack good nation media coverage compared to other sports (hence the idea that we’re always playing short handed), but the West gets even less coverage (hence the idea that the West is always playing short 5-on-3). Back to the topic at hand. The Capitals are being talked up as the next team to take it, giving Ovechkin center stage to sell the game. We’ll have to wait and see about that.

And last but not least, the Vancouver Canucks. Interestingly enough here at The .Net, the most blogged about team is the Canucks - I guess they just have way too many fans! Because of canucklehead, theoldtimer and hist, I know a lot more about this team than pretty much any team out there. Unfortunately I’m not sure where this team is going, they seem to be sliding sideways. Although only two points off last season’s pace, they’re sitting in 11th place in the west. I feel like of all the teams represented on The .Net, this is the one team that should be better than their record.

If they’re right and (US) Thanksgiving is truly the first benchmark of the season to come, it looks like most of the teams represented on The .Net are in a good position to make it a long, exciting season. The next typical measuring stick milestone is the month after the All-Star break, but since there is no All-Star game this year we’ll use the month after the Olympic break. It’s at that time where you start to see who has the mental fortitude to keep it up for 82 games. Teams that have been running away with things can get lazy around that time, while teams hungry to make a change usually ramp things up. But until then I’m sure there will be lots of continuing conversation so please - stay tuned!

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The Canucks’ first shift actually looked like the team wouldn’t be suffering from the long layoff (what is it with the silly scheduling this year?), with the Henrik Sedin line coming out with lots of jump. But the energy tailed off quickly and the Canucks took two early penalties. The Avalanche power play was going through a horrible stretch, but as has been the case so many times, the Canucks were the perfect jumper cables, allowing goals on both power plays (one by David Jones and the other by youngster Matt Duchene). The Canuck penalty kill looked weak and passive, allowing the Avs to do whatever they wanted.

The second period was a different story, though, and this is where the Ehrhoff show began. On the Canucks’ first power play of the night, he fired a slap shot through a Bernier screen to beat goalie Craig Anderson top corner, for his sixth goal of the year. While the Canucks didn’t score again in the period, the play was definitely more even and the Canucks were slowly wearing the Avs down.

Then came the third period, and the floodgates burst. Mason Raymond beat an Av defenseman to the puck in the corner and came out, firing a beautiful pass to Ehrhoff as he was coming through the slot. Ehrhoff buried it for his seventh goal. All tied up and with the momentum going the Canucks way, Jannik Hansen almost made it 3-2 by tapping in an Alex Burrows rebound, but he whiffed and the puck trickled along the goal line before being covered up. Minutes later, Hansen stormed into the Avs’ zone, waited patiently and then passed through two Avs to a streaking Burrows who couldn’t control the puck right away, but gained control of it long enough to backhand a pass to Henrik Sedin who was charging the net. That was Henrik’s 13th goal of the season, further showcasing the confidence that he’s developed over the games since his brother was injured.

Three minutes later, on a power play caused by Anderson misplaying the puck and Milan Hejduk crushing Alex Burrows into the boards illegally, Ehrhoff showed his magic again. At the point, he faked a slap shot three times, drawing John-Michael Liles out to him, before finally firing a slap pass to Stever Bernier who was stationed at the side of the net. Beautiful tip-in, and it’s 4-2 Canucks, with Bernier’s 7th. To add insult to injury, Matthieu Schneider passed to Mikael Samuelsson and streaked toward the net. Samuelsson softly shot it at the net, and it bounced off the defenseman who was shadowing Schneider and through Anderson’s pads for Samuelsson’s 9th. Thus ended a truly horrible night for the Avalanche, who have now blown 2-goal leads in back-to-back games and have fallen to 1-4-1 in their last six games.

A few notes:

1) Kyle Wellwood earned his second assist of the year, winning the face-off back to Alex Edler, who passed to Ehrhoff for his first goal. Not exactly what we have in mind when we say that Wellwood needs to contribute more to the offense, but a point is a point. Incidentally, Wellwood was 75% in the face-off circle, which was very valuable. If he continues his improvement from earlier in the season, hopefully the points will come.

2) Roberto Luongo looked solid after the first period, but he was fighting the puck a little before then. The second goal was directly caused by a rebound that he normally corrals. But he made some stellar stops in the second that kept the Canucks behind by only one goal. Also a couple of lucky bounces, but I think those were caused by good positioning.

3) Mason Raymond continues his run of stellar play. Speed kills in this league, and Ehrhoff’s second goal was directly caused by Raymond’s speed. He’s also seeing the ice a lot better lately. The knock on him last year was that he would get the puck, try to use his speed to get around the defenseman and then go around the net, before firing a shot into the goalie’s crest. Lately, he’s been making some beautiful plays to get the puck to other people, as well as getting himself open for good goals. I’m really liking this kid.

