With the Vancouver Canucks starting the season with 3 straight losses, it is all too easy to focus on the negatives and highlight what is wrong with the team. To buck the trend, I’m going to do the opposite – here are some positives that have developed, early in the season:
Mikael Samuelsson:
Although registering a minus-3 against Columbus, Sammy looks like he will be a solid addition to the Canucks, and probably an upgrade on the inconsistent efforts of departed Mats Sundin. In each of the team’s three games, Samuelsson has elevated his game with the Canucks down in the third period, adding energy when it has been needed.
Powerplay Pointmen:
Last season, every time Sami Salo went down, which was too often, there appeared to be a lack of true powerplay point patrollers. With the addition of Christian Ehrhoff, an older, more confident Alex Edler, a healthy Salo, and Mathieu Schneider on his way back, the Canucks seem to have no shortage of defensemen who can dictate play as well as threaten PK units with blistering shots.
Mason Raymond:
Raymond has been working his butt off everytime he’s been on the ice, and considering he’s been carrying a line with the flu-ridden Kyle Wellwood, it hasn’t been easy. Against Columbus, he was promoted to the second line after rookie Sergei Shirokov played himself off it, and Raymond looked very comfortable, helping create a few quality scoring chances. One beauty was a pass to Samuelson in the slot, who unfortunately whiffed on the puck. Raymond will probably receive more second line playing time, and he will capitalize on it.
Only One Way To Go:
The Canucks could potentially lose even more games, with the upcoming stretch featuring strong teams in Montreal, Dallas, and Calgary, but one player who can’t possibly get any worse is Luongo. Yes, he is a chronic slow starter, but once he rebounds, we know that Lui will be incredible.
Mikael Samuelsson:
Although registering a minus-3 against Columbus, Sammy looks like he will be a solid addition to the Canucks, and probably an upgrade on the inconsistent efforts of departed Mats Sundin. In each of the team’s three games, Samuelsson has elevated his game with the Canucks down in the third period, adding energy when it has been needed.
Powerplay Pointmen:
Last season, every time Sami Salo went down, which was too often, there appeared to be a lack of true powerplay point patrollers. With the addition of Christian Ehrhoff, an older, more confident Alex Edler, a healthy Salo, and Mathieu Schneider on his way back, the Canucks seem to have no shortage of defensemen who can dictate play as well as threaten PK units with blistering shots.
Mason Raymond:
Raymond has been working his butt off everytime he’s been on the ice, and considering he’s been carrying a line with the flu-ridden Kyle Wellwood, it hasn’t been easy. Against Columbus, he was promoted to the second line after rookie Sergei Shirokov played himself off it, and Raymond looked very comfortable, helping create a few quality scoring chances. One beauty was a pass to Samuelson in the slot, who unfortunately whiffed on the puck. Raymond will probably receive more second line playing time, and he will capitalize on it.
Only One Way To Go:
The Canucks could potentially lose even more games, with the upcoming stretch featuring strong teams in Montreal, Dallas, and Calgary, but one player who can’t possibly get any worse is Luongo. Yes, he is a chronic slow starter, but once he rebounds, we know that Lui will be incredible.
You think Calgary is a strong team!!
Flames!!!