Musings on Canucks, Stamkos, Torts and Treliving

Random thoughts heading into this weekend's NHL draft and the July 1 free agency opening ...

Canucks will make a good draft pick

The Vancouver Canucks stand to gain from the draft, because they can't do much worse than they have in past years. It also helps to have the fifth overall pick, which should land Pierre-Luc Dubois from Cape Breton of the QMJHL. Dubois showed his offensive upside by recording 99 points during the regular season. He also stood out during the Top Prospects game in Vancouver, where he scored a goal and added two assists in Team Orr's 3-2 victory over Team Cherry. From there, he averaged a point per game in the playoffs with 12 points in as many post-season contests.
Other advantages: Dubois, a Sainte-Agathe-des-Mont, Que., native who turns 18 on Friday, can play both centre and wing, has size (six-foot-three and 200 pounds) plus nastiness (112 penalty minutes) and, therefore, fits the profile of a power forward that every team covets. The only question is whether the Edmonton Oilers will upstage the Canucks and take him with the fourth-overall pick instead of American prospect Matthew Tkachuk of the OHL's London Knights, who plays left wing. But even if the Oilers take Dubois, the Canucks stand to prosper, considering that Tkachuk, the son of formerly NHLer Keith Tkachuk, produced 107 points in the regular season and added 40 -- yes, 40 -- points in the playoffs as the Knights captured the Memorial Cup.
Either pick is a no-brainer and, barring unforeseen events, will land a spot in the Vancouver lineup next season, furthering a youth movement (if not a rebuilding program) under competent, but increasingly criticized general manager Jim Benning. While Benning might deserve criticism for failing to land talent at the trading deadline, he has succeeded in steadily injecting youth into the lineup -- whereas former GM Mike Gillis failed miserably.
The selection of Dubois or Tkachuk will make up for a shortage of Canuck draft picks this year due to past  moves. But the lack of picks will be relatively moot, considering that the Canucks will still be able to stock some young talent for future years. Unlike in 2015-16, the Canucks will not shuffle their roster next season, because holes have been filled after all of the juggling that occurred. If Dubois or Tkachuk become long-time core players as expected, any poor picks by Benning will be forgotten, if not forgiven.

Benning has money to spend

Benning can also make up for any struggles at the draft when the free agent frenzy begins July 1. Whereas the Vancouver GM is unlikely to swing a significant draft-day trade, he has a chance to make a splash in free agency. Simply put, the Canucks have money to spend -- just under US$10.5 million at this point and potentially more if they buy out the contracts of wingers Chris Higgins and/or Alex Burrows. Chances are that at least one buyout will occur.
If both are bought out, Benning would have an additional US$7 million to play with, according to NHLnumbers.com. Add a slight US$1-million boost in salary cap, and he has up to US$18 million at his disposal. He only has to dedicate a small portion of that cash to restricted free agents Emerson Etem and Linden Vey, and the latter is in danger of being let go for nothing or traded for a draft pick.
Potential high-end signings include Vancouver native Milan Lucic from Los Angeles, Loui Eriksson from Boston, Mikkel Boedker from Colorado and Kyle Okposo from the New York Islanders, among others.
Lucic is a seemingly good fit because of his hometown roots, grittiness and scoring ability, but the prediction here is that he will sign elsewhere. Although he has expressed interest in playing for the Canucks, they are likely not his first choice. He has been subject to some off-ice abuse from fans during past returns to Vancouver, and a source indicates that he is not keen on facing the pressure of being a hometown boy on a team in a Canadian market. He might also be looking for more money -- in excess of US$6 million -- than Benning is willing to pay.
Eriksson, a 30-year-old Swede, is a good fit because he has played with Henrik and Daniel Sedin during international competitions and would likely slide seamlessly into a dressing room culture that revolves around the twins. He is also a good all-around player who can score, producing 63 points with the Bruins in 2015-16.
Boedker, 26, has been criticized for a lack of defensive proficiency, but would likely improve under the guidance of Canucks coach Willie Desjardins and assistant Perry Pearn. More importantly, Boedker produced a career-high 61 points in a 2015-16 campaign split between the Avalanche, who acquired him at the trading deadline, and Arizona Coyotes.
Boedker's age definitely appeals to the Canucks, because he would be a rare top free agent who could stay for upwards of a decade. Also, having played in the west, he is used to arduous travel, and would likely be keen to receive some mentorship from fellow Dane Jannik Hansen, who has become a model professional and two-way player.
Okposo, an American, might find it more difficult establishing links to Vancouver, but he would appeal to Benning for obvious offensive reasons. He is a high-scoring right winger, of which the Canucks need more.
Okposo recorded 64 points with the Isles in 2015-16 and has produced no fewer than 51 in the past three seasons. During that time, he has accumulated a respectable 184 points. His age, 28, also makes him a potential long-term fit.
Troy Brouwer, a versatile 30-year-old winger who scored 18 goals for St. Louis last season en route to posting 39 points, might be a darkhorse candidate to sign with the Canucks. A Vancouver native, he would provide a strong physical presence and leadership while being popular in the community. He also tends to stand out in the playoffs. 

