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 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 Andrew Deutschmann provides us with the top 5 players he would like to see the Canucks part ways with this off season. Number one is obviously Roberto Luongo. Paying him to split time with Cory Schneider is just ridiculous. Let him go on to another team and get on with his life. This has dragged out long enough not only for management, and Luongo, but for the fans as well.
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 tell us the Vancouver Canucks are one loss away from the end of their 2013 season, but around the city of Vancouver it seems the majority of Canucks fans have already turned the page on this year, playing armchair owner while arguing over off-season changes before the season itself is finished. Cory Schneider starts in net.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Kevin “The Flying V” Vanstone is back today to tell the fans about the lineup changes for the Vancouver Canucks tonight in game 2 versus the Sharks. Ryan Kesler is expected to slide across to the wing tonight after struggling on the draw Wednesday, playing alongside Chris Higgins and Derek Roy on Vancouver’s second line. “I expect more out of myself tonight,” Kesler told the media Friday morning.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Andrew Deutschmann provides his tips for how Van City goalie can come away with a win tonight vs. the Sharks in Game 2. Roberto Luongo is set start again in Game 2 and coach Alain Vigneault said today that Schneider may not make the trip to San Jose for Game 3. And odds are, if those risks don’t pan out, you can bet #1 will bail you out at the other end.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Andrew Deutschmann provides his tips for how Van City can beat the San Jose Sharks in Round 1 of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He says the Nucks must stay healthy. This may be the most important area. Hopefully, with the shortened season, less players will be banged up during the playoffs, but injuries are pretty much inevitable. Just look at Ryan Kesler in 2011. Stay healthy Cory Schneider.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Josh Hall breaks down the REAL Van City end of season award winners. His way. There’s probably no disagreeing that the Canucks team awards are a lot nazzyer, or snazzier, than the trophies Juno winners get. However, it’s almost certain the fan choices for these awards differ from one section of Rogers Arena to the next he says. Alex Burrows, Jannik Hansen, Dan Hamhuis, Daniel Sedin, Cory Schneider take a bow.
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.
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 Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s tough loss to the San Jose Sharks on Monday night. Richard points out Henrik Sedin & Daniel Sedin collectively this season, are slumping. When’s the last time they’ve scored a goal that grabbed you from your seat? The only thing worse than the league’s worst powerplay is not having any chances at all for the second time in three games.
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. San Jose Sharks April 1st matchup. Richard says injuries are mounting for Van City. Add Mason Raymond to a list that includes Dale Weise and Keith Ballard. Kevin Bieksa didn’t take the morning skate either but there’s no word yet on him not playing. The Sharks open a four game homestand at HP Pavilion tonight where they’re 11-1-4. Also for the Sharks, Jason Demers didn’t play Saturday and will be a game-day decision.
