Higgins taking relaxed approach to uncertain future

Many are wondering whether Chris Higgins can remain in the NHL next season – but he isn’t.

The Vancouver Canucks winger adopted a let-things-be approach Monday after a season in which he battled injuries and a demotion to the minors.

“I’m not worried about this (season) being a wake-up call or really dwelling on anything,” said Higgins as Canuck players cleaned out their lockers after missing the playoffs. “It’s a good time of year. I’ll take some time off and relax. That’s what I’ll take it as.”

Higgins was recalled to the injury-riddled Canucks from Utica of the AHL in late March after he revived his game and the Canucks needed bodies as a result of several injuries. Both the demotion and promotion were unexpected, considering that Higgins had been a staple of the Canucks core since arriving in a trade from the Florida Panthers during Vancouver’s Stanley Cup final run in 2011.

“I believed I had a really good summer and I had a good camp, and then I got injured,” said Higgins. “(The injury) took its toll, physically as well as mentally, just because I trained so hard over the summer. Then I was playing catch-up the rest of the season. Obviously, it was disappointing to get sent down to Utica. But, as most people know, I had a lot of fun playing down there. It was a great group of guys. I was surprised to get the call back up here, but it’s certainly been nice to be part of this team again and spend time with my family.”

Higgins, who missed the last four games of Vancouver’s season with a reported knee injury, has a year remaining on his contract, but it appears the Canucks will attempt to buy him out after trade attempts  were unsuccessful. However, the 32-year-old Smithtown, N.Y., native, who recorded three goals and one assist in 33 with the Canucks this season, is confident that he can still compete in the NHL.

“For sure, I still believe in myself,” said Higgins.

Don't rule out a Stamkos trade

Points to ponder as the National Hockey League trade deadline approaches ...

1. Steven Stamkos could still be traded.

Contrary to perception, Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman could still trade the Lightning captain. Yzerman just won't do it by the Feb. 29 trade deadline.
By announcing that he will not move Stamkos between now and the end of the season, Yzerman has covered the bases -- and his backside. The decision means that Stamkos, one of the best players in the world, can still help the Bolts push for a playoff spot, the star centre and the team will not be distracted by trade speculation, and Yzerman can still try to get his best player signed to a new contract.
If contract negotiations do not go as planned, Yzerman still has the option of trading Stamkos around the time of the NHL Draft or prior to the opening of free agency.
Stamkos would still have to agree to a trade, which means that he might not go at the draft, because he will want to choose where he plays next. But it's feasible that he could consent to a trade prior to becoming a free agent, because he would not have to relocate and could simply wait until his contract expires.
If Yzerman deals him prior to the free agent frenzy, the Lightning could still get a decent return, the team that acquires him would have an exclusive negotiating period. If the team that acquires him fails to strike a deal, it could trade him before free agency opens.
A similar scenario occurred in 2010 when Dan Hamhuis made it known that he would not re-sign with Nashville. The Predators dealt him to Philadelphia for a conditional 2011 draft pick and Ryan Parent. When the Flyers could not sign Hamhuis, they traded him to Pittsburgh for a third-round pick. The Penguins were also unable to ink him to a deal, and he eventually chose to sign with Vancouver.
In the case of Stamkos, a team, say Toronto, could give up more if it feels quite confident about signing him.

2. Canucks are in a rebuild

Despite recent reports suggesting otherwise, the Canucks are in a rebuild.
It is ludicrous to suggest that owner Francesco Acquillini is opposed to one, because eight players have made their NHL debuts with Vancouver this season, and four are currently with the team. Also, the Canucks only have 13 players who were with the team at the start of last season.
If Acquillini was unhappy with president Trevor Linden and GM Jim Benning's current strategy and philosophy, he would fire them, but he hasn't.
The Canucks are not done dealing and will be sellers at the trade deadline to free up more salary cap space and have access to more young talent. That means the likes of defenceman Hamhuis and winger Radim Vrbata, among others, could be moved.

3. Willie Desjardins needs PR tips

Somebody needs to tell Canucks coach Willie Desjardins not to be so self-critical.
He blamed himself for losses to lowly struggling Toronto and Minnesota clubs in the past two games. Never mind that most of the Canucks' offensive players have trouble hitting the broad side of a barn with their shots these days.
The fact is that the Canucks can't score enough goals, and that problem is due more to a lack of production from veterans than poor coaching. And, it should be noted, the veterans' offensive troubles began well before Desjardins arrived.
Desjardins is still keeping the Canucks within spitting distance of a playoff spot despite numerous injuries and the integration of young players as part of the aforementioned rebuild. He has come under criticism for repeatedly rolling four lines, but what's the use of going with three lines if only one of them can score consistently? If he reduces the fourth line's ice time, the Canucks could be more vulnerable defensively, and they will not score more goals. And, key players like Daniel and Henrik Sedin and Jannik Hansen could be vulnerable to increased fatigue and injuries.
Desjardins' primary fault when it comes to PR is that he is serious and introspective publicly, in contrast to other moments away from the cameras when he is much more jovial and happy-go-lucky. But it's hard to be happy-go-lucky when you don't have enough consistently scoring veterans to work with.
 
4.  Goalies could be on the move

This year's trade deadline could feature more goaltenders than usual as teams try to improve their playoff hopes and others try to get value for impending unrestricted free agents.
The Montreal Canadiens, in danger of missing the playoffs after a phenomenal start to the season, could be inclined to acquire a goaltender as Carey Price remains out with an injury. Meanwhile, other teams might be interested in Carolina's Cam Ward, who has won a Stanley Cup, Calgary's Jonas Hiller, Toronto's James Reimer, San Jose's Alex Stalock or L.A.'s Jhonas Enroth. All could help in the stretch drive.
Vancouver's Ryan Miller still has a year to go on a contract that pays him $6.5 million annually, but the Canucks might be inclined to move him as Jakob Markstrom continues to progress. Miller would have to agree to a deal, but might be willing if he feels the new team's Stanley Cup hopes are strong. The new team could then buy out Miller in the off-season.

5. Some big names could change teams

With Stamkos staying in Tampa, some other big names, who are also destined to become UFAs, could change uniforms at the deadline. The others include Carolina's Eric Staal, Florida's Brian Campbell, Vancouver's Vrbata, Arizona's Shane Doan and David Backes of the St. Louis. Staal, Doan and Backes are captains, adding more captain-related intrigue to a season that has already seen the speculation on Stamkos and former Maple Leafs skipper Dion Phaneuf move to the Ottawa Senators.

6. Expect the unexpected

In keeping with most trade deadlines, some unexpected deals will inevitably stun fans. The main question is: How many of these will occur?