Lightning losing leverage on Stamkos

With the draft set to begin Friday, the Tampa Bay Lightning could be missing the boat on a large return for pending unrestricted free agent Steven Stamkos.
It appears increasingly unlikely that Bolts GM Steve Yzerman will be able to re-sign the superstar captain, who could fetch as much as US$12 per season on the free agent market. But the Lightning have yet to swing a trade that would give a club the exclusive right to negotiate with Stamkos until July 1. Several teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, are likely willing to trade assets for such a chance, and the draft serves as a deadline for increasing the ante.
If Yzerman does not trade him before the draft, the return to Tampa Bay is likely to be less, because clubs would have a shorter period in which to negotiate with Stamkos.
The most likely scenario for Stamkos to shift teams before July 1 could  involve a sign-and-trade deal whereby a club works out a contract with him before determining trade components with the Lightning. Rules allowing players to talk to prospective new teams before July 1 also create the possibility of other sign-and-trade deals. But, in most cases, they are not likely to occur. Stamkos would be an obvious exception, if he agrees to such a move.

Torts quote of the day

This year's draft has not been held yet, but you can already bet on one quote to come from Columbus coach John Tortorella. No matter who the Blue Jackets take, Torts will say :"He's going to block shots."
The old-school coach has a weird fixation on shot-blocking that, one might argue, contributed to an injury to Daniel Sedin in 2013-14. Hence, Finnish winger Jesse Puljujarvi, the most likely Columbus pick at No. 3 overall, had better be prepared to block shots like he never has before -- and, perhaps, wear Kevlar socks to protect the backs of his legs.
Puljujarvi is a seemingly good fit with the Jackets, because GM Jarmo Kekalainen is a fellow Finn and, theoretically, should help the teen feel comfortable adjusting to the pros. It always helps to have a compatriot when you're far from home, especially in the case of the soft-spoken Puljujarvi, who hails from a small town in Finland and faces an adjustment to on-ice and off-ice life in the U.S. Having said that, it will be interesting to see whether Puljujarvi sticks with Columbus in 2016-17, because Tortorella has a preference for deploying veterans. Some might call it a bias.

Plenty of goalies available

Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving will have plenty of goaltenders to ponder, via trade or free agency, as he addresses his team's most pressing need.
Pittsburgh's Marc-Andre Fleury, who lost his starting job to rookie Matt Murray, as the Penguins overcame a slow season start to win the Stanley Cup, is an obvious trade candidate. The same might be said for either, or both, of high-paid Dallas goaltenders Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi. Detroit veteran Jimmy Howard is another possibility, but he and all of the above candidates have expensive contracts. Several low-priced free agent net minders could also peak Treliving's interest, for both starting and backup duty, instead.
The free agents include: James Reimer (San Jose), who tends to produce good stats despite having endured a porous Toronto defence for several seasons, and Carter Hutton (Nashville), who excelled while replacing an injured Pekka Rinne a couple of seasons ago but has struggled to get out of his shadow since then. Jonas Gustavsson (Boston), who appears to have overcome some health woes, might also be of interest based on plenty of NHL experience. Meanwhile, Anton Khudobin (Anaheim) a third wheel behind league-leading Ducks goaltenders Fredrik Andersen (since traded to the Maple Leafs), and John Gibson, could merit Treleving's attention, along with Jhonas Enroth (Los Angeles).
With the expansion draft a year away and GMs seeking a return on assets instead, several other trade-worthy goaltenders could also be in play this weekend. For instance, Ottawa might be inclined to part with Craig Anderson or Andrew (the Hamburglar) Hammond rather than lose one for nothing to Las Vegas. And, Jonathan Bernier could also move from Toronto after losing his No. 1 job to Andersen.
So Treliving will be in a good negotiating position.

 

Canucks players have their coach's back

Vancouver Canuck players showed Monday that they support coach Willie Desjardins.

 For months, Desjardins, who became an NHL head coach for the first time at the age of 57 and never played in the league, has faced speculation about his ability to get players to accept his message and his methods. But captain Henrik Sedin said he and his teammates believe that Desjardins is the right coach for the club.

“Absolutely. There’s never been a question about that from this team,” said Henrik Sedin. “We really like him as a coach and a person, so that’s never been a question from any of the players – since day one.”

The Canucks missed the playoffs, finishing 28th overall with a 31-38-13 record while battling several injuries and integrating many young players into the lineup. Media types and fans calling into radio talk shows have wondered publicly about the decision to keep Desjardins for next season, which was confirmed in March. Desjardins has been heavily criticized for everything from his dedication to juggling four lines to line combinations to the use of young players on the power play and in high-pressure situations.

Desjardins’ previous championships at the university, junior and minor-pro levels have quickly been forgotten as a result of the Canucks’ plight. But the coach drew praise from veteran players for his efforts this season.

“Last year, I think Bo (Horvat) was the only young guy coming in,” said winger Jannik Hansen. “It’s a lot easier to manage a team of older players that knows what is expected of them and knows how to play. This year, with so many young guys coming in, all of a sudden you’re back to teaching hockey again instead of worrying, maybe, about smaller finesses in the game. It’s always tough when there’s a big rotation in the lineup. It’s always tough to become an NHL player, and it takes experience and it takes games.”

Goalie Ryan Miller likes Desjardins’ approach to the game and how he wants his players to feel.

