There Is A Disconnect Here Somewhere

Strange things are afoot at Rogers Arena. Something is not right. This team has trouble making line changes, they look horribly sloppy, and their "superstar" goalie looks awful. They barely played as a full squad during the preseason and it shows. They are skating past pucks, not completing passes, and the worst was they were playing scared. Henrik was looking over his shoulder constantly, and stupid mistakes were the product.

One of the weirder things has been the ice-time some players are receiving. Tonight's game at Philly was the perfect example. Marco Sturm has about three minutes of ice time in the second period, then is on the PP in the third. How much sense does that make?! How about Keith Ballard in the playoffs last year? They give up A LOT for this guy and he can barely get ice time when it matters most.

I think Mike Gillis and Alain Vigneault are not on the same page. Gillis gives up an extraordinary talent to get a veteran Defenseman and Alain only plays him when there are injuries to lesser players. Gillis signs Marco Sturm in the off-season and Alain gives me three measly minutes in a period. I wonder if that PP time in the third was a call from "on high."

Management and Coaching is not syncing up at all. Gillis is bringing in guys Alain does not like, and some are at a premium. I think this would not be as prevalent if not for the mess going on with the Red Sox. This is by no means the same, or even half  as close, but sloppy play means fundamentals aren't being stressed. Your "superstar" goalie is obviously not on his game. All signs are pointing to not everything being rosey in Canuck Nation.

Better Late Than Never...Nah It Still Is A Bad Prediction

So not only will this be the worst season prediction you will read, mainly because I am posting it after the season has started. I am going to try and make some predictions that are unique and look at somethings maybe other bloggers are neglecting. However, I am not that original and smart, so it will probably be the same stuff you have read everywhere else.

The Obvious

The Canucks will dominate the division, much like Kramer dominated the dojo. The same seems to be true of every other team in the division: full of potential.

-The Oilers have some great young talents, but they are untested and still young. It will be interesting to see what Mike Nugent-Hopkins, their second straight number one overall pick, does in the NHL this year as the Oilers have decided to keep him on the big squad to start the season.

-Colorado is about a schizophrenic as they get, who knows which team will show up on any given night. They shook things up at the deadline last year shipping Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk to St. Louis for Erik Johnson and Jay McClement. I think it was a good move for both teams, although Colorado lost a major scoring threat up front. But who knows a change of scenery might help.

-The Calgary Flames...BAHAHAHAHA! Come on, seriously?! How does Suter have a job still?!

-The Minnesota Wild have improved greatly up front with the acquisition of Dany Heatley and to a lesser extent Devin Setoguchi. Good move for the Wild, not like the other method was working, might as well get a legit scorer to play with your overworked franchise player Mikko Koivu. Steoguchi on the other hand will be the typical San Jose Sharts (not a type-o) player. Once he leaves that system, he sucks.

The Canucks are by far the best team in the Northwest Division, however, that doesn't guarantee anything. Injuries, suspensions and player performance is always an issue in a seven month season. Who is going to have a let down year is just as important as who is going to have a breakout year.

The Not So Obvious

-I believe this is a very big year for Cody Hodgson. It feels like forever ago he was drafted, although its only been three years, but I think he can make HUGE steps this year. He is now 21, spent some time in the AHL, and looked good in the playoffs last year. But the biggest factor is he has a lot of talent on that roster to learn from and help him, not just on the ice. Guys like Burrows, Kesler, Raymond, Bieksa, Hamhuis, and Lapierre are young, but have a lot of experience, especially postseason experience, and can be a great resource.

-This one might be better suited for the next category but I think Maxim Lapierre is going to have a huge year. He seems to fit in really well with this team and likes his role. My only concern is his love/obsession with being a s**t. He needs to control his urge to be annoying and focus on his game. The guy has real talent and needs to utilize it more.

-The biggest loss to be felt will be that of Raffi Torres. So maybe he made some unsavory choices that got him some vacation. But the guy was one third of the best checking line in the league last year. Its great having Manny and Jannik back, but I think they will miss Raffi's energy and passion. Christian Ehrhoff is a big loss too, but the entire Defence was out last year and they held strong.

The Absurd

-Cory Schneider will not be dealt despite having an expiring contract. I expect some shakey play from Luongo and a fear of his injury will prevent Mike Gillis from dealing his above-average back-up. And in all honesty its a good insurance policy. Unless some Godfather type deal can be done that Schneider is a part of, I see no reason to trade him. The team hinges on Luongo and if he goes down would you rather have Schneider or some high picks an a prospect or two?

