Vancouver Canucks

[Loch]

Wow... I hadn't realized we would have to wait so long for the Canucks to play their next game after that road win in Calgary. I mean, the schedule said they had games but I'll be damned if I've seen the team play in the last 4 days.

[Loch]

Another game changing 5 minute major brought to you by Aaron Rome...

Because ****ing the Canucks out of a win to go hunting is so much fun you can't do just once!

[foxygrandpa]

This game was a carbon copy of last night's game in LA. Except this time the canucks were the ones that took the 5 minute major to shoot themselves in the foot

[ridinryan44]

I major apology for the lack of updates lately, life's been busy lately, which means COD came out and I have terrible time management skills.

-Vancouver has looked better lately, a little more consistent, as has Luongo. A rough game the other night against Anaheim saw him get pulled, but he rebounded nicely against the Islanders. He's playing with more confidence and he's a night and day different goaltender when he does.

-Aaron Rome has been a focal point as of late with 3 goals and 5 points in 4 games. No, this will not continue.

-Malhotra, I don't believe, will ever return to being the effective player he was before. He is still great in the F/O circle (61%) but the rest of his game is lacking. It will be interesting to see what happens when his contract expires. I can't see him coming back with Hank/Kesler/Hodgson/Lapierre making up the centers, unless Vancouver decides the want Hodgson in a second line winger position.

-Vancouver has really switched up the lines lately with Janik Hansen's current success on the top line. Higgins and Burrows are lining up with Kesler, while Lapierre is centering Booth and Hodgson. That's a pretty strong top three lines and it allows the team to use Malhotra more sparingly, PK and important faceoff's. Weise and Volpatti are the wingers.

-Vancouver really misses Willie Mitchell - a big, mean, physical defenseman who plays a top notch shut down game. They don't grow on trees but it would be a huge boost if Vancouver were to find one....somewhere

-Dan Hamhuis is the only real shutdown dman that Vancouver has. Edler is good, but inconsistent (he'll get there), and more of a two-way guy. Salo is an amazing two-way defender (incredibly underrated) but is oft-injured. Bieksa is, well, Bieksa. Ditto for Ballard. Both can be very effective but are prone to major mistakes. Rome is big and physical but is a fringe dman, not a Hamhuis or Mitchell. Weber or not Vancouver can find another Mitchell/Hamhuis will go a long way towards once again competing in the cup finals.

-Hamhuis has also looked great on the PP. He deserves time there and always makes an impact when given that shot.

-Schneider is just so solid. What in the heck in the world is gonna happen to this guy. I don't think we can keep him (don't think he wants to stick as a backup, even if it means winning) and even though he's an RFA, I think Vancouver knows the best move (not necessarily for the team) is to trade him. That will all depend on what they can get, though.

-Kesler is still laboring and behind a bit. He's shown energy, but the hands and timing has to catch up. They're sticking with him on the first unit PP so the points will come, just a matter of time. 10 more games and the numbers will improve.

-Thanks to Angus, I've been aware that Mason Raymond has skated with the team in practice and is actually looking healthy and happy. I'd hate to take a shot at a return as it would be one in the dark, but I'm feeling positive about a return this year. Even though that's always been the goal and what's reported, I wasn't so sure if they were just trying to keep the cup half full.

-Higgins has been stuck at 6 goals after a very hot start, but is logging good minutes in the top-6 and his energy and relentless forecheck has created lot's of opportunities. Look for sporadic but decent results.

-Even when I start to write or think about Cody Hodgson I get goose pimples. Maybe not something I generally admit, and maybe there's a bit of Canuck homerism in there, but this kid is gonna be one hell of an NHL player. He is incredibly smart and poised with the puck. The guy gets points by default, just by doing things right. Very happy that he's healthy and we never gave up on him completely. He has 38 sog which is a great sign and could have a few more goals. Quietly making a pitch for the Calder and could be near the top if he continues to improve. He's a fun player to watch.


Fantasy Leaders:

Daniel - 6g 16a 22p 58sog
Hank - 6g 14a 20p 31sog (not bad for Hank, and both twins have 14 PIM)
Edler - 3g 13a 16p 47sog (sexy - could have 15 more if he hit the net more often)
Salo - 4g 6a 10p 42sog
Higgins - 6g 4a 10p 41sog
Hamhuis - 2g 7a 9p 31sog
Hodgson - 4g 5a 9p 38sog

Check out the rest here.

[ridinryan44]

Sounds like Luongo has some sort of injury (differing reports on what it is) and will be taking a beak. Snatch up Cory Schneider for some starts if you can. Those starts should be quality.

I hate to hear that Steve Pinizotto is out for the remainder of the season after shoulder surgery. I was hoping to see him in the lineup over Volpatti at some point. Liked his game a little bit more.

[ridinryan44]

How about Schneider for Okposo? With Niño on the way, Strome not too far off, the Isles can spare some offense. If Nabakov coming back as well (maybe a pick from van) it's a deal that could work. Nabokov can be the backup until Lack is ready next year.

