Vancouver Canucks: Memory Lane, Would Chicago Covet Kesler? (canucks)

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Vancouver Canucks: Memory Lane, Would Chicago Covet Kesler?

By Carol Schram

May 28, 2014 • 2:22 pm

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To start today: not strictly Canucks-related, but I saw this in my Twitter feed and can't resist sharing. This guy did score enough important goals against the Canucks that he can be considered a part of our history, right?

We get to see a lot more candid photos these days, though, like this great shot from future Canuck Anton Cederholm:

In case you think the Canucks got carried away with the signing bonus on the kid's rookie contract, he does add this remark in the comments: "Haha not mine...yet." I like that ambition—doesn't sound like he thinks he's going to be a third-pairing/AHL bubble guy!

Also on the theme of years gone by, here's one very good reason for Canucks fans to support Montreal's comeback attempt against the Rangers. This isn't even a personal gripe against AV; it has to do with how the media is picking up on all the 20th anniversary moments of the Rangers' last Cup run.

This year's team is already closer to the Cup than they've been since they beat the Canucks. We've already had to re-live "The Guarantee" and "Matteau! Matteau! Matteau!"

If the Rangers go through, the next batch of memories will be the games from the Final, against the Canucks. There were some great moments on that run—especially our man Trevor's performance in Game 7—but we all know how it ends.

I also felt a jab in the heart when I saw this new cover of Sports Illustrated. "The Lovable Underdog??"

Go Habs!

Destinations for Kesler:

The speculation continues to swirl around Ryan Kesler—in no small part, because he's an appealing target who'd fit well with many teams.

Lots of chatter about Chicago in the comments yesterday. The way they're playing, they could use him right now!

It seems like Chicago's second-line center Michal Handzus got old overnight. He's 37 now, and has had a tough time in this series. He's a UFA at the end of the season, so we're probably seeing his last games as a Blackhawk. I expect we'll see Andrew Shaw in the second-line role tonight for Game 5, but I wonder how healthy he is. He hasn't been as prominent as I expected in the two games he's played since returning from injury.

I think Chicago will be able to increase Shaw's role next year, but they will have room for another quality center in their roster—just no cap space. If Teuvo Teravainen is ready to step up next season, the 'Hawks can fill the position internally.

(As an aside, Handzus' abrupt decline makes me think about Marian Hossa. He's 35 now, and signed for seven more seasons on his monster Luongo-style contract. He's still a great player—for now—but can the 'Hawks afford to be saddled with that $5.275 million a year cap hit through 2020-21? I'd be thinking very hard about that over the next few weeks if I was Stan Bowman.)

If Chicago does covet Kesler, I don't think the "rivalry" issue is as big a deal as it was, even two years ago. Remember when Minnesota used to talk about how the Canucks were their biggest rival and our fans said "Wha??" Just like we had bigger fish to fry than the Wild back then, I think the 'Hawks are now much more concerned about the Blues and the Kings than they are with us.

I'm also not quite ready to write off the Blackhawks' playoffs just yet. They're not as bad as they've looked for the past couple of games, and the Kings are so streaky: their "turbo boost" might run out at any moment.

We'll see what happens tonight, but if the 'Hawks can get themselves out of the mess they're in, I wouldn't expect any big moves this summer.

Whazzup, Strombone?

I think it's hilarious that Roberto Luongo still hasn't changed his Twitter avatar from the black goalie with the question mark. And I loved his latest Tweet. The bromance lives!

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