June 26, 2012
Pavel Bure, Hall of Famer - At Last…

We wish to thank the Hockey Hall of Fame for finally having the good sense to induct one Pavel Bure, saving us from our annual righteous rant in support of the Russian Rocket, easily the Vancouver Canucks’ most dynamic player ever and, arguably, the most entertaining player of his generation. If you wish to be enlightened further, please consult our archives.

And while his selection is most overdue, in the end, there are no levels of HHOF membership - all players enshrined are on equal footing. And make no mistake, Bure belongs. As a second generation Russian superstar, he was a pioneer for his countrymen at the NHL level, where he was simply the most electrifying player since Guy Lafleur and Bobby Orr. And like Orr, his knees couldn’t endure the full tilt of his playing style - his longevity being perhaps the only legitimate beef against his induction. And while some may question his character upon exiting Vancouver, there are two sides to every story, but Bure’s is rarely told. In the end, he scored and entertained everywhere he went, excelling both professionally and internationally. For a brief moment in time, he was the most captivating player of his sport.

Joining Bure in today’s inductions were Adam Oates, Joe Sakic and Mats Sundin. It seems that the HHOF is finally getting over its obsession with Stanley Cup winning players with Sakic being the only of this year’s inductees to have sipped from the cherished cup. And rightfully so, in the modern day 30 team NHL, there will be plenty of elite players who may never become champions. Indeed, in the era of the six team NHL, Cup rings may have meant something, but that notion is now prehistoric. And with the inclusion of Sundin and Bure, it seems that the HHOF is also getting over its bias against European players, which makes perfect sense since it is the “Hockey” Hall of Fame and not the “NHL” Hall of Fame.

With Bure’s induction, the Canucks once again find themselves with egg on their face as it relates to their franchise’s first and best superstar. How can the team’s only bonafide Hall of Famer (sorry, Mark Messier and Mats Sundin don’t count) not have his number hanging from the rafters while the likes of career plumber Stan Smyl is so enshrined? Some sources may say that Bure has been offered such an honour (or at least inclusion in the lower tiered Ring of Honour), but has refused. This is entirely possible, but also irrelevant. The hanging of a number from the rafters is much less about awarding the player, but recognizing his impact to the franchise and its fans. Yes, Pavel wasn’t necessarily the model community citizen, but he put the Vancouver franchise on the sporting map, making himself and his team an international brand. Stan Smyl or Trevor Linden or Markus Naslund could never have done that. And if the Canucks had retired his number (even without him attending the ceremony) before he had entered the hall, they would have looked a whole lot better than they do now, where any official acknowledgement of his career will look like after the fact pandering.

The irony of all this, of course, is that Pavel’s induction was announced by Pat Quinn, whom Pavel has now claimed as a father like figure, but was possibly part of the reason for Bure’s requested exit from Vancouver. Meanwhile, here in Vancouver, current President and General Manager Mike Gillis (Bure’s former agent) issued a very brief press release jointly recognizing Bure and Sundin, who played only half a season here in what was easily Gillis’ strangest move…

4:33pm
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(Notes: 2)
  
Filed under: Pavel Bure Vancouver Canucks Mike Gillis Pat Quinn Adam Oates Mats Sundin Trevor Linden Stan Smyl Markus Naslund Joe Sakic 
May 24, 2012
Bizarre Revelations from Alain Vigneault

During Wednesday’s conference call with Canuck head coach Alain Vigneault, the news of his recent contract extension was likely the least revealing tidbit for the ravenous media.

With Mike Gillis’ contract extension, the supposed debate about Alain Vigneault’s future in Vancouver was long over.  All that was left to discover was the length of his stay.

Alain Vigneault, in his tenure in Vancouver, has been most readily approachable to the media swarms, though his responses are most always cagily guarded so much so that one local media personality has claimed that AV is instead short for Always Vanilla.

And you can’t really blame Vigneault, given the tendency of the media to over analyze every word that comes out of his month.  But let’s play along and take a closer look at some of his disclosures yesterday on a day when AV did momentarily lower his guard, presumably much to the chagrin of his boss, Mike Gillis.

We can only hope that Ryan Kesler was not listening though it appears either he or his agent were.  With the recent implicit lashing from AV, he might otherwise pull a Cody Hodgson.  Seriously, this time AV is not excusing Kesler’s poor play on account of his chronically injured status.  It’s hard to imagine that this is the best way to motivate the thin-skinned Kesler, the Canucks’ obvious inspirational leader.  If this now frosty relationship can’t be fixed, Mike Gillis might be placed in the unenviable position of having do deal Roberto Luongo and Kesler.

Along with tossing his team’s embattled defacto captain under the bus, he lobbed a grenade at the Canucks’ medical team declaring that his biggest regret this season was how he handled the return of Daniel Sedin.  Apparently, Vigneault fully expected his leading scorer to return in time for game 1 of the playoffs, but didn’t appreciate the extent of his injury until it was too late to implement the roster changes he might have contemplated to best compensate for the loss.  This is simply a bizarre declaration from Vigneault - where he’s somehow trying to absolve himself from any early exit blame by leaning on an injury excuse and while casting a bad light on his medical team. 

In the end, it’s ridiculous thing for him to have said.  In today’s NHL, how could anyone (put aside the medical staff for the moment) particularly AV, not envision that Daniel’s head injury had a very good chance at being a season ending injury.  He should have planned on that basis right from the get go.  When we talk about AV not having his team prepared to play when it matters most, this is exactly what we are talking about. 

But perhaps he his, unknowingly or not, onto something.  From the issues regarding Willie Mitchell’s concussion to the supposed mistreatment of Cody Hodgson’s bad back to the premature injury returns by Ryan Kesler to the apparent uncertainty about what seemed a classic head injury to their best player, the Canucks’ medical team is starting to quack like a collective duck.

Vigneault also seemed to confirm that Cory Schneider was to be his main man next year, which runs contrary to the recently publicized, but completely ridiculous notion that he and Roberto Luongo could share the net duties once again.

And apparently there has been strong internal discussion about how next year’s edition of the Canucks should be styled.  In his season ending press conference, Mike Gillis proclaimed his love for an attacking, offensive and entertaining brand.  But perhaps he and his coach aren’t quite in agreement, no doubt inspired by the collective style of this year’s Stanley Cup final contestants.

We’re not so sure we’re sold on chasing the latest fad.  It seems that from one year to the next, teams with different styles win.  Chasing what seems to be working now will leave you a season behind.  In the end, it’s about the personnel the coach is entrusted with that should dictate the style of play.  Clearly this edition of the Canucks’ is not built for grinding out low-scoring affairs.

