Canucks ownership not veering from plan to remain ‘competitive’

Posted on December 30, 2015 by CanucksBanter

By Jason Brough Dec 30, 2015, 1:42 PM EST

In Buffalo, they prepared the fans for “suffering.”

In Arizona, they used the same word: “suffering.”

In Toronto, the word was “pain.”

In Calgary, it took a while, but the Flames finally admitted, “We are rebuilding.”

And, of course, we all know the path the Edmonton Oilers have taken. It’s netted them four first overall draft picks.

The Vancouver Canucks, in contrast, have taken a different approach to building what they hope is one day a Stanley Cup contender.

“We want to draft and develop well, but we want our young kids to learn how to play in a winning environment, so they learn the right way to play.”

That’s how GM Jim Benning put it in April. And that’s how he continues to put it today, despite Vancouver’s modest 14-15-9 record and the consensus that they are nowhere close to Cup contenders.

It’s also — and this is the important part — what Canucks ownership wants.

“They understand where we’re at,” Benning told The Province yesterday. “They’ve been supportive but they want to be competitive. I understand that.”

You’ll recall back in May of 2014 when the newly hired Benning called the Canucks “a team we can turn around in a hurry.”

That belief no doubt helped get Benning the job.

(A similar pitch may have helped John Tortorella get his short-lived job with the Canucks, though the Aquilinis vehemently denied through their lawyers that they were the driving force behind that ill-fated hiring.)

The big question in Vancouver is whether ownership’s pursuit of playoff revenue every year is folly. Because while the Canucks do have some good, young players, they don’t have a Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel.

Or, to put it another way, they don’t have a future Daniel Sedin or Henrik Sedin, the twins having been drafted with the second and third overall picks in 1999.

All this is why the Canucks will be interesting to watch as the trade deadline approaches. Despite their modest record, they could still make the playoffs. Nobody’s out of it yet in the Pacific Division.

So, let’s say the Canucks are still in the race come Feb. 29. Will they keep pending unrestricted free agents like Radim Vrbata and Dan Hamhuis? If healthy, those two could be worth a second-round draft pick each, if not more.

Of course, if healthy, Vrbata and Hamhuis could also help the Canucks make the playoffs, which the club maintains is the objective.

“Going into it, I knew what the job entailed,” Benning told The Province. “We needed to inject some youth and build up our prospect pool but we’re trying to be competitive and bring these kids up in a winning environment. Sometimes that’s a tough job.”

Others might call it something else.

Trying to have your cake, and eat it too.

Source: Canucks ownership not veering from plan to remain ‘competitive’ | ProHockeyTalk

Vancouver Completely Dominated By Kings In 5-0 Loss

Posted on December 29, 2015 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff December 29, 2015

CANUCKS SHUTOUT FOR FIFTH TIME

Vancouver (14-15-9) were completely dominated in the 2nd of four games against Pacific division opponents Monday night against the Los Angeles Kings (22-11-2), on their 7-game home stand.

The Canucks came into the game with a 3 game undefeated streak at home, and 7 points in their last 4 games, where they were undefeated going 3-0-1. Both came to an end as the Kings shutout Vancouver 5-0, the second shutout this season for Los Angeles against the Canucks.

With the loss, Vancouver sits tied for 3rd place in the Pacific division with Arizona with 37 points, 9 points behind the Kings in 1rst place.

Canucks are a single point ahead of San Jose and Calgary; four points ahead of Edmonton and five points in front of Anaheim.

Jacob Markstrom could not be faulted for any of the goals in the loss. With the loss, Markstrom is 3-6-3 in his last 12 games, with a 2.61 GAA and .917 Sv%. and is 2-1-0 in his last three games with a 2.29 GAA and .929 Sv% in relief for the injured Ryan Miller.

The Canucks entered the game hurting with Ryan Miller (undisclosed), Christopher Tanev (lower body), Dan Hamhuis (facial surgery), Luca Sbisa (hand), Brandon Sutter (sports hernia surgery) out indefinitely. Henrik Sedin, Chris Higgins and Alex Burrows back but ailing.

