Kukla's Korner Hockey
Entries with the tag: Ryan Kesler
Kesler’s Time Of Year
by Paul on 05/01/13 at 12:11 PM ET
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from Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province,
“I’ll relish whatever role they put me in,” said Kesler. “If they want to load up the top six, I’ll definitely play the wing and succeed there. It’s that competitive level in me that you want to be better than the guy across from you. That doesn’t change from position to position. It’s a fun time of year, and I’m really excited about it.”
He should be. The Chicago Blackhawks have to shoulder the Presidents’ Trophy burden, and there’s a big championship buzz around the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Northwest Division champions have their own demons, knowing that five-game exit to the Los Angeles Kings last spring is a scab their detractors pick at because of a narrowing window to win it all.
“We’re healthier, and to be honest, I don’t think we were ready for the grind last year,” Kesler admitted of starting the first-round series without the concussed Daniel Sedin.
“We know what it takes to get to a final and Game 7 of a final. We’re hungry this year, and I can feel the energy in the room. I see how bad guys want it.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Kesler Out With A Fractured Foot
by Paul on 02/27/13 at 05:09 PM ET
Comments (2)
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Vancouver Needs The Good Kesler
by Paul on 02/15/13 at 11:40 AM ET
Comments (1)
from Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province,
Vigneault said he has Kesler in the lineup, on the second line, on the team’s first power-play unit, and will need him to pick up the faceoff slack left by Manny Malhotra, who was, well, told to go home.
Is that all? Good luck with managing those minutes.
Kesler said he wouldn’t come back unless he’s 100 per cent. So, he must be ready to reprise his role as the team’s heart and soul. Right?
He doesn’t plan to change the way he plays, either. You know, the often daring-but-reckless, gutsy-but-risky style that, when he’s on, can look like he’s driving a stock car and taking turns just a little too fast.
It’s made him oh-so productive when he’s healthy, but oh-so disappointing when he’s injured. Quite the quandary. But Kesler said he doesn’t see any other way.
“The way I play is the reason I’m successful,” Kesler said. “I’m not one of those guys who is going to get by on their skill alone. I have to be one of the hardest-working guys out there.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Kesler Practices, Return Date Appears Close
by Paul on 02/04/13 at 09:23 AM ET
Comments (1)
from Steve Ewen of the Vancouver Province,
He said that there was no timeline on his return, although he will be travelling with the team for the upcoming road trip, which sees them visit the Edmonton Oilers on Monday and the Minnesota Wild on Thursday.
He said that he needed to work on his strength and timing and “feeling comfortable in one-on-one battles.”
“I had to be patient,” he said of returning to practice with the team. “That was my biggest thing. I had to keep telling myself ‘baby steps.’ It’s a process and you can’t get ahead of the process.
“I still have to be patient. There’s still a long way to go.”
Coach Alain Vigneault seemed more positive, saying that he thought Kesler had “an opportunity to come help us after a couple of practices.” He did add that coming on the road trip was part of that process, so it seems unlikely to see him play in Minnesota, let alone Edmonton.
Kesler did seem to have plenty of jump and didn’t appear to be holding back when shooting the puck.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Kesler’s Rehab Slowed, Months Away From Playing
by Paul on 12/13/12 at 09:30 PM ET
Comments (5)
from Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province,
Ryan Kesler's return from offseason shoulder and wrist surgeries has been pushed back several months, according to his agent. The Vancouver Canucks beg to differ on the extent of that timeline provided by Kurt Overhardt, but it's not a stretch for anyone to suggest that the centre won't be back next month as forecasted earlier this fall.
When Kesler was re-evaluated two weeks ago at the Cleveland Clinic to assess progress from a May 8 procedure on his left shoulder and June 27 surgery on his left wrist, it was determined the rehab load placed on one side of his body was taking a toll and that progress has been slow.
"The re-evaluation was positive in that the surgeries were successful," said Overhardt. "However, the compounding nature of both of those surgeries being on the same side of the body, it's been very hard to properly rehab either one of the them — particularly the shoulder — because that's obviously a big deal.
