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Kesler named to Team USA 2010 Orientation Camp

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Kesler named to Team USA 2010 Orientation Camp

Ryan Kesler continues to get recognition for his breakout season. Fresh from his first Selke nomination as the NHL’s best defensive forward, he was named today to Team USA’s orientation camp roster. Among the forwards, Kesler joins guys like Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Patrick Kane and Phil Kessel – not a bad group to be associated with. The rest of the roster is here. Incidentally, David Backes was named to the roster as well. Maybe Kes will get a chance to say “hi” to Kelly in person.

Free Agency – Mats “I could furnish the penalty box with IKEA” Sundin

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Free Agency – Mats “I could furnish the penalty box with IKEA” Sundin

The Canucks who have traditionally been rather passive when it comes to major deadlines like the trade deadline, and free agency, were the center of attention last year as they pursued the most coveted free agent of the 2008 summer – Mats Sundin. This year he’s a free agent again, less coveted and hyped, but equally as important to the Canucks now that he has had a chance to play on the team and prove his value. Now I know I was one of his hardest critics, but one thing people told me all through his season’s ups and downs...

Christmas in July is Just Around The Corner

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Christmas in July is Just Around The Corner

With Free agency just a few days the focus has been all about the Sedins and everyone else seems to be forgotten. The potential long term deal to Luongo has distracted us further and all of a sudden we’ve forgotten that there are more than just two Canucks players hitting free agency. 2009 UFAs: Nolan Baumgartner, Jeff Cowan, Mark Cullen, Rob Davison, Jason Jaffray, Jason Krog, Jason Labarbera, Mattias Ohlund, Michel Ouellet, Taylor Pyatt, Curtis Sanford, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Mats Sundin and Ossi Vaananen. 2009 RFAs: Patrick Coulombe, Julien Ellis-Plante, Zach Fitzgerald, Jannik Hansen, Nathan McIver, Shane O’Brien, and...

Mr. Gillis, You Are Making a Mistake

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Mr. Gillis, You Are Making a Mistake

Since hearing the news first break about the Sedins wanting a mammoth 12 year contract for $63 million each, there’s been little news of legitimate progress along those lines, or against them. I was recently discussing with Tyler of NHL Digest the value the Sedins have and how to measure their worth. Lets break it down then. They’re 82 point player. They’re point per game players during the regular and post season. For arguments sake lets look at players that get points in a +/- 4 point range from their 82 points. 86 – Joe Thronton 84 – Jeff Carter...

Draft day rumors

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Draft day rumors

With the NHL Entry draft only a few hours away, the rumor mill is running rampant. Have the Canucks re-signed Roberto Luongo to a long-term extension? According to John Buccigross, he has; according to others, not quite but close. Have the Canucks acquired the negotiating rights to Jay Bouwmeester? As much as they’d like to, Mike Gillis isn’t too keen at the price. Are the Canucks moving up to draft Team Canada defenseman, Ryan Ellis? Talk is that they’re interested. Are the Canucks close to acquiring Dany Heatley? Well, the Canucks may be on Heatley’s wish list but the latest...

Wanted: Offense

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Wanted: Offense

Typically during this time of year, there’s a lot of talk about organizational needs. With the Canucks’ prospect cupboard nearly bare – only Cory Schneider, Michael Grabner, Cody Hodgson and Sergei Shirokov (if the Russians let him leave for North America) may be ready to make the jump to the NHL in the next year or two – the smart ass in me says that they simply need to draft players – regardless of position – who can have an impact. But that said, the Canucks do have one, big, obvious need: they need players who can provide some offense....

Bebeh Draft Pick Profiles – Toni Rajala

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Bebeh Draft Pick Profiles – Toni Rajala

We’ve looked at Sweden already for a bebeh player for the Canucks and now we’re taking a peek at Finland and the RW Toni Rajala. His name is super fun to say, don’t you think? Rajala’s NHL.com profile gives us the goods. In 31 games with his junior team in Finland last season he was a point a game player with 14 goals and 17 assists. He also played 21 games with the mens team and had 5 points (2 goals 3 assists). Toni has international experience with team Finland. At last year’s world juniors he had 3 points in...

Bebeh Draft Pick Profiles – Zack Kassian

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Bebeh Draft Pick Profiles – Zack Kassian

Now let’s take a gander at a forward that the Canucks would be very happy drafting. Zack Kassian is one badass dude and there’s a high chance he’ll be gone by the time the Canucks pick. But if he does happen to fall to the Canucks, well, RAWRRR. It’s all in his NHL.com profile. Kassian had 63 points (24 goals 39 assists) in 61 games with the Peterborough Petes last season. He’s 6’3” and 210 and plays physical. This past season he had 136 penalty minutes. It’s a dirty little secret that the guys who go to the box a...

Bebeh Draft Pick Profiles – Calvin De Haan

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Bebeh Draft Pick Profiles – Calvin De Haan

Next up in the Canucks potential draft pick file is Calvin De Haan. He’s another one of those delightful offensive defencemen that everyone has flirty eyes for. You can get all his swoonworthy stats in his NHL.com profile. De Haan was first in scoring for Oshawa defencemen last season with 63 points (8 goals 55 assists) in 68 games. At 6’0″ and 170 he might be a little bit small, but his high hockey smarts will probably make up for it. Ooooooh. You know how I like the smart ones. He skated for Canada at the under 18 Championships and...

Canucks in the Winter Classic?

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Canucks in the Winter Classic?

There’s some speculation that the NHL is considering a doubleheader for next season’s Winter Classic. While the NHL hasn’t officially announced it yet, there was a report about a month ago that mentioned that one game will be played at Fenway Park between the Boston Bruins and (possibly) the Washington Capitals; today, there’s talk that another may be held at McMahon Stadium in Calgary betwen the Flames and… ready for this… the Vancouver Canucks. From CBC.ca: After two seasons of NHL games played outdoors south of the border, Canada could be getting in on the action for the next Winter...

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