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Out of Town Notebook: Trap Debate and Thoughts on the Fly

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Out of Town Notebook: Trap Debate and Thoughts on the Fly

One of the silliest debates to be waged across the NHL some time is Philadelphia’s “outrage” and in-game protest of Tampa’s 1-3-1 system. From Mike Milbury walking off the air to a quickie TSN poll of league GMs siding with the Flyers, the Lightning are taking a lot of heat for their passive forecheck. Here’s the thing. 1) The passive forecheck is employed all over the league, and has been for decades. Roughly half of all NHL teams use a 1-3-1 forecheck in their gameplan. The 70s Canadiens, the 80s Oilers, the 90s Red Wings – they all used a version of...

Boxing Day at the Canucks Team Store

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Boxing Day at the Canucks Team Store

The Canucks Team Store had their annual Boxing Day Sale today. Here are a few (unneeded) items they had available for sale: Jannik Hansen’s hands of stone – In the past 6 games since moving to the second line with Ryan Kesler and Jeff Tambellini, Hansen has 3 points (1 goal – 2 assists). I know it’s a modest 0.5 points per game average, but consider he had 7 points (2 goals – 5 assists) in the previous 28 games – a 0.25 points per game average. Tanner Glass’ plane ticket to Manitoba – The fourth line has seen a...

Canucks Send SOB’s Party to Nashville for Ryan Parent

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Canucks Send SOB’s Party to Nashville for Ryan Parent

Cue Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA”. The Canucks have traded Shane O’Brien and Dan Gendur to the Nashville Predators for Ryan Parent and Jonas Andersson. The Canucks have placed Parent on waivers. I realize it’s odd to have traded for Parent and then immediately placing him on waivers so there may be more to this transaction than meets the eye. But for now, let’s assume that this is a pure hockey trade, plain and simple. Assuming Parent doesn’t get claimed on waivers, this is some shrewd asset management by Mike Gillis. SOB cleared waivers yesterday and seemed destined to...

Curse You Salary Cap!

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Curse You Salary Cap!

(Editor’s note: I think it’s time we changed the tagline on the site, eh? – J.J.)

Shane O’Brien and Darcy Hordichuk On Waivers

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Shane O’Brien and Darcy Hordichuk On Waivers

According to Dan Murphy from Sportsnet, Shane O’Brien and Darcy Hordichuk were placed on waivers this morning. His love for establishments such as The Roxy aside, SOB is actually a decent bottom-six defenseman, and by most accounts, is well-liked by his teammates. Truthfully, I wouldn’t be surprised if another team – Anaheim, Edmonton and Columbus come to mind – took a chance at him. Hordi’s a character guy himself, but unfortunately, he’s been noticeably slower and was outplayed this preseason by guys like Tanner Glass and Guillame Desbiens. Such is life on the fourth line, I guess.

Canucks Roster Decisions and the Salary Cap

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Canucks Roster Decisions and the Salary Cap

With just one preseason game left tonight against the Anaheim Ducks, the Vancouver Canucks still have several personnel decisions to make about their opening night lineup. From Jason Botchford (Vancouver Province): The preseason means nothing. But it’s a lot easier to take when it’s about something. If not winning games, then winning jobs. If not answering questions, then narrowing them. At the least, you hope for unexpected moments or look for unheralded players. You want to see them force difficult decisions. But not because there’s an abundance of safe, mundane, low-rish play. You want gusto and accomplishment. Reach for the...

SOB’s Time To Grow Up or Get Out

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SOB’s Time To Grow Up or Get Out

Shane O’Brien has accepted his $1.6 million qualifying offer. Pending a trade, the Canucks now have 9 signed, NHL defensemen. Going to arbitration was never an option for SOB: “They probably have got a lot of material they can use against me and it probably wouldn’t work too well,” O’Brien joked with reporters. “If a one-year deal is all I’m going to get, I’ll come in and play hard.” We’ll see. When he has his head on straight, SOB has actually proven to be a solid bottom-pairing defenseman. When the Canucks defense corps got decimated by injuries last season, he...

Put the dagger in Chelsea Dagger

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Put the dagger in Chelsea Dagger

Worst. Song. Ever. I’m glad the Canucks agree, and I, too, hope we don’t hear it as often as we did last year.

Canucks vs. Kings Game 6 Game Day Links

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Canucks vs. Kings Game 6 Game Day Links

Photo credit: canucks.nhl.com The Canucks can close off their Western Conference Quarterfinal Series against the LA Kings tonight. Can they go for the jugular? Or do they allow the Kings a chance at Game 7 on Tuesday? Can the Kings stop the ‘S-Train’? And if they do, can they also stop the Canucks’ secondary scorers? Here are today’s game day links: Go for the jugular. [TSN; Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province; Ed Willes, Vancouver Province; Ryan Sullivan, News 1130] Kings sticking with Quick. [Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province; Helene Elliott, LA Times; Eric Stephens, OC Register] How do you stop the ‘S-Train’?...

Canucks vs. Kings Game 5 Game Day Links

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Canucks vs. Kings Game 5 Game Day Links

Photo credit: canucks.nhl.com Looking for a place to party pregame? [

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