The Canucks' Likely Playoff Opponents
Jonathan Willis
March 09 2012 01:55PM
We know today where the Vancouver Canucks are likely to finish in the Western Conference. They may not technically have clinched the Northwest Division crown at this point, but with an 18-point gap separating them from second-ranked Colorado, that’s simply a formality. They also don’t have a mathematical lock on the first or second spot in the West, but with a 13-point gap between them and the current Pacific Division leader (Dallas), that’s another mere formality.
With so much certainty for the Canucks, who are their likely playoff opponents?
The Canucks Miss Ehrhoff Less Than Ehrhoff Misses The Canucks
Jonathan Willis
March 07 2012 10:59AM
When the Canucks signed Kevin Bieksa but allowed Christian Ehrhoff to become an unrestricted free agent, there were naturally concerns. Ehrhoff is a quality defenseman, and was a big part of the Canucks offense, both on the power play and at even-strength. As it turns out, however, Ehrhoff misses the Canucks’ power play more than the Canucks’ power play misses him.
Henrik Sedin Might Never Take Another Defensive Zone Faceoff
Jonathan Willis
March 04 2012 01:35PM
It probably shouldn’t have been a huge surprise when the Canucks acquired Samuel Pahlsson. Pahlsson has long been one of the league’s truly elite defensive zone specialists, and no team matches given lines to given zones like the Vancouver Canucks.
It also shouldn’t be a surprise to note that instead of having one line take all the defensive zone draws, Alain Vigneault has responded to the addition of Pahlsson by giving almost all of the defensive zone draws to two lines.
Is Zack Kassian The Modern Alek Stojanov?
Jonathan Willis
March 02 2012 11:41AM
The comparison in the title is one that has come up over the last couple of days. Vancouver Sun reporter Elliott Pap brought up one of the Canucks’ greatest trade victories in his take on the Kassian-for-Hodgson deal, and suggested that this time the Canucks might find themselves on the other end of things.
How do Kassian and Stojanov compare?
The Commendable Boldness Of Mike Gillis
Jonathan Willis
February 29 2012 11:18AM
“We knew we’d have to give up a good young player to get something.” – Mike Gillis, commenting on the blockbuster trade that sent Cody Hodgson and Alexander Sulzer to Buffalo in exchange for Zack Kassian and Marc-Andre Gragnani.