4) Jannik Hansen had his third good game in a row since coming back from injury. While he didn’t score on a couple of great set-ups, the puck was kind of bouncing a bit both times. On the other hand, the patience he showed on Henrik’s goal really demonstrates that he’s beginning to come into his own. I hope he continues to develop.

5) After giving up the two quick power play goals, the penalty kill slammed the door after that, becoming more like its normal self, finishing 2-4. The Canucks’ power play was 2-3, continuing its stellar performance.

Next game is Sunday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. Hopefully, the Canucks can carry this momentum into that game and take it to the Hawks too.

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As stated, the Flames got their shots during the worst of the vaccine shortage. Long lines were commonplace, people were turned away because clinics had run out. When the Canucks did it, however, the scarcity was not pronounced, there were no long lines, and the fact that there even is a queue would shortly come to be untrue (BC Provincial Health Minister Perry Kendall ended all restrictions on the flu shot on Friday). According to the Vancouver Sun article:

“But Gillis, who was among the Canuck staffers who received the H1N1 vaccine this week, insisted the team waited its turn.

He cited comments made Friday by Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada’s chief public health officer, who told an Ottawa news conference “we are broadening our recommendations for the use of unadjuvanted vaccine.”"

Unfortunately for Gillis, the official lifting of restrictions is up to provincial officials and Kendall had not lifted those restrictions as of Monday. However, Gillis still feels the Canucks did nothing wrong. According to 24 Hours (a local Vancouver daily),

“The decision to make the vaccine available to the general public came sooner than expected.

Kendall said surprisingly low turnout at flu clinics this week made the call an easy one.”

This is why Kendall lifted the restriction today. The Vancouver Sun article says “Gillis said it was his understanding that the vaccine has a shelf life and some Lower Mainland doctors feared their supply was going to go to waste because “patients weren’t going to get the shot.”"

So, are the Canucks in the wrong here? Personally, I would say they are, but only slightly, demonstrating just a little impatience. They could have easily waited the five days until the restrictions were lifted. That being said, it’s very possible that Gillis and the Canucks simply didn’t know that that just because the federal Public Health Officer stated that they were broadening the recommendations for distributing the vaccine, it didn’t mean that all restrictions were lifted. Surely the doctor who administered the vaccine should have known that, though? Mistakes happen, though, so I’m not blaming the doctor either.

The Canucks are guilty of jumping the gun rather than muscling ahead of ordinary, desperate people who are getting turned away. It shouldn’t come close to reaching the level of hysteria that came out when the Flames did the same thing.

Given the way the media works, though, don’t count on it.

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As can be expected fans were very excited with all the positive reports that had been surfacing. So when Scott Burnside of ESPN stated that Vancouver would likely finish the season in 17th place, behind such teams as the Oilers, Panthers and even the underachieving Lightning. It was no wonder most fans were a little angry and slightly confused. Had Burnside been taking one to many swigs from his wine bottle?

So why would an ESPN hockey reporter make such damning predictions about the Canucks? The reasons he gave were that Vancouver lacked secondary scoring on offense and a murderous road schedule during the Olympics. Nobody can deny that the Olympic road trip won’t be a very tough period for the team. What about a lack of secondary scoring?

Every good team has its top six forwards who are expected to provide a large amount of offensive production. Teams need to have blue collar worker’s who are not necessarily meant to be a point a game player, but be an integral part of a teams success, such players are relied on to help out the first and second lines. Does Vancouver really have that much depth and talent past the first and second lines?

During last season the following players, Wellwood, Bernier and Raymond spent time playing on the third and fourth lines, helping to contribute to the teams secondary scoring. Of those players Raymond has currently shown the most consistency having a point in seven of his last eight games. Bernier did score two goals in the win against Colorado. Prior to that game he hadn’t put the puck in the net since October 30th. Kyle Wellwood’s struggles have been widely documented. He has played in seventeen games thus far, earning himself a paltry one point. He was awarded that point when he assisted Bernier in a loss to Edmonton on October 19th. Some fans are saying he should be sent down to the Moose rather than wasting a roster spot. While no one can ignore his complete lack of production, he still has talent. You have to wonder if he has fully recovered from a broken toe? An injury that meant he missed three games with approximately a week’s recovery. Surely an injury of that severity requires at least three weeks of rehab? Was his recovery rushed due the amount of other injured players who were on the IR at the same time as Wellwood?

Unfortunately the problem does not end there. Samuelsson, Kesler and Burrows are all in a scoring slump. Samuelsson has just one point in his last six games and has not been able to score a goal since November 3rd. Burrows has one point in the last five games, the last time he lit the lamp was November 5th. Ryan Kesler’s goal production is also somewhat missing in action not scoring a goal since early November. Defensive production has gone a little AWOL. Sami Salo is known for having a rocket like shot and can be very useful on the power play; he currently has zero goals with only two points in 14 games. Edler is yet to score a goal in the twenty-one games he has played. Christian Ehrhoff was acquired to help out on the PP, he has not earned a point since the beginning of November, he last scored a goal in late October.