The Kings wasted little time in picking on one of the Sedins, and chose Henrik, who is playing through a lower body injury, as Brayden McNabb hit him hard, throwing an elbow. That resulted in Alex Biega coming to his teammate’s aid and taking McNabb on. The referees did not see the elbow and Biega was given the only penalty, and an early power play for the Kings that Vancouver would kill.

The Kings drew first blood scoring at 15:33 of the period on a goal by Tyler Toffoli (15) on wrist shot from Anze Kopitar (13) and Milan Lucic (12).

The Canucks were: out shot, 16-; 8 for 23 on face-offs; and had 4 giveaways
The Canucks did out hit the Kings, 7-6; and had 9 blocked shots to the Kings two. Radim Vrbata had 4 shots; Andrey Pedan and Henrik Sedin, 2 hits each.
Vancouver had one shot on the Kings after 10 minutes of play in the opening period, and were 3 for 14 face-offs halfway through.
Canucks were 0-1 on the power play; and 1 for 1 on the penalty kill.

Vancouver came out in the middle frame with more jump, getting some good scoring chances early, but quickly the Kings would take a 2-0 lead, changing the momentum of the game in the period.

Derek Forbort, his 1rst goal of the season, on a deflected shot, that also went off Andrey Pedan’s skate, and past Jacob Markstrom. Assisted by Trevor Lewis (3) at 1:57.

The Kings would make it 3-0, with their second goal of the period, on a goal by Brayden McNabb, his 2nd goal of the season,on a slapshot from the left point, assisted by Anze Kopitar (14) at 11:57.

And 3-0 Los Angeles would be the score at the end of the middle frame.

Canucks were: out shot 10-9; only won 4 of 16 face-offs; had 3 giveaways; were 0 for 1 on the power play
Vancouver had only won one face-off win by the 15 minute mark of the period.

In the third period, the Canucks knew they would face an uphill battle against Los Angeles, and Los Angeles would squash any hope of a Canuck rally, when they scored their fourth unanswered goal at 5:55 of the final frame.

Tyler Toffoli, his 16th of the season, second of the game, on a wrist shot, assisted by Anze Kopitar (15) and Alec Martinez (10), making it 4-0 Los Angeles.

Tyler Toffoli would pick up his hat trick goal and make it 5-0 for the Kings, a power play goal, on a deflected shot, at 12:56 assisted by Anze Kopitar (16) and Drew Doughty (16). It was his second career hat trick and 17 goal of the season.

Vancouver got their third and fourth power play opportunities of the game late in the period, and hope abounded that the Canuck could spoil the shutout bid by Jonathan Quick. But the Canucks would not be able to do it.

GAME REVIEW

CANUCKS PLAYER STATS

WESTERN CONFERENCE WILD CARD STANDINGS

Statistics courtesy of the NHL, and the Vancouver Canucks, with thanks.

Vancouver Attempts To Dethrone Division Leading Los Angeles Kings Tonight

Posted on December 28, 2015 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff December 28, 2015

Henrik Sedin, Alex Burrows, Chris Higgins To Play Tonight

Vancouver (14-14-9) plays the 2nd of four games against Pacific division opponents tonight as they host the Los Angeles Kings (21-11-2), on their 7-game home stand.

The Canucks enter the game with a 3 game undefeated streak at home (6-6-3), and 7 points in their last 4 games, where they are undefeated going 3-0-1; the last win being on Boxing Day, 2-1 in overtime against the Edmonton Oilers.

Jannik Hansen notched two goals to lead Vancouver to victory. His game winning goal puts him 20th for most GWG’s in franchise history with 16. Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Matt Bartkowski and Jacob Markstrom each had an assist. Vancouver was 3 for 3 on the penalty kill but 0 for 2 on the power play. Adam Cracknell had 8 hits in the game, a season high for any Canuck. Jacob Markstrom stopped 32 or 33 shots.