"I don't think it's fair to have any sort of time frame when he's going to be 100 per cent and cleared to play. I don't have a crystal ball and it's certainly months away, it's not weeks away. It's several months away."
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Kesler Won’t Be Ready To Play Until Early 2013
by Paul on 10/01/12 at 06:46 PM ET
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from Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province,
Ryan Kesler’s targeted return from offseason left shoulder and wrist surgeries has been pushed back to January — a month later than what the Vancouver Canucks centre predicted during the summer.
“That was before the (June 27) wrist surgery,” Kesler said Monday, following his first on-ice rehabbing session at UBC with Canucks strength and conditioning coach Glenn Carnegie. “I’m going to be re-evaluated at the Cleveland Clinic in early December, but the wrist really hampered the shoulder (May 8 surgery). I couldn’t do much for eight weeks.
“I’m pretty banged up. I can’t shoot or stickhandle yet. Strength-wise, healing the shoulder is going to be pretty tedious the next few months. I’m pretty far behind.
“I saw the doctor a week ago in Cleveland and my strength is so far behind with my wrist. If I had my shoulder surgery on the right side, it might have helped a bit. It’s going to take time, but time heals everything. And because I’m injured, I can’t have contact and I can’t shoot, so I would be pretty useless out there if I skated with them [teammates] now.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Kesler’s Return Date Is Still December
by Paul on 08/02/12 at 07:50 PM ET
Comments (2)
from Ben Kuzma of the White Towel at the Vancouver Province,
Last week, it was suggested by general manager Mike Gillis on the TEAM 1040 that Kesler was “slightly ahead” of schedule from May 8 shoulder surgery. It may have given the impression that if start of the season isn’t jeopardized by failure to reach a new collective bargaining agreement, the Vancouver Canucks centre would perhaps return in October — even though the sixth-month recovery window would be Nov. 8. That’s simply not the case, according to his agent.
“It’s not happening,” Overhardt said Thursday. “He’s not ahead of schedule and there’s no rushing him back. He’s on course to return in December and he’s not returning until he’s 100 per cent. Don’t expect him until December.”
That’s not the only issue with Kesler. He also had minor surgery on his left wrist June 27. Two days later on his Twitter account, a group picture showed Kesler in a sling and his wrist in a cast with a caption that read: ‘Great times in Michigan.’
“He had been experiencing some mild discomfort and had some tendon issues that needed to be cleaned up,” confirmed Canucks assistant general manager Laurence Gilman.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Could The Canucks’ Dressing Room Be Divided?
by Paul on 05/25/12 at 03:41 AM ET
Comments (7)
from Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province,
Wednesday when the coach was enjoying a self-serving, post contract-extension conference call with the media and took a break from listing his accomplishments to tell everyone he didn’t think the American centre’s injury was a factor in his poor playoff performance.
Kesler’s agent Kurt Overhardt danced pretty well Thursday before saying his client was “perplexed” by Vigneault’s comments. And while the player wasn’t talking publicly, he wasn’t amused…
Kesler has some friends on this team, some of whom are not fans of Vigneault to begin with and who were very much unimpressed with the lack of preparation for the LA Kings series. They will not be thrilled at these latest developments in the least. They could easily find themselves in disagreement with the country club types who very much like Vigneault’s ‘let the players take ownership’ style whereby he’s never in anyone’s face. That group is almost certainly led by the Sedins who enjoy all the good things life has to offer here, and we’re not just talking the wine on charters and in house executive chef.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Finger Now Pointing At Kesler
by Paul on 05/02/12 at 02:42 PM ET
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from Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province,
The lightning rod has shifted a few seats in the lockerroom.
Long affixed to the goaltending cranium of Roberto Luongo, his expected departure has those bolts of postseason disdain now directed at Ryan Kesler. That’s right. The Selke Trophy winning centre, who laboured through a sore hip flexor and wonky shoulder this season, is suddenly dispensable. Trade-him speculation was the flavour of the day on sports-talk radio because a stunning five-game, first-round playoff exit by the Presidents’ Trophy winners was going to put somebody in the crosshairs.
