Player Profile: #17 Ryan Kesler

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In keeping with the theme of looking ahead, I decided to do a series of player profiles as we count down the next 6 weeks until hockey returns.

Ryan Kesler is known for his defensive/offensive playing style and his sheer will to win at all costs. Fans will be hoping to see his tenacious wrist shot making many appearances next season.

Ryan Kesler NHL career began when he was drafted 23rd overall in the 2003 NHL Entry draft by the Vancouver Canucks. It was clear from his time with the Canucks AHL affiliate team that he was going to be a star player with the Canucks when called upon. Interesting to note that some of those Moose teammates are his current Canuck teammates today: Kevin Bieksa and Alex Burrows played with Mr.Kesler during his time in Manitoba [they were all called up at various times during the 2005/2006 season before cementing their place with the team the following year].

Prior to the 2006-2007 campaign, Kesler signed an offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers only to have the Canucks match that offer in 2 days…and the rest as they say is history! Can you imagine Kesler not in Canuck colors…but in Philadelphia’s black and orange? Perish the thought! I am glad the Canucks took the gamble in keeping him a Canuck.

Early on, Ryan Kesler and pesky Burrows were pests to their opponents and developed a knack for killing penalties together developing into one of the team’s current top PK units. It is his strong defensive play that has helped solidify him as one of the top two-way forwards.

He has been successful in his play not just with the Canucks but also with his team USA at the international level winning the 2002 U18 Tournament Gold medal, the 2004 World Juniors Gold medal and how can we forget the 2010 Silver medal and of course winning the 2011 Frank J Selke award!

Kesler has a level of compete in his game that fans have dubbed #beastmode…a level that was most evident in the 2010-2011 season, a level that all will be hoping to see when the calendar turns to October 3rd. His compete level will rely heavily on him remaining healthy for the majority of the 82 game schedule [no breaking his foot twice!]. If Kesler can remain healthy for the year…he could have another breakout season much like he did in the 2010-2011 season.

As we get closer to the season beginning…here are a few #KESLER highlights to keep you going until October 3rd:

Remember this #RK17 moment #CanuckNation? clue: #hattrick

Or how about this other awesome moment in #CanuckHistory? clue: #round3

Or this beauty? clue: #blackhawks

Any other favourite Kesler moments [there were lots to choose from!]? Seeing the highlights once again reminds me of how incredible Kes can play when he’s at the top of his game and how we are lucky to have his skill level on the team each and every year. When at the top of his game playing his unstoppable #beastmode style drives the opponent crazy. Here’s hoping we see that high compete level when the team returns for training camp/pre-season in 3 weeks!

Cannot wait to see #RK17 hit the ice with the team scoring goals & shutting down the opponents offense!

#isitOctoberyet

#weareallcanucks #letthegamesbegin

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

Looking ahead…

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<a href=”http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/10377885/?claim=rdcyx7ckg9j”>Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

It may seem like I have disappeared from the blogosphere, but I assure you faithful readers I’m still here! I have had an insanely busy schedule coupled with little hockey related news to speak of has kept me more quiet than usual these last few weeks. I will be posting more regularly as we get closer to training camp/pre-season.

Last year there seemed to be so much more dramatics relating to the hockey season that almost never was and the Suter/Parise sweepstakes. This year with a CBA in place, it has been a very quiet tempered offseason.

There has been very little Canuck news in recent weeks. All is quiet between the Canucks and Chris Tanev’s camp with rumors swirling louder and louder that he may sign with the KHL. I hope the two sides can come to an agreement before we lose Tanev to an overseas team!

Just over three weeks until training camp and pre-season madness begin! The countdown is getting smaller before my insanity returns! Are you as ready as me for this new season to begin Canuck fans?

When the season does finally begin we will get to see many things: Will Luongo be the star goal-tender, we know him capable to be? Will the Sedins and Kesler return to top form? When will Pavel Bure’s #10 be retired[which game?]? Will the Canucks learn from their playoff mistakes? Who will be the player that takes their game to a new level? Will any of the first round draft picks play make their NHL debuts [season long]? What will the league look like in the new 4 conference system? Who should be named to the Olympic rosters? The possibilities of headlines this season are endless. As you may have guessed, I am more than ready to see the sport that I love to return [I could talk about hockey all day long!].

