Tag Archives: fan perspective

What are the Odds?

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It has been a while since my last post, but guess who’s back? Yep, you got it, ME.

This post goes out to all Canucks fans,

We all share a common bond, a passion for the game and a passion for this team. We are a passionate bunch, no matter if we are new fans, or if we have been fans for many years. We have seen it all from terrible seasons to near perfect seasons that were ONE game from perfection and everything in between. We feel the anticipation of every game, every goal, and every save. We feel the excitement from every win and the disappointment from every loss. In the span of one season or even within one game we can go from absolutely heartbroken to overjoyed and vice versa dependent on the outcome. We feel every emotion good or bad that comes with being a hockey fan and we would not want it any other way.

This season is one that has been far from perfect thus far but it also has not been as bad as some have suggested. According to some, the Canucks should pack it in now and go for the TANK in order to acquire a high draft pick come June. Why would anyone encourage their team to NOT play their best regardless of how the season might end? Why not hope for the best for each game rather than expect the worst? Should they strive to be the worst or is it better for them to thrive to be their best despite what the outsiders say? No one said the 82-game journey would be an easy one or a fun one all the time. It’s a battle from start to finish with 29 other teams all vying for the same thing. The odds are that despite all the predictions made one way or another, some will be proven right and some will be proven wrong. Why not enjoy every step of the journey, wherever it leads despite the odds?

Odds are a funny thing that most often are unpredictable, no matter how much math becomes involved. Every season all the experts, bloggers, stats gatherers, and fans calculate the odds that their favourite team and players will have a good or bad season. Sometimes the odds are easy to predict. Star players will put on a show and other star players will struggle before finding their groove. Predicting where a team will finish based on prior performance should be simple enough BUT when every team in one division struggles out of the gate, it changes the odds game. Look at the how Pacific Division was dominated in every way by Anaheim last season and YET this season that is not the case. Every team in the Pacific has struggled at various points this season with only ONE team(LA) having a positive goal differential at the midway mark of the season.

Lots of hockey remains to be played and the divisional standings are anyone’s guess for how they will look at season’s end in the Pacific. Toss the odds out the window and hold on folks, we are in for a wild ride to the finish whether you are rooting for a tank or a triumph…things are about to get interesting as the trade deadline looms around the bend. Are you ready?

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

Edging Closer…

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Is it October yet? No, not just yet but the echoes around the bend are getting ever louder as we edge closer to the season’s opening puck drop.

What does the 2015-2016 season hold for the Vancouver Canucks?

According to the stats experts, the future looks grim and playoff hopes are very dim. According to the experts, there is little reason to cheer for a team that should be shifting their focus to rebuilding. According to the experts this team should expect to be at the bottom of the standings for a while. According to the experts, the Sedins are way past their prime and should opt to play elsewhere. According to the experts the entire Canucks roster is too old and not balanced with enough youth. According to the experts the Vancouver Canucks have absolutely no business even thinking about the 2016 playoff picture. According to the experts, Canucks should prepare themselves for a disastrous season.

What exactly defines a “disastrous” season? A year under Torts? Or the “Messier” experiment that orchestrated the Linden trade? Canucks fans know all about disastrous seasons, we’ve been there a few times and then some. A disastrous season is hardly a new concept for most teams, they’ve all seen their share of disappointments, such is the nature of a game that can only have one champion at year’s end. Yes, disasters will come and go but no matter their nature, disastrous or successful season, I will be supporting my team from start to finish of the 82-game plus journey that is the NHL season.

I’m in no way an expert, nor will I ever claim to be, BUT I will say that while the stats are helpful, they do not always tell the whole story. Perhaps on paper, this team may not look like a “championship” roster or a “typical contender” and perhaps that is okay. Perhaps the so-called expectations from the fans and the experts should be tossed out the window this year. Perhaps having a lack of expectations will be exactly what makes the Canucks a team to watch as the season progresses. Perhaps their veteran core supported by the younger players will be exactly what they’ve promised all along, a team that deserves respect. Perhaps they will be exactly what the “experts” predicted OR they just may surprise all the naysayers.

The truth is no matter what the stats and critics say or what the team looks like on paper, all that matters is what happens on the ice when the season begins. How the team plays, regardless of who is on the roster, is up to them. Will the Sedins have year to remember or will they finally show their age? Will Ryan Miller have a rebound season? Will Bo Horvat have a solid followup to his rookie season? Will any rookies step for a breakout season? Will Brandon Prust win fans over with his experience? The questions are endless and time will tell what this season holds for the Vancouver Canucks.

Is it October yet? No, not just yet but I can hear the echoes of what’s to come just around the bend.

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.