 






  

Canucks showing signs of improved health

The Vancouver Canucks have endured injuries to key players for several weeks, but they are about to get some reinforcements.
Centre Brad Richardson, winger Chris Higgins and defencemen Kevin Bieksa and Yannick Weber could return for Saturday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“I can’t confirm that they’ll be in the lineup, but I think they’re real close, and I think we just have to make a choice,” said coach Willie Desjardins. “I don’t think they’re 100 per cent (healthy), but this time of year a lot of guys aren’t 100 per cent. We just have to make a choice on the lineup. At least they’re healthy enough that they’re into that discussion.”
The Canucks are looking to regroup after a 4-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night. Richardson is especially eager to play after being out since Jan. 16 with a foot and ankle issue that was expected to take much less time to heal. The extended stay in sick bay frustrated both him and Desjardins.
“I tried to play in Tampa,” said Richardson. “It was two weeks later, so I took a break, and I thought I’d be back for sure after that. I just couldn’t. It was really bad and then we had to get it checked some more and it just needed time.”
Richardson will be particularly handy in third-line and penalty-killing roles.
Some soreness lingers, but he will soldier through it as the Canucks, third in the Pacific Division, seek to hold on to a playoff spot with Calgary and Los Angeles applying pressure.
“I’m going to have to fight through it, but it’s pretty good, and it has to be tested in battle and all that kind of stuff,” Richardson said. “But it’s definitely something that’s going to bother me for a little bit. I wouldn’t be coming back if I didn’t think I could. There’s no point coming back if you can’t play your role.”
Bieksa, one of the team’s top defencemen, is on the verge of returning after suffering a broken hand while blocking a shot Jan. 27 against Tampa Bay. His presence will shore up an injury-riddled blue-line corps and lighten the load of Alex Edler and Dan Hamhuis, who have played extended minutes.
“I’m in that range right now for a return and, like I said, I’ve been feeling good the last couple of days,” Bieksa said. “Sometimes it takes just a little push to get over that hump, and I feel like I’m right there.”
The Grimsby, Ont., native is not taking any special meaning from possibly coming back against the team that he grew up watching.
“To be honest, no,” he said. “It doesn’t really matter. It’s nice to play in Toronto. Playing against them outside is not really a big deal for me personally. It’s the time of the year, though, where points are so crucial right now. When you look at the standings, it’s just so tight.
“When you’re out (injured), you get a chance to watch a few more games (involving) other teams.
It doesn’t seem like Calgary is going to lose too many games, or not get a point in too many games, and L.A., obviously, they showed (Thursday) night that they’re going to be a top team down the stretch. So we have to get points every game we can, so I want to help out as much as I can. … I want to be out there helping my teammates. It’s hard to sit back and watch – really hard, actually.”
Higgins is slated to return after missing three games with an undisclosed injury suffered in a practice following a win over Arizona.
“It was just a little (lower-body) strain, so it was nothing too serious,” he said. “I was hoping to get back earlier than that, but the coach gave me three games (off.)”
Higgins will be a candidate for second-line duty when he returns. Weber is close to returning after missing two games.
Higgins hopes the Canucks can show their full potential after missing several players at different times since Christmas. The Smithtown, N.Y., native and his teammates are also anxious to avoid a letdown against a struggling Toronto club that is playing out the string before wide-scale changes in the off-season.
“We can’t afford to have two or three games to get back in the groove,” Higgins said. “Guys that have been out, they need to chip in right away.”
“It doesn’t matter who (the other team) is,” said Richardson. “We just need the win.”
The Canucks have a habit of playing down to lower-level opposition. They have lost to weaker teams like Buffalo and Arizona while needing critical points to improve their post-season chances.
The Leafs shape up as another visiting club that could again steal the show in Vancouver. Richardson warned that they are desperate to win as they fight for jobs and new contracts in advance of next season.
Goaltender Eddie Lack said the Canucks should be wary, based on past performance against also-rans.
“We’ve been playing bad against teams below us in the standings, so we’ve gotta come out with lots of energy (Saturday) and get the crowd with us from the start,” said Lack.
He and captain Henrik Sedin expect the Leafs, who always draw a strong legion of fans clad in blue and white in Vancouver, to give the Canucks a jolt of emotion just by their presence at Rogers Arena.
“It’s always fun when the crowd gets into it,” said Lack. “It’ll probably be a crowd battle or something … in the stands. I was on the bench last year when we played the Leafs, but it was a great atmosphere and a fun game. So, hopefully, we’ll have a similar atmosphere (Saturday).”
Sedin said the Canucks must make sure they get off to a good start.
"The first five minutes, we've gotta come out and show we're not gonna let this one slip away, and not give Toronto any life," he said.

Eddie Lack gets a new backup

The Vancouver Canucks goaltending saga took another interesting twist Friday.
Rarely used backup Jacob Markstrom was dispatched to Utica of the AHL to get in some playing time while Joacim Ericsson was called up. The move puts more of an onus on temporary starter Eddie Lack to play well – and often – during the stretch drive of the NHL regular season.
“We just want to get (Markstrom) in some games, so we’re just going to switch out him and Eriksson,” said coach Willie Desjardins. “We just thought it was best for (Markstrom) to get a couple games, and he’ll be coming back.”
Goaltenders have been the talk of the town in Vancouver on an almost daily basis in recent years. Just the characters have changed.
Markstrom struggled in his lone start with the Canucks on March 3, allowing three goals on four shots before he was pulled in a loss to San Jose. Lack has appeared in 10 straight games since starter Ryan Miller was sidelined with a knee injury Feb. 22 against the New York Islanders.
Ericsson, a 24-year-old Gavle, Sweden native, who signed as a free agent with Vancouver prior to the 2013-14 season, is expected to serve solely as a backup and practice goalie. Lack should continue to start each game, including Saturday’s home contest against the woeful Toronto Maple Leafs, until Markstrom is back from the minors or Miller is healthy enough to play.
Ericsson is up on an emergency basis, and Markstrom will have that status again when he comes back.
The Canucks (38-25-4) are coming off a 4-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings as they fight to hold on to a playoff spot in the ultra-tight Western Conference. Lack is 5-3-1 in his last nine games and 10-9-3 overall with a 2.48 goals-against average. Lack's increasingly heavy workload could see him meet or surpass the 41 games he played last season as a rookie, but he is not worried about fatigue.
“I try to get my reps in at practice and everything like that and not to think too much about the next game or try to serve energy,” he said. “I just try to go as hard, as I can – and that gets me ready.”
Note_Ericsson did not arrive in time for practice Friday, so a Canucks staff member filled in as the second goalie.

