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CANUCKS HOCKEY BLOG

Sunday, September 11, 2005

Canucks Acquire Craig Darby, Invite Jason Doig to Camp

In another depth move, the Vancouver Canucks acquired Craig Darby from the Tampa Bay Lightning for future considerations. His TSN scouting report:

Assets: Is rarely caught out of position and makes good decisions on the ice. Has excellent defensive instincts, above-average hockey sense and good size for the center position.
Flaws: Has always lacked skating ability. It's held him back offensively and is a big reason why he's not an NHL regular.
Career Potential: Reserve center.

Kind of a strange signing for the Canucks as the team's style at both the NHL and the AHL level favors strong skaters. Darby is most likely destined for the Moose - he hasn't played a full season in the NHL since 2001 - but he should be able to play the odd game with the 'Nucks.

According to the Province, the team also invited defenseman Jason Doig to training camp. A big defenseman notorious for his open-ice hits, Doig played in the top-4 for a weak Washington Capitals defense. His TSN scouting report:

Assets: Has terrific skating ability to go along with ideal size for a defenseman. Looks like a complete defenseman in terms of physical tools.
Flaws: The whole does not equal the sum of his parts. Lacks the hockey sense to thrive at the NHL level. Needs to start making the most of his opportunities.
Career Potential: No. 6 or 7 defenseman.
If Doig makes the Canucks, he gives the defense the physical element they are lacking. He most likely won't be expected to play the same minutes as he did with the Caps, but this may be to his advantage as he is known to be occasionally subject to mental lapses. Maybe playing less minutes in a bottom-six role will help.

At any rate, his presence at training camp boosts the number of NHL-caliber defensemen to six - Ohlund, Jovanovski, Salo, Allen, and McCarthy are the others. With Baumgartner, Bieksa and Butenschon also fighting for a roster spot, the battle for the bottom pairing should be very competitive and interesting.
posted by J.J. Guerrero, 7:45 PM

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