Codiva Primadonna Hod-SUN

Hmm. I don’t think he’s taking it lightly at all – heart is the least of my worries with this kid. I just think he’s rusty, and doing his best but not looking wonderful because let’s face it, he’s missed a lot of summer training.

If he looks lackluster after another 10 games or so, then I’ll worry, but I can give him that long to get his edge back. After all look how long it took Luongo to get hot last year

Yikes. Remind me never to don a no-contact jersey around you.

It’s pretty unfair to make any comparisons to two players that play such different styles of games, which is remarkably the opposite to each other’s nationality’s style of play.

Shirokov has worked hard, skated fast and created chances. If you’re skilled at doing that, you’ll succeed at it. Plus, playing the wing does allow you to wheel a lot.

Hodgson, on the other hand, is the patient playmaking sort, that may have the tendency to float a bit, but at least it’s with a purpose. He sees the ice really well and it will take some time to adjust to the tempo and the competition.

If you’re asking Hodgson to play like Shirokov, you’re probably going to be really disappointed.

Yikes. Remind me never to don a no-contact jersey around you.

It’s pretty unfair to make any comparisons to two players that play such different styles of games, which is remarkably the opposite to each other’s nationality’s style of play.

Shirokov has worked hard, skated fast and created chances. If you’re skilled at doing that, you’ll succeed at it. Plus, playing the wing does allow you to wheel a lot.

Hodgson, on the other hand, is the patient playmaking sort, that may have the tendency to float a bit, but at least it’s with a purpose. He sees the ice really well and it will take some time to adjust to the tempo and the competition.

If you’re asking Hodgson to play like Shirokov, you’re probably going to be really disappointed.

I personally wouldn’t go so far as to suggest that Hodgson doesn’t WANT to be on the team. He’s played his whole life to get to this point. As the previous commenter said, Rust could be a factor after playing 125 games last year, then having a 6 week layoff.
Certainly, Shi-RO-kov has performed better in the preseason and to an extent, shown up Cody, but Cody knows this ain’t a free ride…and no doubt in my mind, he’ll break out of his rust somewhere soon along the line here. Hopefully tonight playing with Burr and Kes.
I do agree though that the conviction and desire Shirokov shows is something to admire and respect. I’d love to have him on the team, WITH Hodgson at the same time.

@Sherpa

I’m not saying I want him to play LIKE Shirokov. I’m just observing a fundamental difference in the on ice attitude that the two players disseminate. Regardless of the STYLE of game they play. They should have the same attitude. Ryan Kesler’s desire is the same as Ryan Johnson’s desire. They stop drawing parallels after that and the fact they’re both named Ryan.

I don’t like players that take for granted their spot. I don’t like divas. I’ve seen Cody play with heart, and whether or not his back injury is the cause of his lacklustre play is yet to be determined. But Training camp is where the prospects prove their worth. There shouldn’t be any free rides and I feel that the situation he’s in comes off as him coasting onto the roster.

I don’t think Hodgson’s getting a free ride at all. In fact, I think I’m in the minority who doesn’t think Hodgson will make the team. That said, he’s far from dogging it. Not at all.

I agree with Opiated in that you can’t compare Hodgson and Shirokov – their games are very different. The only similarity between them is that they’re fighting for the same third-line spot.

I guess if he continues to play like shit (not that I think he has), and makes the team, then we all know Gillis and AV were lying when they said that the players would cut themselves.

I don’t think Hodgson’s getting a free ride at all. In fact, I think I’m in the minority who doesn’t think Hodgson will make the team. That said, he’s far from dogging it. Not at all.

I agree with Opiated in that you can’t compare Hodgson and Shirokov – their games are very different. The only similarity between them is that they’re fighting for the same third-line spot.

There’s a lot to be said about the media’s approach to these players too. It’s safe to say that Hodgson had a spot in a lot of eyes going into camp and was interviewed like that was the case. I doubt that he once had the question of ‘what if you don’t make it and get sent down to Manitoba?’

Shirokov came into camp from Russia as the skillful outsider that no one really saw coming. By all accounts, he’s done well enough to earn a spot, but still as the outsider, he’ll be skeptically challenged with questions and he’s been wise enough to give the right answers.

Both kids have done and said the right things in this camp and I would be more than proud to see them both with the big club in a week’s time.

There’s a lot to be said about the media’s approach to these players too. It’s safe to say that Hodgson had a spot in a lot of eyes going into camp and was interviewed like that was the case. I doubt that he once had the question of ‘what if you don’t make it and get sent down to Manitoba?’

Shirokov came into camp from Russia as the skillful outsider that no one really saw coming. By all accounts, he’s done well enough to earn a spot, but still as the outsider, he’ll be skeptically challenged with questions and he’s been wise enough to give the right answers.

Both kids have done and said the right things in this camp and I would be more than proud to see them both with the big club in a week’s time.

I don’t see how a guy that was hampered by a back injury relates to not wanting it.

Hodgson is a stepp bhind right now because of his injury, and everything I’ve heard this kid described as suggest he is anything but a prima donna.

I have faith that Gillis will make the best decisuion for the team and the player, asnd Hodson will only be here if he’s one of the top 13 forwards in the eyes of the coaches.

If he’s not ready he’s not ready and it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to see him captain our World Juinior team in Saskatoon this year.

That said it has nothing to do with his work ethic, or his desire.

As for Shirokov, I’m still reserving judgement until the bullets fly for real. I’ve seen too many Steve Kariya’s come and go over the years.

This is a great post Mozy, I agree with everything you’ve said.

I don’t think anyone wants Cody to play like Shirokov. I think what people want to see is desire, hunger, hussle.

And really, this is what we have been asking of the Canucks for a long time. It’s been a while since we’ve seen our team with hungry players.

I think Shirokov could start the ball rolling. But like Brian W. says above, we’ll have to wait and see if he really pans out in the regular season.

Cody may not feel as much pressure on him without the ‘C’, but he really needs to step up his game and stop coasting. I hate to see that, especially in a young player already.

This is a great post Mozy, I agree with everything you’ve said.

I don’t think anyone wants Cody to play like Shirokov. I think what people want to see is desire, hunger, hussle.

And really, this is what we have been asking of the Canucks for a long time. It’s been a while since we’ve seen our team with hungry players.

I think Shirokov could start the ball rolling. But like Brian W. says above, we’ll have to wait and see if he really pans out in the regular season.

Cody may not feel as much pressure on him without the ‘C’, but he really needs to step up his game and stop coasting. I hate to see that, especially in a young player already.

A lot of ppl seem to forget that Shirokov is 4 years older than Cody.

It’s exciting that we actually have solid prospects that we are having issues finding spots on the roster for them. That proves how much depth we have on this team. I’d love to see both Shirokov and Cody starting the season with the big team.