Katie Maximick

Ask Katie about the Canucks: November 22, 2010 Edition

Nov 222010

[Every Monday, Katie Maximick takes your questions and gives her take on the Canucks in her own cantankerous style. If you have any questions about the Canucks, send it to her via Twitter (@canucksgirl44)]

After three losses in a row, Canucks fans are frustrated and embarrassed, wondering what’s going on with their favourite team and it’s a fair question. After Sunday’s 3-2 loss to the Coyotes, the Canucks slipped from top spot in the Northwest Division to be replaced by the Avalanche. Vancouver’s last 10 games sits at a dismal 5-4-1 and the Sedins are pointless for two games in a row for the first time this season.

Some are wondering when the team is going to get back from their eastern road trip.

Perhaps the lowlight of the week was the 7-1 thrashing by Vancouver’s rival, the Chicago Blackhawks. The entire team played atrociously, hanging both goaltenders out to dry with no offensive or defensive assistance. Even Samuelsson’s goal didn’t do much except for deny the Hawks the satisfaction of a shutout.

Donna (@DonnatheGreat) asks: “WHAT THE EFF WAS THAT??!!”

Valid question, Donna. What the eff was that indeed. Despite UFC blaring on all speakers and all surrounding TVs, bloggers at Saturday’s Tweetup were stunned into a drunken stupour, unable to look away from the trainwreck that was this game. No amount of sweaty naked men could distract Canucks fans from watching the disaster unfold. It was atrocious. Our $22 million blueline might as well sat down and tweeted from their blackberries – they were invisible anyway. If they weren’t invisible, they were assisting the other team’s goals (like Kevin Bieksa, who if I recall correctly, assisted in three, possibly four, of the seven Blackhawks goals). And offense? What offense? Where were the Sedins when we needed them? Donna, I think the answer to your question is: an epic fail.

So what to do? Where do Canucks fans turn to and release their wrath? (They always need one of these). Is it Luongo, who makes $10 million a year right now, or is he off the hook because despite four goals against Friday night, he wasn’t at fault for any of those goals and was the only one trying? Is it the Sedins who’ve decided to take an extended mental stay in Ottawa?

We could always blame Bieksa, but he’s always been a detriment, so this isn’t news, nor is it surprising. (He’s slipped from +5 to +2, by the way.)

Justine (@aviewfromabroad) speaks for many fans when she asks: “When does management tighten the leash on Alain Vigneault’s neck, or will they, and should they?”

If management is ever going to give Vigneault crap for his team’s performance, it seems that now would be a good time to do so. His team is undisciplined, their play is inconsistent and considering the ridiculous amount of talent on Vancouver’s roster, this shouldn’t be the outcome. As Henrik Sedin told The Province, what separates a good team from a great team is that a great team rarely ever loses two games in a row.

The Canucks have lost two games in a row twice in 10 games.

Will management call out Vigneault? Probably not, but the Aquilinis might.

Should they? Yes. Remember – AV has never taken a hockey team past the second round of the playoffs. When does management stop blaming individual players or lines and start criticizing the puppetmaster behind the bench? When’s enough enough? I find it very, very hard to believe that a team with this much talent could be struggling; that a team projected to win the Stanley Cup can look like a second-rate hockey club.

Something needs to be shaken up. And it’s not the roster. There’s nothing wrong with the roster. It’s something else, and thus it’s a simple process of elimination. If the team isn’t the problem, what is?

Here’s a hint – chewing gum with your arms crossed is not coaching.

Ask Katie about the Canucks: November 15, 2010 Edition

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Nov 152010

Photo credit: zimbio.com

With two more games remaining in their eastern road trip, the Canucks are heading to Buffalo, NY with a lot of confidence, boasting 11 goals in the last two games and winning two out of the three road games.

That being said, the fan base is not boasting about the state of the Canucks’ blueline at the moment. Even though the team is tenth in the league in the penalty-kill, the number of noticeable bad penalties and turnovers being made by Vancouver’s defencemen is making many fans cringe.

On top of that, Ballard is still sitting, and talks of extending Ehrhoff’s contract have reached a stalemate between GM Mike Gillis and Ehrhoff’s agent, Rick Curran, despite Ehrhoff being one of Vancouver’s best on the blueline.

