Canucks VS Oillers, Game Preview

Opening Face-Off

Let's face it.  Canadian teams aren't the bomb.  They haven't won a cup in decades, and the once "Dynasty's" are only winning the draft lottery, and that's because of how bad they are.  The once great Oilers' look to be a new-look team.  They started the season fresh. with a new coach, a new General Manager, and yes... another top ten draft pick.  But that hasn't changed a thing.  They are still one of the worst teams in the league, and they can't get anything going.  With young-stars like Eberle, RNH, Hall, and Yakupov, they should be like the Ferrari of the NHL.  But instead, they have decided to be the VolksWagen of hockey, Unreliable, Slow, and inconsistent.  The team is at the plight in the season where, they stop and think "Are we going to suck?  Or are we just gonna tank?".

Edmonton has some talent in the Minors, and the CHL.  And best of all, the big names are defencemen.  That's what the Oilers really need to improve on.  They had one of the worst GAA in the league.  And that doesn't all fall on defence, Dubnyk needs to be better, and Bryzgalov helps take the load of Dubnyk.

My Opinion 

Edmonton should trade the first round draft pick for a proven defenceman.  But a team has to be willing to part ways with a d-man.  Of course when someone says proven defense, everyone says that they are gettin' Weber.  And let me tell any Oilers fans reading this... the only Weber you could ever get, is the AHL d-man playing for Vancouver.  But who could they get?  Someone who is getting up there in age, and might have a contract that needs to be renewed next season.  And a veteran to Edmonton is some age that is needed.  The Oilers are the youngest team in the league, and that needs to change.

The Canucks

Vancouver is coming off a 2-0 shutout win by Eddie Lack, that was  Lacks' first home start, and his first shutout.  The Canucks are on a 5 game winning streak,  

and that has been really good for them.  Because they can score goals.  The Achilles heel of the Canucks has been covered (For now) and this has really pleased coach John Tortorella.  Tortorella has done well, in his first season of coaching the Canucks.  The players have finally adapted to his style-of-play.

Stats

Vancouver is on a five game winning streak, and their last win came against Carolina.  Vancouver sits 10th in the league.  

Meanwhile Edmonton's last game was a 5-4 win in OT, against the Carolina Hurricanes. Jordan Eberle is their leading scorer, with 27 points points.  And they sit 27th in the league.

Trade Talk

Vancouver and Edmonton have both Been surrounded by trade talks.  Vancouver is looking to move a d-man.  And Edmonton is looking for defence.  But of course, those two teams would never trade with each other.  Due to the fact that they are in the same conference, and I don't want to see a former Canuck destroy my team.

Injuries

Vancouver is without three players (Sestito doesn't count, as he isn't a human).  They are missing Burrows, Schroeder, and Edler.  This hasn't hurt them much.  But has really proven that they have some good depth.

The Oilers will be struggling, without Bryzgalov, Petry, Gordon, and Ryan Smith.  Bryzgalov was playing well for Edmonton, and that has help because Dubnyk has been Dubnyk this season. His awful goaltending has really shown how bad he actually is, and that the Oilers should not have been comfortable starting the season with him as their starting goalie

Prediction

The Canucks win 5-2.  Kesler gets a hat-trick, and the Sedins' pick up the other two goals.  Hall, and Eberle get on the board for the Oilers.

Winter Classic Preview

This might be the first year in a while where, I haven't really cared about the Winter Classic.  With so many "Stadium Series" games, it's kinda falling away from being prime game of the NHL season.  The winter classic is almost as big as the NHL All-Star game.  But that could be changing soon, if these  Stadium Series' games get popular.

The Teams

Rivals' Detroit, and Toronto go head-to-head as they face-off in the Michigan Stadium, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The stadium is regularly used as a football arena, but the transformation has began.  And it is starting to look like a hockey rink.  The Red Wings, and the Maple Leafs don't meet too often, but just enough to be considered rivals.

HBO's 24/7

24/7, probably what I am happiest to see with the Winter Classic.  Every year, HBO rolls out a season of 24/7, it follows the players, and the coaches around for... you guessed it, 24 hours 7 days a week (Up until the Winter Classic).  And they put it all on TV.  The best part about it: That none of it is edited.  

