Canucks vs. Ducks: Sub-Plots to Watch

Dating back several years, and largely fuelled by the antics of the now departed Chris Pronger, the Canucks and Ducks do not like each other. A festering hate and resentment that is further fuelled by lots of tough youngsters eager to make their respective teams should help incite an aggressive, if not violent, preseason match tonight in Anaheim.

Interesting sub-plots to watch tonight:

Nathan McIver – the fledgling Canucks' defenseman started last year with the Canucks before being picked up on waivers by the Ducks. In his first game with the Ducks, near the end of the preseason, McIver faced-off against his former Canucks' teammates and made them pay the ultimate price; the stay-at-home d-man scored the overtime winner. McIver is back with the Canucks once again and is the ultimate long-shot to make the team; he’ll be eager to repeat his desperate heroics against his former team.

Mikael Samuelsson – the highlight featured free agent signing of the offseason, Mikael Samuelsson will make his debut for the Canucks tonight. Though it's assumed he will play with the Sedins this year (and proved to have good chemistry with the twins on the Swedish National Team), the tough, two-way right-winger will debut with Ryan Kesler and Michael Grabner (who is on the bubble and must have a great game to have any hope of avoiding a minor-league season in Manitoba).

Mark Parrish – the former Islanders' sniper is looking to crack a tough lineup. His saving grace may be his scoring touch, and his potential minimal salary if he can prove his worth during the preseason. Though he may be forced to start the season in Manitoba in hopes of filling a future spot vacated by an injury, he could be an Anson Carter-like crease doormat for the Sedins should Samuelsson and Burrows click with the twins. Parrish may in fact be held back until tomorrow night and could play with the twins.

Dave Scatchard – the Canucks are $3 million over the salary cap; a cost overage that must be eliminated within two weeks. Ryan Johnson had a tough season last year, and though he's not outrageously expensive, he is more expensive than Mr. Scatchard, who may only garner slightly more than the league minimum. Scatchard is a solid fourth-line defensive center, a role that is currently the job of Johnson. Johnson will play tonight, and Scatchard may not play until tomorrow night.

Fights, fights, fights – Canuck-Duck games typically feature a handful of fights. Zealous young guns hoping to please their coaches will be more than happy to drop the gloves tonight, as will established veterans who have no love-loss for the likes of George Parros, Ryan Getzlaf, and the agitating Corey Perry.

Anticipated Canucks lineup versus the Ducks:

FORWARDS:

Grabner – Kesler – Samuelsson

Raymond – Wellwood – Bernier

Glass – Johnson – Pope

Hordichuk – Bolduc – Petrovicky

DEFENSE:

Bieksa - Lukowich

McIver - Rome

Oberg - Ramsey

GOAL:

Roberto Luongo

Corey Schneider

Toby Ward is a former journalist and broadcaster. He covered the Canucks during the '93- '94 season and is a lifelong Canucks fan, watcher, and blogger. His Canucks blog is: http://canucksblog.blogware.com/blog.