There is something WRONG with the Canucks.

It's be a LONG 41 years and we got to wait one more...


I am disappointed about the OT series losing loss from Monday's game vs the Kings but honestly I am not surprised. As my friend Tim said, "The team lacks something.... it's undefineable for me. It's not talent and after watching Henrik last night, it's not toughness (there at least...) But there's an intangible that is lacking. It might be grit, it might be leadership, it might be mental toughness, maybe it's the ability to thrive under pressure...." 


What's wrong with the Canucks. I am still shocked that Vancouver had 2 games to win 1 vs Boston to win the Cup and didn't. Our team was way better last year. Why? I am surprised we won the Presidents Trophy again. As you know I support my team until the end. But what happened to the #1 overall team who lost to the #8 (or reality the #14 team) in the playoffs? Yes let's give LA credit. They are better than we expected and Quick should win the Vezina, but Vancouver went down 0-3. 


Now Canucks fans can be the worst in the way they get down on the team but here's my take on what happened and most players. 


Management:
GM Gillis - In my opinion he's a great GM and should stay. Granted the Hodgson - Kassian trade was terrible and getting Pahlsson was not a good move. So I feel he failed at the deadline this year but last year he won getting Lapierre and Higgins who were key components to our Cup run.


Coach V - So many people are calling for his head...why? He's a great coach. I don't care what people say under HIS leadership we won back to back President Trophies. Bad coaches don't do that. Yes I know we want a Cup...but firing Coach V will not help us get there. 


The twins...we need these guys to win...unfortunately Henrik was trying to carry the team on his shoulders and he did pretty good but missed Daniel immensely. Daniel is a stud. He's a natural born scoring machine. But we have to get production from more than 2 guys.


David Booth - LOVE this guy. Granted he didn't produce in the playoffs but I love his speed and he's WAY better to play with the twins than Kassian or Raymond. He's a hard worker and is a great 2nd guy who can play with the twins. David should stay.


Raymond - I am done with this kid. He's not that good. Fast as fast can be but can't score if his life depended on it. Just not good enough in my opinion. Time to part ways! 


Burrows - Alex must say. Heart and soul kind of guy. He needed to be on the top line with the twins instead of both. 


Kesler - lots of people are suggesting we trade him. Granted he did JACK in the playoffs and didn't look like himself. Well in 1 game he looked good the rest I didn't notice him out there. Not sure if we should trade him but let's give him another year. Verdict is not out yet with Kesler as he's a heart and soul like of player. I am nervous that last season will be his best season. 


Actually the other forwards who should not be considered moved are Malhotra, Hansen, and Lapierre. My friend Trevor F said it right when he stated, "We have too many 4th line players".


Defensemen:
Elder - I haven't seen him play this bad ever. He's no slouch as he was chosen to be on the All Star team this year. He's got to make better decisions with the puck. He's young and will improve.


Tanev - Why didn't we give this kid more playing time last year. He's rock solid. Sure he makes a few mistakes but who doesn't. Not a scoring threat but super young who's going to be good for a long time in this league. 


Bieska - solid player that we need to keep and give tons of minutes to. LOVED his interview with the FOX journalist who thought he was Ryan Kesler. He played it up perfectly. 

Hamhuis - he's from BC and should stay. He made a big mistake trying to do it all by himself and Stoll scored in OT from his mistake but Hamhuis has been one of our best Dmen all season long. Don't crucify him for one mishap. He who hasn't sinned be the 1st to cast a stone.


Goalies:
The biggest controversy is in goal with what to do with Schneider and Luongo. I think the writing is on the wall and Luo is done in Vancouver. I have defended Luo in the past and I think he's a good starting NHL goalie. He's no Martin Brodeur but who is? 
Here's the facts:
- in the biggest games of the season vs Chicago and Boston it was Schneider who got the nod and won those games! 
- Luongo played brilliantly in Game 1 vs LA but was okay in Game 2 and didn't play after that. 
- Schneider played in the biggest games of the playoffs when it was do or die. Luongo wasn't injured but was reduced to the back up role. 
- Game 5 if it wasn't for Schneider we wouldn't have made it to OT. This kid STOOD on his head. He was calm and impressed everyone.


Vancouver rioted after losing Game 7 but if Luongo stays and Schneider goes I wouldn't be surprised if the city goes crazy again. People are done with Roberto as our starting goalie. Rumour had it that we would keep Corey as insurance for the playoff run and trade him at the NHL draft. What looks like a real possibility is Vancouver trading Luongo. My guess is he goes to Tampa Bay and we pay part of his salary for a couple of years. Columbus should have traded for Schneider and Raymond for Rick Nash when they had the chance. Toronto as much as they need a goalie isn't going to make a deal for Luongo. His reputation isn't the best in Canada. Luo's not going to waive his no trade clause to go to teams like Columbus or Edmonton. Holtby has proven to be worth the gamble in Washington and the Luongo for Semin rumour should be over.

