NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Phil Slater talks about Vancouver’s options for getting bigger, something they need to do to stop being pushed around and intimidated by other teams. “Younger and bigger” was Mike Gillis’ answer on how to produce results. Concerned that the NHL is trending to a more physical, less skilled nature and tired about his team being leaned on too much without much push back. Could we see Jimmy Hayes, Martin Hanzal, or Jamie Oleksiak in Van city?
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 Phil, the bartender, takes a break from all things BC Lions to give us his top five head coach wish list. There are a few names here that should be more than a little familiar to the casual fan in Vancouver, plus one that seems to come out of left field. But as a bartender, Phil knows what the folks on the streets are saying. Hell, half of them could step right in to take over for Alain Vigneault right now!
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 Vancouver Canucks insider Josh Hall speculates what Thursday’s off-season press conference could possibly be about. Does Zack Kassian’s do have anything TO DO with it? Are Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin and Alex Edler looking for one more linemate to take over to Sweden with them? The answer is probably pretty obvious. Tell us in the comments section what you think. Hit us back at NWSB today.
Richard Hodges previews the San Jose Sharks vs Vancouver Canucks May 3rd matchup. Richard says the goaltending saga continues as Roberto Luongo starts again and is preparing like he’ll start them all. There’s still no word on Cory Schneider’s condition in the most bizarre twist of this year-long soap opera. The Canucks meanwhile will load up Derek Roy and Ryan Kesler on the second line with Chris Higgins in an attempt to find some scoring punch.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Kevin “The Flying V” Vanstone is back today to tell the fans that Roberto Luongo is expected to make a surprise start tonight opposite the San Jose Sharks in Game One of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He says Cory Schneider the Ginger Jesus may not be in tonight’s lineup, but Kev expects 18, 630 Canucks fans will be there to pick up the slack.
Richard Hodges previews the Vancouver Canucks vs. Calgary Flames April 10th matchup. Richard says Monday was the triumphant return of Ryan Kesler. Tuesday, unfortunately, was the departure of Chris Tanev and Chris Higgins from the line-up for the foreseeable future. This is an important time building for the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The stretch run continues for the Vancouver Canucks with a five game road trip opening in Calgary tonight.
Richard Hodges previews the Edmonton Oilers vs. Vancouver Canucks April 4th matchup. Richard says the Canucks addressed their biggest need and there’s no reason to believe this team isn’t better than last week. Derek Roy gives this line-up some scary flexibility. You can bitch about the lack of depth moves until you’re blue in the face, but the Roy acquisition is significant. Yes Roberto Luongo hates his contract, its his birthday today, Cory Schneider is in net. Deal with it.
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 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.
