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He's Back! Keslord Returns to Canucks & Turris Rumour |
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The New York Rangers are taking a break form occupying Wall Street, and for tonight only, they will be occupying Rogers Arena. But who really cares about the Rangers anyways? Not when there are bigger things to discuss. Returning tonight for the Vancouver Canucks, will be the man, the myth, the centerfold, the one and only, Ryan Kesler. The return of Kesler is sure to add energy to the building both on and off the ice. Kesler may need some time to get up to speed, but just his presence makes Vancouver better. The Rangers will have tough time getting their first win of the season with the Canucks playing with the emotional boost Kesler’s return is sure to give them.
Canucks- 2-2-1 5PTS
Rangers- 0-1-2 2PTS
Leading Scorers
Canucks
Daniel Sedin- 7pts
Henrik Sedin- 7 pts
3 others tied with 4pts
Rangers
Brad Richards -3 pts
Marian Gaborik- 2 pts
Ruslan Fedotenko - 2 pts
3 Players To Watch
Canucks
Ryan Kesler
The reigning Selke Trophy winner is playing his first game of the season tonight and is raring to go. There’s no telling how much ice-time he’ll get but he has been practicing with the second line, the penalty kill, and the first power-play unit. Just the presence of him in the line up makes the Canucks a better team. Lookout NHL, the Canucks are a whole lot better now.
Maxim Lapierre
One of the Canucks top penalty killers and face off men, Lapierre will play a key role in tonight’s game, if the Canucks can’t stay disciplined and they run into penalty trouble. Lapierre has been an outstanding 71% on face-offs at home, and is one of the Canucks best penalty killers. The Rangers also have their share of gritty forwards so it will be up to Lappy and the Fourth line to provide the push back physically if the Rangers start hitting.
Chris Higgins
The hardest working Canuck this season has been rewarded by being bumped up to the second line. The way AV likes to shuffle the lines, there is no telling if Higgins will stay on the second line, but he does deserve a shot to play with Hodgson and Kesler. Higgins will likely provide the physical side to the second line tonight. I expect Higgins to play a solid 2-way game and this line to have a good night
Rangers
Michael Del Zotto
Coming into this season, Del Zotto was known more as an offensive defenceman, but so far this season he is the Rangers +/-, and hits leader. What is even more remarkable is he ‘s +3 on a team that has only scored 5 goals. Watch for Del Zotto to see plenty of time tonight against the Canucks first and second lines.
Ryan Callahan
Named the 26th captain in Rangers history this off-season, Ryan Callahan can do it all. One of my favourite players to watch in the league, he plays like a mini Ryan Kesler. Callahan plays the game all out, every shift. He brings speed, passion, skill, heart, and physicality on the ice with him every shift. For the Rangers to win he will need to play well tonight.
Brad Richards
The big off-season pick up, Richards is off to a decent start with 3 points in 3 games. The former, Con Smythe Trophy winner is always dangerous and makes the players around him better. Richards is an outstanding 80% on face-offs this season so the Canucks centre’s will have to be on their game tonight. The Canucks will have to be aware of where Richards is at all time s if they want to win tonight.
Keys to Tonight’s Game
The three keys for the Canucks to win tonight will be to have a good start, and stay out of the penalty box.
The Canucks will have to take advantage of the energy that will be in the building with the return of Ryan Kesler. They will need to come out and take it t the Rangers with speed and a strong puck procession game. If they can get the lead and force the Rangers to open up, they should win this game.
Second, the Canucks need to stop taking penalties. So far this season, of the 15 periods the Canucks have played, they have played 2 of them short-handed. Yes, the Canucks have already spent almost 40 minutes in the box. While the Rangers power-play is the worst in the league right now (0%, 0 for 12), they do have some high end fire power that can make you pay.
If the Canucks can get the early lead and play 5 on 5 hockey most of the night, they should win tonight.
The Turris Rumor
I just wanted to take a minute to address the Turris rumor that is out there. I for one would love to see Turris in a Canucks jersey and I think Kyle would be delighted to wear one. The only question I have is what would it cost the Canucks? Here are a few trade idea’s that I would look at if the were on the table for Kyle Turris.
Option 1
Schneider for Turris and Gormley
Reasons- I’m not a big fan of giving up Schneider till the draft, so it will take a hell of a deal for me to move him during the season. This is a hell of a deal. Turris has the makings of being a 30 goal scorer and in my opinion Gormley was the best defenceman in the draft a few years back. I’m not sure this is a fair trade but if the Coyotes really want Schneider right now, this would be my starting point for him.
Option 2
Hansen and a 2nd for Turris and a 3rd
Reasons- I can see this as the most likely deal. I think Hansen is slowly playing his way into the doghouse because he doesn’t seem to want to hit this year. A change of scenery may do him good, and he is defensively responsible enough to play in the Coyotes system. I still think Hansen’s long term potential is a 20 goal/45 to 55 point player, which is a nice return on a player who wants out. I also se this working well for the Canucks because I think Turris would be willing to sign with the Canucks for around the same money as Hansen is making. The swap of picks would be to make up for a 50 point player being dealt for a 70 point player.
Well those are my two options, which one do you like best?
If you don’t like either, what would you trade for Turris?
If you don’t want Turris, Why wouldn’t you trade for him?
Thanks for reading.
Enjoy your day and the game.
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • 
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