So enjoy stewing on these little nuggets from Alain Vigneault, it’s another long summer after all…

12:08pm
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Filed under: Vancouver Canucks Alain Vigneualt Mike Gillis Ryan Kesler Daniel Sedin Cory Schneider Roberto Luongo 
May 23, 2012
Gillis Stands By His Man

In breaking but hardly surprising news, it was announced today that Canuck General Manager Mike Gillis has extended the contract of his coach, Alain Vigneault, for two more seasons.  This means that Vigneault will be on the payroll until the end of the 2014-15 season, by which point he will have served nine years as the Canucks’ bench boss. 

Once Gillis’ contract was extended by ownership, it was only a matter of time before the same was done for Vigneault.  The only way the back-to-back Presidents’ Trophy winning coach was going to lose his job was if the Canucks ownership made the radical decision to jettison Gillis.  In the immediate wake of this disappointing season, Gillis made it clear that Vigneault was his guy.  And it was quite clear that Gillis was not about to be bullied by ownership into axing his coach.

Vigneault is the coach with the fourth longest tenure of current NHL bench bosses, trailing only Lindy Ruff (14 seasons), Barry Trotz (13) and Mike Babcock (7).  Between their combined 40 seasons of consecutive coaching, there is one single Stanley Cup win (Babcock).

You will note that this season’s winning Cup team will be either New Jersey (whose coach Peter DeBoer is in his first season), New York Rangers (where John Tortorella has completed 3.5 seasons after winning a Cup in Tampa Bay) or Los Angeles (where veteran coach Daryl Sutter has coached only half a season).  Clearly, coaching changes work.

We’ve outlined in a previous post why we think the Canucks should have parted ways with Vigneault.  Yes, he deserves tremendous credit for the record breaking regular season of two seasons ago, where he was able to motivate his team to play pedal to the metal for nearly the entire season.  But this season his team rarely did that.  The successful President’s Trophy defense was a result of a soft schedule and spectacular goaltending.  And nothing more.  The efforts of Vigneault were mostly inconsequential to a team that appeared to be saving themselves for another playoff run.

And while Vigneault apologists will point to the fact that the team (the Kings) that knocked the Canucks out has lost only one game since, that is plainly loser talk.  The Canucks were not as prepared to play as the Kings despite seemingly having all that playoff experience.  Ultimately, despite consistently strong regular seasons, Vigneault’s clubs have failed most miserably in playoff elimination games (8 wins versus 12 losses) and that should be the ultimate tale of the tape on his run in Vancouver.

When the Aquilinis assumed ownership of the Canucks, they publicly declared that the Stanley Cup was the goal.  Successful regular seasons were clearly not enough.  So in a market that craves its first championship, why is this team following the track record of small market franchises like Buffalo or Nashville, who are looking only to consistently compete, but not contend?  It’s quite fair to say the performances of both Barry Trotz and Lindy Ruff have been notable for getting more with less.  Their teams were rarely considered Cup contenders.  Meanwhile, this edition of the Canucks has been considered a Cup contender for four seasons running without anything to show for it.  In the end, we’re not surprised that Gillis has re-upped his award winning coach, though we will be shocked should Vigneault ever deliver the ultimate prize.

4:14pm
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Filed under: Vancouver Canucks Alain Vigneault Mike Gillis 
May 7, 2012
A Review of Canucks’ GM Mike Gillis

Today is a big day in the career of Mike Gillis; he will finally meet with Canuck ownership to review this past season. And for the reigning NHL Executive of the Year, they will be discussing much more than that as Gillis is entering the final year of his five-year contract. So clearly in the coming weeks, the team will need to offer him a contract extension or simply cut him loose. So what should happen? Does Mike Gillis get to retain his job (does he even want to)?

We present for your digestion the highs and lows of the Mike Gillis era:

Upon his arrival in Vancouver as the replacement for Dave Nonis, Gillis promised a bold and innovative approach to running this team. Indeed, this would not be business as usual, but fresh-faced out-of-the-box thinking. And it was also clear that no matter what you thought of Gillis, he thought plenty of himself.

Early in his tenure, he certainly delivered with the shocking $20 million two-year contract offer to the aged Mats Sundin, one that the Swede thankfully declined, settling for a half season of indifferent play at a prorated sum. But the message from Gills to the rest of the league was clear, Vancouver was serious about attracting the best.

The appointment of Roberto Luongo as his captain in the wake of the departure of Markus Naslund was another striking move. In the end, the burden of the captaincy was a distraction for him, the team and, certainly, the media. While many will call this a failed initiative, it was, in fact, a clever inducement to retain the ultra competitive and sensitive Luongo for the long-term.

Which brings us to the Luongo contract, one that many will declare as Gillis’ albatross. But that’s not fair. Nor true. At the time, as the best goalie in regular season franchise history, retaining him for the long-term at a manageable salary cap hit was seen as a most significant coup. And the structure of the deal clearly pushed the envelope of what was acceptable under the new collective bargaining agreement. It was clearly the right move at that time. Gillis could not have foreseen Luongo’s playoff histrionics nor the emergence of Cory Schneider as a potentially elite keeper. This summer, we expect that Roberto and his contract will be quite tradeable, with some significant assets in return.

Easily his biggest claim to fame in this market has been the retention of key core players that he inherited from the previous regime. To a man, he’s been able to convince them that Vancouver, despite the intense media scrutiny, is the place to play and all have accepted discounts from market to do so.

But in terms of proactive management of his team in terms of player development, trading record and free agent acquisitions, Gillis has had little notable success.

As a franchise that had suffered significant criticism of its scouting department and drafting record, Gillis made some changes in staff at the senior levels of scouting though the most veteran staff (Ron Delorme, Stan Smyl and Thomas Gradin) retained their jobs. The inaugural pick of the Gillis era was Cody Hodgson, who was to be the poster boy of the Gillis era in player development. Of course, he apparently turned into a problem child (or was grossly mishandled by the Canucks) and was given away for a sack of hammers, Zack Kassian. Outside of Hodgson and Yann Sauve (five games played at the NHL level), none of Gillis’ draft picks have seen any NHL action. Though in complete fairness, many draft picks were traded away and the 2011 crop is far too young to judge.

As an ex-player agent, it was expected that Gillis might be able to deliver some decent free agent signings, but he has failed mostly miserably in that department. From the opening Sundin belly flop to the mostly ineffective and overpaid Pavol Demitra to the bizarre Marco Sturm signing, the road is littered with disappointment. Even at the peak of his mostly one-dimensional game, Manny Malhotra has never seemed worth $2.5 million per season. The signing of veteran defender Mathieu Schneider was a bust. And while Raffi Torres’ one year deal seemed like money well spent, he left after one season and his physicality was not replaced (so says the Sturm signing). The signing of Mikael Samuelsson, the cagey Cup winning veteran, seemed like a good one at first, but he was unable to remain healthy when needed most and was dealt away for the one-dimensional David Booth. The only impactful signing has been that of steady defender Dan Hamhuis.

