NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger gives you his five positives from the Vancouver Canucks’ 2013-2014 season. Though it culminated with yet another disappointing first round exit that was all the more embarrassing this year, there was some impressive play throughout the season from a few key players. Corey Schneider played well in his first year as a starter, Tanev and Corrado really shaped up, and this may be the final season for Alain Vigneault.
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 Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s loss to the San Jose Sharks in Game 3 of Round 1. He says that, on the positive side, that the series isn’t as bad as it looks, the weather is great, and the Canucks will move on. However, he does address the fact that the Canucks are once again failing to get anything going, lacking a dominant goalkeeper, and just struggling in the playoffs.
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 Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s loss to the San Jose Sharks in Game 1 of Round 1. He asks Is it puck luck that demands the Canucks need be perfect to score but opponents can score with any half chance? Multiple times in this game Daniel Sedin had a perfect opportunity to shoot the puck and either hesitated or passed off. Roberto Luongo was not the problem.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks’ blogger Richard Hodges takes a look at the form of the Vancouver Canucks as they head into their first round matchup with the San Jose Sharks. The Canucks have just as good a chance as every other team says Richard, but they will need the lucky bounces to go in their favor. A Cup run is unlikely, Richard thinks, but playoff hockey brings the unexpected right to our living rooms.
NWSB Insider and Vancouver Canucks blogger Bryan McFarlane weighs in with his Nucks three stars post. Here are the few noteworthy performers from April 14 to April 21 during the Canucks’ 2013 campaign. Alexander Edler, Ryan Kessler and Derek Roy make the list this week. Roy also earns credit for his goal of the week in his return to Dallas.
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 Richard Hodges is back to give you his love ‘em and hate ‘em from Vancouver’s loss to the St. Louis Blues. Richard points out Cory Schneider got the start on the second half of back to back nights. Roberto Luongo was the surprise starter on Monday. This was a playoff game, and by rights it should have been settled in 5-on-5 overtime. Quick fact. The Canucks need Derek Roy to anchor a third line.
