Posted on April 30th, 2013 by Larry "The Nucks IceMan" Johnson
You can throw all the stats for the season out the window because in the play-offs anything can happen and the Canucks can attest to that. Since the 2006-07 season Coach Alain Vigneault has only coached the team past the second round once, and that was 2010-11, which seems like light years ago. In that same time frame (since 2006-07) the Canucks have won their Division six times and the Presidents’ Trophy twice.
So what is the expectation for these play-offs and in particular the opening round against the San Jose Sharks? Well Canucks Captain, Henrik Sedin said yesterday that it would be similar to past play-offs in that the special teams would be a deciding factor. Okay, but if we can’t use the fact that the Canucks power-play finished 22nd and San Jose’s seventh, and the penalty-kill, Canucks – 8th, Sharks – 7th, then how do we measure Henrik’s statement? Read more »
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Posted on April 24th, 2013 by Larry "The Nucks IceMan" Johnson
There’s never a dull day in the season, albeit a shorten one, following the Vancouver Canucks hockey team. Today, we find out that Canucks goaltender Cory Schneider will not start tomorrow night because of an undisclosed injury.
Now the only incident that I remember in the Chicago game, was when he seemed to strike his head in a goal mouth collision but he continued on to play the remainder of the game. So I would have to assume that he did not pick up a concussion. But that doesn’t mean the symptoms couldn’t surface later on, as it did with Toronto’s Joffrey Lupul. Read more »
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Posted on April 5th, 2013 by Larry "The Nucks IceMan" Johnson
After trying to build the Canucks after the Wings, which got old really quick when the bigger and more physical teams started winning Stanley Cup’s (Kings, Bruins, Blackhawks), the Canucks are no further ahead then when they started. While the rest of league caught on, Canucks GM Mike Gillis never adjusted to that play-off makeup and the Canucks are still not built for the play-offs. Not big enough, tough enough or have the right mix of players to withstand the physical play that is demanded.
Alex Edler will never be the Norris Trophy candidate that they need, Sedins are not play-off guys, nor Mason Raymond, or small centres like Derek Roy or Andrew Ebbett. For example, Roy against San Jose’s Thornton is such a mismatch it’s not even funny. Read more »
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Posted on March 27th, 2013 by Larry "The Nucks IceMan" Johnson
Canucks’ – Sedins
Even with all the talent and skill Henrik and Daniel Sedin possess, the one flaw has always been their lack of speed. Yes they have adapted from the days when they first came into the league and their game relied more on strength, with all the clutching and holding, and they carried more weight. But now the game has so much speed, is this area causing them problems in their production on the ice?
First of all, when was the last time that either of them were not amongst the NHL’s top 20 in points? That would be 2007-08. Even their point per game totals are in jeopardy. Henrik as not been below that number since the 2008-09 season and Daniel the same, if you discount the 10 games he missed due to injury in 2011-12. Read more »
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Posted on March 25th, 2013 by Larry "The Nucks IceMan" Johnson
With the trade deadline only nine days away, the rash of injuries the Canucks have had, and the need for a third line centre, will management look at some UFA players to fill that void? Now this may mean just renting one of these players for the remainder of the regular and post-season, but there’s no use waiting till next season.
Before I get to these players, and I’ve based them on teams that will most likely be out of the play-off hunt, what would the Canucks be willing to give up? Most likely we’re talking about late draft round picks and with the recent lack of depth on the farm team anyways via the draft, GM Mike Gillis might as well go for broke. Heck, when this version of the Canucks expires, it will be re-building anyways, but let’s not go there now. Read more »
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Posted on March 22nd, 2013 by Larry "The Nucks IceMan" Johnson
Usually the experience following the Vancouver Canucks is like being on a roller coaster. If any of you have ever been on the roller coaster at the PNE Playland, you’ll know exactly what I mean.
The first part is the long climb up and then it’s curves, plunging straight down where you think you’ll come out of your seat and the rest of the excitement. This season that roller coaster ride, except for that early winning run, has been like riding a plateau with no change. In other words mediocre. Read more »
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