This marks the longest winning streak at home this season; last year the Canucks posted one four game winning streak (Feb. 7-Mar. 1) at home and two three game winning streaks at Rogers Arena (Apr. 6-11 and Oct. 26-30).

Vancouver sits tied for 3rd place in the Pacific division with Arizona with 37 points, 7 points behind the Kings in 1rst place.

Canucks are a single point ahead of San Jose and Calgary; three points ahead of Edmonton and four points in front of Anaheim.

Vancouver is 5-4-1 in their last 10 games.

The game is the third of five meetings this season between the two teams and first to be played in Vancouver. The Kings visit Rogers Arena again on Apr. 4. The Canucks pay a visit to the Staples Center on Mar. 7. The Canucks have a record of 1-0-1 in the season series to date.

Henrik Sedin, Alex Burrows and Chris Higgins are confirmed to play tonight.

Jacob Markstrom will start in net for the Canucks with Joe Cannata backing him up.

Markstrom is 3-5-3 in his last 11 games, with a 2.33 GAA and .924 Sv%. and is 2-0-0 in his last two games with a 0.97 GAA and .967 Sv% in relief for the injured Ryan Miller.

In the Kings last game, Arizona managed to score twice on a major penalty late in the third period to force overtime against the Los Angeles Kings, but it would be the Kings scored the eventual winner. Anze Kopitar popped in the winner 36 seconds into the overtime period, for a 4-3 victory.

Los Angeles is 6-3-1 in their last 10 games.

The Canucks need to tighten up their defensive game, giving up less even strength shots to their opponents and win more face-offs, while getting more shots on opposing goalies.

Canucks were 32 for 66 in the face-off circle against Edmonton; 12 for 25 in the final period and overtime. Which is an improvement over previous games.

Vancouver also needs to come up with an improved power play which has been a let down in recent games. Canucks power play is 0 for 13 in their last seven games, including the 6 games on their recent road trip. The 7 games prior, it was only 4 for 30. In the last 14 games, their power play is 4 for 43 for 9.3 percent.

When it comes to the penalty kill, Vancouver is second best in the Pacific division at home, and continued that strong showing on Saturday night when they were 3 for 3 on penalty kill, which will need to continue to be strong the rest of the season.

Vancouver is 17 for 20: 85.0% on their penalty kill, in their last 4 games, in which they sport a record of 3-0-1.

Vancouver overall is the 3rd most penalized team in the NHL, with 438 minutes. They have the 3rd most penalties handed out (172); the 3rd most minors (148); tied for the 6th most majors (14); the 2nd most miscellaneous at 6.

The Canuck players have to be more disciplined and selective when it comes to taking penalties.

In December, Vancouver is the 2nd most penalized team in the league with 158 penalty minutes in 12 games. They are tied for the most penalties taken with 63; are 1rst in most minors with 56; tied for 5th majors with 4.

Be best for Vancouver not to upset the referees, but if they do, the penalty kill is nearing the best it has ever been. The Canucks are 41 for 49, 83.7% in 12 games this month and 21 for 24 in their last five games for 87.5 percent.

CANUCK JOTTINGS

Point Streaks:
- DANIEL SEDIN (2-1-3 / 3 Games)
- HENRIK SEDIN (0-2-2 / 2 Games
Daniel Sedin (133) and Radim Vrbata (130) rank seventh and eighth in the League, respectively, in shots.
Vancouver has a .667 win percentage when scoring three or more goals (10-1-4).
The Canucks 21 PPG on the season are t-16th most in the NHL
Vancouver has had 122 power play opportunities to date, tied for fourth most of any team in the League; 69 of these opportunities have been drawn on the road (t-1st in the NHL).
The Canucks are 16th in the League in blocked shots with 496 and ninth in shots for with 108.
The Canucks called up blue-liner Ashton Sautner from Utica (AHL) yesterday although, for the time being, that appears to be just a depth move.
On Saturday, despite seven regulars out of the line-up including starting netminder Ryan Miller, the Canucks managed to battle back from a one-goal deficit to earn their first overtime win of the season in the 2-1 victory over the Oilers.
Canucks have earned points in four straight (3-0-1), their longest such streak since a five-game run from October 24 to November 2.

