Casual Canuck

Well, not a terrible game. Ryan Miller had a hell of a save in the second period, which kept the Canucks in the game when they were down. Some notes: Bo Horvat's still growing into his game. He's trying to add a more play-making aspect to his style, slowing the game down. Changing his pace to disrupt the opposing team's defenses' rhythm. The Ducks were keyed in on him, all game long, and didn't allow him much room on the ice. His play was what made the Canucks tying goal happen. It's probably safe to say he's now the Canucks' top player, and his game is still growing. The Sedins faced off against Kesler all game long, and it was pretty much even there. Henrik scored the winning goal in OT, which had to be slowed down in replay to be seen. The Ducks played a very undisciplined style, this game. Their coach would've done well to tune them down a half-a-notch, but it didn't happen, which was fortunate for the 'Nucks.

Well, the Canucks didn't show up for the first two periods, hardly doing a thing, getting down 2-0. They did show up in the third period, and tied the game, 3-3, with the goalie pulled to send the game into overtime. Was there anything worth noting? The Canucks were over-matched, outworked, and outplayed for the most part. Although he scored on the power-play, Sutter's continued deployment on it does continue to baffle. He's terrible at zone entries. He's ace on odd-man rushes, but can't help in the cycle, which is a majority of the power-play. It's simply not a good fit, and is working against the Canucks, for the most part. There's better options.

Wow. It looked to be a surefire victory, with the Canucks having a 5-2 lead entering the third period. However, it was either some excellent passing by the Hurricanes breaking down the Canucks defense, or the Canucks defense simply running out of gas after a long road-trip, which allowed the Hurricanes to score 5 unanswered goals to take the lead. What else is there to say? Wow. Just, wow.

He'll be bought out, according to Elliote Friedman. Higgins (VAN) on waivers for purpose of buyout — Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 27, 2016 He was a good player in his prime. Not a top level talent, but he could do a little of everything. And he was a fantastic penalty killer, too. But he's lost half a step, and the lack of NHL level talent depth at the Canucks' centre position really killed Higgins' play. There's still some play left in his bones, and he's had some time to rest up for the coming season. A playoff team should give him a chance in their bottom six. Or a rebuilding team would be happy to have him and his experience in their organization.

In all honesty, I'm fairly ambivalent about the choice for the Canucks first round pick, this year. In fact, I'm a bit hesitant. Juolevi may, and, in fact, probably will become a fine defense-men However, let's disregard what Juolevi may become, and concentrate on whom the Canucks didn't pick. They didn't pick Tkachuk, who was the consensus number five, overall, on most draft lists. Whether he'll become a star like his father before him is also unimportant, at this moment. As of this moment, Tkachuk was the best player available at number five. It's a simple argument. He's a forward, and we can guess at a forward's potential much more easily than we can a defense-man's. He scored metric tonnes in junior. He's a known commodity. Defense-men, on the other hand, are becoming a bit voodoo in the first round. We may or not get a player who'll play up to his potential. But that's unimportant, right now. Instead, let us consider the Ca

Awful trade. Jared McCann was coming off an underwhelming rookie season, but it looked as though he had some pretty decent upside. He's a first round draft pick, and seemed quite a steal at his position. Erik Gudbranson, on the other hand, was a defender on the Panthers who appeared out of his depth on the Panther's first pairing. He's twenty-four years old. He's never scored more than fifteen points in five seasons. He is what he is, and what that is is a third pairing defender miscast as a defensive specialist, when in fact his defense is merely average. McCann for Gudbranson would be a bad trade. McCann and a second round draft pick is an awful trade. McCann, a second, and a fourth for Gudbranson and a fifth is laughably awful. The Canucks had serious need for a top four defenseman, but they didn't fill this need trading for Gudbranson. He can't score. He can't handle the puck. The Canucks were in desperate need for a playmaking defender. Gudbranson i

Casual Canuck is a place for  a casual commentary regarding the Vancouver Canucks, specifically, and the NHL, generally. I, personally, am Troy Thomas. I am somewhat a traditional writer with gonzo instincts.