It is Gillis’ trading record that perhaps hurts most of all. The stealing of Christian Ehrhoff from San Jose was certainly a cause for celebration. But the near simultaneous acquisition of aspiring power forward Steve Bernier was not. And the subsequent repackaging of Bernier along with Michael Grabner and a first round pick for Keith Ballard and his atrocious salary was a move whose ill effects will continue to be felt until Ballard is dealt or his contract expires. The deadline deals to acquire both Chris Higgins and Maxim Lapierre were vital in the team’s run to the Stanley Cup Final and their subsequent re-signing appeared prudent. But this year’s deadline deals, the acquisitions of prospects Zack Kassian and Marc-Andre Gragnani along with veteran checking center Samme Pahlsson, did not seem a good fit for a team that was supposed to be loading up for another run at it all. And clearly, the jury is still out on the acquisition of David Booth for two veterans that will likely not play another NHL game. Booth, clearly has speed to burn, but not much else except for a gaudy long-term salary.

In the end, the cynics would say that Gillis has done the most by doing nothing. The core of this team (the Sedins, Luongo, Schneider, Alex Burrows, Ryan Kesler, Mason Raymond, Kevin Bieksa, Alex Edler, Sami Salo, Jannik Hansen) were players he inherited. Even head coach Alain Vigneault was a Dave Nonis hire. None of Gillis’ bold moves have had any measurable impact. In essence, he’s taken Dave Nonis’ car for a drive.

Others would say that Gillis has brilliantly managed the salary cap constraints, retaining all the core players at a significant discount to market - perhaps the most important accomplishment in today’s NHL. Further, his team’s success speaks for itself - his squads have won back-to-back President’s Trophies and were one win away from the ultimate prize last season.

In the end, when the Aquilinis assumed ownership, they vowed that regular season success was not enough. The team had posted plenty of that in the preceding years. The goal was the Stanley Cup. And that’s where we have to wonder somewhat about Gillis’ efforts this season. The moves made spoke more of a team that was restocking its shelves (the trading away of Cup winning veteran Samuelsson for the young, but one-dimensional Booth and the acquisitions of prospects Zack Kassian and Marc-Andre Gragnani for an emerging player, Hodgson, that could have clearly contributed now). Maybe the Aquilinis are happy with regular season success, capacity crowds and a handful of playoff dates every season, but they promised more than that.

10:38am
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Filed under: Vancouver Canucks Mike Gillis Aquilinis 
May 3, 2012
The Canucks in Review - A Reader Submission

One of our loyal readers (dirtbikes4me) has put together an impressive review of this Canucks’ season, which we are taking the liberty of posting here.  At Critically Canuck, we are we, and not always me.  Though yours truly has also taken the liberty of inserting comments because me is also we.

Apologies for the extended commentary, I hope I’m not overstepping here.

You are not.  We welcome the passionate, but critically minded feedback from everyone.  It’s difficult to separate your heart from head sometimes, but that’s the kind of process we like to see.

Like many of you, I gauge the performance of the Canucks each season by their playoff success. This season, well, we all know what happened. The Canucks uninspired and early exit from the playoffs is simply a convergence of several
negative issues all at one time. Last year’s run proved the opposite as many positive situations converged to make a run all the way to a game 7 final.

Yes, it is quite easy to find much good fortune in what happened last season.  Which can only mean that expectations for this season may have been a little too high.

Ultimately, however disastrous the final out-come of this past season, there still exists a plethora of “What if?” scenarios. Just for some fun, imagine if Luongo started that game in Boston and he ‘soiled the mattress’ so to speak.  Or Cody Hodgson was not traded. What if Daniel hadn’t had his head handed to him on the end of a viscous elbow? What if Luongo and Schnieder played like average goalies over the season or in the playoffs?

If Luongo or Schneider had struggled for any significant stretches, this team would have been simply struggling to make the playoffs - forget about a top seeding.  As easy as it is to ventilate Gillis for the Hodgson deal, the outcome for this season would have been the same, if only slightly deferred.

The commonly held belief is that Vancouver simply lacked in scoring generated by grit. It is one thing to score on the rush, but if the team loses all the little battles on the ice, they rarely generate any earned quality offensive chances. They also seemed to lack the drive and chemistry to go deep. With the exception of the Boston game, Daniel’s return in the playoffs and the stellar net-minding of the dynamic duo, the team played uninspired hockey. I am forced to wonder if there were other factors in play within the dressing room. How well did this group gel by the end of the season? Was there enough time for the players to form bonds with their line mates?

There was certainly an urgency that was missing for pretty much the entire season.  Chalk that up to a physical and mental burnout or a coach they had tuned out.  The latter question is a very good one.  This team was seemingly trying to reinvent itself down the stretch - as much as Mike Gillis says they were not changing horses midstream, that is exactly how it appeared - what should have been an 82 game exhibition season turned into twenty instead.  Both AV and MG are accountable for that.

With Kesler and other notable Canucks ailing in the stretch, it became painfully obvious that the team also lacked in depth. It was interesting that the Canucks went 8-1-1 in their last ten games, but as we all know, only two of the final ten
games were against playoff contenders with a win in LA and an overtime loss in Chicago. Presidents trophy? Aside from the apparent benefits of securing home-ice advantage, who cares? Home-ice meant squat any-ways.

How do we know they don’t have depth?  This season should have been about getting significant ice time for young players like Hodgson (or Kassian) and Chris Tanev.  This hardly happened.  Instead AV rode his horses all season so much so that some of his best players were playing hurt by season’s end.

Here is my breakdown of this past season, playoffs and some predictions. I invite you to comment and tell me I’m totally right or totally wrong. Discuss.

Roberto Luongo Season: B+ Playoffs: B+ Stats: 31-14-8 2.41GAA .919 %

After his annual early season “crappy goaltending” phase, Luongo really kicked it into high gear. He seemed to shed some the arrogance and theatrical components to his game and his persona. I am sad to seem him go, arguably the best net-minder the Canucks ever had. Anxiously awaiting how MG will deal with this.

We can’t agree more except to add that it is time for him to go.  Given his history for volatile playoff play and the emergence of Schneider, he is placed in an impossible situation.  For his own good (and the team’s), it is time.

Cory Schneider Season: A Playoffs: A Stats: 20-8-1 1 1.96GAA .937%

The Canucks new #1? You kind of get the feeling that he is ready. Well respected team guy. Who will MG sign to back him up? My guess, MG and Schneider will agree to a front-loaded 4 year $4.25 mil per season deal. I get the feeling that he would forgo free-agency in a couple of years to stay with this team while the window of the core group is still open to contend.

He’s the new number one, for sure.  It’s not like he has a say in it either.  He can’t go anywhere else yet.  What will be most interesting will be the length of the contract.  The team will want something long. Schneider, no matter the amount of money, will likely want to have the option for an exit in the short term.  After all, he’s witnessed first hand how hard this market is for a goalie.

