700th as a Canuck
July 10th, 2008 by thewordbirdGM Mike Gillis put forth the worst-held secret Thursday, as the team announced that Pavol Demitra would be joining the Canucks for the upcoming season. Demitra, 33, will most certainly collect the 700th point of his career in the blue-and-green, sitting just one point shy.
At $4M per season for two years, I have to agree with this signing. But not for the reason you may think. My thought is that Gillis has painted himself into a corner somewhat, and now has little other recourse. Pavol is a very swift skating forward with oodles of talent. He has rarely finished a season with a clean slate of injury which is of some concern and his shooting percentage and point totals have lost their lustre. Demitra’s faceoff winning percentage at 53.23% last year in Minnesota would be welcome if it stays on the plus side of things….his two prior totals were both under 50%, though he is admittedly more comfortable on the wings.
Gillis has a rapport with his former client and Vancouver is in need of playmakers, which they’ve addressed in the Wellwood and should shore up with Ryan Shannon. Whether or not Cody Hodgson pushes the forwards’ ranks in that department sooner or later is another discussion (as is the Captaincy). I have the utmost confidence in Mason Raymond’s puck-handling skills and would like to see the kid play some serious minutes this season, day in and out. The Canucks had just better hope that all these player’s best moments are not with the man-advantage.
The Canucks also added some defensive depth other than Nolan Baumgartner this week, inking Rob Davison to a contract today as well. The 6′3″-220 lb defenseman from St. Catherines will give the club another option on the blueline.
July 10th, 2008
Robin Keith Thompson