It was Kesler. From 41 goals to 22. From hero to zero in one season.
There is understandable grist for the mill when examining the manner in which Kesler applies himself. Driven to succeed yet stubborn to a fault, he returned weeks early from a July 25 hip labrum procedure and when he injured a shoulder in a mid-February collision, the goals disappeared and scrutiny of the Vancouver Canucks centre increased.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Should The Canucks Move Kesler?
by Paul on 04/25/12 at 11:39 AM ET
Comments (3)
from Ian MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun,
And his (Ryan Kesler) quiet series against the Kings did little to spruce up a playoff resume that shows just 10 goals in 53 games. Half of those came in a five-day span during Kesler’s spectacular second-round playoff series last year against the Nashville Predators.
General manager Mike Gillis, exasperated by the Canucks’ reputation for diving and whining, may well consider Kesler’s playoff returns when he decides how best to change his team.
Luongo and Kesler have been cornerstones so long, trading those two alone would transform the Canucks.
“It’s really not my job to worry about stuff like that,” Kesler said of the possibility of change. “We have a good team; we finished on top of the league this year. Saying that, two weeks of bad hockey kills you. Everybody knows this group can win.
“We were one win away [10 months ago] and we didn’t even get our foot in the door this year.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
LA Radio Guy Thinks He Is Interviewing Kesler…
by Paul on 04/21/12 at 07:16 PM ET
Comments (1)
but it is Bieksa. Listen to the interview, then click the link below the video.
More at The Legion of Blog at the Vancouver Province.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: kevin+bieksa,
ryan+kesler
Video- No Diving Allowed
by Paul on 04/12/12 at 11:32 AM ET
Comments (5)
Or, if this happened in the Nashville/Detroit game, one player would have been called for interference, the other for diving, you know, just to make it even.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Video- Did Kesler Stick A Leg Out On Zetterberg?
by Paul on 12/22/11 at 04:11 AM ET
Comments (20)
No call on the play.
via Ansar Khan tweet,
Zetterberg said Kesler’s knee-on-knee check was “stupid play.’’ Kesler said, essentially, “what knee-on-knee check?’‘
Filed in: NHL Teams, Detroit Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: henrik+zetterberg,
ryan+kesler
Video- Kronwall With A Big Hit On Kesler
by Paul on 12/22/11 at 03:20 AM ET
Comments (26)
Early video and I am sure we shall soon see one with better quality, but in the time being, here is the Kronwall hit on Kesler.
Only penalty was Kesler who received 2 for roughing.
added 12:47am, Better quality video now replaces the original video of the hit.
added 12:53am, added TSN version of the hit below…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Detroit Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: niklas+kronwall,
ryan+kesler
Evening Line
by Paul on 09/09/11 at 08:53 PM ET
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“I think our group, especially our core group, we’re motivated,. We’re not going to have that hangover. We didn’t win anything. We played that same amount of games [as Cup champion Boston] but we didn’t win anything. We’ve been there but we haven’t done it. We’re a mature enough group. We’re focused. I think that run made us a closer group. We’re going to be fine.”
-Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks. More from and on Kesler from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Strong Up the Middle
by Ian Gooding on 09/07/11 at 10:30 AM ET
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In my last article on left wings, a few of you mentioned the positional dilemmas that we seem to face when drafting forwards. This is a great point, since not only do position eligibilities change from league to league (eg. Yahoo/ESPN/CBS), but also from year to year. As well, we also need to keep our eye on forwards with dual position eligibility.
Filed in: Fantasy Hockey and Gaming, thegoods13, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: anze+kopitar,
brad+richards,
eric+staal,
evgeni+malkin,
fantasy+hockey,
henrik+sedin,
ian+gooding,
jonathan+toews,
nicklas+backstrom,
ryan+getzlaf,
ryan+kesler,
sidney+crosby,
steven+stamkos,
the+goods
Kesler Has To Be Hurting
by Paul on 06/07/11 at 12:09 PM ET
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from Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province,
If this is turning into the Nashville series for the Vancouver Canucks, they’re going to need their predatorial antidote.
