I won't say the troubles are gone but at least in some sort of remission. Before the final whistle last night I would not have wished that kind of game on Vancouver, especially against a team 16-1-1 when leading after two periods.
Simply put-that was the kind of win a fragile team like Vancouver needs. The confidence is growing within the team in all but a few. Before I get to the fun stuff I want to talk about 4 players: Mitchell, Raymond Bieksa and Luongo.
Willie Mitchell is fighting the puck something fierce right now. On the Wagner goal he didn't see Bernier go for a loop (the real problem) and stayed back and didn't take the shot. On several occasions when going back for the puck he could have rang it off the glass or around the boards and up but held on only to get tied up against the boards. Furthermore he is having trouble reading plays coming to him and appears to be fighting natural instinctive defensive play. This is not typical hockey from Willie, and I hope it improves as most of the team has moved on from poor habits and tendencies.
Mason Raymond is an enigma to me. Although not a bad game for him, just not a good game which is all the team seems to get from him recently. I don't believe Raymond has enough hockey sense to use his speed appropriately. Too many times he charges up the boards into the corner with no offensive plan in sight. If I were AV and co. I would get him to look at some video of the Courtnall brothers- 'snot wiping' forwards if there ever were any. Let him see that it is okay to use the speed for space and then shoot. Mason needs to read the D better and take the space they give him and shoot or go by and shoot, there's a lack of activity with the puck and that must change.
Kevin Bieksa finally played the style of game that got him his current contract. When Bieksa plays with a chip on his shoulder and shows emotion good things happen with Vancouver. The guy is an under-rated fighter and strong as hell, playing nothing less than an aggressive game is not acceptable. Physical, emotional play from Bieksa translates into the offensive zone too and he had two key assists last night.
Roberto Loungo. With a GAA above 3 since his return we are not seeing the Luongo we expect right now. Wagner's goal was soft and so was McDonald's. Boyes' may have been preventable too. There are two thoughts about Luongo: one he needs 10-12 games to get his groove and timing, two he isn't 100% but no one knows about it aside from him and the coaches. Vancouver cannot continue to score 5 goals a game- it is not realistic and at some point Lou has to win the game, this is how the team is built. I'm not calling him out but it's either in his head and play or his groin and play, I hope it is the former.
The new hot topic in Canucks' land is the Kesler, Sundin Demitra line (SKD) and Burrows with the Sedins, BSS line? Some such as our own Dr. Christian Troy are proponents of the latter and have begged for it but do not like the former. His view is such: if the team is to make the post season, Kesler as a shutdown man is more valuable than as a second line centre. What are your thoughts?
I'm of a different belief. When we drooled over a second line anchored by Sundin it was because it would change how the opposition played the defensive pairings. The Sedins would get a break or Mats and mates would. Finally the vision many of us had is materializing and it may be because of Kesler. His goal last night was because of two things, Sundin draws attention, Demitra likes to pass and Kesler moves his feet-Hinote lost his stick too which helped but I digress.
You know who that line looks similar too...the WCE. Big body, pseudo sniper (Demitra can shoot but does not do it enough) and a guy who can get the puck and grind it out and/or shoot- Kesler. I know it will be broken up in a heartbeat by AV when faltering but right now Kesler's value on that line is way higher than the 3rd line.
Going forward to the trade deadline what do you think is an easier move for Gillis to make, and what is easier for the team to adjust to, a role player for 3rd line or a well know top six name? From an asset management view point the former. From a team integration point the former, and from a risk management point of view the former. Historically speaking there are very few teams which have added the big player at the deadline and made the finals, those like Pittsburgh which do are the anomaly. I believe Danny Tolensky wrote a great blog about this last year- worth a look to find it.
If the Canucks are still in 7th or 8th spot within a week we will be buyers but now with a true functioning second line the new question is 'buyers of what?'
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