it would be….
October 6th, 2008 by thewordbirdNathan McIver of all the Ducks scored just :22 seconds into overtime as the Ducks rip one from the Canucks at GM Place. Not only that, but New York Ranger Markus Naslund opened the NHL season scoring in Prague, was first star and had an assist in the second game as the Rangers start 2-0. I am goning to look at the positives here, as it is just preseason still in Vancouver.
Now Brian Burke plucked the rugged defenseman McIver off of waivers as GM Gillis tried to send him down, and I can live with that. Especially as, he is not going to score very much and this was only preseason. I can live with that. What burns me up is that defender and ex-Vancouver Giant Brett Festerling is the Duck who ‘takes the hit’ and will lose playing time and a roster spot on Anaheim. Festerling was the one-time captain of the WHL’s Giants and is a smooth-skating, puck savvy defenseman. I digress.
THe Canucks thouroughly out-shot their counterparts last night by the end of the first and finished with a 30-28 edge. Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Carter, Sami Pahlsson, Rob Niedermayer, and Chris Kunitz were all held to one shot each. Corey Perry was dangerous though and capitalized on opportunities. Former Canucks Brendan Morrison and McIver made the most of their nights back in GM Place as well.
In favour of the Canucks, I would say that the fact that a guy like Darcy Hordichuk to fend off the presence of goon George Parros is one hell of an asset. Mason Raymond played his game to a tee, making offensive plays out of neutral zone possessions and using his speed to break down defensive coverage. His first goal of the night was highlight reel material for sure. Pavol Demitra encouraged many with his heads-up passing and is really something as a playmaker. Demitra’s pass for Alex Edler’s wild one-timer mid-way through the contest was bang on. Edler is really stepping up his play and physical too, skating with Mattias Ohlund .
So, Vancouver losses this game, but win the preseason war. I really feel that this team will compete for the puck, along the boards, and can make plays. Couple that with youth, skill, and added bruisers that can compete on a nightly basis and well, the playoffs are a certainty. Oh yeah, and the Canucks officially bring Cody Hodgson into the fold, signing him to an entry-level deal.
5 October 2008
Robin Keith Thompson
3 Responses to “it would be….”
By Jason Chen on Oct 6, 2008
I think the Canucks signed Hodgson just so they can keep him around for 9 games before sending him back to the juniors. They just want to get a longer look at the kid and give him a taste of the bigs.
By Jordy on Oct 6, 2008
Sent him down today.
Seriously, what’s going on with the Canucks? For the first time in a while, I’m wondering where the hell the franchise is going.
I knew they went after Sundin for scoring, but am now wondering if they have a plan B. They’ve had a great pre-season, but I keep hearing that they’re going to gut their D-corps…and for what?
I figure they are looking for that illusive scoring winger/center to go with Raymond and Demitra…and they’re dangling Bieksa who does not have a NTC. I’ve heard play makers Savard and Gomez but that doesn’t make a lot of sense. But WHO else…?
By thewordbird on Oct 9, 2008
I don’t understand why you would think that would not make sense. Those are two outstanding playmaking centres at the NHL level.
I think Plan B is just to build a contender, no wait, that is Plan A. Listen, Mike Gillis has his detractors -but this is not a place to find one, not at this point. He has done nothing but give this team a chance to be competitive. That means protecting Luongo and ramping up the team’s character and hustle.
Personally, I am glad to see him go to back to Brampton (OHL). Stan Butler is a heck of coach and a former Team Canada Junior coach as well. Hodgson has a really good shot now at playing the lead on Canada’s entry in the World Juniors just after Christmas. Butler will impart some fine teaching on how to handle it and prepare himself. Cody has done well in international play before and has shown exemplary character aside. I commend the Canuck management for allowing this to factor into Cody’s development. He will be a force soon enough.