That happens to be Ryan Kesler, the fellow who put himself into the Conn Smythe Trophy lead with perhaps the greatest playoff series ever authored by a Canuck player although Richard Brodeur might have something to say about that.
But right now Kesler has a problem. He’s not the same player. The attention he’s getting and the pounding he’s taken has him a very frustrated young man at the moment and apparently limited player in many ways despite his eloquent denials. When a dwarf like Brad Marchand can cuff him aside and score the third goal the way he did Monday night, it’s enough to make you gulp a Selke award right on the spot.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
End Of Game Scrums
by Paul on 05/23/11 at 09:59 AM ET
Comments (28)
Ryane Clowe did receive 2 minutes for roughing for this punch, jab, shot, push on Ryan Kesler at the end of the game yesterday.
Are you okay with the call on the ice? Did Kesler embellish the punch? What’s your view on this type of play?
Filed in: NHL Teams, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler,
ryane+clowe
Kesler Leads The Canucks To WCF
by Paul on 05/10/11 at 09:57 AM ET
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from Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province,
For only the third time in their history, the Vancouver Canucks are in the Western Conference Finals. But that’s not the reason why they are in awe today, along with their fans and the Nashville Predators.
The reason is Ryan Kesler who just played “six of the most incredible games you will ever see,” according to Barry Trotz.
Anyone who watched the series won’t have to take his word for it.
Kesler started this season a very good player. He will end it a superstar.
With the stamina of a long-distance runner, the determination of a middleweight champion, the drive of a tank engine and the touch of a wizard, Kesler took our breath away. He outlasted the Nashville Predators and outplayed them, too. He wasn’t alone. It just felt that way.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Nashville Predators, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Trophy Talk: Southeast-Style
by Jon Jordan on 02/10/11 at 04:40 PM ET
Comments (4)
We’ve said it several times this season – that the Southleast is no more. With 308 combined points in the standings, Tampa Bay, Washington, Carolina, Atlanta and Florida comprise the Eastern Conference’s top division by that standard. Only the Pacific Division (321 points) has had more success as a group this season in the entire league. There’s even a fighting chance that four Southeast Division clubs could make the playoffs.
Suffice it to say, anyone still knocking the hockey played down here in this corner of the continent can be officially discredited. Clearly, anyone in that category hasn’t been paying attention this season.
Beyond team accolades, when the book is closed on the 2010-11 season, the Southeast Division has a legitimate chance for representation in almost every major year-end individual award. Some have sturdier ground to stand on than others in that respect but several individuals from Southeast clubs look to at least be in the conversation for some hardware in Vegas in late June.
Since premature awards speculation has started to heat up at a few other media outlets – always fun to keep tabs on ESPN’s Trophy Tracker but no Tampa Bay love in the Adams race, really? – here’s a list of potential trophy candidates from the Southeast Division, in no particular order.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Atlanta Thrashers, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: craig+ramsay,
daniel+sedin,
dustin+byfuglien,
eric+staal,
guy+boucher,
henrik+sedin,
jeff+skinner,
john+carlson,
logan+couture,
martin+st.+louis,
nhl+awards,
ryan+kesler,
steven+stamkos,
tobias+enstrom
Ryan Kesler is Hart Worthy
by Paul on 02/03/11 at 10:24 PM ET
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from Ed Willes of the Vancouver Province,
Admittedly, this argument is a tough sell because, in the 42 seasons the Hart Trophy has been awarded in the post-expansion NHL, it’s never gone to a player like Ryan Kesler.
But maybe the time has come.
Kesler, of course, is having another break-out season after his break-out 2009-10 season and, with back-to-back Selke nominations, it’s not as if he’s an unknown commodity around the league. But unless you’ve been watching him on a night-in, night-out basis, it’s hard to capture the full measure of his game and what he’s meant to the Canucks.
