Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: A Week of Practice, Jannik Hansen Has More to Give The Vancouver Canucks get back to practice on Tuesday after two days off, preparing for weekend games against the Edmonton Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Thanks for the daily blogs, Carol!

“A lot of it is finding ways to break out,” Desjardins says. “We didn’t break out with quite as much control as we wanted. We have to work on that aspect of our game.”

The great and hilarious part of this quote is that game against Edmonton the other night likely topped any from last season terms of offense generated from breakouts or odd man rushes. The fact WD still thinks they can do more in his system is exciting. Even if this team does finish in the dreaded 9th spot in the West, at least they'll be entertaining to watch.

Thank you for the blogs that are not retreads, Carol. It is a very refreshing to read actual news and unbiased opinions as opposed to some homerism that we encountered in the not so distant past.
Please don't ever leave us...or we will find you(read in a stalker voice)

Thanks, Carol for the daily blogs!




The great and hilarious part of this quote is that game against Edmonton the other night likely topped any from last season terms of offense generated from breakouts or odd man rushes. The fact WD still thinks they can do more in his system is exciting. Even if this team does finish in the dreaded 9th spot in the West, at least they'll be entertaining to watch.
- Nucker101

I think this will be the most important factor for me this year, making the playoffs will be a bonus.

As a dad of 2.5 year old twin boys I can tell you exactly what happened to Hansen's game. He had twins!

His were born March 3, 2013 so they are just over 1.5 years old. Jannik has aged 10 years in that year and a half and slept approximately 25 minutes.

Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks: A Week of Practice, Jannik Hansen Has More to Give
The Vancouver Canucks get back to practice on Tuesday after two days off, preparing for weekend games against the Edmonton Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning.
- Carol Schram

Can you add some Conan the Barbarian videos this week when making a point? Thanks!

Thanks for the daily blogs, Carol!



The great and hilarious part of this quote is that game against Edmonton the other night likely topped any from last season terms of offense generated from breakouts or odd man rushes. The fact WD still thinks they can do more in his system is exciting. Even if this team does finish in the dreaded 9th spot in the West, at least they'll be entertaining to watch.
- Nucker101

Absolutely agree with this. I didn't even mind the much-loathed Edler drop pass because there was always variety in what they were doing

Absolutely agree with this. I didn't even mind the much-loathed Edler drop pass because there was always variety in what they were doing
- bezz44

No. I will throw my Edler jersey on the ice if he tries that god damn drop pass again.

If someone told me before the season started that two games in Hansen's play would be the biggest disappointment, I would have been pretty happy with that.

No. I will throw my Edler jersey on the ice if he tries that god damn drop pass again.
- CubanBuffet

Hansen's probably adjusting to his new role still. At first he was the consummate bottom 6 hound with a lot of bite and the occasional offence (I keep thinking back to that pre-season game one year where he jumped a guy who crashed the Canucks net). Then he was given some top 6 time, found some success with the twins and more offensive numbers. Now he's put back to the bottom 6 role again.

Hopefully he moulds into the Higgins-type all over the lineup guy, which is probably his highest potential at this point

If someone told me before the season started that two games in Hansen's play would be the biggest disappointment, I would have been pretty happy with that.
- CubanBuffet

Totally agree, Carol said it best. If a 2.5 million dollar player is the whipping boy for being overpaid then you really don't have any major issues yet(thankfully the masses haven't turned on Miller after just 2 freakin games).


I love how people want to basically move 2 or 3 of our bottom 6 guys so we can go back to rolling out Sestito/Lain/Archibald on the 4th line. Willie/Benning/Linden have constantly repeated that they'd like to roll 4 lines which makes sense considering the lack of a legit 2nd scoring line. You guys are going to have to get used to seeing guys who could e on many other team's 3rd lines on our "4th line". Because Willie doesn't really have a "4th line", it's pretty much a 3A and 3B line. Which this team needs to make up for the 2nd line, it's basically a cheaper way to make up for those extra lack of goals and also keeps the entire team more involved and fresh.

Totally agree, Carol said it best. If a 2.5 million dollar player is the whipping boy for being overpaid then you really don't have any major issues yet(thankfully the masses haven't turned on Miller after just 2 freakin games).