#isitOctoberyet

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

 

 

Old news is still news right?

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Old news is still news right? That how it appears this NHL off-season. It has been very quiet in the hockey world as of late with the exception of the endless re-living of the Gretzky trade that happened 25 years ago.

Yes that trade was and still is a major deal but it happened 25 years ago. Yes it forever changed the game when the Oilers shocked the hockey world when they traded the BEST player of the game to the LA Kings. No player before or since has yet to tie or break Gretzky’s points records [2857 points -894 goals/1963 assists] and I’m not sure any player will ever break his points record. Gretzky was the greatest player to play the game that much is fact and will never be in dispute. I am simply tired of hearing every radio and sports channel re-play footage/interviews from “the trade” and a rehash of every repercussion that was a result of “the trade” as well as all the “what-ifs” had “the trade” never happened or happened with a different team. Enough is enough, let’s stop talking about the past and talk about the present!

You know its been a quiet off-season when the biggest news headlines for weeks at a time are things like: “30 teams in 30 days” or “10 questions that _______ will need to answer to be successful in 2013-2014” or “Will _____ help lead their team to playoff success?”

In Canuck related news, will the Canucks please, just announce the re-signing of CHRIS TANEV already?! This signing is taking forever!  Rumor has it, he has been getting interest from teams in the KHL and Switzerland while contract talks have been nearly non-existent. The longer it takes to officially sign Tanev, the more likely it is that another team will sign him to an offer sheet forcing the Canucks to match.  Last year Philadelphia forced Nashville’s hand with a 14-year offer sheet for Shea Weber that saw the Predators match the long-term offer. I am not comparing Weber to Tanev in any way other than to say that much like last year with Weber forcing Nashville’s hand, Tanev could force Vancouver’s hand if he signed an offer sheet.

Rumor also has it that the Canucks and Douglas Murray are in talks. We will have to wait and see how this plays out in reality.

When the Canucks return to the city for training camp and pre-season, all eyes will be on Roberto Luongo who will make the return that many did not expect. As I have said all along, I am LUONGO fan through and through, so I am very excited to see #1 return to my Canucks.

Perhaps we will see his sense humor much like this that he shared in his Canuck poetry:

and hopefully we will hear many #LUUUUUUUUUU cheers this season, following many saves much like these 5 sensational stops:

It has been very quiet in the hockey world as of late….almost a little too quiet news wise. The best the media has come up with is talking nonstop about a trade that happened 25 years ago and discussing as always the endless potential of rumors.

Can I say it again?..the off-season is dragging! Only 4 1/2 weeks until pre-season & less than 2 months until the regular season! #isitoctoberyet

Can hockey just come back please?!

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

Offseason goes on & on…

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It has been said that there are 4 seasons in an NHL year: pre-season, regular season, post-season, and the offseason. I always find that when the post-season draws to a close, that the offseason seems to drag on. Does the NHL offseason seem to dragging to you or is it just me slowly going crazy all by myself?

It is the offseason that goes on and on and on my friends. Some people start explaining what it is and still it goes on and on until slowly October catches us all by surprise as the anthems are sung and the puck is dropped.

On a happy note: The calendar has turned to August meaning that training camp is merely 6 weeks away edging us ever closer to the regular season. Before we know it the game that drives us crazy and begins endless debates between fans will return.

Simply put hockey fans, I miss watching my favourite sport. Soon October will be here and we will finally get to see how the re-alignment will look, be taken by surprise when the 2014 Winter Games begin and be captivated not by one but by SIX outdoor[stadium] games!

One last note: Congratulations to the Canucks first round draft picks: Bo Horvat and Hunter Shinkurak on signing their ETC’s [entry level contracts] this week, hopefully you will both get a chance to play with the team next year!

#isitOctoberyet #53days #55days2Canucksgame1

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

Daily Prompt: Canucks A to Z

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I’m a little late with this post but I liked the idea!

Create a short story, piece of memoir, or epic poem that is 26 sentences long, in which the first sentence begins with “A” and each sentence thereafter begins with the next letter of the alphabet. [not that this post is in any way epic or necessarily poetic but rather facts.]