The numbers are impressive enough, although they don’t exactly jump off the page. Following his two-goal performance on Wednesday night in Phoenix, Kesler sits third in the league with 30 goals, but he’s still a $10-dollar cab ride from Steven Stamkos, who leads with 39. His 50 points also placed him 11th among NHL scorers before Thursday night’s games. Again, pretty good, but not exactly Hart material.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Kesler Keeps Improving
by Paul on 12/17/10 at 05:11 PM ET
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from Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province,
Watching Kesler’s highlight package from his hat-trick performance in Wednesday’s win was like watching a season-ending video tribute, documenting his plays of the year. It was a brilliant performance. It was momentous enough to leave people thinking back to four years ago — one last time — when a 22-year-old checker, with 12 goals in 110 games, shook up the NHL by signing a $1.9 million offer sheet with Philadelphia.
What happened to that guy?
The answer is revealed in comments he made in September 2006, when then-GM Dave Nonis, after playing hardball in negotiations, was backed into a corner, and forced to match Clarke’s contract. Kesler was unapologetic and unabashed when he got the money under heavy criticism.
“If a team wants to pay me that, I think it’s well deserved,” he said then. “I do work hard and I’m just going to keep working harder.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Afternoon Line
by Paul on 09/13/10 at 02:00 PM ET
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“I understand why Chicago had to get rid of him. For San Jose, it’s obviously a good move. Niemi’s won. That’s a big thing when you can go all the way and say you won a Stanley Cup. Obviously it gives them experience and hopefully they’ll go far. But not as far as us.”
-Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks. More from Kesler by Brian Compton of NHL.com.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Ryan Kesler Hit On Derek Morris Tonight
by Paul on 03/31/10 at 01:08 AM ET
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Kesler received 5 for boarding, a 10 and game misconduct.
Kevin Bieksa and Morris received 2 for roughing.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Phoenix Coyotes, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: derek+morris,
ryan+kesler
Evening Line
by Paul on 03/19/10 at 09:02 PM ET
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“I’m just happy we found something right for both myself and the team. Obviously, we have most of our core guys signed, and signed for long, and it’s something we’re excited about in the room. I believe in those guys, I think we believe in ourselves, and in bringing the Stanley Cup here this year — we don’t want to wait. Now is our time.
“That’s the goal. It’s our goal, to win a Cup for the fans. They’ve been waiting long enough.”
-Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks. More on Kesler from Cam Cole of the Vancouver Sun.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Canucks Extend Kesler
by Paul on 03/19/10 at 02:24 PM ET
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Vancouver, B.C. - Vancouver Canucks President and General Manager Mike Gillis announced today that forward Ryan Kesler has agreed to terms on a six-year contract extension through the 2015-2016 season.
“Today is an exciting day for the Canucks organization,” said Mike Gillis. “Ryan Kesler has excelled as a two-way player and in his role as an alternate captain. Ryan has showcased his ability to perform under extreme pressure and we are looking forward to continuing to see Ryan develop into one of the League’s premier players.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Kesler Named Cover Boy For NHL 2K11
by Paul on 03/08/10 at 06:19 PM ET
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from the CP at TSN,
Ryan Kesler has been on quite a roll of late.
At the recent Olympics, he scored in the men’s hockey final and emerged with a silver medal as part of an impressive young U.S. team. Since returning to the Vancouver Canucks, he has three goals in four games—with two of those goals coming in Detroit near where he grew up in Livonia.
And now the 25-year-old can celebrate being the cover athlete for the NHL 2K11 video game, following in the footsteps of Alexander Ovechkin, Rick Nash, Jason Spezza, Joe Thornton, Marty Turco, Martin St. Louis, Jeremy Roenick, Chris Drury and Brendan Shanahan.
Kesler calls it the “icing on the cake” after his Olympic experience.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, Fantasy Hockey and Gaming, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Bad Blood Between Ladd & Kesler
by Paul on 01/24/10 at 12:41 PM ET
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from Tim Sassone of Between The Circles,
There are so many of the Vancouver Canucks for Blackhawks fans to dislike - Willie Mitchell, Kevin Bieksa, Rick Rypien, the hair pulling Alex Burrows, even goalie Roberto Luongo.
