Bleacher Report - Articles by katie scott

By The Numbers: Canucks, Flames...Who's Better?

katie scott — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 20:00:11 -0400

The race is tight. One point separates two teams with their eyes on the Northwest Division title. The Canucks have had an excellent last two months, the Flames have slowed down. So which team is better poised to make a real run this year? Perhaps some number crunching will give us the answer.

The team with the advantage is underlined.

Number of Points for the Top 6

Canucks 333
Flames 345

The Flames have some major offensive talent, but they've been shutout twice in their last two games, and Flames fans are searching for answers.

+/- Among Top-6 Point Earners

Canucks +168
Flames -12 (Only two with positive +/-)

Minus -12?!? That is very startling.

Number of Points for Top 3 Defencemen

Canucks 96
Flames 97

This is a wash.

#1 Goalie Save Percentage

Canucks .917
Flames .903

Both great numbers, but Luongo takes Kipper over 82.

#1 Goalie Goals Against

Canucks 2.43 GAA
Flames 2.87 GAA

Again, pretty good numbers, but Luongo's got this one as well.

#1 Goalie Number of Shutouts

Canucks 6 SO in 46 Games
Flames 4 SO in 69 Games

I'm going to say it, Luongo is a better goalie. Kipper is great, but he's no Luongo. Not just by the numbers, but with other intangibles too.

Team +/-

Canucks +155
Flames -12

There are no words...

Goals For/Against

Canucks GF 225 / GA 203 +22
Flames GF 238 / GA 228 +10

The Canucks have a few less goals for, but who cares how many you score if you can't keep it out of your own net?

Looking at these numbers, I'm not sure you can make a case for the Flames. With an absolutely appalling plus/minus and a goalie who has come short of Superman, you have a team who seems destined to disappoint. They have been sputtering lately, going just 3-7 in their last 10. They have a couple key injuries and a goalie that is probably pretty tired (69 GP?! Are you mad?!)

The Canucks, on the other hand, have been nothing short of spectacular. They have two strong scoring lines, a great mix of veterans and young players, and a hungry competitive (and rested) goalie. They are 6-3-1 in their last 10 and have slowly stolen momentum from the Flames. At one point, the Canucks fell as low as 11th in the West; now they are poised to steal the Division from Calgary.

I'm not saying the Canucks will take the Division. I'm not saying the Canucks will win the Cup or that the Flames have no chance. What I am saying is that the Canucks are a better team by the numbers and there seems to be no reason to think they won't take the Northwest Division title.

The playoffs are a whole new game. Maybe the Flames will get it together and find a way to win. But I wouldn't count on it.

Vancouver Canucks: What's Up Next?

katie scott — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 09:06:33 -0500

What's next for the Canucks?

Now that Mats Sundin has signed on, we can make a few assumptions:

The Canucks want to be contenders this year

Not many fans were expecting this, as it was clear when the season began that the Canucks did not have all the pieces. They were missing a power forward, a highly skilled forward and maybe some defensive depth (this deficiency is caused by injuries, nothing more). Now they have that power forward and the money to get the skilled forward they need. The defense is looking alright, and with a little luck, they'll be healthy down the stretch.

Gillis is patient, calculating, and doesn't make snap decisions

Six months of waiting? 10 million on the table? Fans dissecting your every move? Most GMs would have broken long ago, but not Gillis. He has been greatly rewarded. Find 10 fans who still want him fired and I'll eat my toque.

Luongo is still a while off, yet when he does play, he will not be at the top of his game

The 'set back' has been quite mysterious. The Canucks aren't saying much, and we are all in the dark as to his physical state. What is certain though, is he won't be rushed this time. So, we're probably looking at a February start date and I think will see 'superstar' Luongo by late February.

So, with that in mind, what is coming from the Canucks? I think we will see an unremarkable January. With Luongo still out, goaltending will always be average at best. Sundin will take time to get into the groove, while Gillis will not make any major trades. Look for .500 hockey or maybe a little better.

February should show some payoff. With Luongo back in net and Sundin no longer the 'rookie,' the Canucks will start winning games with consistency. There will be optimism and excitement for the possibilities.

March, to the trade deadline will make or break the Canucks. They will have to establish that they are indeed cup contenders. If it appears that they have a shot, look for Gillis to make the last move to complete the team. Raymond, Schneider, Pyatt, and picks may all be trade bait. The Canucks will be looking for one more forward to bring home the Stanley Cup.

I believe the Canucks of '09 will be like a small child learning how to walk. He starts slow at first, stumbles, and then suffers a few bruises. However, once he gets the hang of it, there is no stopping him; he will tear around your house until he drives you crazy. Watch out, the Canucks are comin' at ya!

The Sundin Saga: What We Should Have Learned

katie scott — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:22:30 -0500

Well, Gillis pulled it out of his hat, magically. Did anyone without bias really believe Sundin would sign with the Canucks?

Sure, most said the Canucks were a better fit and certainly many of us (including myself) said the Rangers had no business adding another forward when their defense was struggling so badly.

But did I really think he'd sign with the Canucks? Honestly, no.

I asked myself—why? And honestly, I think it was all the blogging, media 'reports', speculation, and rumor. So, what did I learn from all this?

"Sources" do not exist.

There is no such thing as a 'source' when it comes to major hockey deals. Anyone close enough to the situation to have inside knowledge of a deal would never let information slip out.

Bloggers (ahem, Eklund), should start calling these 'sources' what they really are: hockey people with opinions. Bloggers (I'm talking to you, Ek), start calling a spade a spade. You wouldn't get so much flack if you just called them 'informed opinions' instead of 'sources'.

Nobody knows what anybody else feels inside.

Everyone said Mats' heart was in New York, that he loved the Big Apple and that playing for the Rangers was some kind of hockey 'Holy Grail'. Well, guess what? He now claims Vancouver was always his first choice. How could everyone be so wrong?

There is practically no way to determine who will make the playoffs and who will not.

Search for 08/09 playoff predictions and you will find many putting Vancouver last in the West. These are probably the same people who have Dallas competing for the Western title.

Many said Mats wanted to go to a cup contender and would therefore sign with the Canadiens. I bet no one predicted that 1/3 into the season the Canucks would have the same number of points (give or take) as the Canadiens, and that's without their new shiny Christmas gift.

Will the Canucks make the playoffs? I think so, but I thought they would last year too. Oh, and by the way, I picked Dallas to win the conference...

I can tell you, many people in Vancouver are salivating at the thought of rubbing this in the face of those snooty Canadien and Ranger fans (not my words, theirs). Not only are the Canucks doing well this year, they just landed the most sought-after free agent in years. And they fancy themselves a cup contender. But, I digress...

So, in conclusion, I would say I learned that 'insider' hockey sites are more like hockey speculation sites and that I will probably never know about a deal until the GM wants me to. Does that mean these sites are pointless? Maybe, but that won't stop me from visiting them.