If Toronto and Vancouver could talk, and they had a conversation leading up to this Saturday's game between the Canucks and the Maple Leafs, it would probably go something like this: Vancouver: Hi Toronto Toronto: Oh hey little buddy! How's it going? Big game for your Canucks this weekend playing the Leafs, eh? How are you guys doing anyways? V: We're leading our division, and we're sixth in the NHL right now. T: Really? Who'd have known... V: We've got the best team in Canada! You don't even know how well the Canucks are playing right now? T: Nah. Last time we heard about you guys was when Ron MacLean was talking about that Burrows guy. Burrows – what a jerk eh? V: Seriously? Don't you know what happened after that? It was the biggest sports story here for two weeks! T: No idea. V: MacLean's interview with Colin Campbell was completely one sided! The Canucks even boycotted the CBC last week by doing no interviews. T: Really? We didn't even notice. You know no one past Alberta watches hockey after 10pm, right? So basically your team boycotted its own fans from interviews. V: Grrr... I HATE you Toronto! T: Haha, relax little guy! (Toronto ruffles Vancouver's hair. Vancouver scowls and pouts)
If any of you are not yet aware, Alexandre Burrows went off on quite a rant following Monday night's game against the Nashville Predators. He made serious allegations against one of the game's referee's, Stephane Auger, stating that, "It started in warm-up before the anthems. The ref came over to me and said I made him look bad in Nashville on the Smithson hit. He said he was going to get me back tonight, and he did his job in the third, I think." – as reported by Brad Zeimer of The Vancouver Sun. He went on to add that Auger's ego cost the Canucks two points, as he made one of the two calls with the game tied 2-2 and 4:45 left in the game. The surprising thing that occurred as the story developed on Tuesday was that all of hockey's most respected analysts, from Bob McKenzie to Darren Dreger, experts who have no ties to Vancouver, were not critical of Burrows and were not accusing him of crying over spilt milk. Rather, they took the view that for Burrows to give such accurate information on the interaction between him and the ref, and in review of the two penalties in question that did very much appear to be "phantom calls", his story probably was based in fact. In examining the story ourselves, and trying to take out as much Vancouver bias as possible, it must be understood that the player's post game comments were made after having some time to consider what the repercussions would be. Every player knows that complaining about the refereeing of a game will most likely lead to a fine and a possible suspension. Despite this, Burrows felt it necessary to make his voice heard – obviously believing his story was important enough that it needed to be exposed. As of Tuesday evening, TSN has reported that the only discipline that will be laid out by the NHL will be a $2,500 fine to Burrows. Apparently they wish for this story that threatens the very integrity of the league, to just go away. One thing is for sure: it won't soon be forgotten in Vancouver.
Third Line:
Why does Vancouver love Kyle Wellwood so much? Two weeks ago, in a game against Los Angeles, when a goal credited to Wellwood was reviewed and given to the true scorer, Tanner Glass, the GM Place crowd actually booed in protest. Granted it was Wellwood’s first goal of the season, but talk about picking favorites!
Perhaps it’s his angelic, innocent face, or the fact that we all see a little of ourselves in his formerly out of shape physique, or maybe it is because we know that when he’s on his game, he is one of the most skilled Canuck forwards out there. With Wellwood, it’s all about confidence, so what’s the key to keeping his up? For starters, don’t expect him to carry a line. Playing with Tanner Glass and Steve Bernier while the Canucks were reeling from injuries, Wellwood was the only creative individual of the trio, and even when he made good plays they would go nowhere. It was the addition of Jannik Hansen to his line that initially gave him the kick in the butt he needed. Now that head coach Alain Vigneault has moved Mikael Samuelsson to the line in place of Hansen, it will combine a good combination of grit and skill, as Samuelsson is a creative, puck possession player.Second Line:
The Vancouver Sun seems to think the fact that Ryan Kesler hasn’t scored a goal in 14 games is an issue. It’s not. Kesler is the engine that drives the Canucks, and he continues to play hard and inspire teammates with the way he always put everything on the ice. Goal scoring slumps are often overstated, and that is certainly the case here, as he has 4 assists in the Canucks last 5 games, meaning he is still creating offense.
With Hansen moved to the second line to play with Mason Raymond and Kesler, this is now a line of like minded individuals: they’re all strong, tough, and good with the puck, and all three of them travel in one direction – straight to the net. This combination will continue to provide energy when the team needs it and provide goals at big moments.
Fourth Line:
Rick Rypien and Ryan Johnson are completely underrated offensively, yet they manage to do pretty well in that regard, given their mandate of “don’t make mistakes and keep the puck in the offensive end”. When they poke in the odd goal, it’s a nice present, though not really a surprise.