SEASON SNAPSHOT

CANUCKS PLAYERS STATS

KINGS PLAYERS STATS

CANUCKS-KINGS AT A GLANCE

Statistics from the NHL, Vancouver Canucks and SportingCharts, with thanks.

Hansen Scores Winner In Overtime As Canucks Defeat Edmonton 2-1

Posted on December 26, 2015 by CanucksBanter

CANUCKS BANTER By Andrew Chernoff December 26, 2015

Updated: December 27, 2015 10:52 am PST

HOCKEY GODS SMILE ON VANCOUVER AS THEY WIN FIRST OVERTIME GAME OF SEASON

The Vancouver Canucks (14-14-9) won their 3rd consecutive home game, and are undefeated in their last 4 games, as they beat Pacific division opponent Edmonton Oilers (15-18-3) by a score of 2-1 in overtime.

It was the Canucks first overtime win of the season, and the first overtime goal by Jannick Hansen, who scored the winner with less than a minute left in overtime. It was his second goal of the game, and 12th of the season.

Hansen’s goal was that more amazing as he left the game with a minute left in the final period with a facial laceration when his forehead violently hit the crossbar of the Edmonton net on a scoring attempt.

Jacob Markstrom stopped 32 of 33 shots, and had a .970 Sv%.

Markstrom is now 3-5-3 in his last 11 games, with a 2.33 GAA and .924 Sv%.

FIRST PERIOD REVIEW

Vancouver came out in the opening period a little rusty from the Christmas break, giving the puck up a few times and Edmonton had some good scoring chances.

And a giveaway would hurt the Canucks, as Vancouver gave up the puck on their blue line, leading to Edmonton opening up the scoring early in the last half of the opening period.

Mark Letestu, his 4rth goal of the season, made it 1-0 Edmonton, on a wrist shot, assisted by Lauri Korpikoski (3) and Matt Hendricks (4) at 12:55. Letestu came in on Markstrom off the Vancouver blue line, took his time, and buried the puck, to give the Oilers the lead.

There was no further scoring after one period.

Vancouver was 12 for 22 in the face-off circle: Linden Vey, 4 for 4; Bo Horvat, 3 for 5; Henrik Sedin, 4 for 9; Jared McCann, 1 for 4.
Canucks continue to be out shot by opposing teams, as Edmonton out shot the Canucks, 13-6. Radim Vrbata had 4 shots for Vancouver. Defensemen Yannick Weber and Alex Biega the other two shots.
Vancouver had 4 giveaways, one leading to the Edmonton goal. Canucks out hit the Oilers, 8-2 with Adam Cracknell and Andrey Pedan having 2 each.

SECOND PERIOD REVIEW

Canucks came out better in the middle frame, as Bo Horvat caused some excitement in the first minute as he came down the left wing with a burst of speed on Cam Talbot in the Edmonton net, and the Canucks swarmed the Oiler net looking for that tying goal.

Vancouver would eventually score a few minutes later, on an Edmonton turnover, as Jannick Hansen, on a pass from Henrik Sedin (24), would score his 11th goal of the season, on a wrist shot past Talbot, with Daniel Sedin (21) getting the other assist, at 3:37.

A few minutes later the Oilers would make Markstrom come up with some great saves as the Canucks were trapped in their end. At the seven minute mark of the period, shots were 5-4 Edmonton. Edmonton 5 for 7 in the face-off circle.

At the 8 minute mark of the period, it was discovered that Henrik Sedin was favoring his lower body. His brother would have to to take a face-off for him in their end, after which he was replaced by Bo Horvat.

