Vancouver Canucks

[ross10019]

Schneider makes a fantastic third goalie in weekly H2H leagues.

And that is EXACTLY why I drafted him relatively high this year in my weekly H2H league, to back up Lundqvist and Hiller. I figure he'll start 1, sometimes 2 games in any given week and when he does, his GAA and SV% should be relatively solid. Perfect 3rd goalie indeed!

[ridinryan44]

And that is EXACTLY why I drafted him relatively high this year in my weekly H2H league, to back up Lundqvist and Hiller. I figure he'll start 1, sometimes 2 games in any given week and when he does, his GAA and SV% should be relatively solid. Perfect 3rd goalie indeed!

Yup! Unfortunately I'm running with him as my second right now...tried a new strategy in my H2H this year. Don't know how well it's gonna work out!

Also, chris Tanev is a potential scratch after a rough game last night and Alberts may get the call. Tough one for AV as neither Ballard or Alberts are very comfortable or strong on the right side.

[Man_not_Puck]

-Salo replaced Samuelsson on the first PP unit for the last bit of the game. I like that so much better. I'd rather see Sameulsson playing of the half-boards on the second unit, with Bieksa and Hamhuis running the points. The first unit stayed the same other than the Salo/Sammy swap.

Only reason Salo was out on PP1 was because they were up 3-2 with about 6 minutes to go. I'd rather see 2 Defence on the point in that situation too.

[ridinryan44]

Only reason Salo was out on PP1 was because they were up 3-2 with about 6 minutes to go. I'd rather see 2 Defence on the point in that situation too.

Fair enough, but that would tell me that they are assuming that a unit with Salo is a more dangerous one than one using Samuelsson. I've stated before that I have never seen a reason to have Samuelsson on the point on the first unit. While it's all up in the air as to whether or not it sticks, I for one am putting a vote in for getting Samuelsson the hell outta there. I'd rather have two guys who can bomb the puck and have proven that they work there. Salo was great when he joined that top unit in the playoffs, I'd like to see him there again.

[Loch]

Fair enough, but that would tell me that they are assuming that a unit with Salo is a more dangerous one than one using Samuelsson. I've stated before that I have never seen a reason to have Samuelsson on the point on the first unit. While it's all up in the air as to whether or not it sticks, I for one am putting a vote in for getting Samuelsson the hell outta there. I'd rather have two guys who can bomb the puck and have proven that they work there. Salo was great when he joined that top unit in the playoffs, I'd like to see him there again.

I much prefer having Samuelsson safely away from the PP point... to sloppy with the puck. High risk moves down low are ok.... on the point, not so much.

Right now I'd say Hodgson has been the best 2nd line forward for the Canucks (the 3rd line of Higgins, Manny, and Hansen has been good) and should be the last one demoted... of course Vigneault has an inexplicable love for veterans who are unspectacular so say 'hi' to the AHL Cody.

I really think Kesler + Hodgson could provide an extra offensive spark on the 2nd line... Cody is smart enough to help Kes use his tools fully (Raymond was too one-dimensional, Samuelsson... well I just don't like him for many reasons)

Hopefully Cody scores another tonight... I figure he has to go almost point-per-game in Kesler's absence to be sure of sticking in the top 6.

[STONE.]

Going to the Wings vs. Nucks on Thursday! Tix are a great deal b/c the Tigers are playing the same day. Can't wait.

I'm glad their starting Luongo Wednesday in the back-to-back. I always think he struggles against the Wings -- Zetterberg always seems to get him.

[ridinryan44]

I much prefer having Samuelsson safely away from the PP point... to sloppy with the puck. High risk moves down low are ok.... on the point, not so much.

Right now I'd say Hodgson has been the best 2nd line forward for the Canucks (the 3rd line of Higgins, Manny, and Hansen has been good) and should be the last one demoted... of course Vigneault has an inexplicable love for veterans who are unspectacular so say 'hi' to the AHL Cody.

I really think Kesler + Hodgson could provide an extra offensive spark on the 2nd line... Cody is smart enough to help Kes use his tools fully (Raymond was too one-dimensional, Samuelsson... well I just don't like him for many reasons)

Hopefully Cody scores another tonight... I figure he has to go almost point-per-game in Kesler's absence to be sure of sticking in the top 6.

Really like what you have to say here. I like the idea of Hodgson on that second line more than Samuelsson. I've always thought of Sameulsson as a fantastic third liner, fringe second who plays a good fill in role when necessary. I'm not sure if Cody can play the wing at all, I haven't seen anything to suggest for or against it, but I do know Kesler can play the wing. Could be we see a situation where they both take some turns there. Sure would be nice for faceoff situations! Cody needs to find a bit more consistency from game to game but that should come. Hoping for a good one tonight!