“ I like his outlook,” said Miller. “He’s always positive and when he has a group of guys, he wants that group to believe in themselves. I think there were a lot of things this year that were difficult to meet head-on, and he remained pretty much who he is throughout all that. Given the circumstances, he did the best he could.”

Meanwhile, Henrik and Daniel Sedin, who have two years remaining on their contracts and, theoretically, fewer opportunities to win a Stanley Cup, are willing to stick with the Canucks as they continue to rebuild on the fly while still seeking to make the playoffs each year. Both expressed support for general manager Jim Benning and president of hockey operations Trevor Linden and their ability to execute a development plan which, critics contend, has not always been clear.

“For us, it’s important to see that there’s a place where they want to go and just to see that they follow through (on) that,” said Henrik Sedin. “We knew it was going to be a tough year. We could have fought for a playoff spot, for sure. That didn’t happen, but they’re not changing the way they think about this, and I’m totally confident we’re going to be in a better spot next year. Before we’re done, I’m sure we’re going to have another run at (the Stanley Cup). That’s the way we look at it.”

He said all players realize that the Canucks need to get younger before they get better, but the solution is not just to finish near the bottom of the overall standings to get a good draft pick.

“I think the difference this year from, maybe, two years ago is that now I think we’re on the way up again,” he said. “Two years ago, with (former coach John Tortorella) I thought, as a team, we were on the way down. Now, we’ve got (building) pieces, but it’s dangerous to keep, from year to year, thinking about getting a high draft pick. We’ve seen other teams not being successful. Now, we have pieces and we have to surround them, I feel, with good (veteran) players – because it’s not easy as a young player coming in.”

Daniel Sedin said injuries compounded the difficult season. The Canucks lost key veterans like centre Brandon Sutter, winger Radim Vrbata  and defencemen Alex Edler, Chris Tanev  and Luca Sbisa for extended stretches while other ailments sidelined several other players. But the Sedins have faith in  Benning and Linden’s effort to improve the club.

“We trust (Benning) and (Linden),” said Daniel Sedin. “They have a plan in place and they’re going to follow through with their plan. That’s all you could ask for. So there’s – for sure – 100 per cent buy-in.”

Injuries helped Canucks get better, says coach

Vancouver Canucks coach Willie Desjardins usually keeps his emotions in check, but could not hide his frustration before Saturday’s season finale against the Edmonton Oilers.

“It’s frustrating for everybody,” said Desjardins after Vancouver’s morning skate. “It’s frustrating for the fans. It’s frustrating for management and everybody’s frustrated with it.”

The Canucks were officially eliminated from the playoffs in March, but had little hope of reaching the post-season much earlier.

"Losing is tough, losing is hard, it’s hard on everybody, but if you just lose and you’re not upset by it, then that’s not a very good sign," he added.

But Desjardins, who has management’s blessing to return next season, believes that the Canucks have plenty of talent in their dressing room. Injuries killed Vancouver’s playoffs hopes, along with inconsistency. Desjardins said the injuries, which resulted in the loss of key veterans Brandon Sutter and Chris Higgins among others, actually ended up helping the club, because young players received extensive playing time.

“We’re a different team without injuries. I think the injuries have made us better down the road,” said Desjardins. “We don’t want the injuries, but I think they’ve made us better for the future. There (are) lots of cases throughout the team. You look at (goaltender Jacob) Markstrom. Injuries to (Ryan) Miller have helped Markstrom, and you look at Tryamkin coming in. They are so many of them. (Jake Virtanen) and (Sven) Baertschi. Lots of guys are better because of that. So that’s the positive part out of it. But that doesn’t change how we feel every night when we play.”

Vancouver players could not hide their disappointment with the way things have gone, either.

“It’s disappointing, it’s frustrating, we wanted to get in the playoffs, we wanted to be a good team – and look where we are right now,” said winger Alex Burrows.

With a possible contract looming, Burrows realized that he might have suited up for his final game as a Canuck. Burrows became a star after going undrafted and beginning his career in the East Coast Hockey League before advancing to the AHL and then the NHL. But he was in no mood to reflect on his tenure in Vancouver before the game.

“I’m sure, once I’ve had time to reflect after the season, once I’ve had my year-end meetings with management and coaching staff, then you can reflect on the bigger picture,” he said.

Canucks refuse to tank in final week

Lose games on purpose?

No tanks, say the Vancouver Canucks.

As the Canucks play the final week of their 2015-16 NHL regular season, they are damned if they do win games and damned if they don’t. Wins could hurt their draft position, but losses could also leave a bad taste in fans’ mouths.

Long eliminated from the playoffs, the Canucks will take moral victories over reduced odds for the top overall pick, which is likely to be American forward Auston Matthews.

“We wanna win games,” said Canucks rookie Jake Virtanen. “That’s what we wanna do, and that’s what matters right now. We’re not gonna throw away games just to get a good draft pick. We wanna, obviously, end the year off with a bang here and build team character and team identity for next year.”

The Canucks had a Monday night date with the Los Angeles Kings at home, and then travel to Calgary and Edmonton for games Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, before closing out the season Saturday at home against the Oilers.