Vancouver pressed Edmonton for nearly two minutes to start the last half of the middle frame, including getting a goal post, as Edmonton unable to get the puck out of their own end. At the end of it all, the Oilers did get the puck out of their end, and Ryan Nugent Hopkins broke away in the netural zone, and came in on Markstrom, on a great scoring chance, that was thwarted by a slash from Yannick Weber.

The first penalty of the game resulted in an Oiler power play at 11:44, which Vancouver would kill with no shots on Markstrom.

Edmonton would continue to have problems breaking out of their own end as Vancouver continued to put pressure on the Oilers in the offensive zone.

Vancouver would get their first power play at 16:55 when Leon Draisaitl would trip Sven Baertschi. Thirty-seven seconds after that penalty ended, Edmonton would receive another penalty, at 19:32 to Darnell Nurse for holding Linden Vey.

Both teams finished the period tied 1-1.

Vancouver out shot Edmonton 11-9; but still were being out shot after two full periods, 22-17.
Radim Vrbata led the Canucks with 5 shots after two periods.
Vancouver was 20 for 41 in the face-off circle after two; 8 for 19 in the middle frame. Henrik Sedin was 0 for 2; Bo Horvat, 6 for 7; Daniel Sedin, 0 for 4; Linden Vey, 0 for 2; Jannick Hansen, 2 for 2; Jared McCann and Derek Dorsett were both, 0 for 1, in that period.
Canucks out hit Edmonton, 10-5.

THIRD PERIOD REVIEW

Vancouver started the final frame with the power play for 1:28, but once again, the Canucks were fruitless, and their power play became 0-2 for in the game; 2 for 29 in their last 11 games (including tonight’s game).

Canucks continued to get chances but kept missing the net with their attempts. By the 6:33 mark of the period, the Canucks would register one official shot on net, many attempts going everywhere else but on net.

With Vancouver carrying most of the play, Henrik Sedin would take a penalty at 8:04, giving Edmonton another power play opportunity, as he hooked Leon Draisaitl. Canucks would kill the penalty.

With just less than 10 minutes left, the Oilers were out shooting the Canucks 26-20 but Vancouver was definitely out chancing Edmonton, as they continued to make a habit of missing the net.

Vancouver would take a careless power play with just over seven and a half minutes left in the game, as rookie Jared McCann would hook Taylor Hall behind the Canuck net.

On the penalty kill, Adam Cracknell grabbed an errant puck at the Vancouver blue line and went in on the Edmonton goalie on a two on one and passed it off to Brandon Prust who was unable to bury the puck on the shorthanded attempt.

Edmonton would be 0 for 3 with the man advantage as Vancouver would make it 36 for 43 (84 per cent) on their penalty kill in their last 11 games (including tonight’s game).

Henrik Sedin continued to play at less than 100%, unable to take face-offs, staying out of the physical play.

With a few minutes left in the game, the Oilers tested the Canucks with a flurry of scoring attempts in their own end, coming close to getting the tie breaking goal.

Jannick Hansen had a scary moment when he hit his forehead on the crossbar of the Edmonton net with just over a minute left in regulation play, on a scoring play that was unsuccessful. Hansen would leave the game to get medical treatment for a facial laceration.

Regulation play would end, with both teams tied at 1-1, needing overtime to attempt decide a winner.

OVERTIME REVIEW

The speed of the Oilers was obvious as the 3 on 3 overtime started, and they soon began pressing for the overtime winner, with the Canucks having difficulty in gaining the puck and moving it out of their own end.

Vancouver would finally make it into the Edmonton end, and move the puck around. Yannick Weber had a great opportunity to win the game but was stopped cold by Cam Talbot in close

But it would take the return of injured Jannick Hansen for Vancouver to win the game in overtime, as he came down the right side, over the Edmonton blue line, and let a slap shot go that Talbot could not stop, giving the Vancouver Canucks a 2-1 overtime win at 4:01.

It was Hansen’s 12 goal of the season, second of the game, assisted by Matt Bartkowski (7) and Canuck goalie Jacob Markstrom (1).