The Date

The Winter Classic Goes down on New Year's Day, at 10 A.M. Pacific time.  And a lot of people will be watching this game.  But what I am really looking forward to is the Heritage Classic.  When the Canucks take on the Senators in B.C. Place.  That'll be a fun one.

Trade Talk, Evander Kane

Former Vancouver Giant, Evander Kane is not getting the ice time he deserves, in Winnipeg.  The Jets haven't been shopping Kane around, however they are open to any offers.  Vancouver can't score a goal from anywhere.  Kane is a pure goal-scorer, and would be a perfect fit to play with the Sedins'.  That's what puts the Canucks in the big picture, here.

With Winnipeg now in the western conference, they may be concerned about having to see Kane again.  Even though they only play Vancouver three times a year.  Kane would be a fan-favourite here in Vancouver, as he played junior hockey in Vancouver, with the Giants, of the WHL.

Evanders' work ethic was questioned when playing with Winnipeg, and with that happening he is being yo-yoed throughout the lineup.  It's been tough for Kane, trying to crack a top-line with, Blake Wheeler, Andrew Ladd, and Bryan Little is almost impossible for anyone on the Jets roster.

Kane has made it clear that he doesn't want to be in Winnipeg, if he is not on the top line.  If he is limited to second line ice-time much longer, he will probably request a trade.

What Might He Cost?

Kane isn't a veteran of the league.  He is more of an unproven star.  He has never had a real 'Break-Out' season.  That should come in handy if Vancouver tries to pry him off the Jets roster.  The Jets may be interested in a player like Alexander Edler.  Edler is, for some reason, known as a good player.  Edler just signed a six year $30 million dollar contract, with Vancouver.  The main flaw in the contract being that there is a no-trade-clause. 

 So if Edler doesn't want to leave Van City, we are stuck with him.  Another player they may be interested in, is Jordan Schroeder.  Schroeder really broke-out with Vancouver, last season.  The 23 year old center is currently injured, but will be on the Canucks roster once healed.

With this up-coming draft being a bit weak, the Canucks may choose to trade their 1st round draft pick.  With a package of Edler, Schroeder, and the first rounder.   That trade could be what Winnipeg wants, and Kane could become a Canucks fairly soon

Canucks VS Sens', Game Preview

Vancouver, and Ottawa.  These two teams will clash in the 2012 Tim Hortons Heritage Classic.  

An abundance of outdoor games, this season.  With four NHL Stadium Series games, a Winter Classic, and the final event being the Heritage Classic.

  

There are rumours that Ottawa is on the verge of acquiring Rangers defenceman, Michael Del-Zotto.  Del-Zotto was actually a healthy scratch, for the last couple Rangers games.  It is obvious that he and New York Rangers coach, Alain Vigneault.

The Senators, and the Canucks have had their fair share of problems.  Vancouver can't score, and Ottawa is having defensive troubles.  Now... when you think about it, this should be an interesting game.  Bad defense VS  bad offense, that normally makes for an interesting game.

Ottawa is 24th in the league, with 22 points.  Looking at the record, of both teams, Vancouver looks to have the edge.  And that couldn't come at a better time, in the season.  Cause Vancouver has not played well in the last ten games.

Ottawa fans were livid, when long-time captain Daniel Alfredsson left the team, to play with Detroit.

Soon after the news broke that he was gone, Bobby Ryan was acquired from Anaheim.  In exchange for a first round draft pick, and Jakob Silfverberg.

"Argh", The Canucks Story

"Are you kidding me?".  That's what everyone who has watched the last seven Canucks games, has said.  Another season, same problems.  Goal scoring, it can't be stressed enough that the 'Nucks need to produce more goals.  With half their plays in a slump, they need John Tortorella to navigate the team towards winning waters.  Currently in 16th, the Canucks picked the wrong season to semi-tank the season.  As Connor McDavid isn't eligible until the 2015 draft.

Who's In A Slump?

Alex Burrows, David Booth, and the team in general.  Alex Burrows started the season off wrong, blocking a shot with your face will result in a few missed games.  Burrows has had many chances to score, yet has failed on all of them.  With no goals and three assist, he is tied with David Booth in points.  David Booth, the $4.5 million dollar third-liner.  Booth was plagued by injury, the moment he put on a Canuck jersey.  It was assumed he would be bought-out last season. But buy-outs' aren't allowed on injured players.  Tortorella obviously isn't a member of the "David Booth Fan Club" (if their are any people in it...) limiting his games by a high-note.  Booth has one goal, and two assists, this season.  The team... oh the team, the west has gotten'  a lot tougher to play in, this season.  And the Canucks are some of the first to realize that (first being Calgary, and Edmonton, who have been crappy for years).  San Jose, Colorado, and Anaheim are looking like the supreme teams in the league.  And Vancouver... not so much.