Daniel Season: C+ Playoffs: B 72 gp 67 pts

Just under a point a game pace, this past season was lack-lustre for Daniel. Barring injury, he will bounce back next year if the Canucks can get an Erhoff style D, the ref’s start calling the game properly and the Canucks can capitalize on the ensuing power-play chances.

We suspect that Daniel and Henrik will continue to be productive for the long term, perhaps not to the levels of past years, but certainly at a point per game pace.  These guys simply have too much pride to rest on their laurels.  Further, their success has been owing more to the cerebral than it has the physical so the aging process shouldn’t hamper them as much as it would others.

Henrik Season: B Playoffs: B+ 82gp 81 pts

Overall, even at a point a game, Henrik had his struggles this season, never a big goal-scoring threat anyway, he seemed to lose some of his scoring touch this season,though he managed a couple in 5 playoff games, including 3 assists.
Like Daniel, with a reffing clampdown, the addition of a true power-play quarterback, Henrik will score 20+ goals next season. I do worry about Henrik’s / the teams reliance on Daniel, but that really speaks to a lack of depth.

It is hard to believe that Cody Hodson’s desire for ice time couldn’t have been satiated by what happened down the stretch this season, whether it was due to the struggling Kesler or the injured Daniel, he could have had ice time aplenty.

Burrows Season: B Playoffs: C- 80gp 52pts

A respectable season for a first-liner, finishing second to Hamhuis +29 with a +24 on the season. Going into the final season of his bargain contract, and if he sticks with the twins, I’m guessing a 65+pt campaign. Like many of his line-mates, he disappeared in the playoffs. I wonder if AV’s line-juggling was the cause or if Burrows simply ran out of gas.

Burrows is one of those guys who gets the most out of himself every game.  His success owes almost entirely to his determination.  It’s sometime hard to raise that bar at playoff time.  The big question about Burrows will be how he fits in the salary structure in the longer term.  How much of a discount would he be prepared to take at the end of next season?  He’s never made the big money.  You couldn’t excuse him for chasing it then.  On that basis, he should be considered as prime trade bait.

Kesler Season: C Playoffs: C+ 77gp 49pts

He came back to early, and played hurt or less than 100% all season. Irreplaceable second line center. His NTC is going to kick-in because he is here for the long-haul. If he given some line-mates, gets and stays healthy, expect a 65+pt season. Booth, a deeply religious guy with a pentchant for killing bears for trophies, and Kesler with his modeling / partying ways, didn’t seem like they had any chemistry.
The revolving third spot on the line needs to be solidified.

Injuries aside, it just might be that Kesler’s previous season was the high water mark, never to be touched again.  Not that the alternative is a bad thing.  Someone at the coaching or management level needs to step in and insist that this guy respect his body more.  Take the time to heal yourself for the good of us all.  He is really that thick headed?

Booth Season: C- Playoffs: D 56gp 29pts

I would say a total bust of a season. Showed flashes of strength and skill, but failed to live up to the hype. 3 more years left on a pricey contract. I guess the upside is, if he can find his groove with Kesler, and stays healthy, I would hope to see 55+pts from this guy. Anything less during this up-coming season, and the Booth experiment should be considered a failure. As for the playoffs, again, another top 6 guy that was MIA.

Frankly, Booth sucks.  His hockey IQ is so low, he makes Russ Courtnall look like an egghead.  Flash.  Dash.  No finish.  No defense.  No play making.  And lots of money tied up in him. 

Higgins Season: B Playoffs: D- 71gp 43pts

Arguably the most consistent forward this past season, Higgins seemed to play beyond expectations, however if penciled in as a second line guy, he will still need to improve. He was tied for a team-worst -3 through 5 playoff games. Given that he is in the final year of his contract next season, if he can control his staff infections, and play-out a full season, I think he can reach the 55pt club. This assumes that he plays in a top-six role.

Well said, this guy gets a pass for a miserable playoff.  We know he’s got playoff game after last season’s run.  And he endured a lot this season and prevailed otherwise.

Edler Season: C+ Playoffs: D 82gp 49pts

AV simply played this guy to much this past season. Despite scoring 2 goals during 5 playoff games, Edler simply ran out of gas and as a result, sucked-it hard. Tied for fourth in scoring during the season, Edler finished with a +/- of 0.  Playing what seemed to be 207 minutes per game, it was no surprise that he managed 49pts. Conditioning and less minutes will lead to a better playoff run next year. Edler to me was the most frustrating player in the post-season, too many brain-farts. He is going into the final year of his contract, so I see him matching his point total from last season, and a greatly improved playoff performance. It certainly can’t get any worse.

At the season’s midpoint, we claimed that the inconsistent Edler was not going to be the next Scott Stevens, but at least, he wasn’t the next Michel Petit.  We take that back.  All the tools, but no tool box.

Hansen Season: B+ Playoffs: C+ 82gp 39pts

I really liked Hansen’s play this year. He is only one of a few Canucks this season to have truly earned his contract. He was one of the few with energy during the playoffs, but was not enough of a difference maker. I see him as a potential second liner, as he consistently plays with a style of someone with something to prove. If he is allowed to break-out, he could hit 50pts.

It looked like the Danish Dash was going to validate our twenty goal prediction, but he fell just short.  Like you’ve noted, was arguably (not that it’s saying much) the Canucks’ best all around playoff performer.

Raymond Season: C Playoffs: D 55gp 20pts

0.36 points per game average will not get it done as a second liner or a third liner. Coming of a broken back, he deserves some credit and slack, but the RFA is in limbo. GMMG did indicate in his end-of -season presser that Raymond is still
part of the Canuck’s plans. This seems to however fly in the face of MG’s opinion that the club needs to upgrade with size and strength. Whatever the case, for Raymond to stick around, he will have to except a short-term deal with a pay-cut. Raymond will have to seriously work-out in the off-season and work very hard to try to find his timing again if he is to have any success with the Canucks or any team in the up-coming season.

Raymond is done in Vancouver.  There is speculation that the Canucks might sign him and deal him, but if there was any market for him, they would have done so at the deadline.  While it’s easy to say that he should get a free pass after the horrible back injury, we forget that he sucked for all of last season, too.  Like another previous ladies’ favourite in this town, Taylor Pyatt, he doesn’t seem to have the gumption to compete consistently at the NHL level.

Lapierre Season: C+ Playoffs: C 82gp 19pts

Like Hansen, I thought Lapierre had a good year. He proved to be a versatile third and fourth liner, and often provided the team with a boost of energy when others could not. He is going into the last year of his deal at $1million per, so I see
him doing just slightly better with 25pts. A good character / depth guy.

Fully agreed.  When AV had him playing on the first line, that was the death knell on this season.  Seriously, guys that have bounced around the league for years as character depth guys don’t all of a sudden become first liners on elite teams.  Even if they are French.

