Bring On The Hawks

Another year, another showdown with the Hawks.

For a third consecutive post-season, the two Western Conference rivals will have to battle each other in order to move on in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The difference this year, however, is that they are meeting in the first round, as opposed to the second round like in years past. Different round, same goal. But will this year be any different?

Sure, the Canucks are a much different team than they have been the last two seasons, but are the Blackhawks still in their heads? Can they overcome the haunting memories of how immature and inferior Chicago made them look last year? Are proven playoff warriors like Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith going to step it up in the second season like they have in the past and prove too much to handle for Vancouver?

These are all valid questions.

On the other hand, Chicago has obviously lost a lot of depth this year and don't have the likes of Canuck killer Dustin Byfuglien and Ryan Kesler's key agitator Andrew Ladd in their lineup. They squeaked into the playoffs on the last game of the season (with help) and aren't necessarily playing their best hockey of the season right now.

Or, will the fact that the Hawks have been essentially playing playoff hockey for the last two weeks while the Canucks have been coasting to a seemingly easy President's Trophy mean that Chicago will be more prepared for the war that ensues?

I can't answer these questions, only time can.

I can tell you this, though. This year's version of the Vancouver Canucks seem to be a much different, better team. Despite suffering massive injuries to almost every key defensemen throughout the year, the Canucks managed to allow the fewest goals against this season. They dressed 13 defensemen this year - far more than any other team had to - and they used many of them for long periods of time. Vancouver's game on Saturday against the Calgary Flames (a 3-2 OT win in case any of you Flames fans out there forgot) marked the first game all season that the Canucks had their top six defensemen in the lineup. When healthy, the Vancouver defense is better than any other defensive corps in the league on paper. Regardless of which pairing is on the ice, you can feel comfortable knowing that there will always be two steady, veteran defensemen out there.

Edler Ehrhoff
Hamhuis Bieksa
Ballard Salo


Not only did they lead the league in goals against, they also led the NHL in goals for and have three of the most lethal players in the league in the Sedins and Kesler. These are the guys that need to prove themselves in the playoffs though, as their past performances have left something to be desired. If they can continue to produce the way they did in the regular season, and they can get some secondary scoring throughout the bottom six, the Canucks should have no problem scoring goals.

And maybe the biggest difference between last year's team and this year's team is the play of Vezina candidate Roberto Luongo. Luongo has been a different goalie this year and with help from goalie coach Rollie Melanson and the erased pressure of being the captain, he should most certainly be better this time around. Heck, he doesn't have to deal with big Dustin Bufflin' this year either.

There just seems to be this air of maturity and confidence in this team that we haven't seen in the past. The consistency of their play all year and how they never seemed to take the pedal off the gas (save for the little hiccups with the Oilers last week)proves that they are a more determined bunch this season. In year's past, we would have lost some of those meaningless games towards the end of the season while this year, they are just straight business.

Could this be the year?

But let's not forget, the Blackhawks are still a very dangerous team. They know how to win and what it takes to endure a deep playoff run. This is not a team to take lightly. Their top 6 forwards and defense are as good as anyone's and Corey Crawford has been solid between the pipes all season long. Despite some significant losses from last year's roster, they still have Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa. All of these guys are seriously lethal and they all have good playoff resumes. Throw in a solid defense led by Keith, Brent Seabrook and Brian Campbell and Chicago's lineup is still in the upper echelon of the league. An underachieving team making the playoffs on the last day of the season can be a dangerous matchup for anyone, just see the Philadelphia Flyers of last year.

Will the Blackhawks be this year's version of that Philly team?

Expect some fireworks people, and getcha' popcorn ready. I'll have your answers within the next two weeks.

Canucks trade Darcy Hordichuk to Florida

As promised, Mike Gillis tried - and was successful in finding Darcy Hordichuk a place to play in the NHL. On Wednesday, the Canucks announced they traded the veteran winger to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Andrew Peters.

Peters, a legit NHL enforcer, had already cleared waivers in Florida, so he can be assigned to the minors without clearing waivers again. This means he has already been assigned to Manitoba, and will not be on the Canucks opening night roster.