The bottom line is we need to make some significant changes but let's not get too crazy out there. Raymond and Luo should go for sure. Depending on what we get back for those players is crucial to how we move forward.


Here's an incredible link to a video that's a tribute to the fans. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yau6CV4yrBU&feature=player_embedded

I am looking forward to the speeches by Gillis and Coach V in the next couple of days.

I want to apologize for my playoff predictions post. I always go with my head over my heart in the predictions. But this year I didn't like how the West was shaping up and thought Vancouver, with the way they finished the year, would come out firing on all cylinders. So I picked them to win it all. Why? I clearly said at the beginning of the season said that they wouldn't win. I wish I stayed with my Flyer picks and chose them to beat Nashville in the finals but what is written is written.

This time I am wrong. Sorry about that.

2012 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF Predictions

I need to start this out saying this years playoffs will be difficult to predict. At 1^st it looks easy but the more you think about it and do the research you will see that it might be the most difficult one in years. But this is good news because it’s going to be some great hockey battles! Here’s what I am officially predicting. Trying to go with my head not my heart but you are going to be surprised at some of my calls. Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Random thought: Remember when Pittsburgh lost to Detroit in the finals and then the next year Crosby and the Penguins won his 1^st cup vs the Red Wings? Imagine if that happened to the Canucks this year. One can only dream!

I picked the Capitals to beat my Canucks in the finals at the beginning of this year. It could happen but I doubt it. My new finals predictions will be at the end of the post.

WEST Predictions

1 Vancouver Canucks vs 8 LA Kings

Season Series:

The Canucks won the series 2-1-1

Analysis: The Canucks are the team to beat. And it’s great they have won a 2^nd Presidents Trophy but it’s the playoffs and you got to take every series serious or you will be golfing quicker than you can say Quick. Speaking of Jonathan Quick he’s been good enough to win the Vezina this year. But the Kings have not been very good at all. LA is big but they are having a tough time scoring. Vancouver on the other had are entering the playoffs with a nice winning streak (8-1-1).

Special teams: On the PP, Van is 4^th and LA is 17^th but they are both on the top 6 in the league on the PK.

?’s: Is Daniel Sedin and Jeff Carter going to play?

Both teams need these guys in the lineup because they offer needed scoring. But maybe Vancouver doesn’t need Daniel as much because since his injury they went on their longest win streak. Just sayin’

Sounds like both will be in the lineup for the game 1 or early in the series.

Is there a goalie controversary in Vancouver? Not yet. But if Luongo struggles he’s going to get pulled faster than you can say Corey Schneider. Vancouver has 2 #1 goalies so goaltending should not be an issue for long.

Prediction: Canucks should win this series in 5.

2 St.Louis Blues vs 7 SJ Sharks

Season Series: St.Louis owned them 4-0

Analysis: The Blues almost were the President Trophy winners. The BLUES?! This team has no superstars but are strong top to bottom and play their system well. St.Louis has the lowest GA in the league with 165. They have 2 #1 goalies like Vancouver but can only play one at a time. They LOVE playing at home as they are 30-6-5.

Don’t forget that SJ was in the West final last season but we can’t forget how horrific they have been this season. What’s going on? They are having a challenge finding consistent scoring and good goalie play. Here’s a crazy stat: St.Lou is 4-3-3 in their last 10 but SJ is 7-3.

?’s: Can the Blues keep this dream rolling?

Will the real Sharks please stand up?

Prediction: For the 1^st time in my life I am going with the youth over the experience. Blues in 6

3 Phoenix Coyotes vs 6 Chicago Blackhawks

Season Series: Phoenix won 3-1

Analysis: I watched the Coyotes live this year vs the Canucks. They are better than you think. No superstars but they’ve gotten great goaltending by Mike Smith. I wouldn’t be surprised if Phoenix wins this series. They were only 4 pts different in the standings and the Coyotes have home ice advantage.

It looks like Toews will be returning soon (maybe game 1) wish is music to Chicago’s ears. Hossa, Kane, Toews, and Sharp should be ready for the task at hand. This team is loaded with playoff experience. The biggest weakness for Chicago is their goaltending as Crawford has not been great. The team has let in 238 goals but scored quite a bit with 248 goals.

?’s: Will Crawford play like he did vs the Canucks last year? If he does this series won’t be close.