When a team is faced with as much adversity as Vancouver has dealt with, the battle is much harder. When the teams leading goal scorer eventually returns to the line up this will relieve some pressure his teammates are currently under. Players are perhaps being asked to play a different role on the team. This would then mean they are faced with higher than normal expectations from their coach. If a player of Daniel Sedin’s caliber who holds a key to the team’s success is unable to play, the injury goes far deeper than one player alone, the impact creates a ripple effect felt by the entire team.

That said injuries alone might not be the only reason for the struggles the team has so far endured. A lack of inconsistency to score goals, points or help out with an assist is also a factor that cannot be over looked. This team need’s to improve its lack of secondary scoring. Will the return of players like Daniel Sedin be able to change this? The 8-2 win against the Avalanche was a wonderful example of how Vancouver can pull together as a team, to produce a winning formula, which was the first of many steps in the right direction. While The Canucks hold many of the pieces that are essential to play off victory, there are still many adjustments to be made. When the fine-tuning is complete and the wins become more of a regularity, Vancouver will start to prove that the doubters are most definitely wrong.

All feedback is welcomed. If you would like to chat about the Vancouver Canucks why not visit me on Twitter. www.twitter.com/canuckulhead

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Seventeen points in 17 games since Daniel’s injury would seem to answer that question. Granted, there have been times, especially early in Daniel’s injury, where Henrik has looked a little lost out there. Some of those 17 points have been scored in bunches (like Henrik’s hat trick in Saturday’s 8-2 demolition of the Colorado Avalanche). But overall, Henrik has shown that he can be a capable player even without his brother, given a little time to adjust. He still has wonderful eyes that see the ice well. He’s just had to get used to actually seeing the ice rather than instinctively knowing where his brother is. It hasn’t helped that his linemates have been changing while coach Alain Vigneault tries to find a good combination of wingers to play with him. Having Alex Burrows on the line with the twins adds a wonderful combination, with a passer (Henrik), shooter (Daniel) and a banger (Burrows) who can pounce on rebounds and put himself in a position to screen the goalie. Take Daniel off of that line, and Burrows has suffered greatly. Vigneault eventually took him off of the Sedin line. I think that’s what has caused Henrik to begin to shine anew.

One thing that Henrik has discovered with Daniel’s injury, though he was beginning to discover it even before, is that he can actually do some scoring himself. He currently as 12 goals and 11 assists, and I doubt he can remember the last time he had more goals than assists this far into the season. Henrik’s been shooting the puck more, and I think that’s a product of him not having a true shooter on his line. He has 48 shots in 21 games, which must be a record for him. Henrik’s developing into a wonderful all-around player and I can only imagine what this newfound confidence will bring when Daniel does finally return and gets back into form. I also think this new goal-scoring ability will open him up for more assists, assuming that his wingers or defensemen can bury the puck, as the opposing defense will have to honor his shot.

Roberto Luongo jokingly said in the post-game show on CBC Saturday night that he thinks Henrik has handled Daniel’s absence better than Daniel would handle Henrik’s. While he said it with a smile, I think he’s right. I don’t think that’s totally Daniel’s fault, though. While Daniel can do beautiful things on his own, he does value a center who can dish him the puck, and the Canucks don’t have much beyond Henrik to do that. Ryan Kesler is seeing the ice a lot better this year, but he’s nowhere near Henrik in that regard. Meanwhile, Henrik can create his own offense as well as being a good enough passer that any competent winger will be able to bury at least a few of his passes. I don’t think Daniel would be point-less without Henrik, but I also don’t think he’d have 17 points in 17 games either.

Some have suggested that Henrik’s performance during Daniel’s absence makes it possible to split up the Sedins in order to make two lines better instead of just one. These two are so good together, however, that I don’t think you break them up. As I said before, I think Daniel would suffer a little bit without Henrik. These two are fun to watch together and prolific point producers. There’s no way you split them up by choice unless something is drastically wrong. Just because Henrik has shown that he can function quite well without his brother doesn’t mean that he should be forced to do without Daniel when he is able to play again. Once they’re back together, look for Henrik to explode even more than he already has.

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Sedin initiated Vancouver’s charge to victory that later saw Colorado victims to an onslaught of goals. The first goal came at 01.57 of the 1st period when Sedin jabbed the puck into the back of the net that had drifted behind goalie Anderson, Raymond and Kesler helped out with the assist’s. Then Raymond aggressively game to the aid of Sedin helping him to fire a shot over the unsuspecting Av’s keeper. Ryan Johnson also helped to score the 2nd goal by recording his 1st of 2 assist’s in the game. Hansen made it 3 – 0 half way through the opening period, with a pass from Tanner Glass that saw Hansen rifle the puck into the open net.