Defenceman Dan Hamhuis, a pending unrestricted free agent who might not return to the Canucks next season, said the goal is to play. He contended it’s “silly” that the Canucks should lose in order to get a better draft pick.

“Our job is to play hard and put a good product on the ice,” said Hamhuis. “We take a lot of pride as individuals and as a team in representing the Canucks, and losing games is just not something you ever want to do.  I think that’s a poor representation of the jersey.”

Hamhuis said it’s difficult to get up for games with nothing on the line, but the club had played better in the previous six or seven games.

“You don’t want to be put in a situation like this, when the games aren’t building towards the playoffs or anything, but I think you can say we are building towards next year a bit,” he said.

What’s captain Henrik Sedin’s message to fans as the Canucks complete the final week of their campaign.

“That we’re gonna finish the season off and play the best hockey that we can,” said Sedin.

Accordingly, fans can expect coach Willie Desjardins to ice the strongest he can each night, even as the the team continues to evaluate players for next season. But a high draft pick is few rungs down on his priority list.

“A good pick is something that you always want,” said Desjardins. “It’s something that can help you down the road, but I think the thing that’s most important, more than one player, is the culture you have on your team. I think the culture has to be that you play every game to win.”

Desjardins, who has been heavily criticized but is slated to return next season, would rather continue to build a winning culture rather than have a chance at a top young player who might or might not live up to his potential.

“If you ever lose that culture, you’re set back for years – and one player can’t even help you get out of it,” said Desjardins.

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?

 






  

NHL predictions not to live by in 2016

Predictions about the Vancouver Canucks and other NHL matters that you can't take to the bank or live by as 2016 unfolds ...

1. Willie Desjardins will make the Canucks a better team.

Desjardins has been maligned for his extensive use of goaltender Ryan Miller, who is just coming back from an injury, line combinations and late-game coaching tactics. But the funny thing is that the Vancouver Canucks coach still has his team challenging for a playoff spot in a Pacific Division in which everybody but Los Angeles has struggled. Despite a plethora of injuries and some bad spells, Desjardins has figured out a way to muddle through at the worst of times -- despite a blatant lack of production from veterans. He has done so while deploying numerous young players who have made their NHL debuts.
Predecessors John Tortorella and Alain Vigneault, who were not inclined to trust young players, would have been hard-pressed to match his feats. Despite Tortorella's comment that veterans were "stale" as he exited Vancouver, the former Canucks coach refused to gamble on centre Bo Horvat and quickly shipped him back to junior. And, Torts is not doing much of anything with a youth-laden Columbus Blue Jackets lineup now.
Vigneault did not face as much pressure to go with youth while guiding the Canucks to a pair of President's trophies, and he received little recruiting help from former general manager Mike Gillis -- who struggled at drafting, to say the least. But it is doubtful that Vigneault would have had as much success as Desjardins.
Barring a total collapse, it says here, the Canucks will be in the playoff mix right until the end of the regular season. Years from now, players like Horvat, Sven Baertschi (who is starting to experience a career renaissance), Jake Virtanen, Alex Biega and Ben Hutton will be highly grateful for the help that they received from Desjardins in their early days in the NHL.
It remains to be seen how long Desjardins will stay in the league with them, because as the firing of his close friend Mike Johnston in Pittsburgh demonstrates, teams have little patience for bench bosses who get their first NHL head coaching jobs at the age of 57. (In case you have forgotten, both Johnston and Desjardins were 57 when hired.) But history now proves that Desjardins made an astute move by choosing the Canucks over the star-studded Penguins.
And, time will show that Desjardins, who has won a championship at every level at which he has coached, will make several more wily moves before leaving the Canucks bench.

2. Jake Virtanen will not be a liability.

Contrary to what many people might think, Canucks rookie Jake Virtanen is not a hot-head. Never mind the two penalties that he took on the same shift while playing for Canada against Finland at the world junior championships. While Virtanen admittedly let his emotions get the best of him on the second infraction, he is not likely to make the same mistake often.
Also, as demonstrated by his tying goal on Roberto Luongo in a comeback victory over the Florida Panthers, he can score at critical times. The marker, which came in the final two minutes of the third period, was definitely a goal scorer's goal.
Many have questioned why Virtanen has not been returned to junior, but the fact is that he can make an effective contribution while the Canucks continue to transition to a younger roster. Despite critics' complaints about a lack of production, he is producing a point roughly once every four games -- and several Vancouver vets would like to have that kind of efficiency.
Virtanen's numbers are not great, but still likely to improve by the end of the regular season as his confidence and playing time increase. Don't be surprised if you see him playing late in games more often.

3. The Canucks makeover is far from complete.

While Canucks GM Jim Benning has commenced his youth movement in earnest, his roster tinkering has barely begun. With veterans like Dan Hamhuis, Radim Vrbata and Chris Higgins (now in the minors) slated to become free agents and millions of dollars in salary cap space due to be cleared, Benning's next steps will involve the acquisition of more draft picks and high-priced veteran talent. The Canucks appear likely to be sellers at the trade deadline, while still attempting to secure a playoff spot.
First, the onus will be on unloading veterans as playoff rentals in exchange for draft picks, because other teams are not likely to surrender significant talent unless they want to -- and know they can -- sign Vancouver's castoffs.
In the offseason, Benning's primary aim will be to sign high-priced free agents, namely a stud defenceman and offensively gifted forward. Given the ongoing youth movement at centre, that offensive player is likely to be a winger. If Benning feels like gambling, he might also want to unload Miller, who has become increasingly prone to injury, at the deadline and free up $6 million that he is due to receive next season. Other clubs could be willing to pay a decent price for Miller as they seek post-season goaltending insurance. Otherwise, Benning will likely think hard about dealing him in the summer.