-The Canucks will not win the President's Trophy, nor the Western Conference. I think they realized last year what really matters and where their attention needs to be. Its not where you start in the playoffs, its where you finish. There are a lot of hungry teams out there that feel the need to prove themselves. The Canucks proved they were one of the top teams, now they need to take the final step.

-One of the Sedins will NOT win the Art Ross. I know this is probably the biggest shock of them all, but after two years of dominance of the award, it will be passed along to someone else. Sorry boys, even your telekinetic connection won't work.

The NHL Network Needs Re-Tooling And Fast

I watch a lot of MLB Network. Its about 90% of the TV I actually watch. For some reason Time Warner Cable, in their infinite wisdom has decided to give me MLB Network, Fox Soccer Net, Big Ten Network, and about every worthless ESPN station. However, if I want the NHL Network I have to pay $10 more per month.

As I thought about how lame this situation is, I decided it really isn't. As much as I love hockey, the NHL Network is awful. Its a joke. All summer all they have been playing games from the 2011 Playoffs, that's it. What a joke. Not an old game from the 70s or 80s that can be replayed. Maybe find a day when its a Hall of Famer's birthday and show some of their best games, or run a special.

Not having original programming during the off-season is one thing, but essentially only having one show during the season is a joke. MLB Network has shows with former players (Intentional Talk with Kevin Millar) and instructional shows (Diamonds Demos) with former players like Andre Dawson and Cal Ripken Jr. and even current ones like Tommy Hanson and Aubrey Huff.

NHL has three people I have never heard of sitting in a poorly constructed studio talking dryly about the nights games...then they replay it all the next day until the other games start. If they ever want to grow that network they have to do something. Here is what the NHL Network has to do to right the ship:

-Get Jeremy Roenick his own show!! The guy is a loose cannon. You never know what he is going to say or do. He can do comedy. He might start crying. He might attack a fellow broadcaster, not physically, but you never know. Get him an hour a week with some dude who has been buried at CBC or TSN. I didn't even like the guy when he played, but ever since I never change the channel when Roenick is on, you never know what he will say or do.

-Replay games people want to see. I understand that replaying the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs is topical, but all day everyday is just lazy. There are hundreds of games that fans want to see. Too many to list, but here's a few I would like to see: Gretzky's five goal game, the five OT game between the Flyers and Penguins, and the entire series between the Canucks and Flames in 1994, which brings me to another idea.

-Play entire seven game series every night during the off-season. Start Monday and every night play the games in order. Great way to bring people in. Also in this day of DVR's and Tivo's people could record all seven and watch them in one or two days. I would definitely watch that.

-Pick up specials that teams run on their respective networks or websites. Canucks TV is one of the best, if not the best, source of info that is team specific. Play a special from Canucks TV on how they are remembering Rick Rypien, followed by a Fox Sports Detroit special on Pavel Datsyuk, followed by something from the Lightning on their turn around season last year. This is low cost, and variety.

-Start buying the rights to hockey movies. Miracle, The Mighty Ducks, Youngblood, and of course the greatest hockey movie of all-time Slap Shot. Weekend afternoons are perfect times to play these movies. Even put them on unedited after midnight. After a night out at the bar with some buddies, you bet your ass I am watching some Slap Shot.

These ideas won't sky-rocket the NHL Network into a ratings juggernaut. But if they started doing things like this, I would pony up the extra $10 a month to get it. As of right now there is no reason to pay extra money for something I can get online for free.

Don't Worry Aaron Rome I Got Your Apology All Set

There has been much said about the hit Aaron Rome put on Nathaniel Horton in the Stanley Cup Finals. For some reason a hit that was laid over two months ago is a big deal. Not surprising it has to do with a Boston team though. Boston sports teams are like a mildly hot chick at the work place. When you aren't paying attention they make a big stink, then you look over and are disappointed, because its still that annoying, idiot you have seen one too many times.

So to take the strain off Aaron Rome I have decided to write his apology for him. You can thank me later Aaron:

Dear Overrated,

I am so sorry you are arrogant beyond your talent. I am sorry you think that since you went from a joke of a team to an Original Six you think that somehow legitimizes your play. I am sorry you think that because all of a sudden you play on a team with talented players you think you are a superstar, when you were on a terrible team, you were average at best.

I am also sorry you think you can skate through center ice like Eric Lindross and not expect someone to light you up. Yes I left my feet, but maybe if you were paying attention you could of avoided it. But mainly I am sorry to the hockey community, players and fans alike. I am sorry everyone has to listen to you trying to get attention. I am sorry you winning a Stanley Cup does not satisfy your need for attention.