Mathieu Schneider scored the lone goal in the middle frame, by firing a canon into the Colorado net with assists from Mikael Samuelsson and Alexandre Burrows. At the start of the 3rd Avalanche goalie Anderson was replaced by Peter Budaj, Anderson allowed four goals on 22 shots.

Vancouver goalie Luongo was starting to look as if he may complete the game with a shutout. Until Marek Svatos decided that enough was enough and scored off a rebound on the PP. Colorado then launched a come back, out shooting Vancouver and testing Luongo for the first time in the game. Matt Hendricks scored the 2nd Avalanche goal half way through the 3rd. Minutes later Steve Bernier made Colorado’s chances of turning the game around even harder, when he scored the 5th goal for the Canucks. Then Vancouver turned up the heat with three goals in a space of seven minutes, from Henrik, Bernier and Glass.

The Canucks were a dominant force in this game. Throughout Vancouver were playing well down low, with players going to the front of the net, creating scoring chances. Also being very domineering by controlling the flow of the game. Displaying great skill in the Av’s zone with excellent fore-checking. Vancouver now finds themselves on a sabbatical for almost a week. The next game will be on Fri, 20 Nov against Colorado. With the Avalanche looking for revenge and the Canucks trying to extend their win streak.

Additional Notes.

Henrik Sedin: After scoring his first career hat trick he now has a current total of 12 goals. This makes him on pace for 48 goals, his season best is 22.

Mason Raymond: Currently has 8 goals and 13 points. Making him on pace for 31 goals and 51 points. In all but one of his last 8 games he has recorded at least 1 point a game.

Jannik Hansen: Has only played 2 games so far due to an injury. In those games he recorded 1 goal 1 assist and 2 points. He is on pace for 31 goals.

Players on a scoring drought:
Ryan Kesler: He has been goalless since Nov 3rd.
Mikael Samuelsson: Has 1 point in 5 games.
Kyle Wellwood: In 17 games he has no goals and only 1 point.
Daniel Sedin, may return to the line up for the next game.

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At the start of last season, when Wellwood came to training camp out of shape and unable to keep up with the play, fans were understandably wondering why Canucks GM Mike Gillis picked the former Toronto Maple Leaf up off of waivers. He had a modicum of success on the Leafs with Mats Sundin, but he never really gelled with that team either. However, he played himself onto the Canucks by paying close attention to the diet that the team put him on, putting forth the extra effort required to get back into Vigneault’s good graces. He was sent down early because his play was lackluster, but an emergency call-up brought him back up to the Canucks, and he lit it up. Starting the season as the Canucks’ leading scorer certainly helped keep him out of the doghouse. While his play tailed off considerably through the middle and end of the season, he went through a rebirth in the playoffs. He didn’t score much, but he became a serviceable third-line centre. He played with energy and enthusiasm, and made many fans believe that just maybe the player who some fans derisively called “Wellfed” might actually be a fixture on this year’s Canucks team.

Over the summer, he kept to his diet and worked to maintain his NHL shape, even losing some pounds. Everybody hoped that this meant he would be a bit faster on the puck, and the hands that he showed last year would help him put the puck in the net on a more consistent basis. Or at the very least be able to dish off to his wingers for some nice assists. He had a great preseason as well, and while preseason success can’t necessarily be considered as a sign of what the regular season will bring, it was hoped that Wellwood would continue that success.

Instead, the exact opposite has happened. He’s rarely involved with the play; he seems even more reluctant to go into the corners and his backchecking has generally returned to the way it was earlier in his career. When he tries to make a play, inevitably the pass is either in somebody’s skates or the move around the defenseman that he’s just tried ends up with a turnover. In tonight’s 8-2 rout of the Colorado Avalanche, Wellwood did not even register a point, only recording one shot. This was with 3:51 of power play time, too. Coach Vigneault seems to be giving him every chance to play out of this funk, with power play time, decent linemates (Burrows and Samuelsson), and 16:06 time on ice tonight. He’s just not doing the job.

Contrast this with Matt Pettinger, the 4th line centre/winger the Canucks signed when their injury situation hit Condition Red. He was brought in mainly to fill a forward role so the team could put Kevin Bieksa back on defense. He has two points in six games, including a goal, and has played with energy that has given that 4th line some spark. It doesn’t have to generate offensive spark, though two in six from a 4th liner is pretty good. It’s more of a matter of just getting pucks out of the defensive zone and getting a forecheck going. He’s been doing his job, and doing it well.

So what happens when Daniel Sedin returns next Friday, as expected? Ryan Johnson is playing his best hockey of the season after an extremely slow start. Rick Rypien always brings life to the line he’s playing on, even if he has limited offensive skills (though when he does score, they’re beauties). Tanner Glass has definitely earned his spot on the team, with more energy, just a little bit of offense and some toughness to complement Rypien. Darcy Hordichuk deserves a blog post all his own, but let’s just say he’s looking good in the press box right now. Can the Canucks afford the cap room to have two forwards in the press box? I don’t think so.

