NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger gives you his five positives from the Vancouver Canucks’ 2013-2014 season. Though it culminated with yet another disappointing first round exit that was all the more embarrassing this year, there was some impressive play throughout the season from a few key players. Corey Schneider played well in his first year as a starter, Tanev and Corrado really shaped up, and this may be the final season for Alain Vigneault.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Andrew Deutschmann gives us some snippets of Mike Gillis’ post season press conference, or lack there of. No, the news of the firing of AV didn’t come, not yet at least. There is still time for that. But what intrigued Andrew the most was the fact that Gillis touched on some of the young guys like Kellan Lain, Brendan Gaunce, Nicklas Jensen, and Frank Corrado.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Kevin “The Flying V” Vanstone is back today to ask could the Canucks surprise the Western Conference and make another lengthy run towards the Stanley Cup? If so, the reigning Northwest Division Champions may need a few favours from the Hockey Gods this time around. Youngster Frank Corrado will need to learn playoff hockey on the fly after playing well in his first three games at the NHL level.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger C-Mac weighs in on the overachievers and underachievers in Van City for the end of the 2012/13 regular season. Jason Garrison was on the underachiever side of this list at the quarter season mark, but he made a superb turnaround. Alex Edler is the single most disappointing player that the Canucks have had to endure this season. David Booth could well be the victim of Vancouver’s buyout amnesty.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Mitch Dyck brings us up to speed on the storylines from last nights Canucks win over the Chicago Blackhawks. If there was ever a perfect example of baptism by fire, for Frank Corrado his first NHL game would be just that. What happens now is anyone’s guess. Mitch thinks Corrado’s play last night warrants another look in Thursday’s game against the Ducks. Kevin Bieksa and Chris Tanev take your time.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Bryan McFarlane weighs in with his Nucks three stars post. Here are the few noteworthy performers from April 7th to April 14th during the Canucks’ 2013 campaign. Daniel Sedin, Dan Hamhuis, and Ryan Kessler make the list this week. Bryan points out the impressive play of Kessler in his return and how surprising Hamhuis’ efforts were.
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. St. Louis Blues April 16th matchup. Richard says the Canucks are only five points behind the Anaheim Ducks for second in the conference. He also points out Ryan Kesler and the powerplay both made triumphant returns last night against Nashville, putting the Canucks five points up in the Minnesota Wild
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators April 15th matchup. Richard says the Canucks will try to push forward after the gut punch loss to the Avs on Saturday, and will do so with Roberto Luongo between the pipes, leaving their starter for the much better St Louis Blues tomorrow night. Richard asks if the Ryan Kesler on wing experimental is successful, is a Jordan Schroeder call-up far behind?
NWSB Insider and Managing Editor “Q” weighs in with yet another post on Pavel Bure. The iconic Canucks legend who deserves to have his jersey retired by the Nucks organization. Bure played for 12 seasons in the NHL with the Canucks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers. He played his first game for the us on November 5, 1991. Owner Francesco Aquilini brought Bure back to Vancouver this week. Vancouver let him know they appreciated him still.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Mitch Dyck brings us up to speed on the storylines he’s watching for as we near the 2013 NHL trade deadline. Today the Canucks started the morning off by putting defensemen Cam Barker on waivers for the purpose of sending him to the Chicago Wolves. Shortly after that Nick “the mulligan” Kypreos reported that the Vancouver Canucks had acquired Derek Roy from the Dallas Stars for Kevin Connauton and a 2nd round pick.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Mitch Dyck brings us up to speed on the storylines he’s watching for and delivers his winning gameday tips for the Blue Jackets vs. Canucks game Tuesday night. Getting on Sergei Bobrovsky early and scoring a goal or two in the first period is key to winning this game for Van City tonight. Secondary scoring is huge as well. You can’t rely solely on Henrik Sedin & Daniel Sedin to carry the team through everything. Jannik Hansen step up!
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger C-Mac talks about Vancouver’s woes with officiating lately. After not appearing to deliver THAT illegal of a hit, Alex Edler was suspended in a shocking turn of events that made Canucks fans resent referees even further. This troubling inconsistency in what constitutes an offense and the ‘pick ‘em out of a hat suspension length’ is what drives coaches and players crazy.
