Friday, September 14, 2007
Camp Quick Links - 09/14/2007
I'm late for work so I'll comment more later. In the meantime, there's lots and lots and lots of Canucks coverage from training camp in today's MSM:
- Luongo unhurt in training camp collisions. (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Twins must redouble effort. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- This Dane's not great, but he sure is good. (Jason Botchford, Vancouver Province)
- Working on defensive depth. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Rypien ready to fight for job. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Less fighting, more skating at training camps. (Jim Jamieson, Vancouver Province)
- Old boys network begins to improve team. (Tony Gallagher, Vancouver Province)
- Fall guys. (Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun)
- Rick's letting Ryp. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Future, meet the present. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
- Now, it's all about fitness. (Sharie Epp, Victoria Times Colonist)
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: Ellington, Hansen, Linden, Luongo, Mitchell, Morrison, Naslund, Rypien, Sedin, Sharrow, training camp 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
Stories From Prospects Camp - 09/10/2007
By most accounts, Canucks Prospects camp has started to separate the men from the boys. Edler, Bourdon, Raymond and Hansen have had impressive camps, and even with the odd hiccup, they will most likely join the veterans at main camp later this week. But for the most part, there has been plenty of praise for the kids, fuelling hope - and expectations - that they can fill the two remaining roster spots on the team.
On Raymond and Hansen (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province):
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
On Raymond and Hansen (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province):
The only constant through three days of determining the dozen who will be promoted to main camp Thursday is the explosive play of right wingers Mason Raymond and Jannik Hansen.More on the rest of Prospects Camp:
While much ink has been spilled chronicling the battle between Edler and Bourdon for the seventh blueliner spot on an NHL roster that seems virtually set, the gaping second-line hole on right wing is fast becoming headline material.
Especially if the solution is found from within, rather than the trade route.
"For me, the best player on the ice [Sunday] was Hansen," said Vigneault. "He had a lot of speed and good moves. If he comes to main camp and does what he's doing now, then we'll have to see if we have a player."
- A few of the folks from HF Boards went to prospects camp and give their reviews. (HFBoards)
- Ellington inspired by brother's attitude. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Little hope for diminutive Coulombe. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Famous disappearing act not recommended. (Ed Willes, Vancouver Province)
- Hunt just happy to 'soak it all in'. (Sharie Epp, Victoria Times Colonist)
- Injury almost ended career. (Sharie Epp, Victoria Times Colonist)
- At this camp, age matters. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
- Goaltenders fight for their future. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
- Goaltending consultant sticks with prospects, fine-tuning Luongo comes later. (Ben Kuzma, Vancouver Province)
- Victoria is where it all begins. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
- Isbister expected to boost offence. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
- The Island is rooting for its favourite son, Willie Mitchell. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
- Watch for Canucks, coaches on and off the ice. (Brian Drewry, Victoria Times Colonist)
- Arena ready for Canucks. (Sharie Epp, Victoria Times Colonist)
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Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.
Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: Bourdon, Coulombe, Edler, Ellington, Grabner, Hansen, Hunt, Isbister, Mitchell, Raymond
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Stories From Prospects Camp - 09/08/2007
It's one day into Canucks Prospects Camp at Bear Mountain Resort, Victoria. Here are the stories coming out from camp so far:
- Prospects Camp Insider - Day One. (canucks.com)
- Prospects hard to tell apart for Canucks coach. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- One surprising Swede. (Elliott Pap, Vancouver Sun)
- Canucks prospects on display. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
- Blue-line a tough nut to crack. (Cleve Dheensaw, Victoria Times Colonist)
- Teen brings cheering section. (Sharie Epp, Victoria Times Colonist)
- Bieksa sees no fall-off in future. (Grant Kerr, Globe and Mail)
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Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Sunday, June 24, 2007
New to the Canucks Family
Despite a flurry of trade rumors leading up to this weekend's NHL Draft, the Canucks stood pat - with their draft picks anyway - and selected five players to add to their prospect pool.
With their first round pick (25th overall), the Canucks selected 6'1" center Pat White from Tri-City of the USHL. What NHL Central Scouting says about White:
A skilled forward with the ability to make a difference. Strong player with a physical presence. Plays tough in the corners and in traffic. Is good on the right wing and gets his wrist shot off with ease. Sometimes lacks urgency in his play.The Canucks are short on offensive prospects at the center position so to pick a player like White was not a surprise. From what I've read about him, he sounds like a Ryan Kesler-type with perhaps a bit more of a scoring touch. I like that.
