Not too much cause for excitement around the NHL this weekend, unless perhaps you're a relative of Lee Stempniak. Even that news is a bit humbling: it's being reported that Stempniak has signed for just $900,000 with the New York Rangers.
Up at the Pemberton Festival this weekend, Snoop Doog was representing for Henrik Sedin.
Snoop Dogg (in a #Canucks jersey) drops it like it’s hot at the Pemberton Music Festival http://t.co/jApY1WaiDe pic.twitter.com/yTMtL5ZdNA
— Cam Tucker (@CamTucker_Metro) July 20, 2014I'm pretty sure I've seen Snoop in this jersey before—thinking it dates back to 2011 or so. Nice to know he keeps it around for his frequent trips up our way.
Let's check in with some of our boys and their summer adventures:
It's been an eventful few weeks for Nick Bonino. Not only did he get traded, he also celebrated his wedding in Boston over the July 4th weekend. Why should Ryan Miller's wife get all the attention?
The perfect weekend @NickBonino #iloveyou pic.twitter.com/kxjjk2vnUf
— Lauren Cherewyk (@lcherewyk) July 7, 2014Bonino's a New England native—born in Hartford and schooled at Boston University. Perhaps it's not surprising that a Red Sox game would be part of the festivities:
An awesome finish to an amazing wedding weekend! Couldn't have gone any better #luckyman pic.twitter.com/3Gm7IhQHtq
— Nick Bonino (@NickBonino) July 6, 2014The 26-year-old is sounding enthusiastic about the opportunity he'll receive in Vancouver. His dog also appears to approve.
Just got my first Canucks stuff in the mail, pumped to get on the ice and break it in! pic.twitter.com/osPVn7d1FI
— Nick Bonino (@NickBonino) July 16, 2014Meanwhile, Frank "James" Corrado had a humbling moment captured on camera at the Hockey Hall of Fame this week. Give this young fan credit for recognizing Corrado at all, even if he is only interested in his connection to newly-minted Habs' superstar Dale Weise:
Since Matthias arrived in town just as the Canucks' 2013-14 season was melting down, he has been a bit of a forgotten man in terms of next season's lineup speculation. Matthias is big and he's versatile, so he could be a useful piece of the puzzle. It'll be interesting to see how he's deployed as part of the new regime.
Who is @shawnmatthias? Allow us to introduce you to 'Danger,' one of your new fav #Canucks. http://t.co/4SAihNsJ0k pic.twitter.com/wOtqLCRUiE
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) July 18, 2014Coaching Tidbits:
I didn't see this reported anywhere else, but Jason Brough of NBC's ProHockeyTalk took in a coaching conference at UBC last week, where Glen Gulutzan spoke a bit on the Canucks' defensive strategies. Here's one bit of news on what we might expect next season:
Gulutzan hinted that Desjardins would employ a variation of zone and man coverage next season.
— Jason Brough (@JasonPHT) July 18, 2014He also talked about why the Sedins aren't getting the same room to operate that they used to enjoy:
Gulutzan says the trend of overloading the corners and sides in the D zone is giving Sedins issues. More guys to beat. Less room to operate.
— Jason Brough (@JasonPHT) July 18, 2014