Many fans are wondering what’s going on.

Darrin (@DTIslandSales) asked, “With the current play of the Canucks’ defence, what should they do with Keith Ballard?”

Well as we all know, Ballard has been a healthy scratch for the entire eastern road trip so far. When Vigneault decided to send the defenceman to the press box, Ballard was sitting at -3 with zero points, pretty dismal if you ask me.

But then again, Ryan Parent (D) is also at -3 with zero points.

Is Ballard being punished because he’s considered a veteran – an expensive one – and thus should know better than someone like Parent? Or is Vigneault playing favourites?

Fans are quick to assume the latter, calling AV out for being a Francophile, and what they consider to be an odd love affair with Kevin Bieksa (who is actually at +5 right now, tied for best +/- with Malhotra). Others were saying that Ballard’s size, speed and defensive style is exactly what Vancouver needed when they were shut out in Montreal on Tuesday.

I would ask Vigneault what he has to lose by playing Ballard for a game or two and seeing what happens. After all, hasn’t Ballard learned his lesson, having to be a healthy scratch for the entire eastern road trip so far? One would think that he’s probably made a vow to play better as soon as he’s allowed to hit the ice. Whenever that is. God knows Vigneault’s a sucker for punishing people, but I think three games is enough.

As for talks with Ehrhoff coming to a stall regarding a contract extension, there’s no huge hurry to sign the German defenceman, but it would give Canuck Nation a bit of security to know that he’s locked in for a few more years.

There’s speculation that agent Curran is seeking a contract between $4 million to $5 million per season – Ehrhoff can probably get that much in the open market – but is that a little much for a defenceman in the new NHL, or is that how valuable #5 has become in Vancouver?

What do the fans think?

Ask Katie about the Canucks: November 8, 2010 Edition

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Nov 082010

[Every Monday, Katie Maximick takes your questions and answers them in her own cantankerous style. If you have any questions about the Canucks, send it to her via Twitter (@canucksgirl44)]

Vancouver Canucks beat Los Angeles Kings, 2010 Playoffs

In this week’s edition of “Ask Katie about the Canucks”, Katie Maximick responds to your questions on player surprises and lineup changes, and looks ahead to the playoffs. (We know it’s only November, but hey, we’re allowed to get overexcited sometimes.)

Kayli (@KayliDiebel93) asks: Who is your favourite current Canucks player?

Katie: I would have to say, like 90% of Canucks fans right now, Manny Malhotra. He’s a beast. Amazing faceoff statistics, great SHG chances, scoring ability, and veteran leadership. Who wouldn’t love Manny? But I’d still get a new Kesler jersey over a Malhotra – loyalties, after all, lol. Kesler was here first.

Calvin asks: From the opponents we played so far, who would be the toughest first round opponent?

Katie: I think the LA Kings. They’re getting a lot of hype, and for good reason, with Kopitar, Brown, Smyth, Doughty and even our former D-man Willie Mitchell and a pretty good goalie. They’re going to be really dangerous this year, and if Vancouver can avoid them in the playoffs at all cost, the better. Let’s hope that someone else can take them out first before the Canucks have to face them because it’s not going to be easy.

Thomas asks: Do you think Torres can be the Burrows from last year and put up 35-40 goals?

Katie: If he keeps his recent play up, I think so, yes. He plays with a lot of heart, grit and drive, and a lot of Canucks fans are hoping that this will be his consistent style rather than a streak that will burn out or fade away. But wouldn’t it be better to have both Burrows and Torres scoring 30+ goals each this season? Talk about offensive depth. I gotta say, I’m liking Torres killing other teams for once. Nice to have him on our side!

Todd (@Toddske) asks: When Hamhuis returns, who will be bumped? Rome or Alberts?

Katie: Rome, hands down. He seems really slow out there on the ice and has been pretty much invisible. Alberts, on the other hand, has been using his size out there, finishing checks, making big hits and is at least TRYING to stay out of the penalty box so far.

Andrew asks: The West Conference is looking extremely competitive as always with 9 teams within 5 points of each other after approx. 13 games played. What are your thoughts on the Canucks success, and what will be the key factor(s) that will take them into the playoffs?