4. Steven Stamkos will be traded by the deadline.

It's getting too late in the game for Stamkos, who is due to become an unrestricted free agent, and the Tampa Bay Lightning braintrust to resolve their apparent rift. Stamkos is not even offering any platitudes about a desire to stay in Tampa if contract terms can be sorted out, and Lightning GM Steve Yzerman can not afford to let him walk for nothing.
The Lighnting captain's availability will cause seismic activity throughout the league, because some teams will be willing to pay a high price even if they can only get him for a Stanley Cup run. The ideal scenario would be for the Lightning to give Stamkos and his agent the chance to pursue a sign-and-trade deal.
Either way, Stamkos will likely get moved, and the trade will impact the Lightning and other teams beyond this season.
More than one team could be involved in a trade for him, and other clubs will likely make moves in response as they chase the Stanley Cup. With some blue-chip prospects available in this year's draft, high-end picks could also come into play and add to the deal's future impact on a number of teams.

5. The Toronto Maple Leafs will make several trades by the deadline.

See above re: Stamkos. The Leafs, who are looking to unload veterans and their big contracts, will likely be among the finalists in the bidding for Stamkos either at the trade deadline or through free agency. The Toronto native is an obvious franchise player to build around as coach Mike Babcock continues to implement a culture of winning and Leafs management aims to develop a younger, more talented roster.
By acquiring Stamkos before he becomes a free agent, the Leafs would have an exclusive period in which only they could negotiate a long-term contract with him. Also, the departure of veterans could help ensure that the Leafs finish low in the standings and get an early draft pick. Such a scenario might result in highly touted American prospect Auston Matthews or another world junior star heading to Toronto.
Babcock would not let the Leafs tank, but he wouldn't complain about a lottery pick.

Bieksa doesn't see himself leaving Canucks

Dan Hamhuis didn’t want to contemplate the question. Neither did Kevin Bieksa.
So the two Vancouver Canucks defencemen sidestepped the issue of whether they would agree to waive their no-trade clauses if asked by general manager Jim Benning.
“That’s something I never really thought of,” said Hamhuis as all Canuck players met with reporters Monday following their elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs over the weekend. “I’m not really prepared to give an answer on that. It’s something I’ll probably think about if it ever happens.”
Bieksa offered a slightly more elaborate response, but still made his feelings clear. He is not looking to go anywhere after the Canucks lost in 4-2 in their opening-round playoff series with the Calgary Flames.
“I’ve never had to cross that bridge before,” said Bieksa. “I haven’t heard it brought up by anybody in the organization. I know you guys are poking around. It’s your job. But that’s not something I really even need to respond to.”
Bieksa and Hamhuis came under criticism after the Canucks fell 7-4 in Saturday’s decisive sixth game. The two blue-liners and others were blasted for allowing the Flames to overcome a 3-0 lead. Bieksa, who has spent his entire NHL career with the Canucks, said he has never been asked to waive his no-trade clause.
“My loyalty has always been to this organization and this city,” he said. “I love playing here. I don’t see anything else changing.”
The questions came up as critics called for the Canucks, who returned to the playoffs this season after missing out in 2013-14, to get younger in order to keep up with the Flames and other Western Conference rivals in the chase for a championship. But Bieksa and others said getting younger is not the sole solution to contending for the Stanley Cup.
“I don’t think you have to rebuild anymore,” said Bieksa. “I think you’re able to be competitive every year. I don’t think youth is always the answer. I don’t think making the team younger is going to help us get over the hump. You need the best players, regardless of how old they are.”
Henrik and Daniel Sedin, who were among the NHL’s top scorers in the regular season, echoed his sentiments as the issue of their ice time continued to come up. Last week, coach Willie Desjardins was blasted for not playing them enough. Monday, skeptics suggested the club might benefit if younger players get more action and increased offensive responsibilities.
But the twins tried to put the season in perspective despite Saturday’s disappointing loss. The Canucks finished second in the Pacific Division after sitting on the sidelines during the 2013-14 post-season.
“It’s a small step but a good step in the right direction,” said Henrik Sedin.
“As disappointing as it is, I think people should be excited about the future,” added Daniel Sedin.
They also dismissed the notion that the Canucks core, which was criticized by former coach John Tortorella last year as being stale, no longer has the skills needed to win the Stanley Cup within the next few seasons.
“We have no plans of getting any worse,” said Henrik Sedin. “We’re not young anymore, but we showed this year we can still be a big part of the group. We can play well, and I don’t see that changing in the next couple of years.”
In other words, the Canucks need more than just a fountain of youth to help them win their first NHL title since entering the league in 1970.
Henrik Sedin is calling for the Canucks to use a mix of youth and veteran savvy to get closer to a Stanley Cup title.
“There’s different ways to mature," he said. "If you look at teams that won, they brought the young guys up and the young guys made a difference.”
“We’re not getting younger, but I think we can still play, and I think we showed it this year,” added Daniel Sedin.
He and his brother praised Desjardins, Benning and president of hockey operations as a long-term solution that can bring Vancouver a long-sought championship. Some changes are inevitable, though.
Goaltender Eddie Lack’s future is in question because of the presence of veteran Ryan Miller, who has two years to go on a contract that pays him $6 million annually. Lack is due to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2015-16 season, and the Canucks will likely want to get some assets in return rather than risk losing him for nothing. Forwards Brad Richardson and Shawn Matthias will become unrestricted free agents this summer, and it appears likely that Matthias, who had a career year, will sign for a higher salary elsewhere.
Richardson will spend the summer recovering from ankle surgery, and it also appears that his days in Vancouver are numbered following an injury-plagued season.
Many of the adjustments will occur around the time of the NHL draft and the opening of free agency in late June and early July.
“I think Jim (Benning) and Trevor (Linden) have a clear plan with what they want do with this team, and we have a lot of confidence in the management in that department,” said Daniel Sedin.
Henrik Sedin said people have to understand how tough it is to make the playoffs now, noting talented Los Angeles, San Jose, Dallas and Colorado teams missed this year’s post-season. So the Canucks must continue to improve. The Sedins said they are aware of Benning and Linden’s plan for improving the club, but it was up to the managers to discuss it.
“They know what they need to do, and we have confidence in what they’re going to do to make us better,” said Henrik Sedin.

