The upcoming Canucks season thread

[dash]

He's got that Jack Nicholson from 'The Shining' crazy smile nailed...

 

[mattola]

Canucks AV said Higgins issue is not staph infection. Asked if both will be back for playoffs: hopefully. Both out "indefinitely."

 

[jstewismybastardson]

agree 100%

2. For more than two years now, people have been complaining about Ryan Kesler and his chemistry with linemates.

Kesler, a north-south player who drives the net and loves to shoot, needs a playmaker. Even the Canucks saw this after they brought in David Booth and became concerned these two guys may be too similar to work together effectively on the same line.

Well, Kesler has that playmaker now in Zack Kassian, who thinks the game differently than just about any power forward you’ll see.

Kassian has been playing with Kesler like he’s been reading many of the criticisms piled up on Booth, whose only decent pass is when he passes to himself.

Instead of flying down the wing looking at his stick like he’s trying to play a guitar solo, Kassian has been desperately assessing the ice around him, efforting creativity. Instead of jamming shots on the net, he’s trying to set up Kesler, and he’s doing it again and again. He nearly had success a couple of times in Calgary, including one helluva tip pass early in the game.

Yes, the pair had a down game versus the Flames and yes, Kassian finished without a shot on net. But you can’t have it all. You can’t complain about Booth because all he does his shoot and then complain about Kassian because he’s continually looking to make a pass.

Well, you can. But you’d be a fool.

And the coach would be too if he were to split these two up. Kassian is still a raw 22-year-old who needs all the top-six playing time he can get in the final eight games of the season.

The best chance he has to make a difference in the playoffs, is to be in a role where he can make a difference during the last three weeks of the year.

The best chance Kesler has at success is to play with someone who thinks the game like Kassian. Let them grow a little here.

 

[mooger_35]

Speaking of Kassian...

 

[jstewismybastardson]

^
lol
is he eating gruel?

 

[dash]

^
lol
is he eating gruel?

 

[jstewismybastardson]

ahh ... begs the question though ... why is the team eating at an IKEA cafeteria

 

[jstewismybastardson]

someone with photoshop skills could crop and drop that Kassian picture into a picture of the free turkey dinner at the Union Gospel Mission and no one would question it

 

[mattola]

CKNW AM 980: Higgins back sooner than later - maybe 2 weeks

 

[jstewismybastardson]

just call him Maxim Malhotra ... u guys think he comes back next season? not entirely sure he wants to play this defensive role fulltime all the time

Maxim Lapierre: 21 defensive zone starts in his last 3 games, he's also been on the ice for precisely 0 offensive zone draws at 5on5.

 

[mattola]

just call him Maxim Malhotra ... u guys think he comes back next season? not entirely sure he wants to play this defensive role fulltime all the time

Maxim Lapierre: 21 defensive zone starts in his last 3 games, he's also been on the ice for precisely 0 offensive zone draws at 5on5.

hard to say. hes kinda expendable if he doesnt take a $1M a year contract. I cant see anyone in the 3rd/4th line making a ton unless its a special circumstance.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

so Kassian was gonna come on team1040 this morning and they came out of commercial before his intro with this song:






and the phone line went click lol

 

[dash]

Good for Kassian...

 

[mattola]

fuck serious. idiots

 

[jstewismybastardson]

i have a feeling he gets a callup for a few games down the stretch ... they need any right hand d shot they can get

News1130 Sports ‏@News1130Sports now #Canucks draft pick and defenseman Frank Corrado has joined the Wolves after his Kitchener Rangers were eliminated from OHL Playoffs.

 

[IPostedWhat]

 

[mooger_35]

Story behind the Bertuzzi pic

Canadian idol - Vancouver Canucks - Features

 

[puckhead]

@sportsnetmurph - Canucks AGM Laurence Gilman says VAN was in final conversation for Yale's Antoine Laganiere. As in down to final 2 teams w/ANA.
Canucks bridesmaids when it came to Justin Shultz, Shane Doan, Ryane Clowe and now College Antoine Laganiere. Frustrating.

 

[mattola]

sinking ship? our management team not capable of brining in young talent? cant make trades? time for change?

@sportsnetmurph - Canucks AGM Laurence Gilman says VAN was in final conversation for Yale's Antoine Laganiere. As in down to final 2 teams w/ANA.
Canucks bridesmaids when it came to Justin Shultz, Shane Doan, Ryane Clowe and now College Antoine Laganiere. Frustrating.

 

[mattola]

this team is being dominated for long periods of time during games and if not for outstanding goaltending that wont get recognized by anyone outside vancouver they are holding in games. if they go into Ana and/or Chi like that it will be a slaughter. I am excited to see what is in store for the Canucks in those 2 games a true test before the playoffs. Boy the Blues were desperate last night and angry.