I like Wellwood. I like the talent that I know he has, though he hasn’t shown it this season. But it’s been 21 games. I feel bad suggesting this, but maybe it’s time he head down to the Moose. The way he’s playing now, there’s no way anybody takes him. And even if they do, it might be a blessing. Maybe he just needs a change in scenery. Whatever it is, and one way or another, it’s time for Wellwood to go.

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When Andy McDonald scored the 1st goal within just 18 seconds it was obvious that loosing for the 6th time was not on the agenda. Shortly after this Kevin Bieksa made an impression for all the wrong reasons. He served a total of 17 minutes for three different penalties. St Louis then continued to bury three more in the Canucks net. All four goals were scored in approximately seven minutes. Vancouver spent the majority of the first period looking disorientated and floundering in their own end.

After allowing four goals on nine shots Andrew Raycroft, was replaced with Luongo at the start of the second period. This was Loungo’s first game since 27th October, as he had been recovering from a cracked rib. This was not the best way to make his return with his team being down 4 – 0.

With a change in goal Vancouver started to show a slight improvement. Opting at least to find first gear instead of reverse. Although still failing to display any real momentum on offense, only generating a few scoring chances. When Brad Boyes made it 5 – 0 on a PP late in the second, Vancouver’s chances of a come back were really unlikely.

At the start of the third period Sedin was able to restore some dignity for Vancouver with the only goal for his side. Unfortunately Johnny Canuck would have been unable to turn this game around. David Perron later added to Vancouver’s embarrassment when he scored his first ever hat trick, to secure the win. The frustration could be seen on the player’s faces and on the ice, as Vancouver spent most of the final period engaging in fights with any Blues player willing to have a tussle.

This was the third game of five on the road for Vancouver. So far they have only won one game since embarking on this trip. The game against the Blues should act as a wake up call for the Canucks. The team will most likely try to learn from the mistakes made. Expect to see great improvement in the next game against Detroit.

In Detroit’s last outing they played Toronto and had a similar performance to Vancouver. Detroit were beaten 5 – 1 at the hands the Maple Leafs. Dan Cleary got the only goal for the Wings. Detroit face Columbus before meeting Vancouver. Detroit will look to erase the memory of their last game with a win against The Blue Jackets. Vancouver and Detroit are two teams desperate to gain points and start climbing the standings.

With two consecutive loses Vancouver are like an animal licking it’s wounds. If Vancouver is unable to leave Detroit victorious; it’s wounds maybe so big that they are faced with a battle for survival.

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Then with all the drama that had engulfed them initially, they dusted themselves down and waved good-bye to mediocrity at the start of November. What better way to do this than a 3-0 win over the Avalanche. This seemed to be a trend as Vancouver were on a three game streak. Until they landed in Dallas and were beaten 2-1. Andrew Raycroft was the starter during the winning streak. As Vancouver was due to embark on a long road trip, Alain Vigneault opted to rest Raycroft and allow Manitoba call up Cory Schneider to play, giving him his chance to shine.

In his first start of the year Schneider had an outstanding performance stopping forty-five of the forty-seven shot’s Dallas threw his way. He truly was the best player for the team. Vancouver looked asleep until they scored their first goal. Burrow’s later had a goal disallowed after a video review. This review was somewhat questionable even Burrow’s and Sedin appeared a little mystified as to whether it was a goal. If the review had been called in Vancouver’s favor then the Canucks would at least been awarded one point.

So after being dealt the smallest amount of bad luck most fans will be hoping their team can garner a few more wins. Unless your one of those fan’s that may have heard or read the latest story from Vancouver. Such fans may have been overcome with an intense feeling of panic, every time the words Peter Forsberg and Mike Gillis were mentioned in the same sentence. Those said fan’s overcome with an unusual urge to scream, ”WE DON’T WANT ANOTHER SUNDIN”. Well some might say who can blame them? After all Sundin and Forsberg are both Swedish and perhaps this story is similar to the saga played out a few years ago.

The fact Forsberg hails from the land of pillaging Vikings may be the only real similarity he has with Sundin. When Forsberg’s countryman played for Vancouver he was at the end of his career and more than likely just looking to make some big bucks. Forsberg however is trying to get his foot on the NHL ladder again and find a more permanent home in the NHL. Due to chronic ankle injury Peter hasn’t skated in North America since the 07 – 08 season. He has spent the last few years trying to rediscover his form with his old club Modo, based in his hometown of Ornskoldsvik.

Since donning a Quebec Nordiques uniform in 1994 he has scored a total of 249 goals
and 636 assist, along with 885 points. Forsberg also possesses three gold medals and two Stanley cup rings. Peter Forsberg is a star forward, with “outstanding” playmaking skills and “great vision”. Who has a great combination of skill and physical play? Not only that he learnt his craft in the Modo system, as did the Sedin twins.