Rookies making their mark in Flames-Canucks series

Rookies are making their mark in the Western Conference quarter final series between the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks.
The Flames planned to dress five first-year players, including wingers Sam Bennett and Johnny Gaudreau, for the second straight contest in Friday's Game 2. The Canucks were expected to dress at least two rookies, centre Bo Horvat and winger Ronalds Kenins.
"They’re stepping in and playing hard," said Canucks coach Willie Desjardins about the rookies on both clubs. "I just think that’s the way of the new players. The young players, they’re confident in their ability and they feel they can come in and play – not just have ice time, but make a difference.”
Bennett turned heads by assisting on Calgary's winning goal, with only 29.6 seconds left, in the first game. It was only Bennett's second career NHL game, after he drew an assist in the first minute against Winnipeg.
His performance in Game 1 drew rave reviews from Calgary coach Bob Hartley, teammates and opponents alike.
“It’s part of his personality," said Hartley. "You’re talking about a fearless kid, a kid who wants to learn, a kid who wants to compete. I really thank God that we got him in the lineup. He’s probably the biggest pain that I’ve ever coached. This year, every day he was coming to me. He wanted to be in practice. He wanted to be in pre-game warm-ups, stuff like this.”
Bennett, the fourth overall pick in last summer's NHL draft, has excelled after missing most of the season due to shoulder surgery and playing in the latter stages of the campaign with his junior team. He initially hid the injury while attempting to make the Flames in the pre-season.
"There (were) many reports that the kid was not a good worker and couldn't do pull-ups (at the NHL combine) or anything," said Hartley. "When your shoulder is broken in pieces, but you won't tell anyone because you are a competitor and you want to be there, I think that speaks volumes about his character.
“Apparently, his shoulder was fine,” continued Hartley. “But now, today, we know that it wasn’t fine. He wanted to make our team so bad that all the pain was not a problem. Once we got him checked by our team doctors and a specialist, there was no way that he could keep going without a surgery. That’s the kind of player that we need in this organization if we’re going to make some great strides forward. Yes, you need talent, you need speed, but you need character.
"This kid is full of dynamite.”
Teammate Sean Monahan, an old foe in years gone by, was not surprised by Bennett's play.
“I played against him in the OHL," said Monahan. "He’s a good player and he’s gonna be good for a long time.”
Horvat, who also played against Bennett in the OHL was also impressed with his effort in only his second NHL game. They used to square off while Horvat was with London and Bennett toiled for Kingston.
"He’s a special player. ... He’s definitely gotten stronger, and it seems like he’s gotten a little faster,” said Horvat.
Horvat, a 20-year-old Rodney, Ont., also impressed as he scored Vancouver's only goal in his first career Stanley Cup playoff game.
Gaudreau, a leading candidate for the NHL Rookie of the Year award, would like to do better after struggling in Game 1. But the pint-sized Salem, N.J., native, who plays on Calgary's top line, still appreciates the opportunity to take part in the playoffs in his first pro season.
“It’s exciting," said Gaudreau, a Boston College product who was considered a long shot to reach the NHL after being drafted by Calgary in the fourth round (104th overall) in 2011. "I never thought I’d be in this kind of position before."
He praised older teammates for showing the way for him and the four other rookies who started Game 1.
"Thankfully, I had a lot of help from teammates throughout the season, and they really put me in this position.”
Gaudreau, a former Hobey Baker award winner as the top collegiate player in the U.S.
But according to Flames winger David Jones, who scored their first goal in Game 1, the rookies provided guidance for Calgary's older players.
“Even for a lot of us veterans, we don’t have a lot of playoff experience," said Jones. "So we’re all sort of in the same boat. The young guys kind of bring new life to all of us. I’m always impressed every year when guys that are 18, 19, 20 years old come in and play big minutes. When I was (Sam) Bennett’s age, I was still in Junior A.
“Just to show that kind of poise, the kind these guys have, always impresses me.”