Who Needs To Go?

Alexander Edler needs to go, before everybody realizes that he isn't all worth all the hype.  And the main thing they need is offence, at this point.  Frankie Corrado is more than ready for the NHL, as he proved that in the playoffs, last season.  Edler, for some reason, could fetch a good top 6 forward. The Hurricanes are looking for a top two, puck-moving defenceman.  And that could potentially see Carolina trade former Canuck, Tuomo Ruutu, back to Vancouver.  With some prospects coming back with Ruutu.  But this is all in the hands of Edler.  As he has a no-trade Clause.  If he doesn't want out if Vancouver, he stays, and Vancouver... doesn't do to well.

Edler's Season Stats

SEASON	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PP	SH	GW	S	S%
REGULAR SEASON	23	3	5	8	-10	16	0	0	0	66	4.5
LEAGUE RANK	226TH	213TH	242ND	253RD	726TH	152ND	236TH	49TH	221ST	51ST	444TH

Stats, Canucks.com

Kassian, Receiving Very Little Ice Time

Zack Kassian was under a microscope, the second he became a Canuck.  When he, and defenceman Marc-Andre Gragnani, were traded to Vancouver.  In return, the Canucks sent center Cody Hodgson, and defenceman Andrew Sulzer.  Hodgson wasn't happy with his ice-time with the Canucks.  But the return value was not adequate.  At the time, Vancouver was acquiring players that would play well against a team like Boston.  But that wasn't the case.  Since Kassian has been a Canucks, Vancouver has not made it past the second round, of the playoffs.  Kassian has not been on a line long enough to create any chemistry.  Whether it's first line with the Sedins for a day, or playing on the fourth line.

Kassian was drafted 9th overall by the Sabres', and at the time was known for his skill.  But since joining Vancouver he has been more of grinder.  And he isn't playing that role very well.  His job is to work the boards, and get into the dirty areas.  But he hasn't been playing that way.

The Canucks are still adjusting to changes, with a new coach, comes a new system.  And it seems Kassian has had trouble adjusting to the system.  Kassians' dump and change type of style has been over-shadowed by John Tortorella's high for-checking type of play.  Kassians' ice-time has been brought down by five minutes, since last season.  And some changes are on the way.

Tortorella, After 25 Games

John Tortorella has won a Stanley Cup.  Something that Alain Vigneault, has never won.  Once Canucks fans got word that Torts had won a cup, they immediately assumed that he would be the one to end the cup draught for Vancouver.  When Vigneault was fired and John Tortorella was signed as the new head coach, fans were wondering which Tortorella they would get.  Would it be the Tortorella that thinks everything sucks.  Or would it be the rare, calm Torts.  So far it has been the calm Tortorella.  He has not gone off at any reporters like he did in New York, with Larry Brooks.


Tortorella has had a similar season to the one he had last year with New York.  Goal scoring has been the Canucks' Kryptonite thus-far.  With defence being their strong point.  Tortorella's mindset is defence, and a high forecheck.   When Vigneault was the coach, goal scoring wasn't a thing.  It was defensive, and laid-back play, with the occasional odd goal.


Tortorella's Canucks' have a record of, 12-9-4 sitting 15th in the league.  Any Canuck fan would be ok with that, as of now.  Because the last time the Canucks had a bad start like this, was in 2011.  That's the same season that saw the Canucks, and Bruins square-off in the Stanley Cup Finals.


My favorite thing about the team, with Tortorella is, that they don't back down.  Under Vigneault, when the team had a lead, they would just play defence.  Sitting back like that never worked, and thats probably why he isn't still coaching.

Canucks, Rebuild in the Future

In 2011, the Canucks came one goal away from winning their first Stanley Cup.  Three seasons later, and everyone's just getting older.  The team isn't young, like it was in those 2011 playoffs.  Sedins', Burrows, Kesler, and Kevin Bieksa are all in their thirties now.  And the window to succeed is closing, fast. With a rebuild in the future, let's take a look at what they have, and what they need.