I love how people want to basically move 2 or 3 of our bottom 6 guys so we can go back to rolling out Sestito/Lain/Archibald on the 4th line. Willie/Benning/Linden have constantly repeated that they'd like to roll 4 lines which makes sense considering the lack of a legit 2nd scoring line. You guys are going to have to get used to seeing guys who could e on many other team's 3rd lines on our "4th line". Because Willie doesn't really have a "4th line", it's pretty much a 3A and 3B line. Which this team needs to make up for the 2nd line, it's basically a cheaper way to make up for those extra lack of goals and also keeps the entire team more involved and fresh.
- Nucker101

If it takes the pressure off of Henrik and Daniel then we will see a great deal more success than we did last year. They make or break our team, and as we saw with Dallas last year, a great 1st line alone can get you into the playoffs

Totally agree, Carol said it best. If a 2.5 million dollar player is the whipping boy for being overpaid then you really don't have any major issues yet(thankfully the masses haven't turned on Miller after just 2 freakin games).


I love how people want to basically move 2 or 3 of our bottom 6 guys so we can go back to rolling out Sestito/Lain/Archibald on the 4th line. Willie/Benning/Linden have constantly repeated that they'd like to roll 4 lines which makes sense considering the lack of a legit 2nd scoring line. You guys are going to have to get used to seeing guys who could e on many other team's 3rd lines on our "4th line". Because Willie doesn't really have a "4th line", it's pretty much a 3A and 3B line. Which this team needs to make up for the 2nd line, it's basically a cheaper way to make up for those extra lack of goals and also keeps the entire team more involved and fresh.
- Nucker101

Miller sucks! Trade him for Luo... err, nevermind, Florida can keep him.

Personally, I don't see our second line as all that bad, it's not loaded with talent like a Pittsburg or Tampa Bay, but it's about average. If our 3 3rd lines can produce, does it really matter then?

If it takes the pressure off of Henrik and Daniel then we will see a great deal more success than we did last year. They make or break our team, and as we saw with Dallas last year, a great 1st line alone can get you into the playoffs
- bezz44

I'm still hesitant to proclaim the Sedins as PPG players after just 2 games against CGY/EDM though.

Miller sucks! Trade him for Luo... err, nevermind, Florida can keep him.

Personally, I don't see our second line as all that bad, it's not loaded with talent like a Pittsburg or Tampa Bay, but it's about average. If our 3 3rd lines can produce, does it really matter then?
- DariusKnight

Yeah, this is what I've been trying to say all these years where our 2nd line has been average or below average, you can make up an extra 10+ goals with strong bottom 6 with 2 lines that can actually play 10+ minutes a night.

I'm still hesitant to proclaim the Sedins as PPG players after just 2 games against CGY/EDM though.
- Nucker101

Not saying they will be great, or close to PPG, but an improved Sedin line will go a long way in putting us closer to a playoff spot

The scary part about this team is the defence or lack of. It’s also a solid reason not to be sold on a playoff appearance, just yet.

I have a big problem with the way our team is being coached. What is Willie doing? It's obvious that he's a rookie NHL coach because decisions being made are questionable at best.

Hanson is one of our best players and deserves more respect than is being shown by this coaching staff. He's trying to do too much out there to make up for the lack of preparation and glaring coaching mistakes. Willie should be listening to his players instead of trying to teach. Obviously hasn't shaken off the instincts of a minor league coach.

Kassian is one of the leagues premier power forwards. Playing him on the 3rd or 4th line is ludicrous. He's a predator and predators need time to hunt. Give him the ice time he's earned and watch opponents cower in the corners. Size and aggression wins in this league, not skill. Boston taught us that. Team management obviously has short memories.

Once again, Twins being played too much. Their skills are on the decline and it showed Saturday night. Selfish players. They have no idea how to use their teammates. Puck hogs extraordinaire. Might as well have kept Kesler and made him the captain. Kesler is the type of player you want your prospect to emulate. Not soft europeans.

What this team needs is a motivator, not a teacher. Most of these guys are vets and if they haven't learned the game by now they will never learn (that's a message to you Trevor and Jim). Big mistake firing one of the best motivators in NHL history. This team was on the right track, pieces were falling into place, and a new identity was being born. Torts is still on payroll right? Maybe it's not too late to right a wrong and get him back behind the bench.

So far, the start of this season has been a disaster.

I have a big problem with they way our team is being coached. What is Willie doing? It's obvious that he's a rookie NHL coach because decisions being made are questionable at best.

Hanson is one of our best players and deserves more respect than is being shown by this coaching staff. He's trying to do too much out there to make up for the lack of preparation and glaring coaching mistakes. Willie should be listening to his players instead of trying to teach. Obviously hasn't shaken off the instincts of a minor league coach.

Kassian is one of the leagues premier power forwards in the game. Playing him on the 3rd or 4th line is ludicrous. He's a predator and predators need time to hunt. Give him the ice time he's earned and watch opponents cower in the corners. Size and aggression wins in this league, not skill. Boston taught us that. Team management obviously has short memories.

