So Luon(go), farewell: where will he go?
Let’s be honest, Luongo is a great goalie, but Cory Schneider is the future. Clearly, as seen in the postseason, the coaches and management have more faith in Schneider – all that is left to decide is where Luongo will end up.
Canucks collapse less embarassing after Blues swept
It’s tempting to look at the recent second-round sweep of the St. Louis Blues by the Los Angeles Kings, and conclude that Vancouver’s first-round exit had more to do with the Kings’ play than their own. After all, the Blues ranked just below the Canucks in the Western Conference, and they made it through the first round with just a single loss against the San Jose Sharks. Sound familiar? Yet, such a conclusion would require an awfully short memory
Presidents versus Kings as Canucks plan playoff push
The Canucks will only need to remember back to April 2010 as they prepare to take on the Los Angeles Kings in the Conference Quarterfinals starting today. While the departed Mikael Samuelsson was key in the turn around that year, Vancouver has some key players to fill that role that they didn’t have then. To name a few possible difference-makers for this years squad, look no further than Chris Higgins, Max Lapierre and David Booth. All three of them have the potential to turn the tides in Vancouver’s favour this year.
Game of Pucks: Playoffs are coming
With the Canucks guaranteed either first or second place in the Western Conference, eyes have turned toward the frantic cluster of teams vying for the seventh and eighth spots. It has come down to five teams that could wind up as the Canucks first round opponents: the Los Angeles Kings, the Phoenix Coyotes, the San Jose Sharks, the Dallas Stars and the Colorado Avalanche. It will be a desperate push, largely out of the hands of the Canucks; yet with so much on the line, who can help but look at the possible matchups?
Canucks more physical and defensive in Sedin absence
While Sedin could return in just a few games, and be no worse for wear in a best-case scenario, it’s worth taking a moment to consider what kind of chances the team has if he’s out long-term.
The shuffling of Mason Raymond
For many, seeing Mason Raymond paired with the twins was about as baffling a move as could be imagined, yet it served several purposes.
Time running out for sinking Canucks to right the ship
After last Saturday’s embarrassing 4-1 loss to the Montreal Canadians—a team that is only higher than Edmonton and Columbus in the standings and sits 30 points back of Vancouver—the Canucks were left with four nights off to contemplate the dire situation they’d created for themselves. While the issue isn’t about points, the problem is almost more worrisome; if they can’t get it together soon, they may be hard pressed to win a best-of-seven series against any team in the league.
Stretch Run: The best and the worst of times for the Canucks
This is absolutely the greatest time in the regular season. There is plenty to speculate about, with so many teams still vying for playoff positions. The Canucks are currently in a pretty positive situation in the Western Conference. Barring a catastrophic end to the season, they should be able to finish in either the first or second seed.
CoHo a-go-go: Canucks controversial deadline deal frightens flustered fans
After fighting their way into first place in the NHL, the Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis stunned fans on February 27, Trade Deadline Day, by making some of the biggest trades in the league. Fans had their hearts in their throats after learning that promising rookie Cody Hodgson, who they’ve been watching develop for the last several years, was on his way out the door – traded to the 25th ranked Buffalo Sabres along with teammate Alexander Sulzer. Coming to Vancouver in the trade were two young Canadian players: power forward Zack Kassian and puck-moving defenceman Marc-Andre Gragnani.
To rest or not to rest: Canucks contemplate push for the President
It will likely be a tight race for the President’s Trophy this year, but one the Canucks still have a great shot at winning if they play great down the stretch. But do they want to?
You call that a slump?
Not only are the Canucks allowing horrendous odd-man rushes that require acrobatic saves, but they’re failing to provide any kind of pushback. Yet, thanks to the spot-on performances of both Canuck goaltenders, the team has been managing to still take away points. As frustrating as it must be for Vancouver fans, some solace must be taken in knowing how much more irritating it must be for those from the teams trying to catch up to the Canucks.
Oh, to be a Canucks fan
It’s probably not the most obvious time to look back at the year that was, but with The Cascade running a best of 2011 list for almost every category on the planet, it feels fitting to take a moment to look back at what the year meant for Canucks fans.
One-game series: Just how much the win in Boston meant for the Canucks
In some ways it was a battle for redemption. In other ways, it was a beacon of hope. In yet other ways, the face off against the Bruins was a scramble for dignity. Yet, most of all, it was a first-class hockey game with an incomprehensible number of dramatic storylines playing out from start to finish.
Quick goals by Canucks assist their Wild pursuit
Over the last couple of weeks the Canucks have begun to remind their fans that they are a quality team. They can win games. What has curiously distinguished the Canucks’ improved performance of late has been their ability to strike with multiple goals in quick succession
HBO’s 24/7 series would perfectly suit the Canucks
On Friday, November 25, HBO began the season preview for 24/7 Flyers/Rangers: Road to the Winter Classic. Though the matchup might not excite Canucks fans, with a little imagination it becomes clear – a Canucks version is absolutely necessary.
Matt Climie hits the Canucks lineup in backup role
Matt Climie has played seven games with the Canucks AHL affiliate so far this year, and has come away with five wins for the Wolves – with an incredible .940 save percentage. His play enabled the team to go on a four-game winning streak. Perhaps general manager of the Canucks Mike Gillis is hoping that even in his backup role, Climie will bring some of that luck to his Vancouver team that has struggled to put any consecutive wins together this season.
Canucks take to the tweeties
Fans of the Canucks who also happen to be rabid Twitter addicts have been salivating over the last couple months as several key Canuck players (and a couple less-key ones) have opted to join the popular social networking service.
Statement game by Canucks proof they still have it
The Canucks were starting to concern fans with their lacklustre start to the season – seven regulation losses heading into the game. Meanwhile, Chicago came into the game with just two regulation losses, sitting atop the Western Conference with 19 points. Add in the loss of Alex Burrows to the lineup, and it wasn’t hard for fans of the Canucks to imagine a different outcome than the one they ended up witnessing – a 6-2 shellacking of a Chicago team that had a lot to prove after being ousted by the Canucks in the first round of the playoffs last season.
Alexander Sulzer slips quietly onto blueline
Although it’s too early to say for sure, it looks as though Sulzer could be just what the Canucks are looking for from a depth defenceman – reliable.
A nightmare on Abbott Street
What does Roberto Luongo dress up as for Halloween? For the past five seasons, he’s gone as one of the worst goaltenders in the NHL; this season has been no different. Rogers Arena has felt more like a haunted house than home in October for Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo.
Booth brings incredible potential to Canucks after major trade
Currently a second-line centre, the six-foot 212-pound Booth has the potential to go either way; he could continue to falter this season as some suspect he will, or he could improve his game and take it to heights many predicted he would reach after he notched 60 points three seasons ago (and 40 the season before).
Undrafted Volpatti finds a place on the Canucks
Aaron Volpatti is only the second player from Revelstoke to ever play in the NHL, the first in 25 years. The hardworking 26-year-old was signed by the Canucks without ever being drafted
Dale Weise sets sights on fourth line
At six-foot-two and 210 pounds, newly-acquired Canuck Dale Weise is a big, hardnosed physical right winger who will hope to prove himself on the fourth line this year, after being claimed off waivers from the New York Rangers just days before the start of the season.
Here comes Duco
Duco won’t land a permanent roster spot, but he’s certainly getting himself noticed over the course of this preseason, and that certainly bodes in his favour. The fact that he also seems to be the player most willing to drop the gloves also makes him an appealing candidate, but only if he can be counted on to play responsibly.