Alex Burrows began his NHL career playing his way up through the minors, undrafted before he solidified his spot on the top line with the Sedin twins.

Bure known to many as the “Russian Rocket” for his knack  for speed and to score many timely goals will have his jersey #10 retired this upcoming season.

Chris Higgins after signing a 4-year extension will be looking to stay healthy through 82 games this season.

Daniel Sedin matched his brother YET again when his scored his 756th career point also in his 905th career game.

Edler will be forced to sit out the first two games of the 2014 Sochi Winter Games following his suspension from the 2013 World Cup before being eligible to play.

Forever Canucks: Luc Bourdon, Pavol Demitra, and Rick Rypien left this world too soon but they will never be forgotten.

Game 7 between the Canucks and the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011 was everything fans of the rivalry could hope for going all the way to OT ending only when BURROWS scored and the entire city cheered as the team finally eliminated the hawks.

Harold Snepsts a heart and soul player, he and his moustache were quick to becoming fan favourites during his playing time with the Canucks.

Ice will be taking over outdoors in the NHL this season as there will SIX outdoor [stadium] games kicking off with the Winter Classic in January.

Juice [aka Kevin Bieksa!] scored one of the biggest goals in recent franchise history with his double OT goal May 24, 2011 that sent the team to the 2011 Stanley Cup Final.

Kurtenbach served as the first official team captain when the Canucks joined the NHL in 1970 and was there in October 2010 to present Henrik Sedin as the current team captain.

Linden though he may be retired was and still is an incredible mentor to past and current Canuck players.

MacLean forever will be remembered by Canuck fans for making “the save” during the first overtime period of game 7 vs. Calgary in 1994.

Naslund, Morrison, and Bertuzzi formed what fans called the “West Coast Express” scoring many very exciting goals as the team’s top offensive line.

Olympic glory was more than just a possibility when Vancouver acted as host in 2010 with 7 Canucks participating and 3 returned from their quest with medals [Luongo -GOLD, Kesler-SILVER, and Salo-BRONZE].

President’s men in consecutive years [2011, 2012].

Quinn helped lead this team transitioning from former player to coach from 1991-1994 during which he earned a Jack Adams award [1992] and coached the team on their 1994 run to game 7 of the Stanley Cup final.

Ryan Kesler’s Selke play in 2011 reached a level dubbed as #beastmode and fans hope that he will find that level when the calendar flips to October 3rd.

Sedin and Sedin have an insane amount of on ice chemistry constantly creating plays with the puck when it looks impossible and often more very difficult to stop when on their game.

Torts having officially switched places with Vigneault will be looking to leave his mark on the team in a positive way that will hopefully lead to an extended playoff run.

Utica has been named as the new home for the Vancouver Canucks AHL affiliate which will be named the Comets.

Vintage will become more than the past when the Canucks host the Ottawa Senators in the 2014 Tim Horton’s Heritage Classic at BC Place Stadium March 2, 2014.

Wilkins will forever be remembered by Canucks fans for scoring the FIRST goal in franchise history!

X-factors throughout the line up are must for any team hoping for an extensive playoff run.

You, fans in the stands will all be chanting #LUUUUUUUUUUU when #1 returns to the net this season!

Zack Kassian will hopefully find his scoring groove in the upcoming 2013-2014 season.

There you have it…it may not be epic or poetic BUT it is all Canucks A-Z! Enjoy!

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

#10 to the Rafters!

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It’s about time! Last year he was formally inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. This year, Pavel Bure’s #10 is officially being retired by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2013-2014 season. His #10 will join Stan Smyl’s #12, Trevor Linden’s #16 and Markus Naslund’s #19 in the rafters at Rogers Arena. You can bet a ticket to the Pavel Bure’s jersey retirement game will be one of the hottest ticket games of the year.

Nicknamed the Russian Rocket, Pavel Bure was one of the most exciting players to ever play the game in a Vancouver Canucks uniform. Bure was electric every time he hit the ice scoring 437 goals and 342 assists [779 points!] in 702 games over the course of 13 seasons. Bure is the only Canuck to score 60 goals in a season not just once but TWICE in a row before the Maurice “Rocket” Richard trophy even existed [& would go on to WIN the Rocket trophy twice scoring 58 & 59 goals in later seasons]. When Bure’s name is mentioned in the same sentence as the Canucks it is hard to not mention him winning the Calder trophy as top rookie in 1992, his triple deke, and the incredible role he played on the 1994 playoff run, 1998 Nagano Olympics silver medal, and the magic he created on the ice every single shift.

