Tony Gallagher of The Province has had a busy week, watching the Canucks go through informal practices at Britannia rink.
I'm not going to get too excited about this column, where the Sedins talk about how they need to be the engine that runs the offense.
"We can’t be sitting around 50 points or 60 points, we’ve got to be up there over 70," admits Henrik. "We’ll see what Willie (coach Desjardins) wants, but yes, we’ll need a lot of offensive starts to achieve that."
Daniel takes responsibility for the short circuit in last year's offense. "It was our fault. You can’t blame anyone else but we have to get back to trying things, being unpredictable and trying things," he says. "We’ve got to get that cycling back and produce like the top guys do on every team."
The thing is—this isn't much different from what Daniel was saying last year, as Team Tortorella was embarking on its path of doom. Here's what he told Brad Ziemer on September 15, 2013, as training camp was about to begin:
I was disappointed with last season. That wasn’t good enough and anyone that says last season goes out the window, I think they’re wrong. For me, any game you play is an important game. It’s disappointing, but I know I can score more. I scored 40 once and I would like to be up there again. I still feel like I can produce a lot more than I have the last two years.
The Sedins will need to be better if the Canucks are to be successful this season but I'm not sure Gallagher's right when he says the twins need to disregard the coach and do their own thing. I think Willie will need to work his motivational and tactical magic if Henrik and Daniel are to return to form.
It's interesting to see that the Sedins have been nominated as one of the worst contract situations for Canada's NHL teams by Mike Dennis of CBC.ca. So far, they've been voted into second place, but their 16 percent of the vote pales in comparison to the 57 percent that has been drawn by Dion Phaneuf of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Anyway, that's all a preamble to something else from Gallagher that I found very interesting, in this article about the likelihood that any of the Canucks' young players could crack the lineup this season.
According to Gallgher, Hunter Shinkaruk "appears stunningly quick in the informal workouts at Britannia, and if he’s able to do anything like he did last season in the preseason, he could change some minds."
Like Tony, I was dazzled by Shinkaruk's high energy and nose for the net during last year's training camp. It's great to hear that he's skating like the wind again after his hip surgery.
He's the player I'm most looking forward to seeing on the ice at the YoungStars tournament next weekend—then at training camp. I have a feeling he's going to make it very tough for team brass to send him down to Utica.
Shinkaruk seems crystal clear on what it would take to earn a spot:
Of course you’d have to earn it. You would be coming in and taking somebody’s job, and they’re not just going to hand it to you after the other guy has earned his contract. You’re going to have to demonstrate you are better and can help the team more.
Gallagher continues to wring his hands over the possibility that Bo Horvat could be sent back to a fourth year of junior with the London Knights if he can't crack the big squad. He speculates that if Horvat does stick, he'll likely start on the wing.
While Shinkaruk seems poised to reach out and grab the brass ring, Horvat sounds resigned to the fact that he might not get the opportunity.
"Obviously I definitely feel I’m ready to take the next step," said Horvat, noting he has his weight down a little this year and feels quicker. "If I have to go back to junior then I’ll go back with a good attitude to a good organization, but yes, I wish there was a way guys in my situation could go to the American League."
Because Horvat's not old enough to play in the AHL, Vancouver or London are his only options. I'd like to hear him say that he's determined to make the Canucks roster, rather than wishing he could play in the minors.
I hope he sets out to prove that he's here to stay when he hits the ice in Penticton next week.