Malhotra Season: C Playoffs: C- 78gp 18pts

In the final year of his contract, I don’t see much in the way of Malhotra improving from last season. Great in the face-off circle, but not much beyond that. Like Raymond, he deserves some slack. Malhotra is greatly respected in the dressing room, but is nearing the twilight of his career. I can see him traded this off-season as the face-off specialist experiment seems to have failed, if not, he will stay on the fourth line.

Ah yes, the one-eyed one trick pony.  Sorry, that’s cruel.  He deserved a better fate this season.  But unless he is really as valuable in the room as everyone makes him out to be, he should be moved if at all possible.

Salo Season: C+ Playoffs: D- 69gp 25pts

Too many factors yet to be determined before Salo gets re-signed in Vancouver. He had a good, carefully managed regular season, but had 0 points and was a -3 in the playoffs. If AV sticks around, Salo likely will not. He was worth his 2 million last season, and stands to get a small raise. This might not fit with MG’s plans.

Salo could be better utilized we think.  As the playoffs showed, when the play is amped up, he looks like an old man.  Which he is.  But for a team that was lacking a power play quarterback, he didn’t get much time there.  We’d like to see him retained, playing 50 to 60 games, most of it on the power play.  It’s called the Paul Reinhart special and it worked wonders back in the day. 

Bieksa Season: C+ Playoffs: C 78gp 44pts

Decent season for a top-four guy, played hurt at the end of the season and through the playoffs. Vancouver’s #1 paid D-man needs to take it to the next level. His play is almost indicative of a player deemed as over-rated. If he is healthy, this guy can do it. But will he?

Bieksa gets too much criticism in this market.  The problem is not with him, but with the Canucks lacking a true number one defenseman.  Bieksa is not it.  Neither is Dan Hamhuis.  Nor Alex Edler.  If Bieksa is manning your second pairing, all is good. 

Hamhuis Season: C+ Playoffs: B 82gp 37pts

Imagine if Webber signed with Van and partnered with Hamhuis. A consistent, healthy season is what Hamhuis brought with a decent playoff effort. If his concussions are a thing of the past, I can see a repeat next year with +40pts.

Bang on.  Hamhuis is perfect to play the silent steady partner to an elite defender.

Ballard Season: C Playoffs: C 47gp 7pts

Overpaid and underachiever. Gillis must move this contract this off-season. If AV stays, I can’t see Ballard as anything but a top 7 or 8 d-man. $4.2 per season for 3 more years is just to much money.

It’s easy dump on Ballard for underachieving, but his coach has done a nice job of putting him in situations where he can only look bad.  How this guy gets no power play time, while the likes of Dan Hamhuis does, is just bizarre.  As much as Gillis may have overestimated Ballard’s potential, Alain Vigneault has done everything to make Ballard (and thus Gillis) look bad.

Rome Season: C+ Playoffs: C 43gp 10pts

Can AV’s favourite guy overcome injury? One game in the playoffs finishing with a 0 +/- rating. He may command a hefty price as a UFA going into this summer. Van may benefit from a discounted contract if Rome is willing.

A perfect depth guy we’d think, but like you’ve noted, the price may not be right.

Tanev Season: C+ Playoffs: C 25gp 2 pts

An RFA this summer, Van will qualify and sign him this summer. With a respectable rookie campaign, young with veteran smarts, Tanev will get signed by Van.

There is much to like here.  And while there is talk of areas he needs to improve, there is nothing wrong with what he brings - consistent, near mistake free play.

Alberts Season: C 44gp 4pts

One final year left on his contract, this depth player will look to elevate his game.

To us, he and Rome are somewhat redundant.  Rome is a little more versatile, but can’t see the need for both with Gragnani and Kevin Connauton in the system.

Pahlsson Season: C Playoffs C- 19gp 6pts

I just don’t see this UFA coming back, certainly not with a contract worth more than $1.25 million per.

We’ve always thought he was overrated.  Defensively sound play at forward is not rocket science.  It can be learned by anyone that is determined to do so.  Let’s see someone with some upside.

As for Ebbett, Weise, Volpatti and Bitz, your guess is as good as mine with what will happen with these guys. I guess as a RFA, Weise will be the most likely to stay, along with resigning UFA Ebbett.

We’re not sold on Ebbett.  Yes, a decent skill guy, but the way the league has regressed, that may not mean much.  And doesn’t Jordan Schroeder fit that bill anyway? We liked what we saw from Volpatti.  As for Bitz, the guy just can’t stay healthy.

Kassian The jury’s still out. Hope he pans out as MG expects him too.

It’s clear what the attraction is with Kassian.  He’s a big boy and can skate.  But we truly expected some meanness.  There was none.  That’s disturbing.  Even when Cam Neely struggled here in his youth, you could tell he was nasty.  And even Jim Sandlak would occasionally awake from his slumber and pound someone.  The common excuse is his youth.  But geez, isn’t that when you’ve got the most angst?

Gragnani RFA, hard to tell what will happen here. He’s a young player with potential according to some hockey analysts.

He’s certainly smooth.  But soft.  Really soft.

GM Gillis I can’t see FA replacing Gillis at this time. After-all, the club finished first overall with a very respectable 51-22-9 record. With the pending Luongo situation, 11 UFA’s and 8 RFA’s to deal with this off-season with the main and minor-league club, it would seem to much of a risk to bring in someone new to the helm at this time. I also see AV starting next season with the club, though I suspect that he will be on a very short leash as expectations will be much higher to get off to a good start to the season. GMMG is facing his toughest off-season challenges to date. How he navigates this time will ultimately determine if he gets an extension before the new-year.

We found Gillis’ season ending support of AV to be surprisingly strong.  As a GM, that’s your first card to play when adversity strikes.  And he seems to be prepared to stand by his man even if it means losing his job?  Wow.  Whatever Rick Ley had on Pat Quinn, AV seemingly has on MG.

AV If Gillis stays on as GM, I can’t imagine that AV will be let go this off-season. Again, AV and MG guided the team to first overall, that has to mean something. If AV can manage to guide the club to a strong start of the season, I would say he has a good chance of coaching the team into next-year’s playoffs. Ultimately, it is up to GMMG as to the tools he gives AV to make it work. If AV and the team get off to a bad start, look to see AV replaced before December. Though unfounded and denied by the great-one himself, rumours have been circulating that Gretzky and FA have shown an interest in possibly working together. It what capacity that would be is not clear, however imagine Gretzky replacing AV and Mac T replacing Bowness. I’d be curious to know if GMMG has any type of history with Gretzky. I am one of those guys who believe if there is smoke, there is generally some fire.

Wow, that’s a rumour we had not heard.  The Canucks’ window of opportunity to work with Gretzky should have closed when they gave him that midnight ultimatum as a pending free agent signing all those years ago.  The Great One hasn’t shown that he’s got a superior intellect for managing a hockey team.  Please say this isn’t true.