Good Drafting

The Canucks lucked out, last draft with Bo Horvat, Hunter Shinkaruk, and Jordan Subban.  But the proven rookies are on the farm team.  With Frankie Corrado, and Niklas Jensen proving that they deserve a spot on the Canucks roster.

Missing Pieces

Eddie Lack has proven he is a worthy NHL goalie, but what happens when Luongo retires.  They will need to trade for/draft a future starting goalie.  There are no "outstanding" goalies, in the upcoming draft.  So goaltending will have to wait a year, or two.

Other Future Prospects

Even though everyone hates him, Mike Gillis has done one thing right with the Canucks team.  Drafting.  He has done exceptionally well when it comes to the draft.  But he never gives the players a chance, with good ice-time.  Cody Hodgson had top-end talent, until Gillis made an awful trade the saw the gritty tough Zack Kassian come in, and the Skillful speedy Cody Hodgson leave.  Now, don't get me wrong, Zack Kassian isn't a bust.  But Cody Hodgson would be able to help them a center, and assist with goal-scoring.

Niklas Jensen was re-called by the Canucks, from the farm team.  He was givin' 4th line time.  You can't give 4th line time to a rookie, and expect him to produce.  He was sent back down a week later, and hasn't been called up since then.

Stats, Luongo VS Schneider

Cory Schneider and Roberto Luongo used to be teammates on the Vancouver Canucks.  The Canucks had plans to move Luongo during the draft, but Luongo's contract had no takers.  Edmonton and New Jersey were the two front-runners to acquire Schneider, but the Canucks did not wan't to trade within their division.  New Jersey sent a 1st round draft pick to Vancouver, straight up for Cory Schneider.  With Schneider gone, and Luongo now the starter for Vancouver, lets see how their stats add up.

Schneiders' Stats

	GP	W	L	OT	GA	SA	SV	SV%	GAA	SO	PIM	MIN
REGULAR SEASON	10	2	5	3	19	255	236	.925	1.87	1	0	609
LEAGUE RANK	30TH	45TH	17TH	5TH	38TH	32ND	31ST	12TH	5TH	10TH	15TH	29TH

Schneider was drafted in the 2004 NHL entry draft, ahead of Capitals defenceman Mike Green, and Detroit forward Johan Franzen.  Schneider played with Vancouver AHL affiliate team, the Manitoba Moose, until finally establishing himself in 2010.  Schneider was a fan favorite in Vancouver, and was going to be Vancouver #1 goalie before being traded at the 2013 NHL entry draft.

Luongos' Stats

	GP	W	L	OT	GA	SA	SV	SV%	GAA	SO	PIM	MIN
REGULAR SEASON	19	9	6	4	44	514	470	.914	2.33	2	0	1,133
LEAGUE RANK	3RD	13TH	12TH	3RD	9TH	9TH	9TH	23RD	17TH	2ND	15TH	5TH

Luongo was drafted 4th overall in the 1997  NHL entry draft.  He was traded from NYI, to Florida, and now plays with the Vancouver Canucks.  Luongo wanted out of Vancouver, when everyone thought Schneider was going to be the Canucks starting goalie for the future, however no teams wanted to take-on his salary.

Photos via NHL.com

Canucks VS Blue Jackets game preview

                                                                        Nucks' In A Slump

Scoring has not come naturally for the Canucks.  With all the offensive talent on their roster, you'd think they could put the puck in the net more often.  But that has not been the story, this season.  They are currently ranked 20th in NHL goals for per game.  That's no where near where they were last year, and where they should be this season.  

          Booth's Pretty Bad...

David Booth was only given one game to prove himself, by John Tortorella.  In that game all he had was one hit.  Obviously David Booth hasn't been the same since a knee-on-knee hit took, during a game against the Minnesota Wild.  Booth's on-ice play is nowhere near the $4.5 million he makes a year.  A buy-out in the off-season is obviously the route the Canucks will take.

       PowerPlay Ain't Very Powerful

Who has one of the worst PowerPlay's in the league, you guessed it, the Canucks have one if the worst man-advantages in the entire league.  Thats in the mix of Calgary, Edmonton, and Buffalo.