Named Associated Press Player of the Year for Minnesota boys hockey in 2007. Named to the All-Tournament Team of the Class AA State Championships in 2007 after leading his team to the title game for the second consecutive year. Played 12 games with the Tri-City Storm of the USHL totaling nine points (8-1-9) in 2007. Will attend the University of Minnesota in the fall. Selected to play in the 2007 Under-18 World Championships.
With their 2nd round pick (33rd overall), the Canucks selected defenseman Taylor Ellington from the Everett Silvertips last season He's a Victoria native and lifelong Canucks fan, and yes, he's excited about being the prospect of putting on the jersey himself.
The inspiration for Taylor Ellington of Victoria to pursue his dream came at age 4.His NHL Central Scouting Report:
"I played road hockey wearing my Pavel Bure jersey," beamed the Everett Silvertips defensive defenceman, selected 33rd overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL entry draft Saturday.
"I'm shocked right now. You never expect a team you idolized to select you."
A stay-at-home defenseman that finishes his checks well. Good coverage and gap control. Able to jump into the rush and is good one-on-one. Needs to have more patience with the puck under pressure and needs to improve his conditioning.
Completed his third season with the Silvertips, helping them to their best ever regular-season. Posted 13 points (5-8-13) and a plus-five rating this season. Participated in the 2007 CHL Top Prospects Game. Was a member of Team WHL in the two-game Canada-Russia Challenge in 2006. Named as the Silvertips Most Improved Player in 2004-05.
With the Canucks need for more offensive prospects and local favorites Michael Repik and Oscar Moller still on the board, the immediate reaction to Ellington's selection mostly hasn't been favorable. He is considered a "safe" pick and may very well make the NHL some day; however since his upside is that of a depth defenseman, some feel that his selection at the 33rd overall spot was too early.
Peter Loubardias (Sportsnet) disagrees and loves the pick.
In assessing what the Canadian teams did, it’s impossible to tell at this point. I can tell you this, however, there wasn't one squad from this nation that didn't take at least two players that left me saying, “Do I ever like that pick!”I don't know much about Ellington myself, but if he turns out to be a solid defensive defenseman - even in a bottom-six pairing - I would be happy with his selection. With only six picks in the draft and four of them in the later rounds (from rounds five to seven), the Canucks weren't in much of a position to gamble. I would've loved Michael Repik at this pick, but I'll forget about it if Ellington turns into even a bruising Bryan Allen type.
Let’s begin in Vancouver; Taylor Ellington is a defenceman with the Everett Silvertips who gets better every time I see him.
The rest of the Canucks' picks include: Charles-Antoine Messier (5th round, 145th overall), Ilja Kablukov (5th round, 146th overall), Taylor Matson (6th round, 176th overall), and Dan Gendur (7th round, 206th overall).
After the draft, Dave Nonis then swung a couple of minor-league deals. First he sent Jesse Schultz to the Atlanta Thrashers for defenseman Jim Sharrow.
In Sharrow, the Canucks are getting a 22-year-old blue-liner who shoots right-handed and has two seasons of pro experience under his belt. Sharrow is expected to play in the American Hockey League.Next he acquired Ryan Shannon from the Anaheim Ducks for Jason King and a conditional third round pick.
"He's a big guy that has a good shot," said Tambellini. "Our guys see some long-term upside in him."
In Shannon, the Canucks are hoping a change of scenery may spark the speedster. Same goes for the Ducks. Randy Carlyle coached King in Manitoba.I like this trade for the Canucks. King was never going to play in the Canucks organization again. At least the Canucks were able to get an asset in return for him. Here's Shannon's TSN scouting report:
"They [Ducks] were looking for a change for Ryan and we think he has a chance to be an NHL regular, but it's not a lock," said Nonis. "We think he has some upside and he definitely has a second gear -- he's one of the fastest in the league but his size may be a factor."
Assets: Skates extremely well and owns excellent shiftiness. Has defensive polish and offensive upside. Can play either center or wing.Oh... he also has one Stanley Cup ring more than this entire Canucks team combined.
Flaws: Is smallish even for the 'new' NHL. Must continue to work on his play without the puck in order to receive quality ice time at the highest level.
Career potential: Third line forward.
(Patrick White's and Taylor Ellington's photos from canucks.com.)
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Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.
Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks
Labels: Ellington, NHL Draft 2007, Shannon, Sharrow, White