As a Canuck, Pavel Bure played with heart and soul. Bure created plays with the puck and his speed every time he was on the ice whether it was setting up a play or scoring a highlight reel goal.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but how about also getting to watch that goal one more time for good measure? You’re welcome, enjoy!

It is a well deserved honour! Congratulations PAVEL BURE! #buremagic #RussianRocket #10totherafters

In other Canucks news,Mike Gillis met with the season ticket holders at the annual Canucks Summer Summit and addressed a few issues. He stated very emphatically that he is confident in Luongo returning to Vancouver stating “Roberto WILL be OUR starting goalie” and “we made the choice to go to Roberto”. Gillis also attempted to keep fans calm by saying that when the Sedins return from Sweden they will commence talks in regards to their next contract as he wants them to remain with the club long-term.  One last tidbit he shared was introducing Head Coach John Tortorella’s Assistant Coaches: Mike Sullivan and Glen Gulutzan.

It was announced today that the Canucks reached a 1-year deal[$750,000] with Dale Weise.

Congratulations must be given to Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, Alex Edler, Roberto Luongo, Dan Hamhuis and Ryan Kesler who have all been invited to their respective Olympic consideration camps! Do you think they will all be named to their Olympic rosters? Can you feel the excitement mounting for the  2014 Sochi games?! Do you think anyone from the Canucks was missed that should have been considered for the training camps? Leave a comment below!

Congratulations once again to Pavel Bure, who will even more so, be forever a part of a Canucks history as his number is retired this year! Thanks for giving Canucks fans some exciting years!  #RussianRocket #foreveracanuck #heartofacanuck

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

Nucksaid One Year Later…

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I’m a few days late in posting this BUT here goes!

Hard to believe that ONE year has passed since I began this crazy blogging journey with you all! So how did this all come to be? Why start a blog? It all started because a friend suggested that it would be a good outlet for me to express and share my opinions regarding the team with others who enjoy the team and the sport. A blog allows me to say more than a Facebook status allows and to share my crazy hockey obsession with the world.

To me, hockey is more than just a game. Hockey tells a story of more than just one player or team and can capture the hearts of cities and countries alike. Sometimes it can be predictable and other times a player or team will take everyone by surprise. Each season brings new excitement, new predictions, new surprises [good and bad!], and the ever endless debates between fans and the media. Every season brings change and not one season is the same as the one that preceded it.

I look forward to every October as my favourite sport returns from hiatus and once again my craziness begins. I am one of those fans who yells at the TV when the game is on….cheering when things go well and booing when the other team scores or the ref makes a bad call…if you want to watch the game in peace do not watch the game with me. It is impossible for me to watch the game without getting excited or expressing my distaste at something either said by the commentator or a bad play in the game. The way I see it…how can one really enjoy the game OR any sport[or show] without expressing themselves as it happens?

Last season the league had a shortened season and THIS year the fans get not only a FULL season BUT 6 OUTDOOR games and the enjoyment of OLYMPIC hockey! People always ask me, don’t you ever get tired of watching hockey? Simply put, no. I get chills at the start of every new season as the calendar turns to October and this crazy season long journey begins!

Can the 2013-2014 season begin already?! Hockey needs to come back soon!

Can the 2013-2014 season begin already?! Hockey needs to come back soon! #70daysuntilhockey #OctoberFirst!

Thank-you to all of those who have followed this blog from the beginning and thank-you to all those who have joined along the way! I love sharing my scatter-brained thoughts & interacting with all of you! Here’s to many more!

One year later…wonder what my thoughts were from that first post? My style has not changed too much. Here’s a link to my first post:

https://nucksaid.wordpress.com/2012/07/18/hello-world/

One year later and I will continue to share my crazy hockey fan madness with all of you! Thanks again for joining me & my craziness!