Katie: Not since the West Coast Express era has the Canucks had this much depth, which is why Vancouver is practically trembling in anticipation to see what this season brings (hopefully a Cup, obviously). I think the potential is there, but it’s been there before and we still don’t have a Cup in this city (aside from the Millionaires). First of all we need to stay healthy, although that’s hard to guarantee. We’re already having issues. Last year our injuries killed us in the playoffs, in addition to Burrows and Kesler playing injured. Second, we need solid goaltending. We’re still waiting to see Luongo at his best, but at least we have consistent and stellar backup goaltending with Cory Schneider. Third, offensive consistency. Vancouver has a few players that tend to disappear during the playoffs (the Sedins are the worst at this, but not quite so bad last playoffs) and others who get taken out by our first issue, injuries.

Steve asks: Taking off from Andrew’s question, I am wondering what strategies during the regular season will help them when they are in the playoffs. Last season they seem to fade as the playoffs progressed, as they did the year before.

Katie: Maybe look to the coach? Don’t sit on leads then have to fight back in the third period as result (typical of AV’s defensive style of play) and use timeouts and your backup goalie when the team is struggling. Don’t keep players out there just to punish them and prove your point. Get them off the ice and give someone else the opportunity to help the team. I hope that if Luongo does blow a tired during the playoffs again, that both Lu and Vigneault will be comfortable and confident enough to put in Schneider to help the team get to that next step. I’m not saying count Lu out, I’m just implying that having Schneider in for a game or two during the playoffs would boost the team’s confidence a bit if Luongo is struggling.

We could always just fire Vigneault and solve most of these problems. Just a suggestion for MG to mull over…

Ask Katie about the Canucks: November 2, 2010 Edition

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Nov 022010

[Every Monday, Katie Maximick takes your questions and answers them in her own cantankerous style. If you have any questions about the Canucks, send it to her via Twitter (@canucksgirl44)]

A day late but still entertaining, Katie responds to your questions on Bobby Lou’s first shutout of the season, Kirk McLean’s induction to the Canucks’ Ring of Honour, volunteering at Canuck Place, and Canucks movies, costumes, and goal songs.

Stephanie (@axeguitar) asks: What do you think of the Canucks’ current goal song? If it were to change, what would you pick? And what movies would represent each Canuck player? Sedins, Lu, Kes, Burrows, etc?

Katie: The Green Day song? I don’t care for it, but it’s not the WORST song in the world. That being said, it could be better and I know a lot of fans want a new goal song. Maybe something by Muse, like “Uprising” or “Stockholm Syndrome”.

Some Canucks movies:

The Sedins – Twins (Arnold & DeVito)
Luongo – The Italian (foreign flick)
Kesler – The American (Clooney)
Burrows – The Comeback Kid (1980)

Simon asks: Why does Kirk McLean get on the Ring of Honour? What did he ever do?

Katie: This, people, is coming from a Leafs fan. Should I bother answering it? Haha sure, the team didn’t win a Cup with McLean, but they got to the Finals with him in net. He was named to two NHL all-star games AND has recently opened a restaurant in Gastown! McLean is one of the most iconic figures in Canucks history, and fans feel like if we can’t retire his jersey, we have to honour him somehow, which is why the Canucks started the Ring of Honour this year. Let me ask you Leafs fans a question – will Dion Phaneuf be honoured by the Leafs any time soon? Oh wait, he’s been getting booed over there in Toronto. Yeah, that’s what I thought.

Al asks: What kind of costumes should the Canucks wear for Halloween?

Katie: Haha, as I posted on Twitter, I thought Salo should have gone as Frankenstein’s monster (for those who know that Frankenstein was the doctor, not the creature), because he has too many replaced parts. Kesler could’ve gone as a giant, cardboard NHL 2K11 game since that’s all he promoted all summer, and Manny Malhotra could have gone as Richard Loat (aka @mozy19) since they’re apparently brothers from another mother.

Mark (@marktgledhill) asks: Do you feel that Bobby Lou’s first shutout of the year will help the team to play better in front of him?

Katie: You know it’s officially November when Luongo gets a shutout on the first day of the month, especially up against another star goaltender in Martin Brodeur. I think it’s pretty self-explanatory that when Luongo plays well (or any goalie for that matter), the team in front of him plays with more confidence and thus improves the team’s all-around performance. I think, more importantly, Luongo’s shutout will give HIM more confidence, and the kind of boost he needs to raise him to his all-star standards this season. If the Canucks are going to go on a long Cup run, they need Luongo to get into his groove early so that the team is firing on all pistons come April.