But Ryan Kesler might now be at the top of their list.
Kesler called out Blackhawks winger Andrew Ladd after Saturday’s 5-1 win by the Canucks at GM Place during which Ladd got the best of Kesler in a first period fight.
Kesler was looking for revenge for what he said was a hit from behind from Ladd in last spring’s playoffs and wound up taking a punch to the face that opened a cut under his eye. Instead of trading punches with Ladd, Kesler’s only response was to wrestle Ladd to the ice.
“He’s a coward, he’ll always be a coward,” Kesler told reporters after the game. “At least he was man enough to hit me when I was looking this time.”
continue for a look at last night’s game and watch the quick fight below…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: andrew+ladd,
ryan+kesler
Talk About A Bad Headline
by Paul on 01/11/10 at 11:56 PM ET
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Defenseman puts NHL career on hold for Olympic opportunity
from Travis Rockhold at The Lantern (Ohio State student newspaper),
Winning championships for a professional franchise in sports is often an athlete’s ultimate goal, but a select few get a chance to achieve even more.
Come February, former Buckeye Ryan Kesler will attempt to win a gold medal with the U.S. men’s ice hockey team.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler,
team+usa
What’s Worse- Kesler Breaking His Stick Or Complaining About It?
by Paul on 10/26/09 at 08:47 AM ET
Comments (0)
via David Staples of The Cult Of Hockey,
I like Ryan Kesler, as a player. In fact, if I was on the selection committee for various Olympic teams, I’d be adding the like names Kesler, Rene Bourque and Dustin Penner to the list of contenders (Kesler is American, Bourque and Penner are Canadians).
But the way Kesler broke his stick in a hissy fit after Tom Gilbert stopped him on a scoring chance, that was disgusting. Now, maybe there was something wrong with that stick that I didn’t see, but if that guy snapped a $200 hockey stick just because his feelings were hurt, it reinforces the notion that players make too much money and that they are spoiled brats.
Kesler should pay for his own sticks. Either that, or the teams should fine him for that, a terrible example for any kid watching the game.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Kesler Wants To Stay In Vancouver
by Paul on 10/23/09 at 11:47 AM ET
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from Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province,
The agent for Ryan Kesler has laid the factual foundation for a contract extension. He hasn’t drawn any conclusions or drawn a line in the sand after two discussions with management, but he did suggest that the ball is now in the court of the Vancouver Canucks.
“Ryan is a warrior,” Kurt Overhardt said Thursday of his client who is earning $1.75 million US in the final year of his deal.
“I know he’s looking forward to the club acknowledging his value by stepping up and signing him to a contract extension. Ryan and his family would be honoured to remain in Vancouver for several more seasons.”...
According to Overhardt, the Canucks won 48.28 per cent of their games (12-13-4) when the Sedins had more ice time than Kesler.
They won 74.36 per cent of their games (26-10-3) when the twins had less time than Kesler.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Ryan Kesler Too Busy To Answer His Phone
by Paul on 09/28/09 at 01:03 PM ET
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The NHL 2K10 hockey moms want answers, but Ryan Kesler is too busy playing video games.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, Fantasy Hockey and Gaming, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: nhl+2k10,
ryan+kesler
Thinking Long-Term In Vancouver
by Paul on 06/17/09 at 11:08 PM ET
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from Ian MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun,
A smart betting man would wager that Kesler, not goaltender Luongo, will be the first Canuck to sign a long-term extension this summer.
Canuck general manager Mike Gillis said before leaving for Vegas that he’d be speaking with both to get an idea how they might like to proceed on July 1, when teams are eligible to extend contracts due to expire after next season.
Luongo is due to become an unrestricted free agent 12-and-a-half months from now. Kesler would be a restricted free agency with, likely, a load of leverage in salary arbitration. He’ll make $1.75 million US next year, Luongo $7.5 million US.
“We’ve had some preliminary discussions with him,” Gillis said of Luongo, who has said he’ll stay in Vancouver if he feels the Canucks have a chance to win the Stanley Cup. “Very preliminary.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: roberto+luongo,
ryan+kesler
Ovechkin & Kesler Skate In Vegas
by Paul on 06/17/09 at 11:10 AM ET
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Some great pictures from the Las Vegas Sun of Alexander Ovechkin and Ryan Kesler skating at outdoors at Caesars Palace. Both players were there to participate in a NHL 2K10 outdoor motion capture session.
Also some video of AO in action…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, NHL Talk, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: alexander+ovechkin,
ryan+kesler
Vancouver Has Two MVP’s
by Paul on 04/01/09 at 10:00 AM ET
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from Bob McKenzie of TSN,
The Vancouver Canucks have done a great job down the stretch reeling in the Calgary Flames in the battle for the Northwest Division title. The biggest reason why may be the play of a pair of youngsters.
You can colour me surprised because if you had told me at the beginning of the season that Alexandre Burrows and Ryan Kesler would be the top two players on the Vancouver Canucks, I would have said ‘I don’t think so.’ Valuable guys yes, but most valuable? Well that’s exactly what they are.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: alexandre+burrows,
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Will Kesler Take A Home-Team Discount?
by Paul on 03/19/09 at 01:55 PM ET
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from Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province,
The Canucks can start talking contract extension July 1, and it would be in their best interests to start kicking those tires now and then lock up the restricted free agent long-term. Allowing Kesler to build on this career season when the final year of his deal plays out in 2009-10 would only up the ante because he will also have arbitration rights.
If Kesler is willing to agree to a sensible salary—he’s earning a paltry $1.75 million annually—coupled with long-term security, it will be music to the ears of Canucks GM Mike Gillis. Maybe not so much for Kesler’s agent, Kurt Overhardt.
“It’s important that I don’t talk contracts and important that I fly under the radar,” Overhardt said Wednesday. “Ryan has always had the skill and fortitude. It’s about opportunity and maturing.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: ryan+kesler
Pronger Gets 8 Game Suspension
by Alanah McGinley on 03/15/08 at 04:39 PM ET
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From TSN,
The National Hockey League has handed Anaheim Ducks defenceman Chris Pronger an eight-game suspension for stomping on Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler in a game Wednesday night.
The team has nine games remaining in the regular season, starting Saturday night against the St. Louis Blues. He is eligible to return for the team’s final game on Apr. 6 against the Phoenix Coyotes.
Update 3:07pm ET: From the LA Times,
“I’d like to apologize to Ryan Kesler, the Vancouver Canucks, my teammates, and the National Hockey League for my actions last Wednesday night,” Pronger said in a statement. “While I did not intend to injure Ryan, I respect the league’s decision on this matter and look forward to returning to the ice and leading my teammates into the playoffs.”
Update 3:13pm ET: From the CP via Hockey.com,
“In attempting to free himself, Pronger carelessly and recklessly brought his foot down,” Campbell said in a statement.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Pronger is considered a repeat offender. He will forfeit US$609,756.08 in salary. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
Note: video and previous commentary here.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Anaheim Ducks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: chris+pronger,
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Flyers’ Boulerice Expects Suspension
by Alanah McGinley on 10/11/07 at 05:39 AM ET
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From the AP via MSNBC,
Philadelphia Flyers forward Jesse Boulerice said he expects to be suspended for cross-checking Vancouver’s Ryan Kesler across the face late in an 8-2 rout on Wednesday night.
The hit occurred with 5:41 left and the Flyers leading 7-2. After some pushing and shoving back and forth, Boulerice caught an unsuspecting Ryan Kesler across the face with his stick, leaving the Canucks forward lying motionless on the ice. He eventually got up and skated to the bench on his own.
Boulerice’s coach agreed that a suspension is probably forthcoming.
*Video footage is here
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers, Vancouver Canucks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: jesse+boulerice,
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