'Nucks IceMan

This has been an interesting 30 games in as much as the Canucks are in fourth place in the Conference with a 18W-8L-4OTL-2OTL record but have played anywhere from two to three games fewer than Detroit, Dallas and Colorado, who are 1, 2 and 3 in the West.

The first 30 games have seen the Canucks with breaks from three to six days and some weeks playing only one game, so rest and practice have been common occurrences.

But this article is about the top five Canucks that have shone brightly or added to the team’s performance through this period.

The number one player is not hard to pick out as Ryan Kesler, since his slow start in October, has been the Canucks best player on a nightly basis. Gone is the yapping at the opposition, now replaced by a consistent hard working style of play. That’s not to say Kesler wasn’t hard working before; it’s that he brings it every night now.

Along with that has been his will to lead and compete on the road, where he had problems before.

Kesler leads or is near the top in many of the team stats. He is tied with Alex Edler for +/- with a plus nine, 26 takeaways is tops, sixth in Hits, fourth in blocked shots, second in power play goals (6), third on the team in points with 25 (15G, 10A), tied with two others for GWG (3) and second behind Manny Malhotra in face-off percentage.

Although he is an alternate captain, his play is more indicative of a leader who would have the “C”. I’m not sure if any of Kesler’s play had anything to do with him being overlooked as the captain. It was well known through the Vancouver media that Kesler was a strong consideration along with Henrik Sedin, who was finally chosen to be the Canucks Captain.

Whatever his motivation happens to be, it has benefited the Canucks on and off the ice with a more mature Kesler who looks to be the MVP on the team.

Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin

Two and Three – This next take on the Sedins is going to sound like a contradiction but hang in there and I will explain later.

Daniel and Henrik are one/two in points as they have been for a number of seasons (4). Never mind on the team, in the NHL Daniel is tied for fifth in points with 38, tied for fifth in goals with 16, second in PPG (8), and tied for second in PPP with 16.

Henrik in the NHL is sixth in points, leads in assists with 31 and is tied for third in PPA (11).

So why do I have this feeling that they are not the dominant players they were last season? Maybe it’s because I have only seen their dominance a couple of times this year, and the last one was in Edmonton when they had the puck most of the night as if it was taped to their sticks.

Is it because the opposition has studied them so thoroughly that all their moves and space have been taken from them? The Sedins used to put on a clinic on puck possession but these days it seems missing. I can understand the shutdown aspect on the road but not at home with last change.

Somehow I believe their uncanny creativity will evolve into something else, as the Sedins figure out how to beat the oppositions’ stifling checks.

Manny Malhotra

 Four – Manny Malhotra (5G, 9A). The Canucks knew that they had to build a third line from the centre out, and after trying unsuccessfully to land Malhotra last season, they finally reeled him in off the free agent market. Canucks GM Mike Gillis was fully aware of the skills Malhotra possessed and he not only liked his grit, hard work, playmaking ability, penalty kill and leadership but coveted his face-off expertise. 

I repeat this from some earlier articles but it is no coincidence that the Canucks are fifth in the NHL in the penalty kill since Malhotra’s arrival.

You need not look any further than Malhotra’s 62.7% in the face-off circle, which at the time of this writing was tied for first in the NHL. When you have Malhotra and Kesler (7^th) leading in that category, it kills a number of valuable seconds during the PK when you start out with the puck.

The Canucks have built a third line around the cornerstone Malhotra, adding Raffi Torres and a variety of third line wingers. His leadership skills are emphasized by the “A” he wears at times and you know he will prove invaluable come play-off time.

Number Five – Alex Edler. I was wondering when this player was going to have a break out year and I think we are observing the quiet metamorphosis in his fifth season. Leading all the D-men in many areas such as: blocked shots (64), points (2G, 18A), PPA (9), tied for +/- with Kesler with a plus nine, Edler has gone about proving to Canucks management that their high expectations of him were not misplaced.

If and when Sami Salo returns, don’t be surprised to see Edler playing along side of him as the number one shutdown pair.

Canucks - Alex Edler with Hawks - Patrick Sharp

What has really stood out this season is Edler’s physical play. Now he may not catch your eye like Andrew Alberts does with his check, but Edler is using his body more to take out the opposition, instead of those stick checks that used to place him out of position.

Next time you watch Edler, notice how he pinches the player coming down the wing or in the corner by leaning into him with his frame .

Is Edler Norris Trophy candidate material yet? Maybe not at this point in the season but you never know what will take place as his confidence and ice time escalates. Watch for him to improve further as the season goes on.

To catch all the news, updates and new articles as they occur, along with the Canucks farm team the Manitoba Moose, you can follow me @twitter.com/nucksiceman.com and @communities.canada.com/VANCOUVERSUN/blogs/fanattic/default.aspx

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