Once again, Twins being played too much. Their skills are on the decline and it showed Saturday night. Selfish players. They have no idea how to use their teammates. Puck hogs extraordinaire. Might as well have kept Kesler and made him the captain. Kesler is the type of player you want your prospect to emulate. Not soft europeans.

What this team needs is a motivator, not a teacher. Most of these guys are vets and if they haven't learned the game by now they will never learn (that's a message to you Trevor and Jim). Big mistake firing one of the best motivators in NHL history. This team was on the right track, pieces were falling into place, and a new identity was being born. Torts is still on payroll right? Maybe it's not too late to right a wrong and get him back behind the bench.

So far, the start of this season has been a disaster.
- bloatedmosquito

Well someone had to come out and say it, glad you had the balls to do it.

I have a big problem with the way our team is being coached. What is Willie doing? It's obvious that he's a rookie NHL coach because decisions being made are questionable at best.

Hanson is one of our best players and deserves more respect than is being shown by this coaching staff. He's trying to do too much out there to make up for the lack of preparation and glaring coaching mistakes. Willie should be listening to his players instead of trying to teach. Obviously hasn't shaken off the instincts of a minor league coach.

Kassian is one of the leagues premier power forwards. Playing him on the 3rd or 4th line is ludicrous. He's a predator and predators need time to hunt. Give him the ice time he's earned and watch opponents cower in the corners. Size and aggression wins in this league, not skill. Boston taught us that. Team management obviously has short memories.

Once again, Twins being played too much. Their skills are on the decline and it showed Saturday night. Selfish players. They have no idea how to use their teammates. Puck hogs extraordinaire. Might as well have kept Kesler and made him the captain. Kesler is the type of player you want your prospect to emulate. Not soft europeans.

What this team needs is a motivator, not a teacher. Most of these guys are vets and if they haven't learned the game by now they will never learn (that's a message to you Trevor and Jim). Big mistake firing one of the best motivators in NHL history. This team was on the right track, pieces were falling into place, and a new identity was being born. Torts is still on payroll right? Maybe it's not too late to right a wrong and get him back behind the bench.

So far, the start of this season has been a disaster.
- bloatedmosquito

I forgot, it's Tuesday. Does the holiday push it to Wednesday like with garbage days?

I have a big problem with the way our team is being coached. What is Willie doing? It's obvious that he's a rookie NHL coach because decisions being made are questionable at best.

Hanson is one of our best players and deserves more respect than is being shown by this coaching staff. He's trying to do too much out there to make up for the lack of preparation and glaring coaching mistakes. Willie should be listening to his players instead of trying to teach. Obviously hasn't shaken off the instincts of a minor league coach.

Kassian is one of the leagues premier power forwards. Playing him on the 3rd or 4th line is ludicrous. He's a predator and predators need time to hunt. Give him the ice time he's earned and watch opponents cower in the corners. Size and aggression wins in this league, not skill. Boston taught us that. Team management obviously has short memories.

Once again, Twins being played too much. Their skills are on the decline and it showed Saturday night. Selfish players. They have no idea how to use their teammates. Puck hogs extraordinaire. Might as well have kept Kesler and made him the captain. Kesler is the type of player you want your prospect to emulate. Not soft europeans.

What this team needs is a motivator, not a teacher. Most of these guys are vets and if they haven't learned the game by now they will never learn (that's a message to you Trevor and Jim). Big mistake firing one of the best motivators in NHL history. This team was on the right track, pieces were falling into place, and a new identity was being born. Torts is still on payroll right? Maybe it's not too late to right a wrong and get him back behind the bench.

So far, the start of this season has been a disaster.
- bloatedmosquito

Oh yeah it is Tuesday. This team sucks. Trade everyone. Sedins need to skate better. We need a leader with toughness like RNH.

I'm still hesitant to proclaim the Sedins as PPG players after just 2 games against CGY/EDM though.
- Nucker101

Two games is a perfect sample size stop being so god damn fussy and just enjoy Bi-polar Tuesdays.

Well someone had to come out and say it, glad you had the balls to do it.
- Nucker101

Sorry to serve a heaping portion of reality to all the fan boys out there but we need to start looking at this team objectively.

And I find Tuesdays the best way to do this.

Two games is a perfect sample size stop being so gd damn fussy and just enjoy Bi-polar Tuesdays.
- Marwood

My bad. Stanley Cup here we come! Waive Miller, Kassian and Hansen!