Eddie Lack welcomes heavy workload

Eddie Lack has a chance to set some new benchmarks this season – and they won’t be pant scuffs which come from sitting as a Vancouver Canucks backup goaltender.
Contrary to early-season expectations, Lack could surpass – and will definitely approach – the 41 games played total that he reached last season as a rookie following Roberto Luongo’s trade to Florida. Lack, who has been excelling lately, could also produce new career bests in goals-against average and save percentage.
He made his 10th consecutive appearance as Vancouver hosted the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night in a game that had plenty of playoff implications. As far as Lack’s activity level goes, it’s more of the same as the second half of 2013-14 as he fills in for injured starter Ryan Miller. Lack has played in 28 games, including Thursday’s affair, and Vancouver has 15 regular-season games remaining following that contest. But, this season is dramatically different, with the Canucks showing the ability to compete most nights – at least when they’re not slacking off against playoff also-rans like Buffalo and Arizona – and Lack’s enjoyment level is considerably higher than it was a year ago.
“It was still fun last year when I played a lot,” he said. “Obviously, it’s way more fun when you win, and it’s a way better atmosphere in the locker-room when you get the results you want. So, obviously, it’s a lot more fun this year.”
Vancouver coach Willie Desjardins told reporters that Miller, who suffered a knee injury Feb. 22 against the New York Islanders, is still at least two or three weeks away from returning to the lineup. Minor-league call-up Jacob Markstrom struggled in his lone start, March 3, as he allowed three goals on four shots before he was pulled in a loss to San Jose.
Barring a drastic turn of events, Lack will start all but a few games until Miller comes back, presuming he does. But Lack, 27, feels ready for the high workload, which will rarely allow for more than one day of rest between games. Last season showed him how he needed to prepare physically for the upcoming grind.
“I feel like I took care of myself last year, too,” he said. “It’s just a matter of getting energy back and getting everything feeling loose and stuff like that after the game. So it’s not really a day off. It’s more a recovery day, if you know what I mean.”
Last season’s ordeal, when he was battling a back injury but still playing as the Canucks tried to turn a disaster into a respectable finish before missing the playoffs, also prepared him mentally for the difficult task ahead.
“Win or lose, you still have to come to the rink the next day and be the same old Eddie and not be too sad about the day before or too happy,” he said. “I feel that I’m good at putting myself down when I have to and bringing myself up when I have to.”
Although the Canucks have held on to a playoff position for most of the season, there is still no guarantee they will qualify for the post-season as the Kings and Calgary Flames apply considerable pressure.
Time will tell whether Lack can back up his words with action, but there’s no doubt that he will get the opportunity to prove himself often. Miller has been seen limping at Rogers Arena lately, and he faces a severe battle to get back within three weeks. There is about a month to go before the end of the regular season.
So Lack might wind up being the post-season starter – if he can help the Canucks qualify.

Drew Doughty enjoying Kings' playoff push

The Los Angeles Kings are working hard to get into the Stanley Cup playoffs – and that means Drew Doughty is at risk, as usual, of being overworked.
But the L.A. defenceman was not complaining as the Kings prepared to visit the Vancouver Canucks in the first of three stretch-run games between the rivals, which could very well determine post-season positions.
“I enjoy, obviously, playing lots of minutes and playing in all situations,” he said. “I love being counted on out there. When the pressure situations arise, I feel like I perform the best. I think I’ve done a pretty good job at it, but we’ve still got a lot of games left and I have to continue to elevate my game and play even better.”
Doughty was averaging 29:23 before the contest. The Kings are relying on him to be a lynchpin, and offensive contributor, as their defence corps deals with the season-long absence of Slava Voynov, who has missed the entire season due to an ongoing domestic violence case. Rearguard Alec Martinez who has been limited to 27 games due to injuries.
Doughty, a London, Ont., native who has won two Stanley Cups and two gold medals even though he is only 25, finds it unusual when he is not logging 30 to 31 minutes per game in his seventh NHL season. He is likely to become even busier in the weeks ahead. But, other than taking optional practices off and making sure he rests more on off days, he is not doing anything differently in terms of his routine.
“I’m just going with my normal routine that I’ve been doing,” he said. “This is my seventh year, so I haven’t changed too much. I’m just used to playing those minutes, so it doesn’t seem like I’m any more tired or any less tired. I’m just used to it now.”
But he is getting a bit tired of L.A.’s tendency to make a late push for a post-season berth. The Kings find themselves in a situation similar to the one in 2011-12, when they grabbed the eighth and final post-season berth in the Western Conference. They won the first of their two Stanley Cups in three seasons. Many NHLers contend the Kings do what they do because it’s impossible to maintain their highly physical style and strong late-season play for a full 82-game campaign.
Now, with most of their remaining games on the road, the Kings must win in other teams’ rinks. Doughty believes there is a better way.
“We never think we leave it too late, but we never want to do that, either,” he said. “We want to be able to start off the season hot and, hopefully, be in first place. That’s our big goal. We never really (say): ‘Yeah, let’s just take a break and then we’ll turn it on at the end of the season.’ It doesn’t happen that way. So we’re unhappy that we’re in the position that we’re in now. We need to do something about it and get in the playoffs.”
Coach Darryl Sutter noted that about half his roster does not have experience in Stanley Cup and conference finals that the other half possesses. Some good teams will make the playoffs and some good teams won’t, he added in his usual understated way.
To get in, the Kings will have to outperform the Canucks and Calgary Flames in four games remaining between the teams after Thursday.
“We really had to put a mark on these division games coming up at the end of the season,” said Doughty. “We need to win them in order to be in the playoffs, and they’re big four-point games.”
Despite the difficulty of the situation, he is enjoying the task.
“This is a fun time of the year,” he said. “Obviously, besides playoffs, to be able to, hopefully, get to the playoffs is the most fun. You just have to work hard and win games. We love this time of year, and this is a time when our team starts to play better – so we’re looking forward to it.”

Jacob Markstrom running out of time to prove himself

Jacob Markstrom’s long-awaited chance finally came Tuesday.
The goaltender drew a starting assignment with the Vancouver Canucks for the first time since April 13, 2014 in a win over Calgary. Suffice it to say it meant a lot to the 25-year-old Gavle, Sweden native, who has been an afterthought most of the time since he was acquired from the Florida Panthers last March as part of the Roberto Luongo deal.
“This is where I want to be,” said Markstrom before the Canucks faced the San Jose Sharks at Rogers Arena. “That’s why I’m over here (from Sweden). It’s everybody’s dream to play in the NHL. When you get the chance, you’ve gotta take it and show people.”
Markstrom, recalled from Utica of the AHL as a result of Ryan Miller’s knee injury, has spent most of this season in the minors, where he has put together a 17-7-2 record mark, sparkling 1.95 goals-against average and four shutouts. The standout play earned him a berth in the AHL all-star game.
“I feel really relaxed and confident on the ice while playing games,” he said. “I can’t wait to get out there.”
This season has contrasted sharply with last spring, when he served as a backup with the Canucks but only played after Vancouver was eliminated from playoff contention. Still, he has had to deal with an injury and being placed on waivers when the Canucks demoted him at the start of the season. For the past two seasons, he has shuffled between the NHL and the minors.
“It’s obviously been challenging, but all this year I’ve been as positive as I can be,” he said. “If I start nagging and complaining, it’s gonna hurt my game on the ice. But I’ve been super-positive. I think that’s why my game has been pretty good down in the minor league. You’ve gotta perform on the AHL level to be able to get a sniff up here. I’m just happy for this opportunity and, hopefully, I’ll get some more starts soon.”
Markstrom believes the positive thinking has helped him elevate his game to a fairly higher level than where it used to be.
“I just stop more pucks than I used to do,” he said. “So that’s a good thing for a goalie. (I’m) just working hard. It started this summer. I just felt really good off the ice strength-and-conditioning-wise. It really showed up on the ice, too.
“And, obviously, Rollie (Melanson, the Canucks goaltender coach) helped me a lot and Dan Cloutier (a Canucks roving goaltender and development coach) down in Utica, too. (Cloutier) is really good. Obviously, he’s has been an all-star goalie at this level. He knows what it takes and he knows the challenges that a goalie goes through off and on the ice, and the mental states, and even technical (matters). And, (he’s) got a good feeling of what it takes to get ready – if I should get bag-skated for an hour or if I should get a hug or something. He had a really good feel for coaching down there.”
Markstrom has backstopped Utica to first place in their division. Now, the Canucks hope he and Eddie Lack, the starter in wake of Miller’s injury, can help them secure a post-season berth.
Coach Willie Desjardins said it was important for Lack to get a rest after he gave the Canucks a shootout win over St. Louis on Sunday and played well on an eastern road trip on which the Canucks went 3-2.
“And, I think, for us, Markstrom’s played well in Utica, so we just want to see where he’s at,” said Desjardins.
Evaluation of Markstrom will be critical for both 2015 playoff and future purposes. Either he or Lack, a fellow Swede and close friend, will depart Vancouver in the summer, and general manager Jim Benning must figure out which one he wants to keep.
Lack is due to become an unrestricted free agent, and appears unlikely to stay given that he will have some market value and should be in for a fairly significant raise.
By electing to keep Lack at this year’s trade deadline, the Canucks must re-sign him or risk losing him for nothing, but he now has a strong say in determining his future. His desire to be a full-time starter in the near future will likely trump all factors. He can’t become a No. 1 unless Miller’s status changes, and the Canucks are committed to him contractually for two more seasons after this one.
Markstrom, a pending restricted free agent, is easier for the Canucks to lock up because he is unlikely to receive an offer from another team. In such case, Vancouver would have to be compensated, and Markstrom is still largely unproven at the NHL level. However, Benning will likely not hesitate to let Markstrom go if he is not satisfied with his play. The GM should have no difficulty finding a veteran backup for Miller on the trade or free agent market in the summer.
So it’s critical for Markstrom, who went 1-2 with the Canucks in four appearances last season, to get a chance to prove his worth – because he’s running out of time to do so.
That’s another reason Tuesday’s long-awaited chance to start again was significant.

