Canucks News
Trust Blogtrot to bring you a badly needed update in all things Canuck. Are we the only ones a bit too excited that the first preseason game kicks off in less than a month? Are we also the only ones who are pissed off that preseason games are included in ticket packages like ice paks and half/full season tickets? Didn’t think so.
Let’s start with the essentials.
Roberto Luongo – We don’t think we’re surprising anyone when we say that it seems like Roberto Luongo resigning with the Vancouver Canucks is a done deal. Every time you hear Mike Gillis talk, it’s not about ifs or even when’s. It’s more about well, we’ll announce it soon. He’s signed, it’s a done deal, and the Canucks captain we’re guessing is here to stay at least three years. Some people will question it, saying that we’re paying too much for one position, and that you don’t need one of the greatest goalies on the planet to win the cup. True. But it sure as hell doesn’t hurt.
Puck Moving Defenseman – The Canucks have been looking for a puck moving defenseman since Ed Jovanovski left. Yeah, they’re that rare. An all around defenseman is hard to develop, and harder to keep. With the departure of Mattias Ohlund, the blue line is looking quite a bit depleted. Considered one of the strongest, if not the strongest in the league, they defined under achievement last playoffs. Or maybe they were just too slow. Matty Ohlund ate monster minutes, played the body, and chipped in with some offense here and there as well, but he was never the fastest skater on the ice. Rumors are still bouncing around that Mathieu Schneider will end up in Canucks sweater. While he’d be great at running a power play, he’s pushing into his 40′s.
Sergei Shirokov – There are quite a few maybes on this team this season, maybes and if’s. If this player could pick it up, maybe he can be more consistent, if he comes to camp in shape. The list goes on and on. Add another. Sergei Shirokov, 23, signed with the Canucks today, coming over from Russia. Not too much is known of the guy, but 41 points in 56 games over in the KHL. While they tried everything to keep him in the Fatherland, he ultimately got himself over to Lotus Land, and hopes to crack the lineup this season. As does, Michael Grabner, Jannik Hansen, Cody Hodgson, and the list goes on and on. We’ll say one thing, the training camp and pre-season won’t be short of competition.
Our prediction : Canucks introduce a newly signed Luongo and a new big name defenseman in the next 2 weeks.