Krissy asks: How important do you think is it for the Canucks players to get involved with organizations like Canuck Place?

Katie: I think it’s very important to the community, to the team and to the children of Canuck Place to see the players come by and help carve pumpkins, or decorate, or just visit. The fact that so many Canucks spend a lot of time at Canuck Place shows you what kind of people we have playing for Vancouver, and how lucky we are to have them here. I believe it was Manny Malhotra who said that one of his reasons for choosing Vancouver was the team’s commitment to charity, which says a lot about the organization’s priorities and part in the community. I know that I’m proud to be a Canuck fan because of this.

Ask Katie about the Canucks: October 25, 2010 Edition

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Oct 252010

[Every Monday, Katie Maximick takes your questions and answers them in her own cantankerous style. If you have any questions about the Canucks, send it to her via Twitter (@canucksgirl44)]

In this week’s edition of “Ask Katie about the Canucks”, Katie responds to your questions on fan altercations, veteran leadership, secondary scoring, inconsistent play – *ahem Kevin Bieksa ahem* and the Canucks’ goaltending controversy waiting to happen.

Merina asks: Do you think that the NHL should implement a rule where arenas need to build protective barriers between fans and players as they come on and off the ice? Who’s responsible for fan/player issues: the player, the fan or the NHL?

Katie: I don’t think there are enough fan/player altercations in the NHL to enforce some sort of barrier regulation across the league. The Oilers’ arena, Rexall Place, has a large, retractable tube for the away team to get to and from the locker room, but it seems like it’s to protect them from thrown objects more than physical confrontations. Maybe if incidents begin to multiply they should look into it, but even when there is glass, it doesn’t always stop fans (ie. Tie Domi’s incident in the penalty box).

Who’s responsible? I do think that it’s up to the players to act professionally at all times, but that being said, fans who are in the vicinity of the player should also be respectful and/or smart enough to realize that players are still men, and men can have tempers. Just like Manny Malhotra said, I believe that once fans make any physical contact with a player FIRST, they have made themselves a part of the game. It should be common sense for both parties, and I don’t think the NHL has anything to do with individual actions.

Mark (@marktgledhill) asks: Do you think that the Canucks’ secondary scoring everyone is worried about is really such a big deal as it’s made out to be?

Katie: It’s still early and some players have yet to find their hands, to be honest. I’m not worried about it. Kesler now has two goals and we will see him start to take off from this point on, and Mason is slowly finding his groove again. Vigneault keeps juggling the lines, so I’m not sure who will fill in a permanent position with those two. We’ll have to wait and see, but it’s rather early for anyone to be panicking about, well – about anything, really. LOL.

Alia asks: why are the Canucks taking so many dumb penalties?

Katie: Two words: Kevin Bieksa

Michael (@rethcork) asks: Are there any trades that the Canucks could make that might “help” the team win?

Katie: See answer to above question.

Mike asks: The Canucks finally have a legitimate backup goalie. With the consistently inconsistent play of Luongo over the past couple seasons, how does management deal with this ‘Goalie Controversy’ that has barely even started to percolate? Do they play the hot hand with the risk of upsetting their keystone player? Giving our backup the nod in consecutive home starts, while leaving our star out to dry on the road, doesn’t seem like the most calculated strategy...

Katie: I don’t think there is much of a “goalie controversy” except among bandwagon fans or those who dislike Luongo. Everyone knows Luongo is the starter goalie, he’s making $10 mill this year, and Schneider is being trained to BECOME a starting goalie (not Vancouver’s). We also know it’s early and that Lu starts slow. That being said, Luongo’s had two bad games, but he also didn’t have the offence that Schneider had in his two starts. In both Schneider’s game the team had 5 or 6 goals each. Luongo had three as a total in both of his bad games. How can a team win with no goals? (That takes me back to our 2006 problem).

Do they play Schneider (the hot hand) over Luongo? No. As Vigneault said last week, Luongo is still their starter and is one of the best in the NHL and they’re standing by him.