Derek Dorsett eager to remain a Canuck

Derek Dorsett admits he “would be lying” if he said he wasn’t worried about being moved at the NHL trading deadline.
The Vancouver Canucks winger had reason to be concerned, because he is a pending unrestricted free agent. In such cases, teams like to get assets at the deadline – in the form of players or draft picks – in order to avoid losing established veterans for nothing in return.
A day after the deadline had passed, Dorsett was relieved that he remained a Canuck.
“Obviously, this is my first time being a UFA going into a deadline,” he said before Vancouver hosted the San Jose Sharks at Rogers Arena. “But it’s out of my control. I’ve learned, over the years. Just go with the day and, obviously, I’d be lying if (I said no.) ... But I don’t beat myself over it. If something happened, something would happen. But, obviously, it’s good to get that day over with. (Management) have shown a lot of confidence in this group, and they want to let us see what we can do, and that says a lot for this group in here.”
Dorsett was acquired in the off-season from the New Rangers for a third-round draft pick. Now, the 28-year-old Kindersley, Sask., who has also played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, hopes to remain a Canuck well beyond this summer’s July 1 free agency opening.
“Obviously, I really love it here, and my family really loves it here, too, and I like being back in Canada,” he said. “We’ll see the way things go.”

Canucks GM Jim Benning differs from his peers at deadline

Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning took a different approach than his peers at the NHL trade deadline.
While most GMs made moves intended to help their team win the Stanley Cup, he swung one intended to help Vancouver’s AHL farm team in Utica, N.Y., claim the Calder Cup. That was the aim as Benning, who stood pat on tweaks to his NHL roster, acquired prospect Cory Conacher from the New York Islanders for minor-leaguer Dustin Jeffrey.
“We have a good team down in Utica this year, and we have some good prospects that are developing, but we think playoff success is a good teaching tool for that group to continue to grow and to learn from,” said Benning. “We thought, maybe, we were missing a scorer, like a power-play guy, a guy that’s a natural scorer, and Conacher has proven in his AHL career that he’s a real good scorer in that league.”
Conacher, a 25-year-old Burlington, Ont., native, has played 15 games with the Islanders this season, recording three points (1-2-3) and 14 penalty minutes. He has also appeared in 28 games with the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers, collecting 22 points (5-17-22) and 30 minutes. Altogether, he has toiled in 141 career NHL games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, and Islanders, recording 58 points (19-39-58) and 84 penalty minutes.
In 2011-12, Conacher produced an AHL career-high 39 goals and 41 assists for 80 points, along with 114 penalty minutes, with the Norfolk Admirals. The next season, he recorded a respectable total of 57 points in 72 games while shuffling between Syracuse of the AHL, Tampa and Ottawa.
"(Conacher) is a power-play guy, so we made that deal to help that group down there, and he’s played NHL games,” said Benning. “In case we need him (in Vancouver), we have depth with him up here.”
BWhile helping Utica now, Benning also received a potential long-term benefit, because Conacher is due to become a restricted free agent, and the Canucks can tie up his rights going forward. On the other hand, the departed Jeffrey is slated to become an unrestricted free agent.
Benning acknowledged that Conacher has the same offensive orientation as Sven Baertschi, who was acquired in Vancouver's only other trade Monday, from Calgary for a 2015 second-round draft pick, and will also report to Utica. But the style duplication didn’t bother the GM.
“Why get one of those (potentially high-scoring) guys when you can get two?” he said.