[ridinryan44]

What started as a typically frustrating game, with Vancouver taking three penalties in the first ten minutes, ended as quite the barn burner. Philly was up 3-1 at the end of the first period, but the game ended up a close 5-4 final for Philadelphia on a Andrei Meszaros goal that broke a 4-4 tie. Vancouver could never take the lead, trading goals through the last two periods of play. At the very least it was an exciting game.

Vancouver capitalized on two of their PP opportunities, but couldn't convert on five others. That included four straight to end the period. Chris Pronger took a penalty right at the end of an expiring Jakub Voracek penalty, but Vancouver couldn't bury the puck on a few near misses.

Samuelsson had some success on the PP with a goal and an assist. This should be plenty to see him stick there for a while longer. Four SOG were also nice to see, his shot is his secret to success. One thing I'm loving about the Van PP is their ability to enter and hold the zone. They have a nifty little set play that sees the dman carry the puck up the ice, drop it back to (usually) Henrik who then carries it across the line behind the "screen" of the dman, and make a quick side pass over to Daniel along the side boards. The play works like butter. You can see it coming a mile away, especially after taking five straight penalties in one period, but it still works. Nice to see.

-Cody Hodgson had a fantastic game once again after slow first period. His hockey smarts are evident and I hope he's here to stay. He led the team with six SOG and played just under 15 mins with an even rating.

-Higgins was rewarded with another goal. It's early and I'm excited, but could we see a return to twenty goals?

-I don't want to talk about Luongo. I have to, though. He's so freakin' unpredictable. He made some fantastic saves to keep the team's hopes alive, but man, he can look completely pedestrian at other times. His favorite position appears to be "floppin' on his belly like a fish." I do not share the same taste.


Three Stars:

The entire top line was just that, the top line. Two goals, six points and 11 SOG continue the line's torrid pace to start the season. In no specific order, these boys deserve the billing. Burrows has been a spark plug for the entire team.

[lektrix]

Thoughts on Bieksa in a HIT/BLK roto league (no PIM)? Can he keep his pace of 40pts, 200 HIT, 140 BLK?

[ridinryan44]

Thoughts on Bieksa in a HIT/BLK roto league (no PIM)? Can he keep his pace of 40pts, 200 HIT, 140 BLK?

Absolutely. He may not hit 40 points, but we know he was the ability to do so, at least. I'd count on 30-35 points and lots of hits and blocks.

[ridinryan44]

I didn't get to see the last game as I had my own game to play, but at least they squeaked out the win. Would have like to see a more dominant win, but it's two points nonetheless.

-Sami Salo had a big night with two goals and an assist.

-Luongo stopped 27 of 30 shots, I cannot attest to how he looked, but he got the win.

-Hodgson continues to earn his spot with another assist.

-The twins combined for another four points.

-Burrows continues his hot play with another goal.

-Edler and Hamhuis were TOI leaders, both over 21 minutes played. Burrows led all forwards with 19+.

Fantasy leaders:

Daniel Sedin: 2G 5A 7P 1PPP 4PIM 17SOG
Henrik Sedin: 2G 5A 7P 1PPP 4PIM 8SOG
Alex Burrows: 2G 2A 4P 1PPP 8PIM 20SOG
Sami Salo: 2G 2A 4P 2PPP 2PIM 13 SOG
Chris Higgins: 2G 2A 4P 1PPP 2PIM 11SOG

[ridinryan44]

Exciting news today. Lines at practice today looked like this:

Sedin-sedin-burr
Higgins-kesler-hodgson
Samuelson-malhotra-Hansen
Volpatti-lapierre-weise

Chris tanev has been sent down to the Chicago wolves which sounds like a move to make room for Kesler. This is exciting, both as a Canucks fan and a Kesler owner! Sturm appears to be the odd man out of the forward group for now.

[bondon]

WOOHOO KESLER! <3 <3 <3 lol. Damn, this probably means I won't be acquiring him in my one-year anymore unless I overpay...am really close to a deal right now to get him.

PP units at practice today were:
Sedins + Kesler w/ Samuelsson+Edler
Burrows-Hodgson-Higgins w/ Salo+Hamhuis

[ridinryan44]

And it's official!!!!

http://www.dobberhockey.com/index.ph...d.php&t=113337

Thanks to wendelclarke for finding this link!

[ridinryan44]

I sure am excited to see how this Hodgson/Kesler relationship can build. I'm hoping it's not like my early dating life where fireworks flew aplenty for a very short period only to slowly fizzle out to the ground two weeks later...

Hodgson's hockey smarts could create the best connection Kesler has had since losing his bro-mance linemate in Burrows to two fire-kissed twins. Hodgson hasn't looked out of place and has been the best player on the second line, save the recent promotion to Higgins, and I'm giddy with anticipation at the possibilities. I hope this ends like a teenage dream...