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 today brings us an open email to former Nucks head coach Alain Vigneault. He points out AV is the winningest coach in Canucks history, bringing home the division banners, Presidents’ Trophies, and of course 2011. He says AV set the bar high and the only way to clear it is with a Stanley Cup. He was fun to watch, not fun to watch and he’ll be missed. Happy Trails AV.
NWSB Vancouver Canucks insider Josh Hall looks back on Wednesday’s Mike Gillis press conference and tells some tales of now fired Alain Vigneault. Josh points out the stars and planets may never align quite like that again for the Vancouver Canucks or Alain Vigneault but looking back on that moment 50 years from now and everyone will remember where they were vs. Chicago in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Thanks to AV and Alex Burrows.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Kevin “The Flying V” Vanstone weighs in today on the Nucks news of firing head coach Alain Vigneault and assistant coaches Rick Bowness and Newell Brown on Wednesday afternoon just 15 days after the Canucks were swept by the San Jose Sharks, marking the end of an era for Vancouver Canucks hockey. It could be a long summer for Canucks fans.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Kevin “The Flying V” Vanstone weighs in today on the Nucks and says it has been a full thirteen days since VanCity were swept by the San Jose Sharks in the first round of this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, and after an appropriate mourning period it is time to look towards next season and the changes needed. Roberto Luongo has been on his way out of Vancouver for some time. He’s surely gone. Alain Vigneault. Gone too.
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 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 Vancouver Canucks writer Josh Hall slams GM Mike Gillis, calling Wednesday’s NHL Trade Deadline MG’s worst day on the job yet. But it hasn’t always been doom and gloom according to Josh. It’s just when you sign a guy like Roberto Luongo to a 12 year contract, he probably deserves a little more respect than what he’s gotten throughout this nightmarish process. Roberto’s post practice depressing and strangely endearing Q&A session was the raw truth.
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 two Nucks signings this week. Please welcome to the organization Ludwig Blomstrand & Kellan Lain. Lain actually led College hockey’s Lake Superior in face off % this season, winning 56% of his 571 draws. That’s not a great sample, but it is nevertheless intriguing. Blomstrand is a 6’1, 198lbs left-winger who spent this season in Sweden’s second-tier league.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Steve Lee peels up the court and steps out on to the ice for his latest piece. Steve points out that even if it would be a “bad move” in the eyes of most Canucks fans, trading Ryan Kesler actually makes more sense than one would think. Just take this season alone for example. The Canucks were playing great hockey without Kesler, then once he finally came back from yet another injury, the losses started piling up. Coincidence? Steve thinks not.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Kevin “The Flying V” Vanstone says the Vancouver Canucks may not be as deep on the blue line as it seems, will Mike Gillis move to make a trade deadline deal to bolster the back end? As the Canucks approach the 20-game mark of the 2013 season there is still a healthy amount of time for players like Alex Edler to adjust. Who knows with Ryan Kesler and Kevin Bieksa injuries.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Mitch Dyck brings us up to speed on the storylines involving Ryan Kesler and his possible first game of the season this week vs. the Dallas Stars on Friday night. While he’s itching to get back into the lineup, you have to admire him for not rushing back like he did last season after only five games. Kesler wasn’t the same player that scored 41 goals and won the Selke award in 2011 during the 2011-12 season.