Sven Baertschi trade has plenty of upside for Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks did not do much at the NHL trade deadline Monday, but they still managed to gain attention.
Shortly after the deadline passed, it was announced that the Canucks had acquired 22-year-old Swiss forward Sven Baertschi from the Calgary Flames for a second-round draft choice. This deal was newsworthy just for the fact that the Canucks made a rare deal with a Pacific Division rival.
Such trades almost never happen, because of fears that they will be harmful to each team’s positions in the standings. Usually, GMs prefer to deal with counterparts in opposing conferences. Sometimes, three-way trades can result in a player going to a divisional or conference rival but, ironically, the Flames initially approached the Canucks.
Vancouver general manager Jim Benning paid a high price, but Baertschi, chosen 13th overall in 2011, is an exceptional talent with tremendous upside – if his junior career is any indication.
“I don’t like giving up draft picks, but I think that in this case, Sven Baertschi, we feel, is gonna be a top-six NHL player for our team some day,” said Benning. “So we weighed getting Sven with what we would get in the second round with our pick and we made a decision: Let’s go ahead and do this. He’s a guy that fits our profile. He’s fast, he’s skilled, and I don’t know what happened with his development in Calgary, but we’re very excited to have him, and he’s going to be a big part of our skill group going forward.”
Baertschi has struggled to gain permanent NHL employment, but his former junior bench boss, Mike Johnston, now coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, told The Calgary Herald earlier this month that the light will soon go on for Baertschi.
“I just think it’s … such a tough league, the NHL,” said Johnston. “Hard for young guys. You can come in, lose your confidence and kind of lose your game. If you’re more of a grinder, a worker, a tough guy, it’s easier. But if you’re a skilled guy trying to figure out your game, it becomes more challenging.
“I’m hoping he can still do it. I believe he can.”
So does Benning. The same goes for Travis Green, coach of Vancouver’s AHL farm team in Utica, N.Y., who was an assistant with Portland during Baertschi’s junior days.
Baertschi had only four points in 15 games with the Flames this season and 25 points in 36 AHL contests with their Adirondack farm team. But in his last WHL season with Portland, he accumulated 33 goals and 61 assists 94 points, after producing 85 points in 66 games the year before.
To someone who saw him play during those two campaigns, it was obvious that Baertschi was well ahead of his peers and had the speed and skill necessary for the NHL. Whether he can handle the rough going remains to be seen.
Johnston was convinced that the Flames still believed in the youngster, but he was wrong. It’s also debatable whether the Flames developed him properly given some of the trials and tribulations that they were going through with coaching and management changes and on-ice struggles prior to this turn-around season in Calgary.
Now in his third season as a full-time pro, Baertschi has yet to play a full season in either the AHL or NHL, splitting time between both. That situation points to a lack of patience on the part of Calgary management – and the high expectations that they placed on Baertschi right from his rookie season. Remember, he’s only 22 – and has not yet played three full seasons.
But Johnston believes that Baertschi is on par skill-wise with former Portland players Nino Niederreiter and Ryan Johansen, who are both established NHLers.
“Baertschi came (to Portland) right after them, so I had pretty good comparables and Sven was equally as good as those guys as a junior, with his speed, his intelligence, his playmaking ability,” said Johnston. “It took Niederreiter a setback and now he’s got it … and I still think Sven will be fine.
“When you’re really, really young, coaches and organizations tend to overlook a couple (deficiencies), but when you come (into the NHL), you’ve got to lock those down. There’s no overlooking anymore — you either make it or don’t.”
If you’re given the proper chance.
The Canucks, under new GM Benning, coach Willie Johnston and president Trevor Linden, have demonstrated this season that they are willing to be patient with developing young players. Minor-league coach Green has also demonstrated that he is an astute coach and developer of talent. So Baertschi, who according to Been is extremely excited to play for the Canucks organization, will likely feel more comfortable than he ahs lately – and can gain accordingly.
“Travis (Green) is real excited to get him,” said Benning. “He’s going to Utica and play. And if he gets an opportunity, if we have an injury or something, then he’ll come up and he’ll play for us.”
If Baertschi were to have an extended stint in the minors, that would not be such a bad thing. He has never played more than 26 NHL games in a season, and he has not played more than 41 in an AHL campaign, either.
He has to be given a chance to stay somewhere so that he can work on the upgrades necessary to be a full-time NHL player.
Ultimately, this deal could benefit both teams, because the Flames could parlay the acquired second-round pick into an everyday NHLer in the future, and they, arguably, have less of a need for Baertschi now due to the success of rising young stars like Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau. The Canucks have also enjoyed a renaissance under Desjardins following the disastrous season under former coach John Tortorella, when they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008. But the Canucks have an older core of veterans and Baertschi will add to a foundation of youth that the club is building through its prospects and future draft picks.
“We have now a group of good young fast, skilled players that are gonna be the foundation of our teams going forward,” said Benning. “What’s happened around here, they’ve had such good teams over the years, and they’ve been so close to winning the Stanley Cup, that sometimes you sacrifice draft picks to buy players at the deadline that you think can make a difference in winning the Cup and stuff. So we’ve had to regroup a little bit that way.”
If Baertschi can come anywhere near to generating the offence that he did in junior in the NHL, Canuck fans will soon forget the high price paid for him.

Unique Clarkson trade creates intriguing possibilities

The truth about David Clarkson has finally come out.
Clarkson, who was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets from the Toronto Maple Leafs this week in a unique deal, is a modest talent who parlayed one good season into a huge, ludicrous contract. The seven-year, $37.5-million deal overshadowed the fact that the 30-year-old Toronto native has been a minus player most of his career, and injuries have severely limited his playing time. Often beset with injuries, he has only played all 82 games twice in his eight seasons.
But in 2011-12, when he played 80 games, he managed to score 30 goals and send teams into a tizzy, even though he only produced a career-high 46 points in total with the New Jersey Devils. In all of his other seasons, Clarkson has never recorded more than 32 points – and won’t this season, either, barring a major surge. Simply put, such numbers do not merit seven-year contracts.
The Maple Leafs were not the only team that offered big bucks, but they were left holding the money bags when he decided to sign with his hometown club. At the time, the Leafs were under pressure to sign a supposedly big name and Clarkson fit the bill, and it’s reasonable to expect that general manager Dave Nonis received some prodding from ownership.
Fortunately, Nonis and the Leafs caught a break when Columbus unexpectedly peddled injured forward Nathan Horton, who is not likely to play again but has a big, uninsured contract that is now Toronto’s responsibility. As has been reported, with Horton on long-term injured reserve, the Maple Leafs can now clear significant salary-cap space over the next six seasons, which they can use to sign free agents in their rebuilding process. Nonis also has the option of acquiring a proven star from a team that is at the salary cap max.
The Blue Jackets get a player that they can pay for actually playing, and Clarkson’s contract likely ensures that the small-market club will remain above the salary-cap floor going forward, enabling them to save money in the long run.
Nonis deserves credit for hammering out a creative deal. Now, it will be interesting to see whether he and Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen have started a trend.
For example, do the Philadelphia Flyers have more leverage in attempts to trade injured defenceman Chris Pronger’s rights? Although Pronger now works as an NHL disciplinarian, his playing contract does not expire until 2016-17 – and his $4.9-million annual cap hit could prove to be attractive to a team looking for relief over the next two seasons. Could Toronto bite again? The Flyers motivation: GM Ron Hextall could get a player or draft pick in return, or they could avoid insurance-related expenses.
Hextall reportedly tried to trade Pronger’s rights last season, but he might get more interest now that Nonis and Kekalainen have showed clubs how to make such deals workable. If not now, perhaps they will become more common in the future.
While most long-term injured players’ contracts will be insured and clubs will have less incentive to trade them, the salary-cap advantages could prove to be attractive – especially if concussions take more of a toll and insurers are reluctant to assume as much risk as they do now. More concussions could spell higher insurance premiums, which can be in the millions considering the size of some deals.
So the truth about David Clarkson is that he is not a great player. While the winger has highly coveted size, skill and leadership abilities, he is not likely to produce a plethora of points over the remainder of his contract. And while he hopes to get back to playing the way he was in New Jersey, that level was nothing to write home about.
But just by signing a big contract and being part of an unexpected trade, he might be a trendsetter.
The possibilities are intriguing.

