Kukla's Korner Hockey

Category: Vancouver-Canucks

All Daniel Sedin

by Paul on 04/16/13 at 05:36 PM ET
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from Katie Strang of ESPN,

STRANG: What can you say about the way your team has been playing?

SEDIN: I think we're playing well as a team. We've had a lot of injuries throughout the year and our power play hasn't been working that well, either, but we're just finding ways to win. I think that says a lot about our team. We have a lot of character on our team and our focus is on winning. We're not focused on personal stats or anything like that; it's about winning games.

STRANG: What do you think is most important in terms of gaining momentum heading into the playoffs? Sustaining confidence? Securing home ice?

SEDIN: I think home ice is always important but we're going to have a good chance of getting home ice if we play the right way and focus on doing the little things right. Then, the other things will take care of themselves. That's what we're focused on.

continued

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  Tags: daniel+sedin

Give The Sedins A Break?

by Paul on 04/14/13 at 09:58 AM ET
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from Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province,

Unlike last season when they had a consistent string of poor teams to play which gave them a lot of wins they didn’t have to work particularly hard to achieve given the goaltending Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider were providing, this season they have visits from a desperate Detroit team and the two teams ahead of them in the Western Conference. Those two happen to be the Chicago Blackhawks and the Anaheim Ducks, and on paper at least, that would seem to be the ideal way to prepare for the post season.

The question is how will these teams behave when it actually comes to playing the games, and we include the Canucks. Six days from now, Vancouver knows it will be playing a quality team — the Wings — still trying hard to qualify or improve it’s position in the playoff pecking order.

But when Chicago comes in, will they go all out to try to demonstrate their dominance over Vancouver or will they be resting the likes of Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews? There is certainly a strong possibility the Ducks will be giving their aging Euro stars Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu a little time off before the playoffs when they come in. The pace of play, travel, and play in the Western Conference in this shortened season is obviously difficult on anyone, much less a guy in his 40s and the lesser celebrated Finn approaching that milestone.

Chances are the Canucks won’t be resting the Sedins through these games given their history and the fact the coaching staff seems to be extremely traditional and unable to try something creative or different.

more

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It’s No Longer A Game, Instead It Is An Event

by Paul on 04/09/13 at 09:42 AM ET
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from Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province,

Perhaps the NHL has finally reached the level of the NBA in that all the distractions of dancing girls, mascots, contests in that league have been matched by the number of gimmicks at a hockey game. The actual on-ice affair was a sham of entertainment, the only artistry on display coming from the artful officials Kyle Rehman and Marc Joannette furiously finding ways to keep Phoenix as close as possible for as long as possible using any and all means at their disposal. Other than that it was pretty much excitement free, yet fans still seemed to be enjoying themselves.

So the big question that any long-time hockey observer or fan really has been asking him or herself lately really no longer comes into play. That question was: How long can they keep filling this place so many times at such high prices to watch such utter garbage entertainment? How long will fans pay over $300 to sit in club seats — even if it is corporate money in most cases — to watch Andrew Ebbett and Boyd Gordon go back and forth in front of them? You keep thinking that someone will wise up.

But then it finally dawns on you. That question is no longer relevant. The Canucks have reached the point where the game is purely incidental. The fans attending are doing so because it is one of the premier social events in this community, and to be able to afford to attend is a monumental status symbol. That's part of the reason why it's such a rush for any given fan to be shown on the big screen, so everyone can know you are in attendance and you are having a wonderful time whether you know Henrik Sedin from Cory Schneider.

more

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Video- Maybe The Longest Own Goal You Will Ever See

by Paul on 04/09/13 at 01:47 AM ET
Comments (2)

Dan Hamhuis gets credit for the goal.

 

Filed in: NHL Teams, Phoenix Coyotes, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
 

Video- Line Of The Day

by Paul on 04/03/13 at 08:45 PM ET
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Without a doubt it goes to Roberto Luongo. 

Many thought Luongo was headed to Toronto just minutes before the 3:00pm deadline expired, but a deal could not be worked out.

 

Watch the full Luongo press conference below...

Continue Reading »

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  Tags: roberto+luongo

Chris Higgins Signs Four-Year Extension With Vancouver

by Paul on 04/02/13 at 03:13 PM ET
Comments (1)

Word is $2.5M per year.

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  Tags: chris+higgins

Dallas Trades Derek Roy To Vancouver

by Paul on 04/02/13 at 12:35 PM ET
Comments (15)

 

Filed in: NHL Teams, Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: derek+roy

Four Teams Talking Luongo Trade With Vancouver

by Paul on 04/01/13 at 05:10 PM ET
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from TSN,

The Roberto Luongo watch continues, as Canucks general manager Mike Gillis told TSN on Monday that trade talks are continuing regarding the availability of the veteran netminder.

"We're talking to four teams with varying levels of activity and various proposals," Gillis told TSN's James Duthie.

Gillis's remarks came a day after Canucks assistant GM Laurence Gilman told TSN's Farhan Lalji that talks are "beyond the tire kicking stage" for Luongo.

However, Gillis added Monday that, "it might not be the right time" to trade him and suggested that it would be easier in the summer.

continued

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  Tags: roberto+luongo

What Happens If The Sedin Twins Decide To Leave Vancouver

by Paul on 03/31/13 at 09:29 AM ET
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from Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province,

Their contracts expire at the end of next season and, given that they’re still going strong, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them sign extensions from there to help make this process easier.

Then again, it might not make it easier at all for the team, depending on who is available as unrestricted free agents at the end of next season, or how the twins are playing at the time and how they look going into the future.

Lots of players have been extremely effective into their mid- and late-30s but the vast majority have not.

Going forward, if the Sedins want to stay on longer, they’ll almost certainly have to take less money.

But let’s say, for the sake of argument and illustration, they leave cold turkey next season.

read on

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Luongo Talk

by Paul on 03/29/13 at 11:02 AM ET
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from Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province,

If a draft pick and a low-rent prospect is all the Canucks are going to be offered for Roberto Luongo, they are not likely trading him, meaning, of course, he will play again in a Canucks uniform. Or rot on the bench.

Just days from the deadline, the Canucks seem to still believe they can get a player to help them immediately plus a piece, or even two, for the future.

It sure looks like wishful thinking this year anyway.

What they could be banking on is an offseason which is set to be the summer of the goalie. Call it The Great Goalie Scramble.

continued

Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: roberto+luongo

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