Following Sunday’s 1-0 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, here is the Canucks’ hot/not list:
HOT:
Mason Raymond:
With 14 points so far, Raymond is finally having his breakout season with the Canucks. Playing with a lot more grit and determination, lately he has looked like a slicker version of Ryan Kesler.
Christian Ehrhoff:
Following a 2 goal, 1 assist performance against the Avalanche, Ehrhoff sits 4th on the Canucks scoring list. An outburst like that can only encourage him to trust his offensive skills and put up more points as the season goes on.
Jannik Hansen:
This is more about what he represents for the team than his personal play: the return of Hansen from his hand injury brings a whole new dimension to the Canucks – a third line that can score.
NOT:
Kyle Wellwood:
Wellwood has 2 points in 19 games, and he is an offensively gifted player! In fairness, he’s been stuck with Tanner Glass and Steve Bernier for most of the season - not much to work with. But what’s really lacking in his game right now? One word: confidence. Hansen might be the serum he needs.
Sami Salo:
With Ehrhoff picking up the slack for the defensemen, one player who has fallen under the radar is Salo. Tied with Kyle Wellwood with just 2 points on the season, Salo is not using this blistering shot to strike fear into opposing goalies and penalty killers. Shoot the puck, Sami!
Alex Burrows:
Burrows hasn’t been the Canucks’ sparkplug like he was last year with only 4 goals in 23 games. Being reunited with the Sedin brothers will change this, and Burrows won’t be on the cold list for long.
Yesterday morning, on his regular game day interview spot on the Team 1040, John Shorthouse was asked which Canuck will be this year’s Alex Burrows. Who will score all those clutch goals; make key plays when the team needs them most. His answer was that it had to be a collective effort, a team response. Don’t listen to him. The real answer to the question is Mikael Samuelson.
Brought in to fill the void left by Mats Sundin, Samuelson has had big shoes to fill. Yes, even Sundin detractors have to admit that he added an offensive dimension to the Canucks. On the powerplay Sundin was a force, he dominated the sideboards and rarely made an error, and his presence on the ice, even at even strength was formidable. Samuelson may not be as big as Sundin, or have the hands that seemed to settle down any puck in his vicinity, but he is apparently just as strong. Add to that the Swede’s skill – that was apparently underrated as he played on the third line on a very deep Detroit Red Wings team – and a tenaciousness that is second to none, and the Canucks have got themselves a gem.
Write this down: Mikael Samuelson will be an impact player for the Vancouver Canucks in the 2009-2010 season. Come playoffs, he will only get better, because he has been there with the NHL’s best organization many times and he has won. He knows what it takes, and he’s already shown that he’s prepared to bring it to each and every game.
While we’re talking about radio personalities, do note that Dave Tomlinson, Canucks analyst, predicted a 3-2 Vancouver win, directly before the game started.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wishes his players would hit people with sticks. Imagine the headline, “Plaxico Burress strikes himself in the leg with concealed crowbar.”
Vancouver Canuck Alex Burrows is facing possible charges for hitting a goaltender with his stick in a Montreal summer league game. This is an NHL headline today.
Burrows probably wishes he played in the NFL, where newsworthy items include Burress shooting himself at a club with his own gun last year; Pacman Jones allegedly smashing a stripper’s head into the stage in just one of his numerous altercations; Michael Vick bankrolling a dog fighting operation; and fights at nightclubs happening weekly.
Amidst NFL stories, Burrows’ stick infraction would hardly turn a head. Unfortunately for him, he plays in the NHL in Canada, where players are disparaged for declining to sign an autograph let alone breaking the law.
On Wednesday, Rick Rypien signed a two year contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks worth a total of $1.1 million. At an average of $550,000 per season, it’
s a bargain for a player who possesses more skill and talent than he’s given credit for. Fostering talent in unforeseen sources is something the most consistent, successful NHL franchises do, and the Canucks finally seem to be catching on.
In the space of 3 seasons, Alex Burrows has gone from being a fourth liner to one of the Canucks’ leading goal scorers, playing on the top line with the Sedins twins. This transformation has been based largely on hard work and desire, but also on his unrecognized talent level. Rypien, for his part, may be even more capable than Burrows. He possesses great puckhandling skills and speed which he combines with poise and vision. Given a chance to play in a more offensive role, Rypien will be able to produce.
Unfortunately, this skill could all go to waste if he continues his string of injury luck. Since signing with the Canucks in 2005, Rypien has broken his leg and thumb, torn his groin, and suffered a sports hernia. His lack of durability was likely the most significant contributing factor in the relatively low contract. Although the signing leaves both money and term on the table, you can bet both sides will be overjoyed if Rick Rypien is demanding a hefty raise in two years time.
