After a week of going through the Northwest division, we've finally come to the end with the Vancouver Canucks.
What's even better is that we're now 10 teams through the previews, which is a full third of the league (Meaning my math skills didn't fall off between yesterday and today).
Which division is up next? I have no idea. Besides, that would ruin the surprise. So for this weekend let's simply enjoy Colorado, Minnesota, Edmonton, Calgary, and...
Vancouver Canucks
2008/09 Record: 45-27-10, 100 points, three in West, Lost to Chicago in Western Conference Semi Final in Six games
Additions: Andrew Raycroft—G (1 year/$500k), Mikael Samuelsson—F (3 years/$7.5 million), Aaron Rome—D (1 year/$550k), Lawrence Nycholat—D (FA)
Subtractions: Mattias Ohlund—D (FA), Jason LaBarbera—G (FA)
The Vancouver Canucks are fortunate in a lot of ways.
Not only do they have one of the best goalies in the NHL manning the pipes for them, but they were also able to re-sign the most-talked about free agents in the league this season, as well as owning the rights to one of the prospects that everyone is excited to see.
There is however, a lot of talk about the future of the Canucks. Even with all of these positives, the threat still remains that Roberto Luongo's contract runs out after this season, leaving them with the task of getting another promising rookie up to speed at the NHL level.
Looks like the Canucks are in store for an interesting season.
Luongo has to get off the injury "Schneid"…
Let's start backwards, shall we?
Cory Schneider is one of the most enticing young goalies in the game today for a number of reasons.
Although he was less-than advertised in his lone NHL action last season (He went 2-4-1 with a 3.38 goals-against and an .887 save percentage), Schneider certainly showed that the NHL was the last step in his progression as he dominated the AHL.
After winning the Baz Bastien trophy as the AHL's top goaltender for 2008/09, Schneider will be in heavy competition with NHL veteran and under-achiever Andrew Raycroft for the backup role to Luongo.
Although many will dispel Raycroft based on his play the past few years (Along with the fact Schneider went 28-10-1 with a .928 save percentage and 2.04 goals-against in the AHL last year), Raycroft does have experience at the NHL level and that alone should help push Schneider to be at his best if he's going to be in the running for an NHL placement.
However, many games either goalie plays in the big leagues this season depends on the status of Roberto Luongo.
Even with missing a chunk of the season due to a groin injury, Luongo continued to prove he was one of the best going 33-13-7 in 54 games last year.
When healthy, Luongo is one of the only goalies in the league capable of playing a competent 70+ games, which is his biggest advantage over division rival Miikka Kiprusoff.
It also may be detrimental to the development of Schneider to sit behind a games-eater like Luongo, but Mike Gillis and the team are giving him every opportunity to prove that he can play in Vancouver—whether it's one game, ten games, or a half-season's worth.
We're going to send you the most entertaining Vancouver Canucks articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
16 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete