Morning Buzz: Canucks fail to rock n' roll all nite; Malkin dominates; Ovechkin drops knowledge
by Jordan Clarke on Jan 16, 2012 7:55 AM PST
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PrintThe Canucks returned home from a week-long road trip to start a six game homestand last night. Unfortunately, their defensive game and 5-on-5 play which was lost last week on the plane from Boston to Florida still hasn't been recovered. It could be in Taipei by now for all we know. All we can do is remain positive it will show up before tomorrow's game against the LA Kings.
News and notes from the weekend straight ahead!
Vancouver Canucks news & notes:
- The Rock reviews last night's game against the Ducks, with a special guest. [Legion of Blog]
- David Booth was a -1 with 1 shot in 15:50 TOI in his first game back. From a purely subjective standpoint, I thought he was one of the only forwards to show some jump.
- What is going through the mind of Chris Higgins in this photo? My best guess: the flasher from the San Jose series was following the team on the road, and giving Higgins a show after the whistle. [Pass it to Bulis]
- Thomas Drance read my mind with this post: Alex Edler is well deserving of his All-Star appearance this season, but that doesn't mean he's the best defenceman on the Canucks. [Pass it to Bulis]
- Speaking of Drance, he appeared on Nation Radio on Saturday to talk some Canucks. [Canucks Army]
- Patrick Johnston analyzes narratives in hockey, and how they come about. After the Canucks/Bruins debacle last weekend, this is definitely a topic that needs exploring. This is well thought out. [Canucks Army]
- Jason Botchford with a good read on the Keith Ballard situation. [The Province]
Today in Canucks history: [Jan 16, 2003] Trevor Linden becomes only the second player in Canucks history to play 800 games in a Canucks uniform. Stan Smyl was the first.
NHL news & notes:
- Wild one in Tampa yesterday. The Pens were up 3-0 in the 3rd period before blowing it and allowing the Bolts to tie it up . Then Geno Malkin took over, scoring a natural hattrick – the last one into an empty net. There were a total of 7 goals scored in the 3rd period. Malkin is now just one point behind Henrik for the league lead, and he's played 9 fewer games. Watch the hatty. The second goal is sick:
- Jeff Skinner returned to the Canes lineup yesterday after suffering a concussion on Dec 7th.
- There's been much speculation lately about the Maple Leafs trading Luke Schenn. Could the Flyers be a potential trade partner? [Philly.com]
- That article, posted on Friday, speculated that James van Riemsdyk could be going the other way for Schenn. Well, on Saturday it was announced that JVR will be out indefinitely with a concussion, so you can forget about that deal for the time being. [NHL.com]
- Jamie Benn's participation in the All-Star Game is in doubt after he underwent an appendectomy on Sunday afternoon. [NHL.com]
- This is a very long, totally scathing takedown of the Montreal Canadiens franchise. I don't think things are quite as bleak in Montreal as this article makes it out to be, but there's no doubt they're in a rut that's going to be hard to dig out of. [Sportsnet]
- Ryan Lambert's "What We Learned" is always a good read, recapping the last week in the NHL. [Puck Daddy]
- If this blog post was a concert it would be worthy of 10 encores: "Around the League in 33 Bands". A sample: "Columbus Blue Jackets are Phish: You have to be high to enjoy them and even then, they still suck. They have been accused of having a negative influence on youth. You're never sure which direction they're heading and they usually result in a headache. Sometimes you wonder how their members get paid to do what they do." [Puck Drunk Love]
- Alex Ovechkin spits FIRE in this Russian hip-hop video entitled "Champion". The only scenes where I have any clue what's going on are the quick cuts of Ovechkin dancing like he's at an elementary school sock hop. On the NHL-musical-experimentation scale, this is less embarrassing than the Calgary Flames' "Red Hot", and on a pro-athlete-trying-to-rap scale, his verse is better than most of the LA Lakers Rap All-Stars. And, uh, maybe this is too obvious to bring up, but at what is Alex Ovechkin a champion? [Puck Daddy]
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Scary stat of the day
Edler +/- 0
Ballard +/- 0
I love Elder’s points but his defense has been inconsistent. The defense as a whole has been great offensively, but the pinching and Ehrhoff imitations are getting tiresome. They have to together a string of games where the word “defense” actually describe their position.
Lead writer of nothing, commenter on everything.
Parros
Just saw that Doug mcLean is saying the Canucks are close to getting Parros. Obviously a rental since he’s ufa after the season. I have a feeling the top six is set for the Canucks anyway so these are the kind of moves we can expect.
doing a little scouting last night
which might get confusing, because the Canucks were skating in porridge, but Parros was able to get there fast enough last night against our team!
Nuck’s Misconduct Bishop, 1st United Church of Luongod. "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." Gandhi. I think he was a Canucks fan...
@Vancitydan Writer at Nucks Misconduct
i guess what I mean my perspective is I don’t want another hordichuk taking a roster spot. I don’t want to be unfairly assuming Parros is Hordichuk because they had a few show fights.
He is much better than Hordy!
Nuck’s Misconduct Bishop, 1st United Church of Luongod. "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." Gandhi. I think he was a Canucks fan...
@Vancitydan Writer at Nucks Misconduct
my bunk sock
is better than hordy
"Planet Earth is blue, and there's nothing I can do."
Dropping F-bombs since the early 70's.
'Nucks Misconduct Sr. VP of Inappropriateness and Questionable Conduct, second director of immaturity. @Twitchy67
by Twitchy2010 on Jan 16, 2012 11:14 AM PST up reply actions
My question precisely. He presumably replaces Duco (or Weise?)?
Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.
Weise
And you gotta think he’s an upgrade on Weiss in the toughness department which is what Weise’s job is. Also, a veteran guy who can help mentally
by Canuckelhead on Jan 16, 2012 10:58 AM PST up reply actions
bob mckenzie
just shot that one down on twitter.
Nucks Misconduct writer, ambassador and prima donna.
Note to self: there's always a dirty joke somewhere in there....
@NM_missy
perfect
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by Sean Zandberg on Jan 16, 2012 12:29 PM PST up reply actions
Cause for concern?
People keep saying the Canucks haven’t played well since the Boston game but looking back on the schedule I don’t think they’ve played well since the last time they played the ducks. All hoopla aside, in Boston they didn’t actually play well except on the pp and were fortunate enough to get a lot of pp time (pp time heh). The problem with this team is they can play like crap and still win but that’s also the same attitude that leads to blowouts in the playoffs and to me is cause for concern.
they got manhandled 5on5 against the Bruins
And I kind of agree with you. The only outlier game was probably against the Wild when they did dominate 5on5
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
by Semi_Colon on Jan 16, 2012 11:00 AM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
It's like
Watching a replay of last year but the team is slightly less mentally strong. Distracted by sticking up for themselves against the kings and bruins and disinterested most other nights.
by Canuckelhead on Jan 16, 2012 11:03 AM PST up reply actions
you’re right. The last Ducks game may have been their last complete effort. The 60 minute efforts are gone, yet, they still win most of the time. I think it was you that said it best: maybe if they lose 4 or 5 in a row they develop that consistent work ethic. Until then, it’s an awesome team that still gets results with mediocrity.
Oh, and I think Beaker and Hansen are the main 2 that always give it 100%. It’s natural for them. Others need prodding.
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by Sean Zandberg on Jan 16, 2012 11:34 AM PST up reply actions
Coho gives %100 too
I can’t believe I ever said he might be heading to bustville. He looks awkward doing everything but the guy just gets it done.
by Canuckelhead on Jan 16, 2012 11:49 AM PST up reply actions
I agree again:) Yeah I thought he was fukt here, but NO MORE!
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by Sean Zandberg on Jan 16, 2012 11:54 AM PST up reply actions
Hansen and Coho pay a lot less minutes then the rest of the core. It’s easy to maintain high effort levels on those kinds of minutes.
Lets wait for the schedule to even out and give the team a chance to bounce back.
Yeah, well I think that is what the team is doing. And that’s my point. These half-assed efforts are “on purpose” because the team really is that good.
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by Sean Zandberg on Jan 16, 2012 12:39 PM PST up reply actions
oh yeah? You don’t think that mentality can creep in?
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by Sean Zandberg on Jan 16, 2012 3:11 PM PST up reply actions
I hate these half-assed efforts
Because once you let that kind of thing creep in, what’s stopping it from creeping in during the playoffs? We saw it multiple times last year
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
I honestly think these guys are pacing themselves for the playoffs. Yeah that sounds ridiculous, but when you have team this good you gut burned less by doing it.
Notice how the injuries are not piling up this season? Notice how the only way Salo got hurt was to get cheap shotted? Booth is just plain crazy because he’s new to the team and he gets kneed. Rome…he likes to be a goalie obviously.
You can definitely see the guys hitting a lot less and blocking less shots than they did last season. Just my observation.
So I don’t think they sit around for beers and plan to suck the hind tit. I just think it happens game time.
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by Sean Zandberg on Jan 16, 2012 3:31 PM PST up reply actions
Then there’s the guys like Hansen and Higgins who only have one gear and are an exception
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by Sean Zandberg on Jan 16, 2012 3:32 PM PST up reply actions
I just had a crazy thought
what if they actually think the president’s trophy is cursed?
because, y’know, athletes…
probably not
unless Datsyuk put a curse on it after Detroit winning both the President’s Trophy and Stanley Cup in 2008…..
Nucks Misconduct writer, ambassador and prima donna.
Note to self: there's always a dirty joke somewhere in there....
@NM_missy
then again
the most recent one before that was Detroit again back in 2002…. maybe they put the curse on it then, and added an exception that they were the only ones immune to it.
Nucks Misconduct writer, ambassador and prima donna.
Note to self: there's always a dirty joke somewhere in there....
@NM_missy
coincidentally, 2002 was Datsyuk’s rookie season.
Nucks Misconduct writer, ambassador and prima donna.
Note to self: there's always a dirty joke somewhere in there....
@NM_missy
I agree with Semi. Bad habits can creep in if you’re not giving your best effort. The Flyers were like that last spring. Started strong, they were challenging us for the Pres Trophy, and then they got quite inconsistent in the latter part of the season. Obviously, they’re goalie carousel in the playoffs fucked them up pretty badly, but I think they also weren’t playing as well as they could have by the time the playoffs arrived.
The continents don't drift. They back away slowly from Ryan Kesler.
"Want to be liked? Start losing and everybody will love you" -Hitchcock
that’s a theory, but time and time again it gets shots down by past stats. Not every team that rolls to the Finals was rolling before the playoffs started. Many were not
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by Sean Zandberg on Jan 16, 2012 8:09 PM PST up reply actions
Too much is being made of the schedule
They’ve played the same number of games as the kings and the kings would have a similar travel schedule. It’s January for crying out loud. Not June.
by Canuckelhead on Jan 16, 2012 1:38 PM PST up reply actions
actually....
-we have already played 26games on the road this season, they’ve only done 20.
- LA has 2 division rivals very close by, not as much travel for 6 of their divisional road games.
Nucks Misconduct writer, ambassador and prima donna.
Note to self: there's always a dirty joke somewhere in there....
@NM_missy
also
LA has also already played 16/24 of their Pacific division matchups for the year.
we’ve only done 12/24 in our own division.
Nucks Misconduct writer, ambassador and prima donna.
Note to self: there's always a dirty joke somewhere in there....
@NM_missy
So
The six extra road games are what we’re talking about. Like I said too much is being made of it. Not that the Canucks haven’t had a tough schedule but it’s not a good enough excuse for the disinterested play they’ve shown for the better part of January.
by Canuckelhead on Jan 16, 2012 3:09 PM PST up reply actions
And
We have the worst division in the west.
by Canuckelhead on Jan 16, 2012 1:39 PM PST up reply actions
beaker and Hansen
ummmm that’s the same guy man. Nickname fail
<3 Boobies!
notafullcolon CS: Well obviously I meant we were snorting blow off hookers at the time of the goal
Sorry beaker and professor
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by Sean Zandberg on Jan 16, 2012 3:12 PM PST up reply actions
higgins
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Note to self: there's always a dirty joke somewhere in there....
@NM_missy
Say what you will about "internal controversy"
I like AV calling out Kesler. One thing I find maddening about AV is he seems to just sorta coast when it comes to motivating players. This time he spoke up, hopefully it will light the spark under Kesler’s ass.
<3 Boobies!
notafullcolon CS: Well obviously I meant we were snorting blow off hookers at the time of the goal
oh jNOES, you are buying that?
we know little of what actually goes on, but I heard that clip of the media poking and prodding, and heard little more than Kesler being Kesler after a frustrating game.
He is never all sunshine and lollipops for crying out loud.
I heard the media ask the question in 4 different ways, Kes give them the “he can come talk to me” standard answer when he does not want to let them behind the curtain…
I then had a few things to do and turned on TEAM after an hour or so, and Sekeres was promoting how “we’ll get into this Kesler / AV controversy after the break…”
AV said he needs to use his guys a bit more after the last game when asked about Kes. he is honest on everyone, as far as I can see, and that gets these media types frothing at the mouth to create controversy, because that sells the best, and gets hits and reads and people talking.
But Jesus my friend, don’t believe the hype.
Kesler needs little to light a fire, he is self lighting. Like Kooz said right after ( and his first impression, a vet of covering the team I actually respect ) that its “he sounded a little frustrated, but I have NEVER seen a player as hard on himself as Kesler…he is always highly motivated…” (paraphrased a bit )
Nuck’s Misconduct Bishop, 1st United Church of Luongod. "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." Gandhi. I think he was a Canucks fan...
@Vancitydan Writer at Nucks Misconduct
I don't think it's as much motivating Kes
but motivating the team. When you call out a leader who battles and carries a team like Kes does, you sorta get the team behind him to give an extra push and support him.
I’m not saying any “hype” just saying AV looks like he’s pushing some buttons to get the team rolling, and I like it.
<3 Boobies!
notafullcolon CS: Well obviously I meant we were snorting blow off hookers at the time of the goal
oh, me too then
that was some pretty slick assuming going on at TEAM today to spice up the airwaves.
Got from comment to controversy faster than John Force in the 1/4 mile today.
Impressive! Or a little sad? ;-/
Nuck’s Misconduct Bishop, 1st United Church of Luongod. "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." Gandhi. I think he was a Canucks fan...
@Vancitydan Writer at Nucks Misconduct
Also
Who cares? Who says players and coaches need to get along?
by Canuckelhead on Jan 16, 2012 3:33 PM PST up reply actions
He didn’t even call him out! To paraphrase
Reporter: What do you think of Kesler?
AV: I think he should use the other players better… but I don’t think it’s fair to single out Kesler.
I get the impression he is kinda calling him out
This is supposedly one of our top players, indeed a top player in the league not playing up to snuff. Saying he needs to improve an aspect of his game is saying that one of the team leaders needs to play better.
<3 Boobies!
notafullcolon CS: Well obviously I meant we were snorting blow off hookers at the time of the goal
And he's right
Kesler is trying to hard to be the hero this year and as a result he’s not nearly as good. Why GMMG traded for booth is a mystery too. The guy is not exactly Adam Oates to Keslers Brett hull.
by Canuckelhead on Jan 16, 2012 1:34 PM PST up reply actions
Kesler gives snooty response to reporters
Reporters run away with it.
More at 11.
Kesler's too moody sometimes
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
Ballard...
I’ve been a Ballard apologist for a while now, but I don’t like this line from him:
“For me, that’s what I’d rather do. I’d rather be on a successful team than play more.”
He makes that sound like it’s mutually exclusive. It also makes it sound like he’s saying he’s ok with not contributing as long as the team is successful.
Maybe a little more passion and fire would do Ballard good?
What's he supposed to say?
He’s towing the company line ona very touchy subject. The media is just waiting to pounce and he knows it. He came out and said he was frustrated last year and in my opinion was saying that he’s given up trying to impress the coaches since it seems that no matter what he does he can’t win. The guy needs a new environment in the worst way.
by Canuckelhead on Jan 16, 2012 1:33 PM PST up reply actions
I don’t know what to make of a player says to the press, and whether it means anything at all (as you say, towing the company line) but Ballard’s passiveness regarding this has always bothered me.
Oddly
That contradicts what you said yesterday around the time you were calling me a dick.
by Canuckelhead on Jan 16, 2012 1:56 PM PST up reply actions
how does it contradict? seems to me I’ve been inline.
Ballard says passive things to the press. He doesn’t express frustration and say things like “I don’t care what the coach’s think!” like you were suggesting he was expressing.
My question here is whether that is actual passiveness and how he is all time or if he’s towing the line.
Except
He literally said “it doesn’t matter to me” and it should. After he had already said he was frustrated last year. Why are you getting into this with me? Since, unprovoked, you’ve stated on two different occasions in the last 24 hours you don’t care what I think.
by Canuckelhead on Jan 16, 2012 2:49 PM PST up reply actions
I can’t help but you’re poking me for a continuation of yesterday’s argument and I don’t really want to go.
to clarify: when I made that comment this afternoon, I was openly wondering if Ballard was actually passive vs fake passive. I’ve been wondering that since he sat out of the conference finals.
I was wondering that because you’d like to see people show a little passion in those situations but I don’t actually know what goes on behind the scenes and whether he is just really good at towing the company line.
Is there anything wrong with me saying this?
Yes.
Only because yesterday you made it pretty clear you wanted nothing to do with discussing Ballard with specifically me and being a little bit of a dink about for no reason from my point of view. Now all of a sudden you’re engaging in the exact same discussion again? Something doesn’t add up.
by Canuckelhead on Jan 16, 2012 4:09 PM PST up reply actions
I actually wanted to chime in and agree with Exand, because I often feel Ballard doesn’t have much passion either. I saw that it was you there but I figured new thread, lets start over.
but you’re holding a grudge from yesterday and wondering why I don’t want to discuss things with you.
Holding a grudge
Out of nowhere you took a poke at me. I hadn’t said anything rude to you or anyone for that matter and for some reason you decided you needed to voice what a dick you think I am.
by Canuckelhead on Jan 16, 2012 4:58 PM PST up reply actions
Alright
Me too. I just wasn’t sure where it came from but I’m happy to forget it. Big hugs commin your way.
by Canuckelhead on Jan 16, 2012 5:32 PM PST up reply actions
HUG IT OUT!
"Planet Earth is blue, and there's nothing I can do."
Dropping F-bombs since the early 70's.
'Nucks Misconduct Sr. VP of Inappropriateness and Questionable Conduct, second director of immaturity. @Twitchy67
Kiss Huggins
agrees
<3 Boobies!
notafullcolon CS: Well obviously I meant we were snorting blow off hookers at the time of the goal
And what would you have him say
Besides passive things anyway. Would you prefer he comes out and says “the coach has it in for me and I should clearly be playing top four minutes, let alone be in the press box. I don’t care if this will be a distraction for my team. My minutes need to become the focus.”
by Canuckelhead on Jan 16, 2012 3:05 PM PST up reply actions
Woah, let some steam off guys...
Anyways, if he was toeing the company line, it would be more inline with what he was saying last year, about showing up to the rink and working hard every time he got on the ice and doing what’s best for the team.
But this latest tid bit from from him, it sounds to me as if he’s given up on trying. I can understand getting yourself into a mental state where you brush off criticism, but in his case instead of brushing it off and continuing to try to adapt, he sounds like he’s just given up with a shrug.
I do agree he needs a new environment though. If he is as defeated as he sounds in that article, he’s not going to be of any use to us.
I'm just not sure
What else he can do at this point.
by Canuckelhead on Jan 16, 2012 4:59 PM PST up reply actions
Eheheh
Gene, Shannon and Sophie took in pre-game warm-up Sunday from the penalty box and Jannik Hansen, typically the one asked for his autograph, put the shoe on the other foot and approached Gene to sign his stick.
"It caught me off guard a little bit, it’s something you see when you play down in LA," laughed Hansen. "I figured I had the chance so I might as well see if he would sign my stick.
"I asked him before I skated over there and obviously I had to get a pen, it’s not something I run around with in my pants. I had a couple of short steps to take before I went back over there."
Hansen then used the stick for warm-up, and the game, and now it’s a keepsake.
And it better remain a keepsake, said Gene.
"He came over and got the stick signed and it was fun, of course if I see it on E-Bay, I’ll have to sue him and take his house, but that’s another story," laughed Gene, in an I’m-not-really-kidding kind of way.
"I’m not surprised he came over. He’s clearly a powerful and attractive man and he recognizes the God of Thunder who walks the Earth and he came to pay homage."
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KB RADIO IS BACK!!!
@BotchonCanucks
Jason Botchford
@choderama yes. They’ll be doing pregame and are hosting a Saturday show
@BotchonCanucks
Jason Botchford
@Buz_Meg @choderama feb. 25 is first one, but it’s not kb anymore. “hockey talk” or some bs name
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
HI FIVE!
"Playin hurt, baby that don't faze me. I don't got time for pain. The only pain I've got time for is the pain I put on fools who don't know what time it is!"
by Semi_Colon on Jan 16, 2012 6:13 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Good response to the Canadiens article
Here. Still a rough season for them though. I thought the Cammalleri trade was shocking, myself…
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