It’s hard to believe that a competitor like Gillis would walk away from a job that is still undone.  If he does not return, that will reflect most poorly on ownership.

As for Hodgson, if what MG says istrue, then it is what it is and it is up to Kassian to show if MG made the right decision or not in acquiring him at the trade deadline. Remember, when Mogilny was acquired, it was soon learned that he was considered a ‘cancer’ in the dressing room, and if memory serves me correctly, the 95’ and beyond Canucks declined after their amazing 94’ cup run (one could argue that not only was the team lacking skill in 1995 and beyond, but lacked good chemistry also). If Hodgson’s actions were a legitimate distraction for the club, then all MG should be judged by is if he traded Hodgson to early.

We think that MG’s throwing of Hodgson under the bus is completely classless no matter what happened.  There are two sides to every story and Hodgson is not talking.  But we know two things.  Gillis drafted Hodgson on the basis that he had remarkable character.  And Hodgson had his coach publicly proclaim that he was a malingerer, when he was actually suffering from a serious injury.  So either Gillis erred badly in his estimation of Hodgson OR the team owed him an acceptable apology (one he obviously didn’t get) for the “misunderstanding” about his injury.  Much like when Pavel Bure left town, the management group has done too much to make the player look like the villain.  It’s lame.

Any-ways, sorry for the long manuscript, it has been quiet on the board lately, so hopefully my input can generate some comments or opinions.

Thanks for contributing.  Please continue to do so.

On an unrelated topic, the NHL player that I hate right now is D. Brown.

Indeed.  Hard to believe that he might have been had at the trading deadline.



10:48am
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(Notes: 2)
  
Filed under: Vancouver Canucks Mike Gillis Alain Vigneault 
May 2, 2012
For the Canucks, AV or Not AV, that is the Question…

As the space in time between the end of a disappointing season and an official word from Canucks’ coach Alain Vigneault gets longer, his status becomes only more questionable.

In the season ending Mike Gillis press conference, the general manager seemingly had the back of his coach, one that he inherited upon his arrival in Vancouver. And one that has put up consecutive President’s Trophy awards, not to mention that brush with the ultimate prize last June.

It’s easy to rattle of his remarkable regular season record in Vancouver.  It is, by far, the best in team history.  And the best in the NHL over the last handful of seasons.  And successful teams don’t fire their coaches, do they?

But here’s why this one should.

After last year’s exhilarating, but ultimately heart-breaking season, this regular season was to be entirely about honing the Canucks’ game for another deep playoff run. 

In short, with another divisional title assured before the season even started, this regular season was simply an 82 game exhibition. 

This new version of the Canucks included a mix of bigger and more physical forwards (notably Zack Kassian and Byron Bitz) and would feature a bonafide shutdown line with Cup winning Samme Pahlsson holding down a new third line.  And after getting burned out by the Bruins superior forward depth, the Canucks were to feature a fourth line that could play in the post-season.  And with some players coming off of significant injuries, notably Ryan Kesler, there was to be no urgency for their return.  It was all about being ready for puck drop in mid-April.

But this team was not ready.  What we saw in the playoffs was what we saw in the regular season - featuring only brief spurts of confident aggressive play and mostly brutal defensive zone coverage only saved by spectacular goaltending. 

Coach Vigneault had placed his supposed size and grit in the press box.  And the remodeled fourth line was playing five minutes per night.  And, for crying out loud, he didn’t even know who to play on his first line (witness the witless David Booth playing with Sedins?).

And, of course, we discovered that Ryan Kesler had been hurt.  Again.  Possibly for months.  And that he came back too early from last season’s injury.  And Kevin Bieksa was playing hurt, too - the season-ending maintenance days seemingly not enough.  Why were these guys getting all that pre-season regular season ice time if they weren’t well?

And what about Cody Hodgson?  The supposed malcontent who was taking up all of Mike Gillis’ time.  Yes, the decision to trade him rested with Gillis, but if you sort through that mess, you’ll see that the trouble started when Coach Vigneault labeled the prized prospect as a malingerer for faking what was really a serious injury.  What young man wouldn’t be crushed by that?

Some might say that Alain Vigneault is one of the best coaches around.  Some might say he’s simply the luckiest.  He survived a change in management regime here in Vancouver, something that most head coaches never do.  And his subsequent streaky regular season record had him on the cusp of disaster more than once.  And he was a Roberto Luongo game 7 overtime save away from getting fired last season when his Canucks nearly blew a 3-0 lead to the Hawks.

For this team, it’s about right now.  They are contenders.  It’s about showing up for big games - being completely prepared when the stakes are highest. 

After last season’s blowing of 2-0 and then 3-2 Stanley Cup Finals leads, we drew your attention to Alain Vigneault’s shoddy playoff elimination game record. It now stands at eight wins and twelve losses. 

If the coach isn’t accountable for his team playing their best when it matters most, who is?

11:05am
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(Notes: 1)
  
Filed under: Vancouver Canucks Alain Vigneault Mike Gillis 
April 24, 2012
Luongo Will Go, Kesler is Hurt, Gillis Slams Hodgson and Backs Vigneault

Today’s events in Canuckville were by far the most entertaining of the season.

Roberto Luongo, taking one for the team again, will waive his no-trade clause.  He’ll also be happy to stay, whatever is best for the team.  Geez, with this display of character, maybe we should keep him.

Ryan Kesler, it was revealed, is suffering from a shoulder injury as well as chronic hip pain.  This explains a lot.  But, we’ve seen this before at season’s end.  Hopefully, this time around he will take the necessary time to completely heal.

The worse the Cody Hodgson for Zack Kassian trade looks, the more Mike Gillis throws young Hodgson under the bus.  Evidently, during his three years here, Cody and his camp demanded more of Mike Gillis’ time than all other players combined.  And further, according to Gillis, Hodgson received preferential ice-time this season to increase his trade value.  But really, what does that have to do with evaluating the move that was made?  At any rate, doesn’t Gillis have to answer for misjudging the player’s character so badly?  It was his draft pick after all.

And further revelations from today indicated that Mike Gillis has the back of his coach, Alain Vigneault.  But clearly, the fate of both will be in the hands of ownership in the coming weeks with possible contract extensions in the offing.

Despite the late season transition of his team to a much lower scoring unit, Gillis insists that playing an uptempo, offensive style is still what he believes in.  But does the NHL?  Take a look around, all the best offensive teams (save Philadelphia) are out (Vancouver, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Tampa, Chicago) or facing elimination (Boston, Ottawa).

In short, Gillis didn’t accept much culpability for what happened this season, making excuses where possible and supporting his team and staff.

1:21pm
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(Notes: 6)
  
Filed under: Roberto Luongo Vancouver Canucks Ryan Kesler Cody Hodgson Zack Kassian Mike GIllis Alain Vigneault 
April 23, 2012
Canucks versus Kings - What Went Wrong?