Willie Desjardins aims to keep Sedins fresh

Vancouver Canucks coach Willie Desjardins is not fazed by criticism over his use of stars Daniel and Henrik Sedin in the first game of their opening-round playoff series with the Calgary Flames.
“I think all our lines are playing pretty good,” said Desjardins as the Canucks prepared to face the Flames in Game 2 at Rogers Arena on Friday night. “And, I think we play our best when we’re fresh. Maybe they should have had a couple more minutes. Probably, it wouldn’t hurt. But there was times during the year when they had those minutes and we won, and everything was great because they weren’t given the minutes. We feel we’ve gotta work hard every night. There’s no sense burning them out (in) one game.”
Critics were quick to blast Desjardins for not using his top point producers more often as the Canucks lost 2-1 on a last-minute goal while the Sedins were on the bench Wednesday night. Daniel Sedin played 16:14, slightly more than two minutes below his season average of 18:21. Henrik Sedin played 17:29, about a minute less than his average.
But Desjardins plans to stick with his season-long practice of rolling four lines, a method which players have praised. Accordingly, the Sedins were not complaining about their reduced ice time.
“We wouldn’t be standing here talking about it if we had won,” Henrik Sedin said. “We would have been standing here saying, ‘We’re still fresh, they played a lot of minutes and can they keep up with us?’ So here we are.”
Earlier, Henrik drew chuckles when he told reporters: “We have always said we want to play 25 minutes. We did it last year and it didn’t work, so now we are standing here talking about us playing too little.”
The Canucks hope to make a strong run after missing the playoffs under former coach John Tortorella in 2013-14. Consequently, Daniel Sedin was not about to dispute his coach's strategy, either.
“It’s made us successful throughout the year, to roll four lines," said Daniel Sedin. "If we just keep doing that, the longer the series goes, we’ll be fresh – and I like that. You shouldn’t change what has brought you here.”

Dorsett and Sbisa looking forward to long stays in Vancouver

Derek Dorsett got the long-term deal he wanted from the Vancouver Canucks. Now, he’s looking to build a future for himself, his family and his team.
The winger was pumped Thursday, a day after signing a new four-year contract with an annual salary cap hit of $2.65 million. The contract is the longest of the 28-year-old Kindersley, Sask., native’s NHL career.
“Me and my agents talked about trying to get a long-term commitment and, obviously, Vancouver made that offer,” he said as the Canucks prepared to face the Arizona Coyotes. “So we’re very happy with it and glad to be staying in Vancouver. That’s for sure.”
His previous three contracts ranged from two to three years.
“It means a lot,” he said of the contract length. “The ownership and management group have been nothing but great to me and my family. It’s a first-class organization, and I couldn’t be happier anywhere else. Being in Canada and being in a Canadian market and, obviously, it being a childhood dream to play in a Canadian market, now I get to do it for four years and work towards the goal that everyone wants to accomplish here – and that’s to win a Stanley Cup.”
Dorsett joined the Canucks in an off-season trade from the New York Rangers and has established a strong affection for the city after his son Dylan was born here. He has become a mainstay on a nominal fourth line with rookie centre Bo Horvat and fellow centre Jannik Hansen.
The line has been prominent down the stretch as the Canucks secured a playoff berth after a one-year absence from the post-season.
Before Thursday’s contest, Dorsett had posted single-season career highs in points (25) and assists (18). He was leading the Canucks in hits (163) and his team-leading 169 penalty minutes ranked fourth in the NHL.
“Coming into a locker-room full of guys that you’ve had some pretty good wars against, it can be a little difficult and nerve-wracking,” he said. “But the guys opened the locker-room with open arms. It just shows what kind of leaders are on this team and the character of guys that are in this locker-room. It’s been a lot of fun this year. And, as soon as I got here, (seeing) how welcoming they are to me and my family, it just made me realize that I wanted to be here long-term.”
Dorsett has earned praise from coach Willie Desjardins and general manager Jim Benning for his physical ways and his willingness to stand up for teammates in altercations. In coming years, Dorsett, who has also played for Columbus, which drafted him from the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers, also hopes to become active with charitable causes in Vancouver and be more of a mentor to younger players.
“I still remember the first times I walked into an NHL locker-room star-struck at some of the guys that were walking around,” he said. “When I was in Columbus, you had the likes of Sergei Federov, you had Anson Carter, you had Michael Peca and Freddie Modin, guys like that. Walking around, you see them and you get caught in the moment. I can remember times when those guys made me feel welcome and always had time to chat with me; or if I had any questions, to show the way. So (mentoring) is something I take pride in. I hope I can do that for the next four years to some of the young guys. We’ve got some young talent coming up that will help this team win down the road, and it’ll be a fun role to take on.”
But first, there’s a Stanley Cup to play for this season. Dorsett is glad that he won’t be distracted by contract issues as the Canucks chase a championship.
“It’s an important time of year and it’s obviously a relief to get it over with,” he said.
Meanwhile, defenceman Luca Sbisa was also relieved that he could also focus on the playoffs after signing a new deal of his own. Sbisa signed a three-year deal with a yearly cap hit of $3.6 million Wednesday.
“From a personal standpoint, that’s huge,” he said. “(There were) a lot of question marks coming into this year. So it’s good to have the confidence of upper management, the coaches and all that to be here for another three years.”
Sbisa, 25-year-old Swiss product of Italian descent, was acquired from Anaheim at the trade deadline as part of the Ryan Kesler deal. After some early struggles, Sbisa has established himself as a regular. He solidified his spot after helping the defence corps get through a plethora of injuries with a strong run early in 2015.
“Joining a new team, you don’t really know where you fit in and all that, so I think it took me a while to get going,” he said. “The second half of the year, I started to play better. … When those injuries happened on the back end, obviously, that was a bad thing. But at the same time, it was an opportunity for some other guys in the room. I think that’s when I stepped up a bit and started to play better hockey. It’s nice to get rewarded with a contract.”
Benning did not give no-trade clauses to either Dorsett or Sbisa. But they are not going anywhere soon.

