McCann and Virtanen Make The Team

The video of Jared McCann and Jake Virtanen making the team has made its rounds a thousand times over by now, but you haven't seen it, here it is: McCann and Virtanen. One thing I kept hearing from Trevor Linden and Jim Benning was how they want to create a culture at the organization, well I think this is a step in the right direction. As you will remember they did the same thing last year with Bo Horvat.

Now I wouldn't want my boss announcing a promotion or raise in this manner, however, I think its perfect for an NHL team. It combines a bit of hazing and some constructive criticism, which athletes are used to, but it doesn't go too far. I always love the interview with them afterwards as well, it proves how this tactic works so well. Congrats on making the team guys!

About Last Night: November 2, 2015 vs Philadelphia

(Virtanen after his first NHL goal)

This was about as complete a game as you can get. I know the Flyers aren't exactly the best team in the league, but this is what the Canucks should be doing consistently with teams in the Flyers position. Dominate possession and chances, and generally dictate play. Jake Virtanen could have scored about six times (at least it felt that way) and Bo Horvat continues to look incredible.

Jannik Hansen's goal was such a nice move, which can be frustrating. Again, I know its the Flyers, but every now and then he shows some really smart play, and I just wish he could be more consistent. A great feed from Horvat, who waited for the defenceman to make the first move, then made a great pass to Hansen, who chose to hold it rather than just throw it at the net. It looked smooth and was created from a turnover, can't argue with that.

The tying goal didn't even make me mad, I was too impressed. Claude Giroux put on a clinic with that goal. Even though he was smaller than the defender, which is almost always the case, he got position, used his strength and made an incredible move. His quickness still amazes me, but I guess it shouldn't since he consistently puts up great numbers on below average teams.

I thought Alex Burrows played the pest role great. Did the little things to unnerve the opposition but nothing major to hurt the team. Chris Tanev made a great move pinching in and taking advantage of a defensive lapse in the third, and Ben Hutton continued to look good. Virtanen finally got that first NHL goal after a lot of chances, on a great rush with Burrows, Nice back hand, and subsequent celebration.   

Hansen almost notched another goal, as did Virtanen. Matt Bartkowski got the empty-netter for his second of the year, after Radim Vrbata decided to hold the puck and look for a more sure thing, which was Bartkowski sneaking into the offensive zone. Ryan Miller played well, with a few helpers from the post, but also some great saves, which capped off a great night: Virtanen's first NHL goal, Henrik Sedin secured his 1,000th NHL point and Burrows played in his 700th NHL game. However, I saved the best for last.

Horvat continues to show flashes of a superstar. His goal go-ahead, wrap-around goal in the second showcased his strength, and also came after he won the face off. His setup for the Hansen goal was a great example of patience and waiting for the other guy to blink. Now I'm not going to demand we trade the Sedins, well not for this reason, but he has shown some real brilliance. He has two goals and two assists in 12 games, so not setting the world on fire, but he is 20 years old, and is showing great promise. I think its safe to say he is my new Canucks man-crush. 

About Last Night: October 29, 2015 vs Dallas

(How I feel as of late)

Two goal lead with just under 10 minutes left in the third, and lost in OT. Sound familiar? I am almost happy I missed the last few game recaps, because it would be insanely repetitive at this point. Its not so much whats happening so much as how its being received by management, on and off the ice.

Whats the quote, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result." Well at this point Willie Desjardins is insane. Every game he stops playing the younger guys in the 3rd period to hold onto a lead and every time they lose. So what's Willie's solution? Keep limiting young guy's minutes and sit on a lead in the third AND NOTHING HAS CHANGED. Then in the post-game interview he says "Oh well they had some chances." Apparently he missed Vrbata and Weber's chances in the 3rd, or perhaps Burrows semi-breakaway chance. My problem is not with what's happening, my problem is with how its being received.

I realize Horvat, Gaunce, and McCann were all negatives last night, but here's a thought Willie, you're blowing leads anyway, so whats the worst that can happen? You play the young guys more in the 3rd and you blow the lead?! Oh wait, you're doing that every game already. It's not just Willie either, I am sick and tired of hearing the on-ice "leaders" saying "Oh we played real good." Oh really Daniel? Continually shitting the bed in the 3rd period is "playing real good" in your mind? Weird, your definition of "good" seems to be different from everyone else's, but thats what the Sedins have been their entire time here: just good enough works!

I am sick and tired of hearing "We played good," and "Well we got a point," out of guys who are supposed to be leaders. If we lost out on a large bid at work at the last second because of a massive brain fart by someone, then the team leader told us all "Well at least we tried," he would get fired on the spot. This whole attitude of "Well we continue to shit the bed, but at least we got a point," has been by far the most frustrating time for me as a Canucks fan. We're mired in the "Just be good enough" era of Canucks Hockey, and it fucking sucks.

The Kids Are Alright

(Brendan Gaunce, Courtesy of The Province)

I know its preseason, and I know we have a lot of young guys in the lineup, but so does everyone else. The first game against the Flames was without a lot of our top line guys, and I get that. However, the tables were turned and we still came out on the losing end (love those opening shots of downtown, they never get old). And on top of everything else, the only ones who looked like they were even trying are the young players.

Once again defensive lapses killed any chance at winning. Hamhuis made a poor attempt at a clear up the boards then skated back to the net and covered no one, which led to a Flames goal. At another point in the third period, all 5 Canucks were below the circles on defense, and in OT Jooris was free to skate right between the circles and receive a pass.

Again, preseason and I don't expect these guys to be in midseason form, but making lazy passes and leaving the opposition wide open isn't exactly something one should be forgetting in the offseason. I would hope this team that greatly underachieved last season once the playoffs started, would show a little bit more passion, even in the preseason, to make up for it. But then again this is a team with the same on-ice leadership which won a Presidents Trophy then proceeded to drop a first round series against the Kings 4-1. I won't get into my usual rant, but I am getting frustrated of the Sedins entering every game and every situation with the same demeanor and attitude. They seem to have the same mindset for a preseason game as they do for a Stanley Cup game.

One shining light for this game was the way the younger players did perform. Brendan Gaunce, Bo Horvat, Alex Friesen, Jared McCann and Ben Hutton all looked great. I include Horvat in that group even though his spot on the roster is set, he still remains a cornerstone of this rebuild. Horvat, Gaunce and Friesen all had goals, with McCann notching two assists and Hutton an impressive three helpers.

The Hutton to McCann to Horvat goal was a thing of beauty thats for sure. All three had great awareness for the most part. Gaunce's goal was a nice finish on a rebound from Vrbata. Not nice in the terms of pretty, but he wasn't afraid to crash the net, and it paid off. Alex Friesen's goal was also nice, with Jared McCann cutting toward the net and creating some confusion for Ramo. A lot of promise ahead.