Edler's loss to injury spells rookie's gain

The loss of one player to injury is another player’s gain – it’s been forever thus in the NHL and, consequently, it’s now Adam Clendening’s time to shine.
Alex Edler’s absence to an undisclosed injury, enabled Clendening, a 22-year-old Niagara Falls, N.Y., native, to play a key role on Vancouver’s first power play unit as the Canucks hosted the Minnesota Wild on Monday. The rookie defenceman only joined the Canucks in a trade from Chicago in late January for minor-leaguer Gustav Forsling.
Clendening spent most of his two-year tenure in the Blackhawks organization toiling for their AHL farm club in Rockford, Ill., but now he finds himself pushing for points with NHL veterans Alex Burrows, Daniel and Henrik Sedin and Radim Vrbata.
“I take pride in my ability offensively and to quarterback the power play,” said Clendening. “To get that opportunity, especially with the twins and Burr and Verby, it’s a big responsibility.”
Clendening has displayed a flare for offence with the U.S. under-18 program, Boston University and AHL after the Blackhawks drafted him in the second round (36th overall) in 2011. He was an AHL second and first all-star in his first two pro seasons. Now, he gets a chance to replace Edler and demonstrate how consistent he can be in the NHL.
“It’s a great opportunity for other guys to step up,” he said of Edler’s injury, suffered Saturday in Calgary. “But let’s be serious. Eagle’s gonna be missed. A tough guy to take out of your lineup. He took a lot of minutes. He’s big and plays in every single situation.”
But Canucks coach Willie Desjardins, whose mandate this season is to prepare call-ups and acquisition for life in the NHL while also getting the Canucks back to the playoffs, expressed confidence in putting Clendening in difficult circumstances. Desjardins said the rearguard still has to learn some of the intricacies of the NHL, but the coach likes some of the skills that he has displayed.
“He’s a good passer,” said Desjardins. “He sees the ice real well. I think there are some things in his game that he has to work on if he wants to be an elite power-play defenceman at this level. But I think he has a real good vision in the offensive zone, and he moves the puck well.”
Clendening is feeling more comfortable every day after the first couple of days of learning Vancouver’s system, which is similar to Chicago’s on-ice framework, and making sure all of his gear and belongings arrived.
“(The performance) may not be in the numbers showing up, but I think I’m moving the puck the right way and putting it on the right guy’s tape and making the right decisions with it,” he said.
However, while he is gaining, at least for now, from Edler’s injury, he can also relate to the struggles that many players face as they battle for contracts. Clendening is a former teammate of late NHL defenceman Steve Montador, 35, who was found dead in his Toronto-area home Sunday.
“It’s very sad,” said Clendening. “I played with him in Rockford. I was actually his partner down there for a bit, and we spent a little bit of time together (as Black Aces for Chicago’s Stanley) Cup run there (in 2012-13), so I got to know him pretty well. When I heard the news, I was very heartbroken. I don’t know any details (on his death), so I can’t really comment on that. But he’s somebody that’ll definitely be missed in the hockey world.”
Police do not suspect foul play was involved. Montador suffered concussions during his 571-game NHL career with the Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers, Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres and Blackhawks. He was also battling depression, although Clendening was unaware of his issues.
“He seemed like a guy that was always in a good attitude and really enjoyed being around the rink and that type of thing,” said Clendening. “He never really gave me that perception of being in trouble mentally.”
So Clendening is aware that although he has gained from an injury loss, he his time in the spotlight could be fleeting.

Zack Kassian enjoying better times

What a difference a week makes for Zack Kassian.
The Vancouver Canucks winger headed into Friday’s game against Boston with three goals in as many games. The streak followed a different, much uglier one. He was scratched for three straight games and was only put back in the lineup after the Winnipeg Jets manhandled the Canucks and Vancouver had injury troubles among the forward ranks.
“It’s always nice when you’re scoring goals,” he said. “It’s nice to help the team any way you can and, when you’re scoring goals, obviously, you’re helping the team.”
Kassian still only had five goals prior to Friday’s contest. It was evident that he was still in a case of denial after stating earlier last week that he was trying to figure out what was going on when he was scratched.
“In the beginning of the year, I think I was playing better,” he said. “I just wasn’t being rewarded. But I’m finding ways to get back to the dirty areas and score some goals.”
Some observers would question Kassian’s claim that he was playing better in the beginning of the year. His work ethic left little to be desired, and his penchant for penalties and apparent lack of hockey sense and timing were startling when one considers what he has done in the past.
It’s still clear that he has not lived up to former general manager Mike Gillis’ claim that he is a “prototypical power forward.”
Coach Willie Desjardins was clear on why Kassian wasn’t playing. Desjardins did not know what he would get from Kassian game in and game out, so he wasn’t comfortable putting him in the lineup. The next few games and weeks could determine whether Kassian has finally figured out what it takes to be a consistent NHLer.
If he hasn’t, he could be traded by the March 2 NHL trading deadline.

Desjardins enjoys chance to coach against Johnston

Saturday’s meeting between the Vancouver and Pittsburgh Penguins was more than just another game to Willie Desjardins.
The game offered Desjardins a chance to coach against his “real good friend” Mike Johnston after they both took several decades to become NHL head coaches. Desjardins and Johnston, both 57 and rookie NHL bench bosses, initially coached together in the mid-to-late 1980s at the University of Calgary under the guidance of George Kingston. From there, they wound their way to the NHL.
“He’s super-competitive and, for both of us, it was a long time to coach at this level,” said Desjardins. “So whenever we get a chance to coach at this level, I think it’s significant.”
Desjardins began his coaching career at the U of C while completing a master’s degree in social work. He then moved on to the Seibu Bears in Japan, briefly coached the Saskatoon Blades in the WHL as a mid-season replacement, and served as an assistant with the Canadian men’s national team under Johnston before moving to the Medicine Hat Tigers.
Serving as both general manager and coach over the years, Desjardins guided the Tigers to a pair of WHL titles as well as a Memorial Cup final berth before moving to the Dallas Stars organization, where he spent two seasons as an assistant with the NHL club and two more as head coach of their Texas farm club. After guiding Texas to the AHL championship last season, and earning coach of the year honours in the process, he took on his first NHL head coaching position with the Canucks.
Johnston, a Dartmouth, N.S., native, initially served as a head coach at the Augustana University College in Alberta and then worked with Desjardins as a U of C assistant while completing a master’s in coaching science. After leaving the U of C, Johnston took the helm at the University of New Brunswick, served as general manager and coach with the Canadian men’s national team, and then held assistant and associate positions with the Canucks and Los Angeles Kings before becoming GM and coach of the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks – a team he built into a powerhouse.
Along the way, both Desjardins and Johnston also coached Canadian squads in a number of junior and senior world championships. Ironically, Johnston received his first head coaching job last summer when Desjardins rejected an offer from the Penguins and joined the Canucks instead.
So did Desjardins put in a good word for Johnston with the Pens?
“No, he did everything on his own,” said Desjardins with a chuckle. “He’s good and he’s real capable.”