The addition of Peters gives Vancouver a legit heavyweight enforcer who can be recalled from Manitoba without having to go on re-entry waivers. Peters is on a 2-way contract in which his NHL salary is the league minimum $500,000. Because he already cleared waivers this year, he can be sent up and down at will, without going back on waivers. This allows the Canucks to call him up if they feel the need to dress an enforcer for a game, and can send him down againt right after.

All the latest Canuck news....

Shane O'Brien cleared waivers, but General Manager Mike Gills was able to trade him, along with prospect Dan Gendur to the Nashville Predators, for young defenseman Ryan Parent, and 29 year old journeyman forward Jonas Anderson.

Vancouver then instantly placed Parent on waivers in order to clear a roster spot in which the Canucks are expected to sign Peter Schaefer.

Parent, a former 1st round pick of the Predators in 2005, played much of last year with the Philadelphia Flyers, including 17 playoff games in last year's epic Stanley Cup Finals run. He is considered a work in progress, but could be a serviceable defenseman in the near future.

Anderson, 29, played last year in the KHL (Russia's pro league) where he registered 20 points in 30 games.

Brendan Morrison signed a one year deal with the Calgary Flames Monday after the former Canuck was released from his tryout with Vancouver after the two sides couldn't agree on a contract.

Darcy Hordichuk also cleared waivers but is not expected to report to Manitoba, and Mike Gillis has mentioned that he is trying to work out a deal that would keep the long-time NHL vet in the big leagues. It could be a tough task considering Hordichuk doesn't bring much to the table these days.

Canucks put Shane O'Brien and Darcy Hordichuk on waivers

With the Canucks preseason officially over, GM Mike Gillis began his quest of forming his team's opening night roster; a roster which likely won't include both Shane O'Brien and Darcy Hordichuk. The two veterans were placed on waivers early Saturday morning, meaning all other 29 teams will have a chance to claim either player within 48 hours.

If they get claimed, the team that claims them will take on their contract outright, and if they don't get claimed, they will get assigned to Vancouver's AHL affiliate in Manitoba. If they go unclaimed and get sent to Manitoba, the Canucks will have to pay them their full salary, but their salary will not go towards Vancouver's salary cap.

O'Brien, I would imagine, has a good chance of getting claimed as many NHL teams are looking for depth on defense. He has the tools to be an effective NHL defenseman, but his off-ice antics (apparently he enjoys his booze), and his questionable attitude (has publically called out his coach and GM), along with his very average preseason play have made him the odd man out in Vancouver.

His inevitable departure means the Canucks will keep both Andrew Alberts and Aaron Rome as the team's 6th and 7th defenseman heading into the regular season.

Hordichuk will likely go unclaimed, unless there's a team out there looking for a below-average enforcer with zero puck skills. He will most likely get assigned to Manitoba, or loaned to Europe or another league.

The Canucks still have a number of roster decisions to make, including whether to keep Cody Hodgson on the roster or send him to Manitoba to get some seasoning.

Brendan Morrison and Peter Schaefer are both on tryouts, and a decision will have to be made whether to sign them or let them walk as free agents.

Also, Jeff Tambellini, Victor Oreskovich, Guillaume Desbiens, Alexander Bolduc and Joel Perrault are all still in the mix fighting for one or two spots on the 4th line. Expect Vancouver to announce their decisions in the coming days.

The Canucks don't start their regular season until next Saturday (Oct.9th), but will likely name their opening night roster sooner than later.

Stay tuned to Canuck City for all the latest news and roster decisions.

What To Do Without Burrows?

The Canucks head into the 2010-2011 NHL season with high expectations and are coming off a year where they were the second highest scoring team in the league overall and the best offensive team in the Western Conference. Naturally, since the Canucks have added some forward depth during the off-season, most fans would expect this team to replicate that without any problems.

