NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
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 Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s loss to the Dallas Stars. Richard points Derek Roy is good. He says he’s not being used exactly right, but so far he’s above Bryan Smolinski on the trade deadline bell curve. He also asks an interesting question. Is it hyperbole to say when Kevin Bieksa comes back the Canucks will never lose? (Probably.)
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Josh Hall tells us today the Nucks made a series of move to help with the playoff stretch. Derek Roy is a Vancouver Canuck and should provide some flexibility down the middle but I don’t buy the whole Ryan Kesler on the wing idea. Josh says if you’re asking and he’s betting, Roberto Luongo will be a Vancouver Canuck after Wednesday’s NHL trade deadline. Plus Chris Higgins has a new contract.
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 Steve Lee brings us a piece of trivia today via his Northwest Athlete Spotlight. Coming out of Surrey, Brenden Dillon wanted nothing more to be in the NHL. After a stint in the Junior Hockey League and then with the Seattle Thunderbirds, Dillon finally impressed the Dallas Stars enough to bring him in.
Vancouver Canucks blogger Richard Hodges Love Em Hate Em hockey blog. He recaps and rewinds the win versus the Dallas Stars. Richard points out you had to love Jason Garrison’s goal where he took a quick shot that devastated Antoine Roussel and allowed him to tee up a blast from the point like he was at the driving range. Also It was plainly obvious on the Stars’ third goal that Ryan Kesler is not yet back to Selke calibre.
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. Dallas Stars Feb 22 matchup. Richard predicts Dale Weise drops the gloves with someone, Alex Edler bombs one home on the point and Alain Vigneault is disappointed with Vern Fiddler’s new knock-knock joke. For Dallas, Kari Lehtonen is still battling the groin injury he picked up last week.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Bryan McFarlane weighs in with his Nucks three stars post. Here are the few noteworthy performers from Feb 11th – Feb 18th during the Canucks 2013 campaign. Daniel Sedin, Ryan Kesler, and Henrik Sedin make Bryan’s list. Kesler delighted fans this past week as he finally returned to the lineup and looks ready to help push Vancouver into the playoffs.
Richard Hodges previews the Dallas Stars vs. Vancouver Canucks Feb 15 matchup. Richard points out the Canucks Ryan Kesler has been medically cleared to play hockey and could return to the lineup tonight. With Manny Malhotra gone, they’ll need Kesler’s faceoff prowess back fast. Meanwhile in goaltending, Cory Schneider will get between the pipes tonight. Roberto Luongo will sit on the bench. Wondering what if.
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.
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 Stars vs. Canucks game Friday night. He says in order to win, the Canucks must contain Jaromir Jagr, don’t let him have too much time. And the Canucks are 5-1-1 this season at home, plus they get Ryan Kesler back. Hello Aaron Rome as well.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Richard Hodges weighs in with his thoughts on the player movement this week coming out of Mike Gillis’ office in Vancouver. Gone are longtime d-man Sami Salo, a warrior in Van City for 8+ years. Also Alain Vigneault favorite Aaron Rome. In are hometown boy Jason Garrison and we’re also now hearing ex-Hurricanes D/FW Derek Joslin could be next.
