By Jed Minor (Editor-in-Chief) – Email
Some fans unfortunately hold too much sentimentality when it comes to the Canucks, and it blinds them from cold hard facts: players like Ryan Kesler equal points on the board, and that’s what counts. Even though Ryan Kesler’s point production has fallen off as of late, along with many of the Canucks’ top producers, that is no reason to vilify him. He is still a reliable defender and should be a candidate for this years Selke trophy as the league’s best defensive forward. Add this to the fact that he has already amassed a career high in goals this season, and there is little reason to criticize this highly dependable forward.
During the off-season Kesler took it upon himself to improve his wrist shot and this has paid dividends. Numerous times this season he has pocketed goals from the top of left circle with a wicked wrist-shot through the opposing defender.
Adding this wrist shot to his arsenal has been invaluable for Kesler, who was formerly relying on his skating ability and his soft hands around the net to score goals, although it isn’t just goals that his Canucks games should be measured by.
Kesler’s effective back-checking during games has helped the Canucks maintain one of the best goals-against totals in the league. Kesler is also part of the Canucks penalty-kill, which is second in the league. Few star players possess the array of defensive and offensive skill which he displays. Add this to the fact that he is part of the Canucks’ top power play unit as a net presence for Daniel and Henrik Sedin and his value as a special team player is readily apparent. The Canucks hired assistant coach Newell Brown to improve their power play, which dipped in productivity last season. Brown had the idea of putting all the team’s best players on the top power play unit with Ryan Kesler providing a presence in front of the net. This has resulted in the Canucks having the second best power-play record in the NHL, connecting at an average of 23.7 per cent.
What I like most about Kesler’s game, however, is his ability to skate. The chemistry that he has built with Mason Raymond allows them to enter the opposing zone at will and has contributed to the many scoring chances that they generate each game. You can tell when Kesler has the puck even if you can’t see the number on the jersey. The tall center’s fluid skating is unmistakeable as he rushes up the ice, jersey flapping in the wind.
Kesler is an integral part of one of the best Canucks teams that has been dressed over the course of the franchise’s 40 year history. Will the Canucks win the Stanley Cup this year? I can’t answer that question, but what I do know is that I enjoy watching him play, and that he is enjoying the best year so far of his promising career.
