NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Kevin “The Flying V” Vanstone tells us today the NHL’s April 3rd trade deadline fast approaches and the Vancouver Canucks have a number of spots on the roster worthy of attention heading into this year’s playoff push. Mason Raymond and Jannik Hansen have played well during their time on Vancouver’s second line, but are better fit as checking forwards on a fully healthy roster.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Mitch Dyck reports today that the Canucks goalie in the wings, Eddie Lack, has had successful hip surgery and will miss the remainder of the season. Will this effect a Luongo trade? Maybe, maybe not. If true, it could mean that the Canucks can send Lack back to the American Hockey League without losing him on waivers, and if Roberto Luongo isn’t traded, this could work well in their favor.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Richard Hodges weighs in with an update on the Canucks farm team in the AHL the Chicago Wolves. The Wolves are benefitting from Chris Tanev being back in town thanks to the lockout. The cerebral blueliner has four points in his first 10 games. Also in the mix and looking good Kevin Connauton was last year’s breakout star under Craig MacTavish.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Richard Hodges points out today it’s nice to see the framework of a 50/50 deal finally floating around but because the two sides can’t agree on the dollar figure that will be split, we’ve now lost November and the Winter Classic is hanging in the balance. He looks at some Canucks who are benefiting from the lockout which today. Ryan Kesler, Roberto Luongo, Zack Kassian, Jason Garrison make the list.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Richard Hodges is back this week to create a buzz about the latest Canucks news about Dan Cloutier being hired by the organization to be a goaltender coach. Look, it’s giving us something to talk about he says, If you haven’t noticed we’re in a lockout right now where the two sides aren’t even talking to each other yet. Dan Cloutier is all we have for Canucks news right now.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Josh Hall goes one on one with Chicago Wolves netminder and Swedish sensation Eddie Lack. Eddie says he’s currently in Stockholm making last minute preparations to return to North America. From there, it’s on to Canucks NHL training camp, if there is one anyway.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Mitch Dyck points five players in that must make big strides within the organization in 2012/13. Kevin Connauton, Jordan Schroeder, Zack Kassian, Chris Tanev, and Eddie Lack are the guys he points out. Internal competition brings out the best in everyone. Will it do the same for these Canucks youngsters this year? Who are you looking forward to seeing take strides?
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Mitch Dyck points weighs in today on a possible signing by the Vancouver Canucks Cristobal Huet. While Huet’s numbers haven’t been bad while overseas, it’s a different game than the one in North America. He points out Eddie Lack is ready for the NHL. He thinks this is the least likely, simply because the Canucks have reached out to Huet.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Reggie Gill is sitting on his couch, hopefully with his pants on telling us what games he’s most looking forward to for the Vancouver Canucks during the upcoming 2012-13 campaign. Again with the Maple Leafs and a 4 o’clock puck drop on Vancouver ice. We can even hope to see Don Cherry butcher Kevin Bieksa’s name. It’s almost worth having Roberto Luongo stick around.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Reggie Gill weighs in on the eve of the 2012 NHL draft with a look at recent Canucks draft picks made by the organization that big things are expected of in the near future. The recent Vancouver Canucks draft picks include, Eddie Lack, Anton Rodin, Jordan Schroeder, Kevin Connauton, and Nicklas Jensen. Mason Raymond better watch out.
The bartender dips into the world of the Vancouver Canucks for a change and makes an often bold statement. I can’t tell you what is is because then you wouldn’t read the article but trust us, it’s a good one. Hint: It does involve Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider. This bold move would seemingly leave something empty, except for the fact that they have one of the finest of *these* in the AHL.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks writer “Q” tells us you didn’t expect Canucks GM Mike Gillis to tell you who they’ve got number 1 on their 2012 NHL draft board did you or will be traded first in the offseason did you? Gillis’ end of year presser was mostly lots of answers to read more into. He wants Coach Alain Vigneault back, Cody Hodgson wanted out, Ryan Kesler is hurt, Cory Schneider gives them a great problem.
