Tag Archives: NHL off-season

The Countdown is on…

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The countdown is officially on and as we edge slowly closer to the upcoming season, my excitement grows even more. Yes, I know that probably sounds crazy coming from a Vancouver Canucks fan. According to the “experts”, what could I possibly have to be excited about or why do I even bother to support a team that is already predicted to be in the bottom of the league next season?

And you know what? Maybe all those “experts” are right that the team will finish near the bottom next year OR maybe they are are wrong. Regardless of how the “experts” predict next season OR how the season actually goes, I will be supporting the team from start to finish.

And yes, as crazy as it may sound, I am excited for the season that is just around the corner despite all the odds and disasters that could be.  And yes, I will be excited about the season and the team’s future. And yes, I will cheer the loudest when Daniel Sedin joins his brother Henrik in the 1000 NHL points club this season. Despite what people from the outside may think, that is an incredible feat in ANY NHL career and one that many players do not reach.

And yes, there is a lot of youth on this team moving forward and I am thrilled to see those players develop with the organization. I am excited to once again see Bo Horvat continue his evolution as a leader on this team on and off of the ice. Brock Boeser in 9 games last year, only showed a glimpse of what he can bring to the NHL. This season, he will play potentially a full season to fully embrace what it means to be an NHL player. Then there’s the case of Jake Virtanen, who so many have already decided is a bust, wouldn’t it be amazing if all that hard he’s put in this off-season helps him prove all those critics wrong? He deserves an opportunity to do just that…I have a feeling we have yet to see his very best.

And yes, I will continue to watch the game with a different perspective from many fans by choosing to always find the silver lining. Having a different view of the game does NOT make me less of a fan in any way. Yes, I do get frustrated at moments or disagree with a decision made on the ice but neither or those lead me to stop supporting the team. And yes, regardless of whether a season is good or bad, I will watch every game supporting the team through it all: the good, the bad and everything in between.

And when I inevitably read all the upcoming negativity directed at the team during the upcoming season, I will shout my support even louder. Perfect or perfectly imperfect, win or lose, the Vancouver Canucks are my team and they have my support all year round: 24/7/365.

The countdown is on and I can hear the echoes of what’s to come just beyond the bend…

“Is it October yet?
No, not just yet, but I can hear the echoes of what is just beyond the bend.
Anthems bringing the crowd to attention,
and for a moment all is quiet before it all begins.
The cool crisp smell of the ice followed by whistles blowing,
the clink of the puck finally dropping,
sounds of blades hitting the ice,
sticks battling for the puck,
resounding cheering for the many goals that will come,
the resounding boos for any and every bad or missed call by the refs,
the chirping between players,
the back and forth battle from end to end,
each shift more intense than the previous one as the clock winds down,
and the absolute bliss of seeing your team skate away with victory.
Is it October yet?
No, not just yet, but I can hear the echoes of what is just beyond the bend.

-Sarah Laug (August 9, 2014)”

The countdown is on, can you hear the echoes just around the bend? What moment are you most looking forward to in the upcoming season? For me, it’s getting to see Daniel join his brother in the 1000 NHL points club as they continue to fill up the Vancouver Canucks history books.

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

Slowly still the off-season continues…73 more days!

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This off-season seems to be dragging on by…ever more slowly as the days go by. Doan has yet to sign ink to paper officially…but with his ‘suggested’ payday it seems more and more likely that he will remain with Phoenix, at least if things with the Coyotes ownership are resolved. It will come down to who can afford to pay Doan the desired contract. His agent has been quoted saying that a decision could come as ‘early’ as sometime this week(funny I recall that a decision was going to be made by July 9! and yet here we all are still waiting 3 weeks later)

Many questions about the uncertain new CBA & remaining UFA’s are still in limbo. Cross your fingers that the NHLPA & Bettman & company can reach a new CBA agreement before mid-September…or else we’re looking at a delayed season or a lockout year…yuck! As for the remaining UFA’s, it is still to be determined as to where they will be playing next season. There are also questions surrounding each team as they continue to build and prepare for the upcoming season: Toronto’s goal-tending situation, the Suter/Parise affect in Minnesota, Nash’s chemistry in the Big Apple, Thomas taking a ‘one-year’ absence while constantly making controversial statements through his social media causing headaches for the Bruins who were hoping to trade him(but that’s looking unlikely with his constant commentary), D-day eventually arriving…as in the day Doan picks a team, the reunited Staals playing together, Nashville attempting to build around Weber while paying him nearly $26 million in bonuses next year, and the list goes on! Nothing will be resolved completely until the season begins & 2 teams battle it out next June.

Each new season brings new possibilities, you just never know what may happen. I do know that we will once again see some #sedinery & #17 in beastmode & #BURR creating magic #isitOCTOBERyet???!! first comes a CBA agreement, training camp, pre-season & the OCTOBER 11th!!! #73moredays!!

That’s all for now, until the next dramatic domino falls into place, nuck said!

Sarah E.L.

Off-season ramblings & still waiting on Doan…..

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The off-season in review:                                                                                                  Minnesota won the Parise/Suter sweepstakes.                                                                              Rick Nash was traded from Columbus to the New York Rangers, giving him a chance to benefit from offensive line-mates & have a realistic chance at playoffs.                                Weber created drama by signing a ridiculous 14 year $110 million offer sheet with Philadelphia forcing Nashville’s hand to either accept it or let him walk. 6 days after the offer sheet, Nashville decided to officially match the offer, making Weber a Predator for life(& perhaps setting a ridiculous precedent for other players future contracts).                    The NHLPA & NHL head honchos are in the thick of meetings regarding a new CBA agreement & hopefully to avoid a lockout next season(I would not deal with that very well, nor would any other hockey fan, BUT that hasn’t happened yet, so lets cross our fingers that it doesn’t!)                                                                                                                               Marty Brodeur signed a 2 year deal with New Jersey, which basically insures that he will finish his career in New Jersey, playing his whole career for one franchise. This guy is an incredible athlete.

Where oh where will Shane Doan sign? Will it be Phoenix? Or will he go somewhere else? Doan is really taking his time in signing a contract & really considering both sides, not who is trying to sway him with money but which team he will fit best with. Rumor has it that he has met with/or talked with many of the teams that have shown an interest in him. I think he’d be a great asset on any team, particularly in blue & green! But really wherever he ends will be lucky to have his experience and leadership. I would love to see Doan stepping onto the ice in Canuck jersey next year, but like everyone else I will have to wait until Doan announces his decision officially.

A big question remains for Philadelphia. If they were willing to take the plunge with that HUGE offer to Weber, what does that say about Pronger? Will Pronger be available to start the season or play at all next year? If they lose Pronger for an extended amount of time or permanently that leaves Philadelphia with a HUGE whole in their defense. I really hope that Pronger is not done, it would be a terrible way to end his career, to be forced into retirement because of his concussion. He was shut down pretty quickly last year, and his symptoms were quite severe. Pronger is a huge presence on & off the ice. Philadelphia has not addressed the possibility, but by making the offer to Weber that they did , it makes one wonder why they would go to such extremes to sign him if everything with Pronger is okay. I guess we shall have to wait for some sort of official word from Philadelphia, but I really hope that Pronger is not finished yet, that would be so unfair for him to lose the game he loves before he is .

In other news, the Canucks have agreed to terms with forward Dale Weise on a one year deal.