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

This week in the NHL…

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Where will you be March 2, 2014 #CanuckNation? I know where I will be, watching our Vancouver Canucks take on the Ottawa Senators at B.C. Place Stadium!! Rumors became fact July 10th when it was OFFICIALLY announced that these two teams would be participating in the Stadium Series taking place throughout next season. The event will officially be titled “The 2014 Tim Horton’s Heritage Classic”. Interesting to think about heading into this game is the fact that while former Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson will not be participating in the Heritage Classic, as a current member of the Detroit Red Wings he will be participating in the WINTER CLASSIC vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs….oh the irony!

I’m curious to see what the jerseys for this event will look like…perhaps a throwback to their 1994 jerseys?[Am I the only who wants to see those make a comeback?!]

Here’s some highlights from a game a few years back featuring these two teams to keep you entertained while we wait for October & this Heritage Classic:

This off-season has seen more than one surprising announcement from the Canucks trading Cory Schneider to Daniel Alfredsson leaving the Ottawa Senators. This week has seen the New Jersey Devils return to spotlight as forward Ilya Kovalchuk announced July 10th that he is retiring from the NHL after 11 seasons. This announcement comes just 3 years into his 15-year $100 million contract that he signed when he decided to remain with the Devils organization permanently. Over his 11-year career Kovalchuk amassed 816 points in 816 games [417 goals, 399 assists] scoring 30+ goals 9 times playing the Atlanta Thrashers[now Winnipeg Jets] and the New Jersey Devils. This announcement seems to have been a shock to the New Jersey franchise who probably expected him to play at least 5 or 6 more years given that he is only 30. He played a huge part in helping the Devils on their Stanley Cup playoff run in 2012 in which they finished as the runners up to LA…he came VERY close. It leaves many to question what could have been as his play on the ice could be polarizing. It has been speculated that while he has retired from the NHL, it is highly possible he could join the KHL.

Is anyone else stumped how Boston & Pittsburgh keep signing multiple players to BIG money & LONG term contracts? The Bruins recently signed Rask to an 8-year contract [$56 million] after he more than earned his contract with the year he had. They also announced the extension of Patrice Bergeron to an 8-year extension [$6.5 million cap hit]. Add Iginla’s 1-year $6 million contract and that’s nearly $20 million just on THREE players. Look and Penguins who have many players on long-term deals that curiously seem to match their salary cap hit to their jersey numbers in many cases. How can they even have any cap space left?!

Oh hey speaking of Boston…did you hear everyone’s favourite Tea Party member Tim Thomas has come out of hiding to announce that he wants to hear offers from teams in an attempt to comeback to the NHL next season. Any takers?  Anyone? He’s known to be an incredible athlete when called upon, has won a few vezinas, a Conn Smythe, and a Stanley cup….BUT he has been known to also make controversial statements and decisions that cause social media to go crazy. Wherever Thomas ends up will be interesting mostly due to the fact that he spent last season suspended for not reporting to camp and opting to sit out the final year of his contract with Boston. While I have never been a fan of Thomas, I can appreciate that regardless of statements he has made…he has been known to be an incredible goal-tender and is capable to help any team win.

This off-season has been more than interesting to say the least and more surprises and expected announcements are sure to be coming. Some days it feels like the off-season will last forever and others it feels like October is right around the corner.Soon there will be official pre-season and regular season schedule released, so here’s to the summer that will end before we know it!

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

P.S. It looks like @strombone1 has returned to his humorous ways with twitter[if you don’t follow him yet, you should as he’s one of the best to follow!]…welcome back LOU!!

2013 Free Agency Frenzy…!

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Everyone’s favourite or least favourite day of the NHL off-season has arrived ladies and gentlemen: Free Agent Frenzy! If you are like me than you also have a love/hate relationship with the crazy part of the off-season when your favourite team/players makes moves that anger or excite you. Some teams made bigger moves while others went for the smaller moves.

Around the League Free Agency moves/trades:

In one of the most surprising moves of the day, Daniel Alfredsson chose to not re-sign with the Ottawa Senators but has indeed signed a 1-year contract [$5.5 million] with the Detroit Red Wings. Don’t forget with the re-alignment official at the start of next season, Detroit and Ottawa are now division rivals both on the Eastern side of the equation.