Devon asks: Vancouver fans always have high expectations. This year we are looking deeper than ever. Are we missing anything or should we stay pat because Burrows will be back soon?

Katie: The Canucks do have what it takes to go all the way this year in terms of their roster. When our injured players come back, fans will see there isn’t much to worry about. Vigneault is still trying to find the right lines (as he always seems to be doing with his incessant juggling), and the young guns are still finding their wheels. Once lines are chosen and chemistry is built, the team will be great. Luongo will return to his all-star form and for once we’ll have a back-up goalie we can trust to fill in. The only thing that’s missing is shoot-out practice, which takes me to another thing that’s missing — good coaching, but that’s another story…

Andrew asks: Malholtra seems to be growing into his leadership role very smoothly. Having to already overcome obstacles inside the locker room and on the ice, and also being very comfortable in front of the camera after every game do you see the choice of Henrik giving Malholtra an “A”, a decision that will have a big impact on him and the team throughout the whole season?

Katie: I think it was an excellent idea, and great insight on Henrik’s part, to give Malhotra an A right off the bat. It says a lot for what other veteran players think of Malhotra, despite being new to the roster, and thus probably gave Malhotra a boost of confidence to start the season.

As a veteran, player and leader, Manny’s going to be a big part of the team’s success this season. He has immediately grown into a fan favourite, which isn’t typical this quickly for a new player on the Canucks, and says a lot for Vancouver. His face-off success is absolutely mind blowing and very important to the team’s play on the ice, and he’s really coming into his scoring, even on the third line. Getting Malhotra was the best move Gillis made in the off season. He deserves the A, and additions like him are another reason why the Canucks are surrounded by Cup buzz.

I’d like to say that this week’s “Ask Katie” has been very impressive in terms of intelligent, well-thought-out questions. Thanks, Canucks fans, for reinforcing the NHL players’ poll that named Canucks fans the most knowledgeable in the NHL. Great questions! – K.M.

Ask Katie about the Canucks: October 18, 2010 Edition

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Oct 182010

[Every Monday, Katie Maximick takes your questions and answers them in her own cantakerous style. If you have any questions about the Canucks, send it to her via Twitter (@canucksgirl44)]

In this week’s edition of “Ask Katie about the Canucks”, Katie talks about the shootout, shrugs off the Leafs, and picks the better ‘stache between Harold Snepsts and Dave Babych.

Ed asks: Is his change in technique making Luongo better in the game but worse during shootouts?

Katie: Honestly I think Luongo’s never been really strong in the shootout. His new goalie coach Roland Melanson has pushed Lu to adopt “t-pushes” to move side-to-side quicker, as well as getting Luongo to play deeper in the net. According to Melanson he’s trying to “put time into [Lu’s] hands — more time to read plays, more time to see the holes and be able to track the puck because he’s waiting for the play instead of chasing it.” Does that apply to what happened in the shootout against the Kings? Didn’t look like it. I think the problem here is that Vigneault refuses to practice the shootout and so Luongo doesn’t get the opportunity to practice the new techniques in one-on-one situations. Also there’s only been one shootout so far, so it’s hard to dissect Luongo’s technique.

Stephen asks: My roommate Ryan wants to know the following: “Why do they suck so bad for a team that’s supposed to be so good?” and “Do you think they’ll ever be as good as the Leafs?” He isn’t a great person.

Katie: First of all Stephen, you’re right. Your roommate isn’t a great person. You should probably kick him out and find a new roommate immediately. I’d suggest someone with a sense of reality.

Secondly, to answer Ryan’s questions — k wait. I can’t even finish this. I’m laughing too hard. Next!

Scott asks: How long do you think Mason Raymond will be on the team before they trade him?

Katie: I don’t think there’s any talk of Raymond getting traded, or management being unhappy with him. He had two goals last night against Carolina grabbing his 100^th career point, and he has his wheels early. Now if you said Kevin Bieksa, that’d be a totally different story! Despite CHB’s new slogan, I just can’t be nice to Bieksa.

Adam asks: Movember. Dave Babych or Harold Snepsts?

Katie: Amazingly both still have facial hair. I’d say Snepsts though, because he still has the ‘stache, wheras Babych has a full goatee now.

Jay asks: Are the Canucks trying to get “Coach V” fired?