        Tears In Columbus 

Columbus is coming off a loss to the worst team in the league, a very, very bad loss that saw Edmonton win 7-0.  You know you suck when you lose to a team that's tanking the season.  Currently ranked 27th, the Jackets are going to fight to make the Playoffs.

   What Happened To The Vezina?

Sergei Bobrovsky is not playing like his Vezina winning, crime stopping self, as of late.  If he doesn't start changing his play, Columbus will start looking for a new goaltender.  Bobrovsky won the Vezina Trophy last season, and made it to the final round of the EA Sports NHL Cover-Vote, losing to Martin Brodeur 

Injuries And Other News

The Canucks are still without Jordan Schroeder, and David Booth is just to bad to play in the lineup.

Columbus will be hurting, missing some of their top players.  Gaborik, Horton, Calvert, and Dubinsky are all out with injuries.

                  Prediction 

David Booth flies out of the press box and scores a goal in OT, celebrates by shooting Anisimov with his stick.  The final score will be 3-2.  The Canucks will win, and all Columbuses' goals come shorthanded.

Canucks VS Panthers Game Review

Winning, its something the Canucks have had a hard time doing, as of late.  Going just 1-4 in their last five games, with their last win being a 4-0 victory against Toronto.  "Puck Luck", as John Tortorella calls it, hasn't been good to them, adding "The bounces just haven't gone our way".  Now unlucky bounces have been the story for Canucks, in the last five games.  But they must find a way to patch this sinking ship, and fast, as the conferences have changed.  With changes in the league, comes tougher teams for the Canucks to face.  Florida has had a less than normal season, so a Canucks victory should be in order.

                                                    Floridas' Point Of View

Aleksander Barkov was the second pick in last years draft, and Florida felt he was mature enough to step into the NHL immediately.  With four goals and right points in twenty two NHL games, Barkov had proven he's NHL ready.  Jonathan Huberdeau was Floridas first pick in 2011, this is his first full year in the NHL.  Huberdeau, and Barkov are the centrefolds of Floridas big re-build.  Florida is looking to turn thing around soon, but re-build don't happen overnight.  Hopefully the Panthers' organization will take their time with the team, and build up the proper way.

                                               The Luongo VS Thomas Rivalry

It's pretty clear that Roberto Luongo and Tim Thomas do NOT like each other.  After a Stanley Cup Final that saw Luongo lose to Thomas's Bruins, the two have been dog-on-bone at each other.  

Thomas was traded to the Islanders, and signed by Florida the following year.  He hasn't played in Vancouver since the Stanley Cup Final in the 2010-2011 season.

                                                                   Injuries 

Dale Weise is expected to return to the Canucks lineup, and Jordan Schroeder is still out with surgery.  Ed Jovanovski is the only injured player, on Florida.

Why The Avalanche Are So Good

After not making the playoffs for the last four seasons, the Colorado Avalanche were looking to turn things around.  They are a team built through the draft, like the Oilers, but it actually worked for them.  With top-end offensive/defensive talent, they were bound to turn things around this season.

They brought in Patrick Roy to coach, and made a president of hockey operations out of former franchise player Joe Sakic.  Patrick Roys first game as a coach sees him go crazy, as Bruce Boudreau put his goons out at the end of a game.  Roy was fined 10,000 for his tirade.   

This season, the Aves have a record of 14-4 and they stand 5th in the league.  Matt Duchene has been a juggernaut this season, with 20 points in 18 games he stands 16th in point leaders.  Nathan Mackinnon has had a great start to his rookie year, playing of the Aves third line.

But the real reason for the Aves success is their young skilled team, their lines look like this:

        

Leafs Acquire Staubitz, Holland From The Ducks

The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired center Peter Holland, and right winger Brad Staubitz, from Anaheim.  In exchange, the Ducks  received defenseman  Jesse Blacker, and two draft picks. 

Toronto forward Troy Bodie had been sent down to make roster room for Peter Holland.  And Brad Staubitz will start with the Marlies.

After Nazem Kadri's suspension, and Dave Bollands injury, the Maple Leafs were looking to add good depth at center, Holland will be a good addition to help that.  Toronto will probably put Holland on the third/fourth line, once the injuries heal.  

Jesse Blacker was drafted in the second round, 58th overall in the 2009 NHL draft.  3rd line defense-pair for him, if not getting sent down to the minors, by the Ducks.