Richardson and Kassian in limbo as playoffs approach

Mum's the word on injuries as the Vancouver Canucks attempt to get into the Stanley Cup playoffs this week.
Centre Brad Richardson and winger Zack Kassian's status came up for discussion after Monday's morning skate in advance of key game against the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Arena. Canucks coach Willie Desjardins would clearly love to have them back as the post-season approaches, but he was in no mood to clarify their status.
“They’ve been off for a bit,” Desjardins understated. “I’m not going to talk about injuries. This is probably the last time I talk about them. Those are certainly injuries that we did not expect. I thought (Richardson) might play the game after he got hurt. So that injury’s been a long injury. I think, the Kassian one, every day you hope it might be better, and it just hasn’t come along like we hoped."
Richardson, a workhorse third-line centre whose game suits the playoff style, has been limited to 45 games this season because of a foot and ankle problem. He has played only two games since early January, managing a respectable eight goals and 13 assists in what can best be described as grinder and penalty-killing roles. Just when the 30-year-old Belleville, Ont., native thought he was back for the long haul, the injury flared up he played two games in mid-March.
Kassian was reviving his game when he was sidelined with apparent back troubles from which he suffered previously. He has the big body, speed, and physical game that coaches covet during playoffs. But the 24-year-old Windsor, Ont., native has not played since a March 14 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
When either Richardson or Kassian will return is anybody's guess. The Canucks conclude the NHL regular season with games Monday against the Kings, Thursday against Arizona and Saturday versus Edmonton.
"I won’t address it after this, but there are (injured players) that we expected to be back sooner," said Desjardins. "It turned out to be a little bit later than we thought it was going to be.”

Eddie Lack goes with flow amidst uncertainty about Ryan Miller's return

Eddie Lack has heard the reports, but he’s not paying them much attention.
Reports have indicated that Vancouver Canucks starting goaltender Ryan Miller will not return before the end of the regular season because of a knee injury suffered Feb. 22. That means Lack has a chance to be Vancouver’s starter come playoff time, presuming the Canucks qualify for the post-season.
But Lack is not willing to ponder a scenario which could see him between the pipes during Vancouver’s quest for the Stanley Cup. Instead, he is adopting an existential approach to life in the crease.
“I’m not looking at (Miller’s injury) differently or anything,” he said as the Canucks prepared to play the Columbus Blue Jackets at Rogers Arena. “I’m just trying to do my job every day and just take it game by game here and see where we end up. First of all, we have to make the playoffs, too.”
Lack, 27, who is only in his second full NHL season after three years in the Canucks’ minor-league system, has thrived during Miller’s absence, helping Vancouver hold on to a playoff berth amidst constant pressure from the Calgary Flames and Los Angeles Kings.
The chance of him matching the 41 games he played as a rookie as a result of the Roberto Luongo trade is increasing. But Lack remains unfazed as he works on perfecting his craft.
“I’m feeling good right now,” he said. “It’s just fun playing and coming to the rink every day and just battling and going to war every day with the boys.”
Sometimes the war includes a friendly verbal joust with teammates. Such was the case Thursday as defenceman Kevin Bieksa praised Lack, who is known for his sense of humour and playful nature, while also accusing him of being caught out of position at times.
“On the ice, he’s very mature – not so much off the ice,” said Bieksa. “But on the ice, he seems to be able to stay in the moment, not get too down when a goal is scored against him. He seems to be making the big saves at the right time, and he’s a battler first and foremost.
“He’s not going to like this, but he’s not always in position. But he battles and he throws everything he can to make a save, and he’s stolen a lot of points for his team.”
Lack, of course, disagreed with Bieksa, contending that the opposite is the case and he is usually in position.
Meanwhile, coach Willie Desjardins also refuted the reports that Miller will be out longer than expected.
“I think Ryan’s on track from everything that I’ve heard (from the team’s medical staff),” said Desjardins.
Miller has skated on his own, but not in his gear, as he rehabilitates his knee.
“He was out on the ice and I think he’s on track,” said Desjardins. “The good thing with where we are, we’re happy with the way Eddie’s playing. We don’t have to force (Miller) in or anything. But he’s on track. Nothing’s changed.”

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.