Katie: I don’t think so. I wish they’d try harder if they were. Ha. Surprisingly Vigneault’s line juggling worked well last night against Carolina and the team played an all-around great game. If you’re referring to their not-so-excellent play for the first few games, I don’t think that was on purpose, although it’d be easier to have some sort of excuse like that.

@andz205 asks: Why is Kevin Bieksa still being rewarded with top line pairings with the way he’s been playing?

Katie: Because when Vigneault picks favourites, that’s just how it works and we all have to suffer for it (remember Pyatt on shootouts?). For some bizarre reason he thinks Bieksa is playing well enough for the top line right now, even if he’s not. Keep in mind that if Bieksa continues to play like garbage, he’ll probably be gone by Christmas. That seemed to be the deal when MG decided to keep him on this summer. Imagine: that’s $3.5 million the Canucks can have back in their pockets.

Ask Katie about the Canucks: October 11, 2010 Edition

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Oct 112010

[Every Monday, Katie Maximick takes your questions and answers them in her own cantakerous style. If you have any questions about the Canucks, send it to her via Twitter (@canucksgirl44)]

Canucks captain Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks

Photo credit: canucks.nhl.com

In this week’s edition of “Ask Katie Canucks about the Canucks”, Katie tackles questions from teacher Lisa VanDalfsen’s Grade 6 class at Promontory Heights Elementary Community School in Chilliwack.

Q: If the Sedin twins had to be separated which one would you keep and why?

Katie: Well now that Henrik Sedin has been named Captain, I guess we’d have to get rid of Daniel! Also, Henrik is clearly the better-looking of the two.

Q: When are the Canucks going to win the Stanley Cup?

Katie:I’ve been asking this question for many, many years. This year, however, the Canucks are the pick by the Hockey News to win the Stanley Cup! Let’s hope they’re right.

If you were the Canucks’ coach, what are the first three things you would do? (About what, I’m not sure where the kids were going here, but I’ll give it a go.)

Katie:1) Quit; 2) Give Pat Quinn my job; and 3) Move in with Taylor Pyatt.

Seriously though. I would practice shootouts. This is something Coach Vigneault chooses not to practice, but it’s clearly something he should work on with the team. I would also keep Samuelsson with the Sedins on the PP, instead of Kesler like he tried against the Kings.

Q: How do you choose the best captain?

Katie: I think a combination of leadership skills on and off the ice, skill, and respect from your teammates and community service are big factors in Vancouver when it comes to choosing the right captain. However, nowadays being able to deal with the media (especially in Vancouver) is a very important aspect to the Canucks organization, which is a big reason why Henrik Sedin got the C and Kesler didn’t.

Q: Sid or Ovi?

Katie: Crosby. That guy is all class. Even though Ovechkin is a very entertaining player, he acted like a spoiled child (no offence, kids) during the Olympics, and I lost a lot of respect for him.

What do you think was the single best play last season?

Katie: Probably Daniel Sedin’s between the legs goal against Calgary last April. In the playoffs, Luongo’s goal-line save against the LA Kings when he flipped on his stomach to swipe the puck out of the crease was also an INSANE play. Just an incredible thing to watch over-and-over again on Youtube.

Q: Who do you think is best goalie in the NHL?

Katie: I’m going to be biased here and say Luongo. Just because I can, and because I saw the old Luongo creeping back last game against the Kings. His confidence is returning without the pressure of being captain, and he has what it takes to lead this team to a Stanley Cup victory.

Ask Katie about the Canucks: October 4, 2010 Edition

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Oct 042010

[Every Monday, Katie Maximick takes your questions and answers them in her own cantakerous style. If you have any questions about the Canucks, send it to her via Twitter (@canucksgirl44)]

Photo credit: CBC

In this week’s edition of “Ask Katie About the Canucks”, Katie talks about breakouts and busts, cries about B-Mo, picks a new linemate for the Sedins, and picks a drinking buddy.

Lisa asks: “If you could choose any player in the NHL and put him on the Canucks, who would it be and who would you play him with?”