Vancouver natives may be thinking but can he still play? Mike Gillis has said, “If he can, we’re definitely interested.” It’s likely that if Gillis were able to land Forsberg that his salary would be substantially less than the type of contract Sundin earned. Vancouver are believed to have 2$ million available in cap space to sign Forsberg. May be a healthy Forsberg can play with the skill he has become know for. But would this help to rejuvenate an injury struck team?

Technorati Tags: hockey, nhl, Vancouver Canucks

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The statue of Lord Stanley in Vancouver’s Stanley Park. Will the Canucks ever win the cup that bares his name?

The last time a team from Canada won the cup and sipped champagne from its bowl, was when the Canadians were victorious in 1992 – 93. What did those teams have that the Canucks seem to miss? Is it the extensive lack of such great players like, Georges Vezina, Maurice “Rocket” Richard, Frank Mahovlich, Wayne Gretzky or perhaps Joe Nieuwendyk?

On the two occasions that the Canucks have made The Stanley Cup Final they have had great athletes like, Smyl, Lindon, Bure and McLean, to name but a few. Since those erstwhile days the style in which the game is played has changed considerably. The cup winners in today’s modern game still have similar characteristics, which help to make the winning formula.

Every hockey team needs to excel in the areas of offense, defense and special teams, in each game all of the time. They also need depth at each position so when a club is hit by injuries, that team faces a bump in the road rather than a gaping pothole that decimates them. Having a total of seven injured players at one time makes Vancouver, currently the most injured team in the NHL, although the Avalanche have six injuries. Other teams are weathering the injury storm with players like Ovechin, Malkin, and Simon Gagne all nursing various ailments. Does anyone question if those teams will be unable to make the playoffs?

Do the Canucks possess the correct elements required to be a cup winning team?
We shall now look at the teams that have won the Stanley Cup in the last three seasons. To make comparisons with Vancouver we shall put offense, defense and special teams play during the regular season under the microscope. Looking at stats from the regular season of each cup winner will do this.

Our first subject will be the 2006-07 - Anaheim Ducks. Goals For Tot: 254.Goals Against Tot 198. PPG Tot: 89. PP% 22.4. 3RD in the NHL. Time Short Handed Tot: 410.PPG Against Tot: 61. PK% 85.1. 5th in NHL. Five of the Ducks players had 25 goals or more. Teemu Selanne had 45 goals and 94 points. Defensemen Niedermayer and Pronger scored a combined total of 28 goals that year.

Vancouver’s stats were: Goals For Tot: 217. Goals Against Tot: 197. PPG Total: 70. PP%17.2. 20th in the NHL. Time Short Handed 436. PPG Against 57 PK% 86.9 1st in NHL. Only one player had 25 goals or more. D Sedin with 36. On defense Salo and Bieksa scored a combined 26 goals.

2007-08 - Detroit Red Wings. Goals For Tot: 257. Goals Against Tot: 179. PPG Tot: 81. PP% 20.7, 3rd in the NHL. Time Short Handed: 357. PPG Against: 57. PK% 84.0, 7th in NHL. Three players had 25 goals or more. Henrik Zetterberg scored 43 goals.
Defensively Rafalski and Lidstroms goal totals were 23.

The Canucks numbers we as follows: Goals For Tot: 207 Goals Against Tot: 206. PPG: 63. PP%17.1,18th in the NHL. Time Short Handed: 368. PPG Against: 64. PK%82.6. 14th in NHL. Two players with over 25 goals. Again D Sedin was the leading goal scorer with 29 goals. Defensemen Ohlund and Salo cooperated to combine for a total of 17 goals.

2008-09 - Pittsburgh Penguins. Goals For Tot: 258. Goals Against Tot: 233. PPG Tot: 61.PP%17.2, 20th in NHL. Time Short Handed: 180. PPG Against: 60. PK%80.2, 20th in the NHL. Pittsburgh had four players with 25 goals or more. Malkin scored a total of 35. On defense Letang scored the most goals with 10.

Vancouver on the other hand recorded the following stats. Goals For Tot: 244. Goals Against Tot: 213. PPG Tot: 66. PP% 18.8 17th in the NHL. Times Short Handed Tot: 371.PPG Against Tot: 69. PK% 81.4, 16th in NHL. With three players who scored 25 goals plus. Not surprisingly (or depending on how you see things it could be a surprise) D Sedin amassed the most goals with 31.Bieksa and Salo were the biggest offensive producers on defense, who tallied for a combined total of 21 goals.

We all know that stats don’t win games; although they do give an indication as to where a team needs to improve. The first obvious area for improvement is Goals For Total. The most recent cup winner’s have scored at least fourteen more goals than Vancouver each year. If the Canucks had four or five players in the three previous seasons that were capable of recording twenty-five plus goals a year then, the teams offensive production would be more effective. If you add up the amount of twenty-five plus goal scores over the last three years, Vancouver has a grand total of five players who have produced twenty-five or more goals. During the 06 – 07 season Anaheim had five players with twenty-five + goals.