When you’re the defending Western Conference champion and repeat President’s Trophy winner and you lose to the eighth seed in five games in the first round, you’ve got plenty of explaining to do.  And in a market that loves to make mountains out of molehills, we’ve got an extended summer to pick apart this Canuck corpse.

There will be the obvious excuses like the Duncan Keith elbow late in the regular season that forced Daniel Sedin to the sidelines for the first three games of the playoffs.  Though really, this is an adversity an elite team should be able to overcome.  And in the end, it’s the first significant injury to a front line player in many a post season for a franchise that has been remarkably fortunate in that regard.

And what about the Sedins?  To win, you need your best players to be your best players or so the adage goes.  Except the Sedins were the Canucks’ best players in this series, looking more inspired than they ever have, seemingly aware that the rest of the team had checked out.

The magnet for most criticism in this market usually falls on the combustible Roberto Luongo.  But this time around, he was the team’s best player in game 1 before getting relieved by Cory Schneider after a game 2 performance where he was sold out by his teammates, busy practicing their fire drill.  So even Bobby Blue gets a free pass this time around though it may not be enough to save him his job in this market.

And, of course, there will be mention of the dreaded hangover from last season.  But really, we’re not buying that.  It’s not like the Canucks went pedal to the metal during the regular season.  In fact, despite their President’s Trophy win, there were not many 60 minute efforts this season (unless you count the goaltenders).  Elite teams do return to the Stanley Cup Final.  It does happen.  Look at Pittsburgh or Detroit in recent years.

And the uneducated will reference the President’s Trophy curse - after all, three of the last four winners have been bounced in the first round.  But that is simply loser talk.  There is no curse.  Bottom seeded teams don’t win the Cup.  Ever.  Top seeded teams usually do.  There is never a guarantee, but winning in the playoffs  correlates near perfectly with winning in the regular season.  It’s fact.

In the end, what cost this team the series was ridiculously poor defensive coverage (witness the Kings’ first goal last night) and an inability to score either at even strength or with the man advantage.  And remarkably, these were not recent developments, but problems that had plagued the team for good portions of this regular season (and late in last season’s playoff drive).  They were masked by superior goaltending, from both Luongo and Schneider, and an incredibly easy divisional schedule.

But come playoff time, these are deficits that will cost you your season in short order.  And they certainly did.

There is no doubt that the moves made during the season by general manager Mike Gillis seemed to water down the offense without any measurable increase in size and toughness. 

David Booth has speed to burn and a willingness to drive to the net (i.e., he’s no Mason Raymond), but rarely completes a pass and, more importantly, has little idea what to do when he doesn’t have the puck.  While speed is the essence of the modern NHL, hockey smarts are close behind and Booth’s hockey IQ is borderline retarded.  Meanwhile, the cagey Mikael Samuelsson has four points in five games for a Florida team that is on the verge of advancing to the next round.  The curse of Dale Tallon continues.

Certainly, the jury on the Cody Hodgson trade is still out, but the decision for a Cup contending team to trade away a contributing asset for one that simply may have potential was, and remains, mind boggling.  Hodgson was the Canucks’ most efficient five-on-five scorer and held down the second unit power play, while Zack Kassian could only play his way to the press box.

It is becoming clear that Ryan Kesler’s brilliant performance versus Nashville last playoff was simply an aberration.  Over the last two playoffs, excluding the Nashville series, he has tallied two goals and eleven assists in twenty four games - remarkably poor production from your second line centre and the biggest single reason why this team struggled so mightily to score.

Up front, the Canucks’ top wingers are players with a remarkably similar skill set - speedy forwards with reasonable grit and the occasional scoring touch, but none are physically intimidating and there is a serious lack of play making ability.  Indeed, the playoff performances from the likes of Alex Burrows, David Booth, Jannik Hansen and Mason Raymond featured plenty of flash and dash, but no pucks in the net.

Overall, the Canucks’ defense had a pretty miserable season.  Ironically, the best of the bunch, Dan Hamhuis, wore the goat horns on the Kings’ winner last night (and for all you homers calling for a penalty on that play, give your head a shake).

Kevin Bieksa was predictably boneheaded at points this season (and post season), while Alex Edler suffered a serious case of the playoff yips.  By the post-season, Sami Salo looked every bit of his 37 years.  And Keith Ballard’s concussed head is still spinning and his game still reeling after inexplicably rocketing up the depth chart at playoff time.

If we’re looking for one person for which to aim the blame at, we’re looking at Mike Gillis.  In short, he seemed to overrate the depth of his defense and his moves to bolster the team’s size and toughness up front seemed to cause an identity crisis for his team down the stretch.  Gone was the team with the high tempo attacking style and in its place was a squad that was prone to running around in their own end while struggling to simply muster long distance scoring chances on an elite goalie.  The intent was to become a team that was comfortable winning 1-0 or 2-1 games.  They got the 1-0 and 2-1 games, but they didn’t win.  And the players who were to add a physical presence up front (notably Byron Bitz and Zack Kassian) rarely saw the ice.

We’ve often been critical of Alain Vigneault around here and you’d think he should get some of the blame this time around, too.  And he should, but other than the bizarre decision to play David Booth, for the first time all season, with the Sedins come playoff time, it’s hard to find specific fault with any of his coaching moves.  Though there is no question that his teams often lack killer instinct and desperate play for desperate times.  When the playoffs opened with two losses at home, the Canucks clearly weren’t as ready to play as were the Kings.  And when they ended, the same was true (witness last night’s third period and overtime).  Alain Vigneault’s elimination game record is now a poor eight wins versus twelve losses.

So there you go, plenty to ruminate on as we begin yet another summer of discontent.  Stay tuned for more.

1:54pm
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(Notes: 5)
  
Filed under: Alain Vigneault Alex Burrows Alex Edler Byron Bitz Cody Hodgson Cory Schneider Dale Tallon Dan Hamhuis Daniel Sedin David Booth Duncan Keith Jannik Hansen Keith Ballard Kevin Bieksa Mason Raymond Mikael Sameulsson Mike Gillis President's Trophy Roberto Luongo Ryan Kesler Sami Salo Vancouver Canucks Zack Kassian 
February 27, 2012
Canucks Deal Cody Hodgson

In late breaking and most surprising fashion, the Canucks have dealt Cody Hodgson, the first draft pick of the Mike Gillis era and a player who showed in limited action this season that he can be a legitimate offensive force at the NHL level.  Along with depth defenseman Alexander Sulzer, Hodgson heads to Buffalo for aspiring power forward Zack Kassian and defender Marc-Andre Gragnani.

