Status of Josh Green/Kesler

by Sean Zandberg on Mar 27, 2007 9:43 AM PDT Comment 3 comments

Josh Green has posted at the Canucks.com player's blog about his status and when he could return. He is targeting the last game of the season or the first game of the playoffs. I won't mind seeing Green come back, as he is a gritty role player AND it will eliminate Tommi Santala from the Canucks' roster. That's a no-brainer.
But what about the return of Ryan Kesler? Barring any injury, and that Green has returned already, who would Kesler knock out of the lineup? Jeff Cowan? Josh Green?
It may be a hard choice to make unless:

- Cowan has completely cooled off by then.
- Jan Bulis is a shite in the playoffs.
- Josh Green is a shite in the playoffs.

At Kesler's $1.9 million salary, you'd have to think he'll be inserted back in to the lineup as soon as he is ready. But besides Santala, I am liking this team the way it is. I don't even miss Kesler. Sorry Kes.

So I am conflicted. What are your thoughts? When Kesler and Green have clean bills of health, how would you adjust the lineup? Would it mess up the chemistry? Would it depend on how the Canucks are playing in round 1?

Technoranti Tags: Kesler Green Injury Canucks Playoffs

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i would put kesler in before green, even though they don't necessarily play the same game...yeah kes's game is a bit like cowan (w/o being a heavyweight fighter/enforcer), he's quick and throws his weight around to win the puck. but as long as cowan is playing well, heading to the net with a vengeance, i'd keep him in and green out (and santala definitely out).

kesler's also an ace penalty killer, remember, and probably in the long run will be a better player than cowan, green, burrows.

by antro on Mar 27, 2007 12:06 PM PDT reply actions

i wouldn't change the team if they were firing on all cylinders and winning games comfortably, but that aside... i'd put kesler in over bulis unless bulis was playing super-motivated, santala would fall by the wayside even though by his standards he's scoring at a torrential pace this year, and i'd definitely consider putting kesler in over burrows; maybe getting green to play wing.

while I like burrows (he plays hard) it seems like he's regressed a bit this year and is definitely not as noticeable.

by noah on Mar 27, 2007 5:25 PM PDT reply actions

I like Burrow's agitating style. But he sure isn't very noticeable lately is he?

I'd just replace Santala with Kesler. Break Kes in slow on the 4th line.

by Sean Zandberg on Mar 27, 2007 10:33 PM PDT reply actions