Evander Kane longs to reach NHL playoffs for the first time

Don’t look now, but this is Evander Kane’s sixth NHL season.
It seems like just yesterday he was playing for the Vancouver Giants and helping them win the 2007 Memorial Cup and the 2006 WHL title. Even he finds it hard to believe that he’s been in the NHL so long.
“I feel old,” he said as his Winnipeg Jets prepared to play the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday at Rogers Arena. “It’s my sixth season (in the NHL), so it’s a crazy year and it’s crazy to think that. “It feels like it’s not, but I guess time flies. It’s quite a bit of experience, but each year you learn new things and you try to become better.”
That goal has been difficult this season because of injuries that have limited his playing time and production. The 23-year-old Vancouver native was just glad to be in the lineup during a rare visit to his hometown.
“I’m healthy enough to play, so that’s probably a good thing,” he said. “We’re winning and it’s a nice change from the way it’s been in the past, being in the playoff position. We’re consistently having that feeling that the playoffs are a strong possibility. There’s so much hockey left in the season. We have to make sure we’re winning at the pace we were in the first half.”
The Jets arrived in Vancouver after suffering four consecutive losses. Kane said they have not been the same club since the all-star break, but their strong start has kept them in a playoff position.
Now, it remains to be seen whether Kane can help them make a strong playoff push and, if they get in, turn heads in the post-season. But that will also be a challenge given his health woes.
“It’s definitely not been an easy season – that’s for sure,” he said. “With the couple of injuries I had and the ongoing ones, it’s tough. But it’s part of being a professional athlete and a professional hockey player. It’s a physical sport. You’ve gotta battle through it sometimes.”
The same goes for the Jets as they try to regain the consistency which they have been lacking lately. But Kane believes they have turned the corner as far as becoming a playoff contender.
“You get sick and tired of losing and you’ve kind of got to figure it out – one way or the other – and make a decision, make up your mind as a group and as individuals,” he said. “I think we did that at the beginning of the year, and it’s paid off so far here.”
Kane knows what it’s like to win as a junior, having helped the Giants to their crowns and also winning a gold medal with Canada at the world junior championships in 2009, when he was originally cut by quickly invited back. Canucks coach Willie Desjardins was an assistant with the Canadian squad that season while still with Medicine Hat of the WHL.
“He was a very intense guy, very well prepared and really easy to talk to at the same time,” said Kane.
However, Kane has yet to play in the Stanley Cup playoffs since he was drafted fourth overall by Winnipeg’s predecessor, the Atlanta Thrashers, in 2009. The Thrashers did not qualify for the post-season while he was with them, and the Jets have not reached it since they were reincarnated in 2011.
The chance to finally get there is giving Kane plenty of inspiration as he battles through his struggles.
“You watch it sometimes after the regular season and you see the battle and just the stage that the playoffs are on,” he said. “It makes you want to be a part of that, and that’s definitely motivating for me.”
In other words, now that he is in his sixth NHL season, Kane believes it’s time for him to get in.
“I think five years going all over the place (travelling in the spring) is enough for me,” he said. “That’s a good milestone – and we’ll cut it off there.”
Note_Kane, who has 10 goals and 12 assists this season, indicated in the morning that he would play, but coach Paul Maurice later made him a healthy scratch in Winnipeg's 3-2 overtime loss to the Canucks.

Bettman open to ads on World Cup jerseys

If you are someone who dislikes ads on NHL jerseys, take comfort in the fact that you are not alone.
Gary Bettman also feels your pain.
During a media availability on Friday in Vancouver, the NHL commissioner ruled out putting ads on team jerseys. But the World Cup? That’s, potentially, another story.
“World Cup, international competition, I don't know,” Bettman said at a press conference at Rogers Arena. “We may take a look at it. It might be a valuable opportunity.”
However, Bettman has no desire to have his league become the first of the four major sports leagues in North America to start displaying corporate banners.
“I'm in no rush to put advertising on our sweaters,” he said. “I think we've got the best jerseys in all of sports. I like the history, the tradition. I like the way they look, and I've repeatedly said we wouldn't be the first (in North America) and you'd probably have to bring me kicking and screaming.”
The World Cup of Hockey will be held in Toronto prior to the 2016-17 NHL season and is expected to generate more than US $100 million in profits, according to NHL.com. Jersey ads could beef up that number – a point Bettman will not ignore.
“The World Cup jerseys don't have the same legacy as far as I'm concerned that our regular jerseys have,” said Bettman, who took in Vancouver’s game against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night. “So (advertising on jerseys) could happen in the World Cup ... might not, but it's not anything we're focused on doing for the league itself.”
Meanwhile, Bettman offered another sign that the league is interested in having a team in Seattle, noting the city posed many “intriguing opportunities” – including a regional rivalry with Vancouver. But he indicated his discussions with Seattle’s major suggest that it won’t get a new area – which is considered critical for both a new NHL and NBA team there – in the near future.
Otherwise, Bettman stressed that the NHL is not pursuing expansion. He indicated the league is taking a wait-and-see approach on the results of a season-ticket drive for a proposed club in Las Vegas. He expects the season-ticket drive to be held in a month or so.
The question of putting a team in Quebec City, where a new arena is being built, never came up.

Little known Latvian thrilled to join Canucks

Ronald Kenins was on a trip of a lifetime when he received another.
The little known 23-year-old Latvian was visiting New York City for the first time when he received a chance to make his NHL debut with the Vancouver Canucks on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres.
The promotion came while the team he was with, the Utica Comets, had the AHL all-star break. As a result, he became one of the few Latvians to don an NHL jersey.
“It’s great for our hockey future in Latvia,” he said after participating in Vancouver’s optional morning. “Not many players are there (in the NHL). For sure, it’ll be great when somebody (in Latvia) sees that I’m playing in the NHL.”
He joins such compatriots as retired defenceman Sandis Ozolinsh, goaltender Arturs Irbe and Sabres centre Zemgus Girgensons, who played in the NHL all-star game last weekend. who have received NHL ice time.
Ironically, Kenins, a left winger who signed with the Canucks as a free agent in July 2013, reached the NHL after playing in the Olympics with Latvia in 2014. Kenins, 23, has also played for Latvia in four world Championships (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) and the world junior championsips (2013. He also played in the 2010 World Junior Championships as a member of the Latvian national team.
“It’s different in the world championship,” said Kenins, who played six seasons in Switzerland before moving to North America. “There is bigger ice. Here is everything smaller and it’s everything faster. So playing in the world championship is always difficult for a Latvian, but I’m getting experience and growing up now.”
In another touch of irony, his first NHL game came against Buffalo coach Ted Nolan, who doubles as the Latvian national team bench boss. So while auditioning for the Canucks, Kenins, who bills himself as a power forward, was trying to impress Nolan for a chance at future international duty with Latvia,
“It’s a little bit more nervous for me, because I want to show him that I can play on this level,” said Kenins, who has five goals and seven assists with Utica this season.
Nolan’s reaction was one of excitement that the six-foot and 209-pound winger was getting a chance in the NHL.
“I’ve been telling everybody for the last three years: This guy can play,” said Nolan. “He’s a very entertaining soul, he’s competitive as heck. We have one Latvian on our team (Girgensons), and everybody knows how hard he works. This is another one that has a tremendous amount of work ethic. He hits a lot. He’s enthusiastic. … I was really glad when I heard Vancouver signed him.”
Kenins was happy to get a chance to play against Girgensons, who caused a stir by receiving the most votes from fans to play in the NHL all-star game in Columbus last weekend. Girgensons, evidently backed by a multitude of Latvian fans, prevailed over the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in the balloting.
“(Girgensons) is a great player, so he deserves it,” said Kenins. “It’s not about voting and stuff. He’s just a great player.”
Time will tell whether Kenins can become a great one, but Canucks coach Willie Desjardins received a good first impression.
“He’s a good player. I noticed him in (training) camp right away,” said Desjardins. “As soon as I saw him, I noticed him. His compete level and just how smart he is, there was things you noticed about him. So I’m excited just to get a look at him. I don’t know exactly how he’ll fit in – I’m sure he doesn’t either – but it’s a chance and that’s one thing that’s always important to me.”
It was also important to many people who congratulated Kenins for his promotion.
“My phone was ringing all the time,” he said. “It’s, for sure, exciting for everybody – especially for me.”