Katie: I bet every body would be jumping for Ovechkin, which might be the smart thing to do, but I have a feeling he wouldn’t exactly get a long with the quiet, humble Sedins on the top line. Crosby’s too obvious. That being said, I would go for someone like Jarome Iginla (I know, a Flame) or Vinnie Lecavalier. Both are classy guys with top-scoring abilities and seem to get along quite well with anyone they play with. The Sedins can make a star out of anyone (see: Carter, Anson) and so I would put Vinnie or Jarome with them and watch the scoring blow our minds.

Tara asks: “How do you think Morrison will do this season?”

Katie: *Bursts into tears and runs away*

Neil (@neilfg) asks: “Who will have the biggest breakout season, and who will have the biggest bust season?”

Katie: I’m hoping that Kesler just goes mental and scores 30-40 goals this year. He definitely has the potential to step up to that level. Really, many of the Canucks’ young guns have the ability to unleash a few beasts and have record-breaking seasons. I could see Samuelsson doing very well on the top line.

As for bust – ehhhh, I don’t want to predict that in case I jinx someone, but I’d be looking at a veteran, maybe Salo (a little predictable?), possibly Malhotra, since the Canucks have the tendency to take on older players who sh*t the bed once they put on a Canucks jersey (see: Messier, Mark and Demitra, Pavol). Although I can see someone like Bolduc being junk; however, I may or may not just have said that because I’m bitter over B-Mo.

Mark (@marktgledhill) asks: “How have you felt about Edler? Has he grown into a role of a top-level D-man or does he still need to grow?”

Katie: I honestly haven’t been Edler’s #1 fan, but he’s definitely improving every season. Last year he was a top-level D-man for the team, but with the additions of Hamhuis and Ballard this year, Edler might slip back in comparison. I hope not though. I hope Edler continues to improve. I will say one thing – I like his slapshot.

Steph (@axeguitar) asks: “Who would you most like to go drinking with, staff or player?”

I think Bieksa would be a riot (although we would eventually fight about his turnovers and dumb penalties). But wouldn’t it be more fun to see a quiet guy get hammered and come out of his shell? Like a Sedin or Salo? Samuelsson would be fun since he’d have my back at the bar, mostly because he’d tell everyone to go — well, you know — go find themselves.

Ask Katie About the Canucks: September 27, 2010 Edition

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Sep 272010

In this week’s edition of “Ask Katie About the Canucks”, Katie talks about expectations, Lou’s hair, Kes for Captain, Burrows’ replacement, Todd Bertuzzi and puck bunnies.

Trent (an Oilers fan) asks: With all this talk about the Canucks being the team to beat in the west this year, do you think this will hamper or help them in the season and playoffs? Also, what if anything is missing from their line-up to put them over the top?

Katie: Last year a lot of people predicted the Canucks to win the Cup early on, and I don’t think they (the team) ever really paid attention to it, so no, I don’t think the pressure will affect them this year either. I think their worst enemy is themselves. They have to get past the second round this season. Personally I think what we’re missing is a big power forward who stands in front of the other team’s goalie, like Holmstrom, although Malhotra might fill that a bit. It’s a gap we’ve had since Bertuzzi left that’s never really been filled. Also, Luongo’s going to have to be back in top form this season now that we have a stacked blue line. We need him to shut the door and play like his old self.

JC (@hirearc) asks: What do you think Roberto Luongo uses in his hair to keep it all shiny and Sicilian looking? And can you confirm you’re dating Andrew Alberts?

Katie: I think Dippity-Do or possibly Crisco. And no, I can’t confirm that – LOL. I haven’t even met the dude. Can we cyber date?

Ingela (@FoxxyCanuck) asks: Some #Canucks fans are saying Ryan Kesler hates Canada, and therefore should not be Captain of the Canucks. Is there any evidence to support this?

Katie: I think what these (delusional) fans are trying to get at is what Kesler said during the Olympics to rile people up, which was along the lines of “I hate Canada” when he actually meant TEAM Canada, not the country. He cleared that up right away, and Burrows backed him. I was mad as hell at Kesler during the Olympics for his mouth, but am clearly over it now that I want him for captain. Kes was just out to stir the pot and distract Team Canada, and it worked. We love it when he does this for the Canucks; fans should realize that it’s just a tactic of his, and it’s a useful tactic (see Burrows, Avery, Ruutu, etc.). Fans saying that Kesler hates Canada need to do some research about exactly what went down and get over what happened at the Olympics. Canada won the gold and Kesler is back in a Canucks jersey. Isn’t that good enough?