Not so fast, for the first month to two months of the season the Canucks will be without Alex Burrows who scored 35 goals last year and who leaves a hole in the Canucks top 6 forward group where the Canucks will need someone to step up and fill in until Burrows returns.

With all the talk surrounding the Canucks bottom six forward training camp battles, there is an interesting situation that top 6 fill in candidates Raffi Torres, Cody Hodgson, Jannik Hansen, Jordan Schroeder, and Sergei Shirokov find themselves in. Without Burrows offense and chemistry to open the season, one of the above mentioned forwards has an opportunity to jump onto the top two lines and be productive, but who will it be?

Jannik Hansen is coming off a year with 9 goals, whereas Raffi Torres had a great first half of the season but ended his campaign in Buffalo where he was MIA in the offensive attack for the Sabres. Cody Hodgson and Jordan Schroeder have an opportunity, but they're both young and need to make the team, let alone make the top 6 forward group.

Sergei Shirokov is an intriguing option as he is expected to suit up alongside the Sedin twins in upcoming Pre-Season action and will be given a look to start the season riding shotgun with two of the NHL's best offensive forwards.

Burrows, meanwhile, is coming off successful shoulder surgery and without full contact practices right now is still a month to two months away, without considering the time he'll need to make an impact jumping into the NHL season that has already been in full swing for 6 - 8 weeks. With Daniel, Henrik, Samuelsson, Kesler, and Raymond, goal scoring shouldn't be a major issue for this Canucks bunch, but taking it for granted could cost the Canucks some early points in the standings.

Brendan Morrison Gets Canucks Training Camp Tryout

Former Vancouver Canuck Brendan Morrison has agreed to a professional tryout and will attend the organizations training camp in Penticton which kicks off on Saturday. The BC native has seen his role diminish in recent years, but the Canucks are hoping that he can be a solid bottom six contributor and a character teammate.

That's if he makes the team of course. Right now, the Canucks have a few spots open in the bottom six forward group, and since Alex Burrows will miss part of the beginning of the season after successful shoulder surgery, someone will need to step up into the top 6 forward group for the time being, creating another available spot in the bottom two lines.

The Canucks play their first Pre-Season game as a split squad set of games, one in Calgary and one in Vancouver, both on September 21st at 7PM Pacific.

Roberto Luongo Steps Down As Canucks Captain

The Vancouver Canucks announced on Monday that Roberto Luongo has relinquished his captaincy, and the team will be looking for his replacement for the upcoming season. There was much speculation about this issue, and the announcement comes as little surprise to anyone in Vancouver as the rumours have been flying for a couple of months already.

Early speculation has Henrik Sedin, the NHL's leading scorer and MVP last season, as the most likely replacement, but Mike Gillis has stated that the team will not rush into any decisions. Ryan Kesler is another option, but many people feel he is not quite ready to accept a responsibility of that magnitude. Heading into the season without a captain is also a possibility for the Canucks, but Gillis did mention that he expects to make a final decision before the start of the regular season.

“Roberto has been an excellent captain for our team the past two seasons,” Gillis said in a statement. “We respect and support his decision to relinquish the captaincy and are confident that he will continue to help lead our team through his tremendous character and work ethic both on and off of the ice.”

The Canucks goalie was an anomaly, as a captain being a goaltender hasn't been done in the modern era.

Rumour has it that the responsibility of dealing with the media pre and post game was a bit too much to handle for Luongo, and a goalie being the spokesman for the team often made it sound like he was throwing his teammates under the bus.

According to Gillis and Luongo, it was the former captain's decision to step down, as opposed to management asking him to, which has been rumoured around town.

"I am honoured to have served as captain of the Vancouver Canucks for the past two seasons," Luongo said. "Being captain in a Canadian city for a team with such passionate fans is a privilege and an experience I will always take pride in. I will continue to be a leader on this team and support my teammates the same way I always have while focusing on our ultimate goal."

Expect Luongo to bounce back from a poor season (by his standards) with the pressure of being captain off his shoulders. Luongo was well-known for his game day preperation and often quirky superstitions which, before being named captain, included not talking to the media on game days.