NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Richard Hodges tells us the 2012 NHL trade deadline day was slow to start and then a blockbuster deal that was easily the biggest of the day and sparked reaction not seen in a very long time in Vancouver happened. And Canucks nation was mad at Mike Gillis. If Zack Kassian becomes more Todd Bertuzzi than Taylor Pyatt this deal could be a whole lot easier to swallow.
Managing Editor at NWSB and Vancouver Canucks blogger “Q” tells us today the Canucks have acquired big hulking Candian junior team player Zack Kassian from the Buffalo Sabres and defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani. In exchange the Canucks give up Alex Sulzer a defenseman currently with the Chicago Wolves and third line center Cody Hodgson. Who won this trade folks?
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Kevin Vanstone the Flying-V tells us some sad news out of Vancouver today. In the latest exhibit of hockey-oriented idiocy, this week an individual chose to write obscenities on the Church that Vancouver native and Boston Bruins 2011 Stanley cup hero Milan Lucic and his family call home. Stay classy Vancouver. Would Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin approve of this stupidity?
Vancouver Canucks blogger Richard Hodges goes in depth on relative Canucks newcomer Byron Bitz. He’s probably not going to win the Conn Smythe (probably, you never know), but Bitz is a very nice piece indeed to add to the team free of charge and possesses a lot of traits the Canucks may have been looking for at the deadline.
USA President Barak Obama has never been to a Washington Capitals game, or a Chicago Blackhawks game, and judging by the Boston Bruins visit, he had clearly had no idea who any of them were. Yet Tim Thomas found the need to not show up at the White House. The Vancouver Canucks Cory Schneider had some choice words for the Bruins netminder.
Vancouver Canucks blogger Josh Hall reports on the news from the NHL today that Vancouver Canucks forward Cody Hodgson has been named the January 2012 NHL Rookie of the Month. Hodgson, who turns 22 in just over two weeks time, led all rookies in scoring with 10 points (six goals, four assists) in 11 games. He edged Philadelphia Flyers forwards Sean Couturier and Matt Read for votes.
Vancouver Canucks beat blogger Riley Trottier is back and better than ever. With some things to get off his chest. What makes him angry about the Canucks and NHL this week? Where does he begin. Bruins vs. Canucks smacktalk of course. Tim Thomas. It’s not about honoring President Barak Obama, its about honoring the President of the United States. This was both stupid and pointless.
NWSB insider Dave B brings us another profile featuring an athlete from the Northwest. Milan Lucic is a tough NHL’er who scratched and clawed his way to the Boston Bruins lineup. It all started after he was passed up in the WHL Bantam Draft, but that motivated him even more to join the Coquitlam Express via the Junior B Delta Ice Hawks. From there, he rose to the level he is at today…the NHL.
NWSB insider Dave B brings us another profile featuring an athlete from the Northwest. Chuck Kobasew started his career at Boston College of American Collegiate Hockey. This was only before being named MVP of the Frozen Four Tournament and going on to play in the WHL with the Kelowna Rockets. He was eventually chosen by the Calgary Flames 14th overall in the NHL Draft and now calls Denver, Colorado home with the Avalanche of the NHL.
Josh Hall one of our Vancouver Canucks bloggers is back with his Satuday San Jose Sharks vs. Vancouver Canucks matchup preview. 7:00 p.m. PT, on Rogers Sportsnet. The Canucks haven’t been playing the best hockey of the 2011/12 season but there have been some exceptional performances from the likes of Roberto Luongo and Cody Hodgson. Joe Thornton and the Sharks visit Rogers Arena on Saturday night.
Vancouver Canucks blogger Carolyn Smith reports on the twins Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin, who have led the team to the best record in the Western Conference, and headline the list of players added to the pool for the All-Star Game set for later this month in Ottawa. Alex Edler, and Cody Hodgson will also be attending their first all star games…
Vancouver Canucks blogger Carolyn Smith tells us a video explanation released by Brendan Shanahan outlines that this play was not considered instinctive or reactionary in defense, and that Brad Marchand had the decision to deliver a shoulder-to-shoulder hit and chose not to on Sami Salo.