I would like to apologize to your teammate Marc Savard as well. I am sorry he has to listen to you whine like a little kid who's ice cream cone fell on the sidewalk, while he hasn't played in forever. I am sorry the guy who never played a full year for the team you gave everything for feels the need to make sure the spotlight stays on him.

I guess one good thing has come from this, at least when the Bruins are terrible again no one will remember who Nathaniel Horton is, just like no one knew who he was before this year. Obscurity will claim you as time drags on, and the only thing Boston Bruins "fans" can regurgitate in the future will be "Timmy Thawmuss was ahhhhsome that year!"

Sincerely,
Aaron "Your Daddy" Rome

Don't worry Aaron, I won't cry to the media when I don't get a thank you for writing this.

Where The Hell Is Pavel?!

I have to admit, although the 40th Anniversary Season didn't end the way I wanted, it was a pretty nice ride, especially when it came to honoring past players. Stan Smyl, Trevor Linden, and Markus Naslund all had their numbers retired (Smyl and Linden had nights, because their numbers were already retired), and their were new inductions into the Canucks Hall of Fame: Orland Kurtenbach, Kirk McLean, Thomas Gradin, and Harold Snepsts. 

However, there was one glaring name name missing from all the festivities: Pavel Bure. I posed the question around Canuck Nation via Twitter: Where the Hell is Pavel?! I got various responses: waiting for the right time; can't get a hold of him; he wants to lay low. That last one was my favorite, especially after I heard Valeri's view on things.

The fact that Markus Naslund got his number retired and Pavel Bure has yet to receive that honor is a joke, especially when you compare careers. Yes Naslund is the Canucks all-time leading scorer with 756 points in 882 games played, while Pavel has 478 points in 428 games. This makes Pavel the only Canuck in the top ten all-time scorers in team history to be over a point a game. 

Pavel was never a captain, and his totals are not near what Naslund's are. But sit down and consider which player you would rather watch? Sit down and think of both players and any memorable goals they have scored? I bet Naslund barely came up, if at all. I give you Exhibit A.

The "Russian Rocket" was one of the most entertaining and talented players ever. His speed and scoring ability packed arenas league wide. I don't know if its Mike Gillis blocking him, as Valeri suggested, or Pavel just laying low, either way the fact they could not bring him in was disappointing and I am sure I am not the only person that thinks that. 

Who's In, Who's Out

(I think Marco Sturm is the one on the right)

So I had an entire post written out about the guys they kept, the guys they let go, and what they should be doing since the signings that have been made. However, Google has seen fit to be a piece of crap, and when I tried to post, asked me for my password, which I entered, but as usual with Google accounts it said it was wrong. Google is a joke when it comes to this BS and it drives me insane!

Anyway, you guys now get the Cliff Notes version. I like the Higgins and Alberts signings, especially at the price. Both guys got a bit of a bump in salary and deservedly so. I thought Torres went too low, and was surprised he went to a team on the decline such as Phoenix. Thought a contender would have stepped up. I hope Tanner Glass fairs well in Winnipeg. he is a great fourth liner and always goes full throttle. He is also a great presence in the locker room and in the community. Sad to see him go, but happy for him as well. 

I am completely perplexed by the Marco Sturm signing. He is an alright player when healthy, which hasn't occurred in three seasons. The only good part of this signing is its only for one year. Even so, if he gets injured that is a loss to a top six Forward roster spot. Not liking this at all. 

With so many teams under the Salary Floor they still can unload Keith Ballard. For the record I have nothing against Ballard, but it seems Alain hates him, due to the fact he barely played him in the playoffs. So what good is a $4.2 million a year Defenseman that you don't want playing in the playoffs? Send him to a place where he will play, and you can get $4.2 million off the books. But what do I know? I want to unload money, and NOT sign injury-prone under-achieving Forwards.

Some Wheeling And Dealing

The Canucks made some interesting moves on draft day. Turned one pick into two, which I am always in favor of, and seemed to go with size. This seemed a bit like the NBA draft, as far as being front-loaded, however, the NHL is like Major League Baseball, some of the best, if not the best, players come in the later rounds. So lets see the eight newest Canucks:

Round 1, Pick 29: Nicklas Jensen, Left/Right Wing, Shoots: L, 6'2" 187 lbs. 