Each team also has at least one 40-goal scorer. D Sedin has been Vancouver’s leading goal scorer in each of the last three years. Since becoming a member of the Canucks in the 2000 – 2001 season he has not scored more than 36 goals a year. Yes Daniel and his brother are both excellent players and certainly the keys to the offense. One may question where are the Ovechkin’s, Malkin’s or Crosby’s on this team? The problem is that at times the Sedin’s have been the only offense and have had to carry the team.

Vancouver clearly needs a forty plus goal scorer and more offensive production from all four lines. With less emphasis on a defensive style of play and a greater focus on attack, this would surely increase the offensive production and elevate PP%. Most people have heard the old saying; the best kind of defense is offense. With that kind of mentality across the whole team perhaps the offensive play can be more successful.

It is also noticeable that Vancouver’s defensive core needs to improve and reduce the amount of goals against that have been incurred. Better penalty killing would also enhance the team’s success. Another significant point is that apart from Pittsburgh, Vancouver scored fewer goals from its most offensively talented defensemen. Having one of the best keepers in the game is generally a positive for any team. That is unless a team’s defense expects their keeper to win the game when holding a lead. A keeper is expected to secure a lead for their team but still needs to be able to rely on his defense. Team cohesion is of great importance, as games are not really won by just one player alone. Unfortunately for Vancouver having one of the best keepers, on occasions seems to be a hindrance.

There are many formations that a coach may use for both offensive and defensive play. One such formation is called the collapsing the defense. Where players will assemble or collapse back in front of their goalie, with the intention of preventing opposing players from getting shots on goal. Essentially making it harder to reach the net, thus limiting the ability to generate scoring chances. At times Vancouver’s defense seem to take the word collapse literally, by going into auto pilot mode and expecting the keeper to be the 1st and last line of the defense.

GM Mike Gillis took direct and positive steps in the off-season to address issues faced by his team. The need for a natural goal scorer is still apparent. Wouldn’t it have been more beneficial if Gillis had signed the offensive powerhouses that other teams acquired in the same ilk as Gaborik, Havlat, or even Tanguay? Instead of signing players like forward Rick Rypien, who has a whopping seven goals in five NHL seasons. Rypien is a pugilist not known for having great scoring ability. Games aren’t won by toughness and aggression alone. Too much brawn and less brain often result in too many trips to the penalty box. On occasions it does look as if management would rather take the easy option and sign a third or fourth line forward who has limited ability, to a one-year contract. Instead of taking a bigger and somewhat more costly risk by signing that established goal scorer. With every player comes risk but if that player can reignite your offense, then the positives far out way the negatives.

Vancouver does have much of the attributes required to be a cup winner. With a sick bay as full as Vancouver’s, such an impediment could stop the likes of Detroit, Anaheim and Pittsburgh from winning the cup again. The Canucks are currently seventh in the Western Conference and are hoping to extend their two game winning streak. In the next three games the Canucks will face-off against the following opponents, Minnesota, Dallas and St Louis. Of those teams Dallas is the only team placed higher in the standings than Vancouver. Dallas currently sits in sixth place. While Detroit and Anaheim sit in tenth and fourteenth place. If the regular season were to end today Vancouver would be heading straight to the play offs.

Vancouver is by no means a bad team; as yet they may not be a great team. Like all teams Vancouver has it’s faults and needs to fine-tune certain aspects of its play. With each win the journey to greatness becomes even shorter. That journey shall finally reach its course if the Canucks can hoist the hallowed Stanley Cup?

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Vancouver’s last defeat was on October 19th 2-1 to the Oilers.So what can be attributed for this positive turn of events? In the last three wins the second line of Raymond Kesler Grabner has been very productive. Michael Grabner has scored two goals and two assists. Mason Raymond has two goals Ryan Kesler has two goals. The play of this line is proving to be a real workhorse, at times outplaying the first line. After an uneventful preseason it was no surprise to see Grabner sent back to the Moose. When he was recalled on October 14th, most people were scratching their heads and questioning why. He has really shown that he is a valuable member of the team; he’s been a great fit with Raymond and Kesler. Kesler a veteran player is proving to be the catalyst, for what is becoming the most prolific tandem currently on the ice for the Canucks.

For a while Henrik Sedin seemed to be missing his shadow Daniel.Henrik went on a three game scoring drought but scored the game winning goal against Edmonton on Sunday, with assists from Samuelsson and Hordichuk. Sedin played with Samuelsson and Shirokov on the first line. It’s customary to see Alexandre Burrows play on the top line but against the Oilers he played on the third due to the fact that the first had been struggling to find any real offensive production.

In the Canucks most recent game Luongo recorded his first shutout of the season elevating him to being the Canucks franchise shutout leader. When you consider that last season he recorded nine shutouts, he still has a little way to go before he beats that. Starting the season with a save percentage averaging around the .818 mark it is now in the region of .900. It’s not hard to see the transition is being made to the elite goalie that he is known for. Rather than the poor play he has demonstrated of late.