[ridinryan44]

DanMurphy is reporting via twitter that Eddie Lack has been recalled as Luongo is not well enough to backup.

[ridinryan44]

It sounds like Raymond will play as long as he feels ready. Lines at practice saw him line up with Kesler and Booth. Higgins and Hansen were riding alongside Hodgson while Burrows returned to the top line with the Sedin's. The fourth line will be centered by lapierre and a mix of Weise/malhotra/volpatti will be used. Ballard could be back from his back injury. Right now he's a much better option than Alberts who has been brutal.

[Ballsakic]

http://video.canucks.nhl.com/videoce...=984&id=136690

[ridinryan44]

Good to see Burrows back on the top line, it's where he belongs:

Sedin-Sedin-Burr
Higgins-Kesler-Booth
Malhotra-Hodgson-Hansen
Volpatti-Lapierre-Weise

Hammy-Bieksa
Edler-Salo
Alberts-Rome

-No Ballard back yet though he is apparently close. Whether or not that's a good thing is another question, but with Alberts' lackluster play, I'll go with good.

-Looking forward to Raymond's return - still. Just stoked he's ready this early (I thought it would be longer than December and now look). He'll add a little more speed to an already quick lineup and may force Malhotra into a fourth line role. Hodgson and Raymond would be fun to watch. Hodgson's hockey smarts could make Raymond look good.

-Looking for another great game from Schneider tonight after he was the reason Vancouver won against Ottawa. Luongo will back Schnedier up. Love the showcase for Schneider's potential suitors.

-Kesler is playing in his 500th career game.

-Hodgson and Duchene go up against other. Former teammates and this should be a good matchup for years to come. Hodgson is only one point behind Landeskog (and Colin Greening) for 6th in rookie scoring.


Game on!

[ridinryan44]

-Cory Schneider was phenomenal tonight, especially considering the difficulty Vancouver usually has with Colorado. Second shutout of his career, stopping 24 shots. Van's best player.

-Aaaron Rome took a puck off the wrist and left the game, adjust your rosters accordingly.

-Kesler got back on track with any empty net goal. Too bad it was an empty net. Look for Kesler to get back on track after the all-star break. He's going to need that extra rest. I'm counting on a solid second half, but don't expect last year's production.

-Hodgson was damn good once again. This kid is already making Vancouver a much better team, which was incredibly necessary with Malhotra's decline.

-AV earned his 247th win.

-Fantastic job shutting down Colorado's second ranked powerplay

[Loch]

So far this month Hodgson has outscored every Canuck forward not named Sedin... and he is getting a whopping 12-and-a-half minutes of ice time for his troubles.

Kid deserves to play more, beauty pass on the opener.

Loved the play of Schneider... one day that kid is gonna be a starter.

[ridinryan44]

So far this month Hodgson has outscored every Canuck forward not named Sedin... and he is getting a whopping 12-and-a-half minutes of ice time for his troubles.

Kid deserves to play more, beauty pass on the opener.

Loved the play of Schneider... one day that kid is gonna be a starter.

I'd love to see Raymond/Hodgson/Kesler. We know Kes can be effective on the wing and there is a fantastical of smarts, grit and speed on that line. Then you have a third of Higgins and booth centered either by Malhotra or lapierre. It leaves Hansen a bit out of the lurch but a fourth of Hansen and Weise centered by Malhotra or lapierre screams depth. Wood be interesting to see of it works, at the very least.

[ridinryan44]

Convincing win tonight.

Schneider is looking great, though he wasn't tested toouch tonight. 21 shots total. Two consecutive shutouts.

Kesler looked of old after promising a "vintage Kesler" tonight. Great goal on a mini breakaway, with a snipe to the top right corner. He made a great backhand pass on Booth's goal.

Five different goal scorer's tonight: Salo, Kesler, Booth, Lapierre and Burrows

Lappiere's intense forechecking caused a couple of turnovers on which he capitalized. Mike Smith was pissed.

Cody Hodgson is awesome. I would be trying to buy low on this kid. Owner's should still be sour on him.

The Canucks area going to have three good lines once Raymond is back. Each line will be able to score. Looking forward to it.

Now - question of the night...does Vancouver look to avoid what happened in LA and play Schneider tomorrow night against San Jose? If it was up to me I say hell yea. Can't go wrong in making sure Luongo is fully healthy, if ya know what I'm saying.

Short review tonight. I'm doing it from my phone.

[Loch]

Short review tonight. I'm doing it from my phone.

Geez I hate is when guys just 'phone it in'!

Just kidding!

Just think, we could end up with
Sedin-Sedin-Burrows
Booth-Kesler-Raymond (fastest Canuck line ever)
Higgens-Hodgson-Hansen (they looked good together earlier this year... Triple H line, sorry WWE)
Malholtra-Lappy-whoever

That's some nice forward depth.

Maybe put Lappy on the 3rd line... in case Cody needs help on face-offs...

Screw fighting, let's just out-score everyone.