The 18 year old Dane had a pretty nice rookie season for Oshawa Generals in the OHL, posting 29 Goals and 29 Assists in 61 games. His dad is Canadian Dan Jansen, a former OHLer in his own right. Although he scored as many goals as assists, the younger Jansen seems to be more gifted as a play-maker. He has been known to go coast-to-coast, and has the fore-sight to spot a developing play.

His biggest obstacles have been filling out his frame and using his size as an advantage. At 6'2" 187 lbs. he is a little lanky, so he has some room to fill out. He will definitely need to add muscle to excel at the next level. If he can use his size and (potential) strength to protect the puck with those skills he can be dangerous. He also has a tendency to be streaky. However, he is 18 years old and just finished his first season in the OHL. The kid has a lot of room to grow, and with a former pro father (who is not a Lindross) he should develop nicely. I look forward to seeing a lot more of him in the future. Plus his favorite movie is "Step Brothers."

Round 2, Pick 60: Traded to Minnesota, for the Wild's 3rd Round (71st overall), and 4th Round (101st overall).

I am a big fan of trading picks, especially if you have an offer that gets you more picks, they dropped 11 spots and gained a pick. The more bullets your fire, the more crap you hit. 

Round 3, Pick 71: David Honzik, Goalie, Catches: Left, 6'2" 209 lbs.

The 17 year old Czech goaltender played in his first season in the QMJHL for Victoriaville, and carried a majority of the load, playing in 36 games, posting a 3.54 GAA, with 1 SO, and an .884 S%. He improved in nine playoff games posting a 3.28 GAA, with a much improved .919 S%. He seems to have come on strong late, but he is still 17 and has a lot of room to grow. Nothing but upside here. And yes I am looking on the sunnyside of things.

Round 3, Pick 90: Alexandre Grenier, Right Wing, Shoots: Left, 6'5" 200 lbs.

The 19 year old Canadian posted some nice numbers for Halifax of the QMJHL last season, posting 9 Goals, 15 Assists, and only 6 PIM in 31 games. The Laval, PQ native was a defensive presence, and even participated in a few scrapes. He definitely has the height, but will definitely need to add some muscle mass to make it at the next level. I see a young Max Lapierre, but with more size, and possible a little more offensive productions.

Round 4, Pick 101: Joseph Labate, Center, Shoots: Left, 6'4" 180 lbs.

The 18 year old Minnesota High School product has already committed to the University of Wisconsin for next year. This will be a good move for the lanky ( I am seeing a trend) Center. He played well in the "State of Hockey," as Minnesota is know, posting 49 points (27 goals) in just 25 games. This while notching 42 PIM. Again, muscle mass will be needed, but he seems to have all the intangibles needed. Plus he seems to be a steal at the moment.

Round 4, Pick 120: Ludwig Blomstrand, Left Wing, Shoots: Left, 6'1" 198 lbs.

This 18 year old Swede seems to break the mold of the other draft picks, by not being as lanky as the rest. He spent last season with Djurgarden of the Swedish Junior League, playing in 35 games, posting 3 Goals, 4 Assists, and 14 PIM. He has an engine that doesn't seem to stop and never lacks in the effort department (which is a rarity among Swedes in this organization) and likes to grind out plays. Not too much offensive upside, but could be a solid thrid-liner (i.e. Raffi Torres) with some PK time. 

Round 5, Pick 150: Frank Corrado, Defenseman, Shoots: Right, 6' 190 lbs.

Another 18 year old, this time from Toronto, played for Sudbury in the OHL last season, posting 4 Goals, 26 Assists and 94 PIM in 67 games. He was on the top pairing and became a shutdown Defender in the second half of the season. He seems to get physical when needed, but can also use his skill and smarts when needed. Sounds like Scott Hannan-type potential.

Round 6, Pick 180: Pathrik Westerholm, Center, Shoots: Left, 5'11" 185 lbs.

Round 7, Pick 210: Henrik Tommernes, Defenseman, Shoots: Left, 6' 176 lbs.

Rounding out the draft the Canucks went with a couple more Swedes. The first, 19 year old Westerholm, posted 29 Goals, 29 Assists and 24 PIM in 60 games for Malmo in the Swedish Juniors. Although this does not bode well: he has a twin brother, and there are questions if he can be as productive without him. Still very gifted offensively.

Henrik Tommernes is the old man of the group coming in at 21 years old. Couldn't find much on this blue-liner, but he seems to be a more physical player, with flashes of offense throughout his junior career.

*Also a note: Shortly after I posted the article about Ehrhoff, his rights were traded to the New York Islander for a fourth round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Nice move by Gillis. If you can't sign him at least get something for him.