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Vancouver Canucks: Roster is Healthy as Training Camp Begins

September 18, 2014, 3:01 PM ET [212 Comments]
Carol Schram
Vancouver Canucks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Good morning!

I just spent the last 90 minutes watching the livestream of the Canucks' first official media availability of the new season, from Rogers Arena. I'll buzz through this quickly so I can get it posted.

Twenty Canucks players were on hand to answer questions, as well as general manager Jim Benning and coach Willie Desjardins. It's a little odd to see Trevor stepping into the background as the business of hockey gets underway, but I think it's an important step to give his bosses some autonomy.

His name came up a couple of times: Benning mentioned that he'll be at Whistler, of course, and will be part of the group assessing the team's on-ice performance. And Zack Kassian said he was excited about Linden coming in to run the team because of the respect he commands. Kassian says he thinks the team's new identity will start with Linden, then trickle on down.

The players were brought out in groups of four. I'll try to hit the key points and major impressions.

First up: Henrik and Daniel Sedin, Alex Burrows and Kevin Bieksa

All looked very fit in their golf shifts, with Burrows in particular looking like he'd done some work on his arms in the weight room.

Bieksa opened things up by talking about how the team has taken a long look in the mirror, and now it's time to right the ship, while Henrik emphasized that the team should be better this year because they'll have a chance to roll four lines—and get everyone to chip in offensively.

Burrows talked about how Willie Desjardins came out to meet with him in Montreal over the summer. He appreciated the fact that, even though Willie had a busy summer as he led his Texas Stars to the Calder Cup, as soon as he got the job, he went to work right away.

Daniel (I think) says that the expectations for the group are high, and they're not looking at this as a rebuild. Acknowledges that expectations from the outside may be lower, but they have a deep team, plan to make the playoffs, and from there anything can happen.

Bieksa says that, since so many guys came to town early and have been working out together before camp begins, they've had the chance to pick the brains of Linden Vey and Derek Dorsett, who have previously played for Willie Desjardins. The reports they're getting jive with what's been reported: player's coach, wants to win, wants dialogue with his players.

When asked about a possible change in his role, Burrows says that the most fun he's ever had playing hockey was in the playoffs. He'll do whatever it takes to get back to playoffs again, no matter where that means he'll play.

Group two: Zack Kassian, Chris Higgins, Alex Edler, Dan Hamhuis

Higgins was probably the most willing of all the players to compare last year to this season. He says he's looking forward to the staff being more receptive to what they, the players, have to say. All a player can ask for is to be able to share his opinions. He says it's "classy" how Desjardins has reached out to the players over the summer.

Higgins later added that he thinks player input is important because they're the ones on the ice: no one can see the game the same way they can.

Higgins was in town for most of the summer, so he says he had a few conversations with Desjardins.

Kassian said he had a couple of phone calls. Also said that he knows a few guys who played for Willie in junior and in the AHL. They say he likes to win. Kassian adds that they're all very determined to prove themselves this year.

Hamhuis shared a cute anecdote from Willie's visit up Smithers this summer. Said his daughters were very excited by their guest and insisted on touring him all around their house.

Group three: Benning and Desjardins

Willie smiled when asked about his visit to the Hamhuis'. Said the girls were very cute and determined to show him their ice rink.

In addition to Smithers, Desjardins said he went to Sweden, to Montreal to see Burrows and to Toronto to see Bieksa.

He was most surprised and impressed with the overall team focus of the group, that none of the guys said "I need" one thing or another. He says they're all committed to winning as a team.

Benning says all the veterans are healthy and cleared to go for training camp. Virtanen will be there but won't be taking contact. They'll get Cole Cassels' last round of test results today, then go from there.

Benning also says he's looking forward to seeing what this group can do. He's not looking to make any more changes and wants to see how they come out of the gate—which sounds like the beginning of the season, at least—before making any further changes.

Group four: Derek Dorsett, Linden Vey, Jannik Hansen and Yannick Weber

Hansen says it's nice to be told if you're doing something wrong or right. Is glad that Willie's very communicative.

Nothing too revealing from the other guys: more positive words about Desjardins from Dorsett and Vey; Weber says he looks forward to getting involved with a coach who likes his defensemen to get involved in the rush.

Group five: Tom Sestito, Chris Tanev, Ryan Stanton and Shawn Matthias

When asked about fighting, Sestito says he's been told not to get into fights right off the faceoffs, like what happened "a couple of times last year." He says if he hits someone hard, he still expects fights to happen.

Tanev looks like he's filled out—not the skinny kid anymore. He doesn't shy away from calling last year a "terrible" year. Ryan Stanton says he's feeling much more comfortable since he was a late arrival last season. Shawn Matthias basically just says he's feeling good and ready to go.

Grup six: Ryan Miller, Nick Bonino, Luca Sbisa, Radim Vrbata

Vrbata's asked immediately how he can help the power play. He talks about the opportunity to play a smart, skilled game with the twins but says there are also other good players on the team - mentions Bonino - and that he'll do whatever he's asked.

Ryan Miller takes the majority of the talking time with this group. I have to say, I was really impressed with how he handled himself. He was thoughtful and thorough with his answers, and admitted that in the past he's been quite emotional in interviews, which hasn't always worked out well for him. He says he's willing to take direction and have a new set of eyes on him, and talked about how he watches a lot of hockey in his off-hours and will be studying video during training camp to get a sense of where guys will be and how he'll work with him.

Miller seems to have quite a cerebral approach to his game. He'll be interesting to hear from going forward.

Bonino admits that, in his fourth year in the league, he's never dealt with something like this preseason media scrum before, so he doesn't figure he'll be an "under the radar" player for long. When asked about Teemu Selanne's negative comments about Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau that are being reported in today's news, Bonino tries to duck the question.

Sbisa's a little more forthright, talking about how a player like Selanne deserves to be treated a certain way, but that everything Boudreau did was in the interest of helping his team win. He also says that Selanne is a professional who didn't let any of his teammates know how he was feeling.

No sign of Brad Richardson, Eddie Lack or Jacob Markstrom; we heard from everyone else.
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