The Detroit Red Wings have also signed free agent Stephen Weiss to a 5-year contract [$24.5 million].

Former Detroit Red Wing, Valteri Filppula has agreed to a 5-year contract [$25 million] with Tampa Bay.

Following the loss of their longtime captain to Detroit, the Ottawa Senators acquired forward Bobby Ryan from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forwards Jakob Silfverberg, Stefan Noesen and a 2014 first round draft pick.

Yesterday the Boston Bruins grabbed headlines with the trade of Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley to the Dallas Stars. Today a few more fan favourite Bruins signed elsewhere when Nathan Horton agreed to a 7-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Andrew Ference agreed to a 4-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers.

Speaking of the Bruins grabbing headlines remember how it was initially reported that he chose Boston prior to the trade deadline? Well, this time he its true he has agreed to a 1-year contract with the Boston Bruins [$6 million]. It is safe to say I can longer root for you Iggy now that you have crossed over to the dark side!

Jason Labarbera signed a 1-year contract [$1 million] with the Edmonton Oilers.

Last year it was the Wild that made the biggest splash in the free agency pool with spending $198 million on 2 players. This year has been a much quieter start to the free agency bonanza for Minnesota. The Minnesota Wild traded forward Devin Setoguchi to the Winnipeg Jets for a 2014 2nd round draft pick. Everyone’s favourite pest, Matt Cooke has come to terms with the Minnesota Wild on a 3-year contract [$7.5 million].

Rob Scuderi has come to terms with the Pittsburgh Penguins on a 4-year contract [$13.5 million]. Scuderi won the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2009 and with the LA Kings in 2012.

The Dallas Stars have signed back-up goalie Dan Ellis to a 2-year contract [$1.8 million].

Stanley Cup champion goalie Ray Emery has signed a 1-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin is once again a Chicago Blackhawk after agreeing to a 1-year contract.

Former Philadelphia Flyer, Danny Briere agreed to a 2-year contract [$8 million] with the Montreal Canadiens.

The New Jersey Devils were busy during the first day of free agency signing Ryane Clowe to 5-year contract [$24.25 million] along with Michael Ryder  to a 2-year contract [$7 million]

Claude Giroux agreed to an 8-year contract extension with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Toronto made some bold moves following the buyout of Mikhael Gabrovski yesterday. The re-signed Bozak to a 5-year deal [$21 million] and signed a free agent David Clarkson to a 7-year deal [$36.75 million] that includes a limited to trade clause + a no move clause.

The Nashville Predators made a few splashes in the free agency pool to help fill some of the gaps that haunted them last year. Stanley Cup champion, Viktor Stalberg agreed to a 4-year contract [$12 million]. Former Minnesota Wild forward Matt Cullen and Nashville agreed to terms on a 2-year contract [$7 million]. The Predators also signed forward Matt Hendricks to a 4-year contract [$7.4 million] and forward Eric Nystrom to a 4-year contract [$10 million].

The New York Islanders re-signed Travis Harmonic to a 7-year contract [$27 million]. The Isles also re-signed Evgeni Nabokov to a 1-year contract [$3.25 million] following a solid year by the veteran goal-tender who helped New York get back into the playoffs for the first time in 7 years.

Canucks News:

The Canucks began their free agency course earlier this week when they bought out the remainder of Keith Ballard’s contract to free up cap space and allow him to become a free agent. As you know he was not unemployed for long as he was snapped up by the Minnesota Wild for a 2-year deal worth [$3 million]. Best of luck Ballard near your home town, you deserve a fresh start!

[***has yet to be officially announced]. Rumor has it that free agency has claimed Mason Raymond who reportedly was signed by the Calgary Flames to a 2-year deal. It would exciting for him to play in his home province in front of friends and family. I will miss saying things like #EVERYBODYLOVESRAYMOND every time he scores. I will not root for the Flames ever if this rumor comes to pass, but I do wish Mason the best of luck wherever he ends up.

Forward Maxim Lapierre has signed a 2-year contract[$2.2 million] with the St.Louis Blues. You will be missed by the fans! Best of luck in St.Louis Max!

Short-term Canuck Derek Roy has signed a 1-year contract[$4 million] also with the St.Louis Blues.

