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So brief thoughts on last night's game before I get into a brief look at who may be able to help Vancouver during the stretch run.
Shootout moves- I wasn't overly impressed with the shootout for Vancouver. With al the talent in that dressing room you would think they would have more creativity then to try the same move twice in a row. Jannick Hansen's attempt pissed me off the most because with the way he is shooting the puck right now why would you try and get fancy? The guy has been shooting bullets at will with a near Kovalchukian release. Just walk in, put your spot and let it go.
Overall play- I felt Vancouver played pretty good overall but there was one thing missing from their game: they didn't have a whole lot of battle in front of the net. On offence it seemed like they would work to get to the front of the net and then there would be little fight out of the player once they were there. On defence, they simple weren't tough enough and made Schneider's night harder than it should have been. 38 shots was great, but this team needed 60 if they all going to be from the outside.
Hansen- I'm not sure what has gotten into Hansen this past week but I love it. If you're looking for a player to pick up in fantasy hockey pick this guy up. The way he is shooting the puck right now reminds me a lot of the way Naslund used to. If he can keep his confidence up and keep shooting t\like he is he may end up leading the Canucks in goals this season.
Higgins- Quietly starting to get his game together and now has six goals this season. I thought he was one of the better Canucks on the ice all night and the goal he had in the shootout was a beauty. The only thing that puzzles me about his game is AV decision to keep having Raymond take the face-off. Let Higgins take them and then move to the wing positionaly. It just makes sense.
Ballard- I have no idea why he only got 12 minutes last night. I thought he played as well as any of the other defencemen and should have been out there for at least 16 minutes. All that can really be said is WOW. Someone is not going to be here come playoff time.
Canucks 3 Stars
1- Hansen
2- Higgins
3- Hank
Who can help?
Rentals
Jarome Iginla
Mike Ribeiro
Daniel Alfredsson
Andy McDonald
Brenden Morrow
Pierre-Marc Bouchard
Robyn Regehr
Mark Streit
Ryane Clowe
Matthew Lombardi
Clarke MacArthur
Danny Cleary
Vinny Prospal
Ladislav Smid
Raffi Torres
Chad Larose
Ryan Jones
Eric Nystrom
Boyd Gordon
Chuck Kobasew
David Steckel
Joey Crabb
Drew Miller
Matt Hendricks
Jerred Smithson
Kyle Chipchura
Jeff Woywitka
Longer term
Marcus Johansson
Braden Holtby
Brian Campbell
Scottie Upshall
Kris Versteeg
Steve Ott
Drew Stafford
Paul Stastny
David Jones
Derek Dorsett
Derick Brassard
My Trades on D-Day
To Wash- Schneider and a prospect
For
To Van- Ribeiro, Johansson and Holtby
To Buf- Connauton and 2nd rd pick
For
To Van- Regehr
To Phx- Booth
For
Gordon and 2nd rd pick
To Fla- a 3rd rd pick
For
To Van- Smithson
To ? - Ballard
For
To Van- 3rd rd pick
Send Kassian and Schroeder to the Wolves so that they can play 20 minutes a night.
Sedin/Sedin/Burrows
Ribeiro/Kesler/Hansen
Higgins/Gordon/Raymond
Smithson/Lapierre/Weise
Sestito
Hamhuis/Bieksa
Regehr/Edler
Tanev/Garrison
Luongo
Holtby
Who do you deal for at the deadline?
Ice Girls- Dallas
That's a wrap
Ian
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