Canuck morning skates no longer mandatory

The Vancouver Canucks are doing away with a longstanding NHL tradition under new coach Willie Desjardins.
The Canucks morning skate on the day of a game is no longer mandatory. Before Saturday’s contest with the Calgary Flames, virtually all of Vancouver’s players stayed off the ice, with many playing a form of soccer in the hallway at Rogers Arena while other worked out elsewhere. Defenceman Dan Hamhuis, sidelined since Nov. 20 due to a groin tear, was an exception as he continued to work on his recovery on the ice.
Even goalies Ryan Miller and Eddie Lack stayed in drydock.
“The morning skates are optional,” said new coach Willie Desjardins. “(Saturday’s situation) is rare, because usually one of (the goalies) will the skate. But we always tell our guys: (Do) whatever you think will make you the best for the game.”
While morning skates are often at different times with NHL clubs, no squad has made them optional before every game. It will be interesting to see whether Desjardins maintains the current status for the rest of the season.
But in this era of fatigue management, Vancouver players were not complaining about the lack of a morning on-ice workout.
“I don’t like skating in the morning, so I like the option,” said winger Chris Higgins. “I’ve always been that way my whole career. I feel like I like to save my energy for the game, but some guys like to skate. I guess the coach is leaving it up to personal preference.”
Higgins, who returned to the Vancouver lineup after being sidelined from Thursday’s loss to Florida with the flu, prefers it that way.
“It’s been a debate for a long time in hockey, I guess, having the morning skate or not having it,” said Higgins. “I’d rather leave it up to the individual.”

Kassian out to prove critics wrong

Zack Kassian finally returned to the Vancouver Canucks lineup Saturday, but his future with the team remained in doubt.
The winger drew into the lineup against the Detroit Red Wings after sitting out for more than a month. He was sidelined Nov. 25 with a broken finger, but was a healthy scratch in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings, a team that plays a rambunctious physical style for which he is supposedly suited.
Although he was listed as injured in the other games, Kassian claimed he was healthy enough to play earlier. And, coach Willie Desjardins did little to suggest otherwise Saturday, all but confirming that Kassian was held out because of sub-par play rather than a sore pinky.
But Desjardins is looking for Kassian to beef up Vancouver’s inconsistent offensive production of late.
“The scoresheet’s not the most critical thing,” said Desjardins. “If you’re playing the right way, you’ll get on the scoresheet. He’s gotta get back to playing where he’s a good presence on the forecheck, he’s playing physical, he’s working hard both ways. If he’s not on there, it’s not like we’re necessarily unhappy with it, but he is a guy that has the potential to get on it, and he can play both ways.”
General manager Jim Benning has indicated publicly that he is willing to consider trades for Kassian, who has not lived up to expectations since he was acquired for then Canuck fan favourite Cody Hodgson from Buffalo. Former Canucks GM Mike Gillis billed Kassian as a “prototypical power forward,” but the 23-year-old Windsor, Ont., native, who was drafted 13th overall by Buffalo in 2009, has rarely proved himself to be one.
While Benning is willing to weigh offers, he also wants to be patient with the development of a young player. However, the extent of Benning’s patience could hinge on the quality of an offer that he receives for Kassian.
The winger was amused that he was subject to considerable speculation even when he was not playing. But he is taking the criticism seriously as he seeks to remain a Canuck.
“I think I can be a big part of this team,” said Kassian. “I believe in it, and I have to make others believe that I’ll do that.”

Canucks keeping their eyes on world junior tourney as finals approach

It’s that time of year again.
The world junior hockey finals are approaching, and some Vancouver Canuck players are getting into betting mode.
“There’s been a few (bets) back and forth,” said Daniel Sedin after the Canucks held an optional morning skate Saturday before their game against the Detroit Red Wings at Rogers Arena.
“But we’ll see. If Sweden ends up playing Canada, it’ll be a lot of fun.”
In other words, the betting action in the Canucks dressing room will pick up considerably if Canada beats the Slovaks in a semifinal Sunday and the Swedes prevail over Russia. Captain Henrik Sedin is known for being quite active on the betting front whenever his native Sweden has a chance to go for junior gold.
“It’s a little bit more for dinners and stuff like that,” said Daniel Sedin of the stakes. “So it’s smaller things.”
But the wagers still hold considerable meaning for some Canucks, especially those, like the Sedins, who have played in past world junior tournaments. Some of the younger players, like rookie centre Bo Horvat, who played for Canada last year, are not up to speed on the traditional wagering.
But Horvat, a close friend of Team Canada winger Max Domi, is actively engaged in the tournament being held in Montreal and Toronto.
“Any time you can represent your country, it’s special and these guys are making Canada really proud right now,” said Horvat, 19.
The Rodney, Ont., native was not granted permission from the Canucks to play in the tournament, because management felt he was needed more with the NHL club, particularly in the face-off circle. Instead, he will have a chance to get in on the betting action in the Vancouver dressing room.
One Canuck has already been stung by his bets against the Canadian squad. Winger Jannik Hansen bet on his homeland of Denmark, which was trounced 8-0 by Canada in a quarter-final game Friday.
“It was pretty funny coming in this morning when (Hansen) was pretty upset, but I was happy for Canada,” said Horvat.
So far, Horvat has stayed on the sidelines, but it sounded like he will soon enter the action.
“I haven’t been a part of any, but I’m sure there are going to be a couple bets going around, especially with finals and semis and stuff like that,” he said.
Backup goaltender Eddie Lack hasn’t entered the fray yet, either, but he is already scouting for opponents.
“If Sweden and Canada go to the finals, I’m sure I’ll get a couple bets going,” said Lack, a 26-year-old Swede. “Zack Kassian is a big bettor, so I’m probably going to go to him. Now that Tommy (Sestito) has gone (to the minors) and U.S.A. is out, I don’t know who else (to bet).”
Horvat perhaps?
“I don’t know. He looks like kind of a cheap guy, so I don’t know if he wants to,” said Lack with a wry grin.
And what will Lack bet?
“I don’t know if I want to put that on the (Internet),” he said, chuckling. “It’ll probably be something fun, like a dinner on the road or something like that.”
Whatever the wager, Lack is looking forward to betting against his Canuck teammates. Bragging rights, in the event of a Swedish victory in the final, hold considerable meaning – along with the potential prize.
“It’s kind of weird, because I never got to play (in the world juniors), myself, but just being in Canada and seeing all the news and watching every day, it’s pretty exciting,” he said. “Obviously, you get dragged into it a little bit, too. It’s a really fun tournament and it’s a lot of fun to watch.”