The next opponent to face Vancouver will be the Detroit Red Wings.The Wings generally would be considered a superpower in the NHL. Though this season they do not resemble that image. With three consecutive losses, Detroit is in a frantic battle to find a winning form. With injuries to Johan Franzen and Andreas Lilja they are facing some adversity. Franzen is Detroit’s expert screener and forechecker who could be out of action for at least three months. To make matters worse the main issue of concern facing the Red Wing’s is that of goaltending. Detroit is often out shooting opposition, but loosing games because of the inconsistency of Osgood and inexperience of backup goalie Howard.As always playing Detroit will be an arduous task. With the likes of Zetterberg and Holmstrom to name but a few, causing problems for any team.

For Mikael Samuelsson this game will hold some significance, as he will be facing his former Detroit teammates. On November 24th 2008 The Canucks faced the Red Wings in their first game of the season without Luongo .In the previous game he had incurred his infamous groin injury. The Canucks won 3-2 in OT. They may have more injuries currently, but if the last three games are an indication of what to expect, then the next may well be a hotly contested battle.

Thanks to rocknrollnobody our Wings blogger for providing some information.

Micheal Grabner scores against the Oilers

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Things don’t seem very good at the moment, but ask yourself this is it really likely that Detroit currently sat 11th in the western conference, won’t make the playoff’s or, Colorado will remain in first place. It’s true there isn’t a great deal to smile about for Canucks fans and we can all focus on the negatives but this team is 11th in the league in GF and 8th in SOG so surely there are a few positives.

Let’s not forget that there are a total of five players injured and breaking news is that Kristian Reid from Canucks.com reports Rypien has a tweaked groin, he did not skate this morning, but is expected to play on Wednesday. With that many players recovering at the infirmary is it any wonder Vancouver is 3 – 5. Another reason might be that four of the players expected to fill the gaps on the roster have only played a combined total of sixty three games at the NHL level.

The Canucks are certainly facing a lot of adversity. Such adversity is where being a team is what really matters. Players become closer support each other and pull together. A hockey team doesn’t just exist on the ice it is also a strong unit off the ice. When players spend so much time away from their families and homes, the team becomes their surrogate family. Players will start to bond with each and gain strength from there comrades. The battle will be won, as the team grows stronger. We all remember what this team had to endure when Luongo was injured. The Canucks were able to overcome that problem and with only eight games played there is plenty of time to turn this teams fortunes around. If further proof was needed, the current Stanley Cup champions were sat in 11th place in the eastern conference mid season before righting the ship and eventually winning the cup.

In fact most of us belong to at least one team be it friends, family or work. This week I realized that I was a member of a team. I would like to prove how a team has helped each other to overcome a problem and grow much closer. A month ago I was given the opportunity to blog about the Canucks. I was so excited and proud to be the new blogger for penaltykill.net, especially as I am from a small town in the UK. I decided I would try to repay the site owner by writing at least once a week; I made it my mission to try and find more bloggers, so that we could get even closer to having thirty. I also tried to promote the site anyway I could like printing a t-shirt bearing the penaltykill name. I was and still am very passionate about blogging for penaltykill.

So when I found out that the former Canucks blogger had started posting again I was a little surprised to say the least. I decided to email the editor, as I was now starting to wonder if I was about to be replaced. To my relief this was not the case. I was told that at times their have been more than one person blogging about the same team, but if this was to make things uncomfortable I was to let the editor know. At this point I emailed him back and said I would think about the situation.

You may be wondering why this would pose a problem for me; after all there are lots of websites that have more than one blogger for a team? Well I have a condition called Aspergers Syndrome a form of autism also know as high functioning autism. If you have ever visited the Canucks website Canucks Autism Network you may be familiar with it? For those of you who have never heard of such a condition, no I have no similarities to the character in the film Rainman. One of the ways Aspergers can affect people is by making it very difficult to deal with change, when faced with such situations the person feels great stress and anxiety.

So being someone with Aspergers (or I prefer to say I’m an aspie) the realization that I am now one of two Canucks bloggers meant that I was once again facing change. I decided to seek advice from one of my penaltykill teammates, Green and Gold the Stars blogger. I explained the predicament to him via email. He was able to help me see things in a very different light to the negative drama that was being played out in my world. Thanks to Green and Gold I was actually now beginning to think that having another Canucks blogger was more of a positive thing. When the Stars blogger later sent me a text explaining that the site editor had written a post entitled, Welcome Team Penaltykill - 2009-2010, where he thanked me for finding more bloggers. I realized I didn’t need to worry any more and that I was proud to be a member of such a wonderful team. I would like to say a huge thank you to Green and Gold and the editor for helping me resolve my problem.

If you would like to be apart of our penaltykill team why not contact the editor.

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