Monday Morning Musing: March 28th
By J.D. Burke
8 years ago
I’m of the belief that even the most inconsequential of transactions, events and whatever you may have leaguewide affects every team, at every level, to some extent. Newton’s law and so on.
With that in mind, there just simply isn’t enough time or resources to give them all the attention they deserve in this space. Ideally, though, one can scratch the surface of these events – linked directly to the Vancouver Canucks or otherwise – and examine their far-reaching impact to Roger’s Arena and beyond.
With that, here are my Monday Morning Musings for the week that was.
Nail Yakupov has requested a trade:
Shocking news came out of Edmonton on Sunday. Nail Yakupov, a former first-overall selection, reportedly asked to be dealt in advance of the February 29th trade deadline. Although the Oilers granted Yakupov’s agent permission to seek out a trade, clearly nothing came of it as, well, he’s still an Oiler.
Yakupov would be an intriguing gamble for the Canucks. What’s that they say about someone with nothing to lose? Are the Canucks willing to part with whatever it would take to land a Yakupov? I have my doubts. I’m even less certain of what it is exactly that the Oilers would want for Yakupov.
It’s no secret that Yakupov’s failed to hit on the lofty expectations that come along with being selected first overall. And I’m not making excuses for him. Not by any means. But I do find it interesting that his most common linemates since entering the NHL are Justin Schultz, Jeff Petry, Sam Gagner, Derek Roy and Andrew Ference. On some levels, I do feel for him.
Nazem Kadri and sustainable penalty differential:
The Toronto Maple Leafs world was abuzz this weekend. Apparently Nazem Kadri can’t draw a penalty to save his life right now. That’s shocking, of course, because Kadri is an exceptional player at drawing penalties. Drawing penalties is a repeatable and totally useful skill, but I’ve found it has a shelf life. Hell, I remember when Alex Burrows would draw the occasional minor.
Reminds me a little of Ryan Kesler. From 2007-10, Kesler had a net penalty differential of +45. Kesler’s differential since then is +11. If you’re drawing a tonne of calls, you’re likely exaggerating the odd infraction. Comes with the territory. Refs hate that. It embarrasses them. Everyone gets their just desserts, eventually.
The Colorado Avalanche might do some really stupid shit:
Leave it to the Colorado Avalanche under Patrick Roy and Joe Sakic to elicit a swear word in this space. Here we are, though.
Following an embarrassing loss to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday – one which all but ended their shot at the playoffs – questions started flooding beat writers, from disgruntled fans. They were eager, mostly, to see if the Avs would give up on Roy as head coach. You know, the sane thing at this stage.
I get the sense based on this tweet that the blame is landing at the players feet.
I’m not going to get into why that’s an agonizingly stupid basis to operate on. Instead, I’d like to think this is an opportunity for general manager’s leaguewide to swoop in and take great players on the low. Matt Duchene was rumoured to be on the trade block earlier this season. There’s an avenue worth exploring.
Josh Manson fined for throat-slashing gesture:
Don’t have a tonne to say on the issue itself. If it even is one. A lot of awful stuff gets said and done in hockey games.
I don’t find anything more awful than allowing fighting, though. And I find it kind of hilarious that a hollow gesture like this can bring on a fine in the same league where people punch each other’s faces to “police the game”. I mean, I guess you need player’s like Brandon Prust to defend your team from the Brandon Prust’s of the league.
Oh well.
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