We are most sorry to see Hodgson go.  He has, on many nights this season, been the Canucks’ most dangerous offensive player and, only in his rookie season, seemingly has a long career ahead of him.  We are also surprised that Mike Gillis would be willing to cut bait on his first ever NHL draft pick.  However, without a move to the wing by Ryan Kesler, it was an impossibility for Hodgson to be a proper fit in Vancouver - his skill set was not really complimentary to a team that needs a third line to deliver physically more than it needs to score.

Kassian has the potential to be the kind of player the Canucks have been sorely lacking - a physically imposing player that can play regularly.  At the NHL level, he is still an unproven commodity however, unlike Hodgson who is in the running for NHL rookie of the year honours.  The 6’ 3” 230 pound Kassian is a former first round pick and has demonstrated a decent scoring touch at the AHL level.  Riding shotgun with the Sedins could make him a scorer at the NHL level.

Gragnani fills the void of the injured Keith Ballard and may be what tips this trade in favour of the Canucks.  He is a young puck moving defender and of reasonable size.  After becoming a point per game player at the AHL level he leads all Buffalo players with a plus 10 rating this year (meanwhile ex-Canuck and $10 million man Christian Ehrhoff is minus 5).  He can play top four minutes if required and along with Chris Tanev, Kevin Connauton and Yann Sauve suddenly leave the Canucks with some longer term depth on defense.

In the end, this move (along with the pick-up of checking centre Sami Pahlsson) addresses the weaknesses that were identified (a lack of toughness and grit up front and a need for a Keith Ballard replacement).

This deal will likely rank as one of the biggest in Canuck history and will be a difficult one to assess in the long run because of the diversity of the players being exchanged.  It is probable that Hodgson could become a top 10 NHL scorer playing 20 minutes per night.  And it is possible that Kassian could become Milan Lucic and that Gragnani becomes the next great Canuck power play quarterback.  Alternatively, they could become Jim Sandlak and J.J. Daigneault, respectively.  Though if Kassian and Gragnani (not to mention Pahlsson) help to complete Mike Gillis’ Stanley Cup puzzle, then it will be the best Canuck trade ever…

1:34pm
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(Notes: 2)
  
Filed under: Vancouver Canucks Buffalo Sabres CodyHodgson Alexander Sulzer Sami Pahlsson Zack Kassian Marc-Andre Gagnani Mike Gillis Christian Ehrhoff Milan Lucic J.J. Daigneault Jim Sandlak 
February 17, 2012
Winning Ugly

Since the climax of this regular season, the Stanley Cup rematch in Boston, the Canucks have clearly taken the foot off the gas and hit cruise control.  And while they likely don’t deserve it, they find themselves on quite a run, running up a 10-2-3 record (a nifty .767 winning percentage).  At this rate, they have put themselves in easy striking distance of the top seed in the conference and, perhaps, another President’s Trophy.  

But how have they done it?  In this 15 game run, they’ve been out shot almost every night (10 of 15 times).  And overall, they’ve had 5 less shots per game than the opposition. 

Factoring out empty net and shootout goals the team has scored a paltry 38 goals in those 15 games which barely eclipses the rate of the opposition at 35.

This is due in part to their once feared power play, which is struggling mightily.  Not only are they struggling to score (13% efficiency rate compared to 24% for the rest of the season), but they are struggling to even earn the opportunities (drawing just 2.5 penalties per game in this stretch compared to 4 per game for the rest of the season).

Earning power plays is often a simple function of working hard.  And that, considering also the wide shot on goal differential, would seem to be the case here.  They are not working hard.  Only simply hard enough.

That is, only hard as they need to in respect of their sublime goaltending and the NHL’s nonsensical point allocation system for regulation game ties.

During this run, the Canuck keepers (most notably Roberto Luongo, who has started 12 of 15) have outperformed their counterparts at the other end of the rink almost every night.  On a save percentage basis, they’ve outdueled the opposition netminder 11 times in 15 games.  Luongo, in particular, has amassed an unbeatable .935 save percentage during this time. 

But it’s also the Canucks’ sudden brilliance in overtime and, to a greater extent, the shootout that is carrying them right now.  And while you can’t blame the Canucks for the gimmicky methods the NHL employs to allocate points (to both winners and losers of regulation ties), come playoff time that all goes out the window. 

If the NHL kept its math like it used to, the Canucks` 10-2-3 run would instead look like 3-2-10 (barely a .500 record).  So which record is a better barometer of the Canucks’ play in recent weeks?  Don’t ask Gary Bettman.

And don’t ask any of the Canucks’ brass either since there’s no arguing with success.  But during this recent run, only a small handful of players have played at a level that will be adequate come playoff time. 

David Booth, seemingly fearless despite his recent injury, has amassed an impressive 10 points in 12 games since returning and is making his GM look good.

Fresh from his all-star outing, Alex Edler has also been a large factor in the Canucks’ recent unlikely success, notching 10 points in the 15 game run as well as emerging as a shootout threat.

At five on five play, Henrik Sedin and Cody Hodgson lead the team with 7 points in 15 games, indicating how much Hank is struggling and how much respect Cody Hodgson is not getting.  Hodgson has earned this distinction despite playing 7 or 8 minutes less per night than Henrik or Ryan Kesler and with little power play time.  Stated otherwise, his 5 on 5 point scoring rate is nearly double that of either of those players.  And we’re not even going to mention how many shootout goals he’s scored this season.

But, most nights, he still finds himself in the dogbox of Alain Vigneault.  In recent games, he’s been between AHL grinder Mike Duco and extreme agitator Maxim Lapierre.  Yes, the synergies of those two combined with the thoughtful play of Hodgson are unlimited.  Good lord.  Oh yeah, the one-dimensional-recovering-from-a-serious eye-injury Manny Malhotra has more ice time this season than the NHL rookie-of-the-year candidate Hodgson.

It is tough to tell what Hodgson’s role is on this team in the short term.  If he were to be trade deadline bait, you might think GM Mike Gillis might insist he play more to inflate his value.  If he stays (which we think he will), come playoff time, it’s hard to see how he’ll respond to a checking role that is usually required for a third or fourth line spot.  But not playing him more in an offensive role could hurt the Canucks’ chances.  Perhaps a spot on the second line is where he really needs to be?  A contemplation for another day.

In the end, we’re used to the Canucks playing poorly at this time of the season.  Throughout their 41 years, the February swoon has been damn predicable.  Of course, these days are different.  In this era, the Canucks are simply good enough to succeed without playing to their potential.  And as much as that’s a good (if not different) thing, they must be able to elevate their game when it really matters. 

We can only imagine after a pedal-to-the-metal recording breaking regular season was met with Stanley Cup Final heartbreak that this team is simply saving it for later.  And right now, it seems like a good strategy.  As always, time will tell.

12:24pm
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(Notes: 2)
  
Filed under: Vancouver Canucks Gary Bettman Roberto Luongo Alex Edler Henrik Sedin Cody Hodgson Ryan Kesler Alain Vigneault Mike Duco Maxim Lapierre MannyMalhotra Mike Gillis