Vancouver signed defenceman Yannick Weber to a 1-year contract [$650K] along with forward Brad Richardson to a 2-year contract. Welcome to Canuck Nation, Weber & Richardson! Remember going into free agency the Canucks did not[& do not] have a lot of cap space to make a big splash.

Canuck nation is also waiting to hear confirmation of defenceman Chris Tanev being re-signed. Fingers crossed it is announced sooner rather than later and that the team is not forced to match some ridiculous offer sheet [mind you that is a real possibility!].

Day one of free agency has come and gone with its mark left on many teams. It is hardly the end of the free agency saga that will continue over the next few weeks. Along with more signings to come there will also inevitably be more trades announced. Prepare yourselves hockey fans, this is only the beginning!

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

2013 Draft thoughts…

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The NHL draft began with the Canucks needing to trade ONE goalie and possibly gaining a top 10 draft pick. It ended with them achieving this exact feat, just not the way ANYONE thought it would go down. Yes the Canucks gained the 9th overall pick and yes trading ONE of their goalies. It was not the anticipated movement of Roberto Luongo that everyone assumed it would be, but rather Cory Schneider that was traded to the New Jersey Devils. Cue the social media bonanza as everyone seemed to have an armchair GM opinion to share as the news broke.

It was a controversy that began last spring when this city seemed to turn on their solidified number one goalie Roberto Luongo in favour of the younger and less intimidating contract Cory Schneider. To be honest I am not shocked in many means that it worked out this way, perhaps the Canucks brass should have asked for more return value in the trade but it is what it is and we cannot go back. Cory Schneider is longer part of the Vancouver Canucks organization and the Roberto Luongo deserves A LOT of apologies/explanations from the Canucks brass as he is still a Vancouver Canuck despite what everyone predicted.

Best of luck to Cory in NJ. Schneider will once again be mentored by one of the best goalies in NHL history in Martin Brodeur. With Brodeur being near the end of his career, it makes sense that the Devils would target someone younger that is capable of being great in the near future. That being said, it will be a battle to take the net from Marty who despite his age is still an incredible goal-tender. It will be an incredible opportunity for him to play with Brodeur and to play in a new city. Best of luck Cory, you will have an incredible career!

Roberto Luongo despite endless predictions of being traded to an East Coast team, remains a Vancouver Canuck. I hope that the Canucks brass can mend the fences that were smashed when this city and many fans turned their backs on Luongo last spring. It really makes my blood boil the way this city turned so quickly and supported Cory who had yet to prove his worth. YES Schneider is an incredible athlete and will probably achieve some great accomplishments in his career but he has NOT earned the respect the Luongo earned long ago but is never given. The organization owes Roberto so much more than an apology for the last year and then everyone else needs to let it go and just let the guy play the game he loves. He proved last season that he is MORE than capable of being number one and an absolute consummate professional. I hope that Luongo comes to training camp in September and proves all his doubters wrong next season and they all see the incredible athlete he still is and helps the team once again go on a long playoff run. Please @strombone1 do not let all those doubters voices be the ones you listen to, you do have MANY real fans that will support you.

I don’t think any Canucks fans thought it would be Cory on the chopping block, but we need to accept it happened and move on. We still have an INCREDIBLE bonafide number one goal-tender that just two years ago took this team to ONE game within the Stanley Cup. You never know what the future holds and these are two players that both deserve to play in the games that matter.

Moving onto other Canucks news the team picked up some great prospects today in the draft: Bo Horvat, forward Hunter Shinkaruk, centre Cole Cassels, defenceman Jordan Subban, defenceman Anton Cederholm, defenceman Mike Williamson and Miles Liberati. Welcome to the NHL and the Vancouver Canucks organization!

Draft day has officially come to a close and now we wait for the madness of free agency to begin. Are you prepared for the craziness to begin?

One last question, are we really SHOCKED canuck nation that Gillis did not trade Alex Edler? Really? His contract is a steal in comparison to recent contracts being signed by top NHL defencemen [Weber, Letang].

Hockey does not end in June. The NHL has 4 seasons: the pre-season, the regular season, the post-season, and the off season. The off-season is sure to hold a few surprises yet. As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.