@Canucks_BlueJay asks: Who do you think will start the season with the Sedins? I’d like to see Schroeder.

Katie: I like Samuelsson or Burrows with the Sedins, personally. I’m not sure if Schroeder will jump to the first line if he makes the team– I highly doubt it. More like third line. I think that while Burrows is recovering, Samuelsson will be on the top line.

Steph asks: What would you do if you met a Bertuzzi puck bunny and she tried to get all up in your grill?

Katie: I would ask WWBD (What Would Bertuzzi Do?) and go from there. She’d have to step off before I jersey her and show her how real Bertuzzi fans throw ‘em down!

Ask Katie about the Canucks: September 20, 2010 Edition

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Sep 202010

In this week’s edition of “Ask Katie About The Canucks”, Katie tackles questions on ex-Canucks, ex-NHL teams, boy bands, Bieksa and the “C”.

Stephanie (@axeguitar) asks: Who do you think the other three Ring of Honour nights will feature?

Katie: I would like to say Todd Bertuzzi, Mark Donnelly and the Green Men but I’m probably going to be wrong… Maybe Pavel Bure since they’re not retiring his jersey (what a lot of controversy THAT caused). I would also assume Kirk McLean will be honoured by the Canucks at some point.

Fiann asks: How will Morrison and Schaefer fit into the Canucks?

Katie: This is a conversation most Canucks fans and the media are having right now. Personally I think Schaefer is too small (he’s 5’11” 190lbs) and hasn’t played in the NHL for a couple of seasons so his career seems to be over, whereas BMo is fit, had 42 pts last season for the Capitals and will be much needed on the ice in terms of his discipline and leadership skills. I don’t really think Schaefer has a shot, but it was nice of Gillis to invite him to training camp. Brendan is another story: from how things are looking, the entire team and management seem to be excited about putting Morrison back in his old Canucks jersey. Mind you, Morrison would have to take a significant decrease in pay and ice time, but at 35, it seems he doesn’t mind, so long as he gets to play for his hometown team again at the end of his career. Brendan would mostly likely start on the fourth line as a centreman, and possibly move up to the third if he earns a spot. The fourth line can really use his level-headed decisions and leadership since that line was a complete undisciplined disaster last season. If there was a bad line change and the fourth was up against, say, the first line on the Penguins, we wouldn’t all have to scream at the TV and think “it’s all over” because BMo will be out there, ensuring rational decisions were made by his linemates. That’s where he’s valuable.

Josh asks: Will the band Hanson sing the national anthem on opening night?

Katie: That would pretty much make my life, but since they’re American, I don’t think so.

John asks: Were Winnipeg to achieve their dream and find themselves back in the NHL, what chance do you see for the Victoria Salmon Kings to move up to be the AHL affiliate of the Canucks?

Katie: Understanding the relationships between the ECHL, AHL and NHL isn’t my strong point. From what I do know, successful players on the Salmon Kings have the possibility to move up to the Manitoba Moose and then onto the Canucks. If the Jets return to Winnipeg, that doesn’t mean their NHL team will automatically take over the Moose, and I don’t think the ECHL can easily move to the ranks of an AHL team. They’re different leagues all together. I think it’s more complicated than that. I don’t know. I think I’ve gone cross eyed.

(Editor’s note: Players can be called up to the Canucks as long as they are signed to an NHL contract. – J.J.)

Jay asks: Why do they call Bieksa “Juice”? And will the captaincy removal and the new goalie coach make a big difference in Lui’s performance?

Katie: I like to think Bieksa is called Juice because he slams four litres of Hawaiian Punch before a game, but apparently it’s because his body is ridiculously ripped (not that I’d know).

I do hope that relinquishing the C will give Luongo the peace of mind and concentration he needs to mentally prepare for games, and that this will improve his performance this year, but it’s hard to say. This is why he is going to be under even more scrutiny this year by fans, circling like vultures to see if the C situation last season was the cause of his average performance or if it was an excuse.

I don’t know much about the new goalie coach aside from the fact that Luongo’s opinion wasn’t even sought about the decision. Either way, I think all of us will be hoping that last season was just a stroke of bad luck for Luongo, and can be left behind us.

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