Comparing trades is like comparing snowflakes
Patrick Johnston
March 03 2012 01:39PM
So the next great Linden is gone. The boy named after salmon is no more. Cue the next cliche.
Comparisons get made all the time, and two have already emerged - the Cam Neely trade and the Markus Naslund trade. But is either really a good comparison?
On Friday, Jonathan Willis had a look at the Naslund trade and showed us why every trade is like a snowflake. Trying to find patterns is good, but they aren't always there. Let's take a look at another trade which some might want to compare to Zack Kassian for Cody Hodgson.
Deadline Preview: What do Winners Do?
Patrick Johnston
February 25 2012 04:23PM
Marian Hossa qualifies an okay deadline pick up, I guess.
(Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
If you haven't read the posts yet, my colleagues have done some fine work prepping us for the deadline. We've gone through a full inventory of Canucks needs, cap-space and tradable assets, looked at the recent history of the franchise at the trade-deadline and targeted five available forwards and five available defenseman.
In continuing on with Canucks Army's exhaustive deadline preview series, I thought I'd take a look at "what the teams that make it to the Cup Finals" did to improve their rosters at the deadline. Are there any lessons that we can draw from the behavior of previous top contenders? Click past the jump to find out!
Wolf Prowl - February 17th, 2012
Patrick Johnston
February 17 2012 02:47PM
Mike Davies and the Wolves just keep on rollin'
(Photo: Chris Jerina/AHL in Photos)
After a bit of a hiatus following the AHL All Star Game, your favourite Chicago Wolves feature is back!
In the past week the Wolves played three times, picking up two wins. That continues their hot 2012; they've now got 12 wins in 18 games since the beginning of the year.
Way, way outside the organizational philosophy
Patrick Johnston
February 15 2012 01:03PM
Eric Staal can't decide who he likes best, Rick Nash or Corey Perry. We're pretty sure the Canucks do.
(Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Twitter is...all..a-twitter...about Rick Nash being on the move. Coming after much recent speculation about Corey Perry, how can Canucks fans stand it all?
Some, like our very own Jeff Angus, are predicting the Canucks will make a major shakeup at the trade deadline. My own feeling is they need a defenceman but, what the heck, if there's a high-quality scoring winger out there - even if the Canucks have already picked up the underappreciated David Booth - it's worth considering.
Let's take a look at the two names that have been batted about recently as possible targets for the Canucks: Rick Nash, as mentioned, and Corey Perry. Even disregarding who would have to move out the other way, let's assess both players on the principle you acquire the player first and sort out the rest second.
Disruption in Action: The Anatomy of a Goal.
Patrick Johnston
February 12 2012 02:20PM
We know they score goals, but how do they do it?
(Photo: John Russell/Getty Images)
In a follow-up to my previous post about the purpose of offence - here's an example how 'disrupting the defence' leads to scoring chances (and sometimes goals).
It involves the Sedins and their new pal Byron Bitz (otherwise known as the man who can everything).
This is the 3rd goal for the Canucks from Tuesday's first period. In the first frame, we see Byron Bitz down and the Sedins driving the puck up the boards, AWAY from the net. It's pretty obvious what they are looking to do, they are looking to drag the Preds' defence apart and also create space to play in too.
The Predators' defence is already in trouble; Daniel has put himself in a spot which is meant to confuse the defenders coverage game. It's right here where the scoring chance is created - two touches of the puck BEFORE Daniel gets his shot.