Prediction: Chicago in 7

4 Nashville Predators vs 5 Detroit Red Wings

Season Series: Tied 3-3

Analysis: Another war is about to begin. Nashville made some good playoff moves at the trade deadline. Detroit is not the same Red Wing team we have come to respect and fear.

?’s: Which goalie will be better: Howard or Rinne? Rinne hands down.

Are Zetterberg and Datsyuk too old and over the hill? I don’t think they are done but they are not dominant like they used to be.

Prediction: Nashville in 6

EAST Predictions

1 NY Rangers vs 8 Ottawa Senators

Season Series: Ottawa 3-1

Analysis: The #8 seed has knocked off the #1 seed 8 times since the current playoff format has been in place (1994). Is it time for an upset? I think so…

Ottawa isn’t on fire coming into the playoffs but they have played the Rangers really well this season. The Rangers have all the pressure on them as they are the #2 overall team. Lundqvist is a stud and can cause huge problems for the Senators. Ottawa scored 20 more goals than the Rangers did. Craig Anderson is 6-0 at Madison Square Gardens.

?’s: Will John Tortorella get fired if the Senators upset the Rangers? YES!

Prediction: Ottawa in 6

2 Boston Bruins vs 7 Washington Capitals

Season Series: Washington won 2-1-1

Analysis: Let’s be honest, Washington has been BAD this season. Backstrom is coming off a head injury and isn’t looking like his normal self yet. Vokoun was supposed to take this team to another level but has failed. The good news is Ovechkin is finally playing well and the team has been on a role. The biggest question is how will the Caps goaltending work out?

The Bruins are bigger and stronger. Thomas hasn’t played the greatest this year but he’s been good enough to keep the team winning. Boston has flown under the radar and been 7-2-1 in their last 10. You can’t count out the Stanley Cup champs. Horton looks to be out for the playoffs but that shouldn’t faze them as he’s missed most of the season as well. If anyone is built for the playoffs it’s Boston.

?’s: Who’s starting in goal for the Caps? Looks like it’s the 22 yr old Holtbly as Neuvrith and Vokoun are out with injuries.

Can the Caps beat the Bruins? Yes. Will they? No…

Prediction: I want to take Caps in the upset but this is where my head yells, “Take the Bruins!” Boston in 6 but I am cheering for Washington BIG time.

3 Florida Panthers vs 6 NJ Devils

Season Series: Florida won 2-1-1

Analysis: Who’s going to watch this defensive match-up? NOT ME! Haha

This series is probably the most one sided in favour of NJ for the ‘experts’. Florida is STRUGGLING going 2-3-5 in their final 10 games. The last time the Panthers made the playoffs they were swept by the Devils in 2000. Here’s some more crazy stats:

-NJ had 102 pts and Florida won their division with 94

-Florida scored 203 goals and NJ allowed 209 goals

- NJ scored 228 goals and Florida allowed 227 goals

Parise, Elias, and Kovalchuk will be too much to handle.

?’s: Will Brodeur play well enough to beat the Panthers? He’s got more gas left in the tank.

Will he retire after this season…he will be 40 this postseason? Probably.

Will Florida’s young guys be so pumped to be in the playoffs it will give them the added juice to win the series? I doubt it.

Prediction: NJ in 5 maybe 4 but I will say 5.

4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs 5 Philadelphia Flyers

Season Series: Flyers won 4-2

Analysis: This should be the best series going into the playoffs. Both of these teams could go to the Cup final. And to add insult to injury these teams hate each other. When the Flyers beat the Penguins 2 games ago that was went Schenn crossed checked Crosby and the war started. The last game Malkin scored his 50^th to win the game but Giroux didn’t even play which was a wise coaches decision.

Obviously Crosby and Malkin are the X factors. These guys are the best players in the world right now. And the Penguins are still a solid team without Crosby in the lineup we solid depth and great goaltending in Fleury. But Fleury has not played well with his worst SV% and GAA vs the Flyers. It looks like Philly has his #.

As good as the Penguins are the Flyers aren’t a weak team either. Ilya Brzgalov struggled in the middle of the season but has been on fire lately and will be ready for this war. The Flyers are built for the playoffs with guys like Hartnell, Simmonds, and Coburn. Philadelphia can score! This team is better than people think. The Flyers had the 2^nd highest amount of wins on the road with 24 (Boston had 25).

The Flyers will definitely miss having Pronger in the playoffs as he’s a force to be reckoned with.

?’s: Remember in the summer when the Flyers traded Carter and Richards and everyone said they wouldn’t recover from trading their stars away?

Can Fleury pick up his game vs the Flyers?

Prediction: Everyone is picking Pitts in 7 but I am going with the Flyers in 7!!!

Playoff Tree Prediction:

East

Boston beats Ottawa and Philly beats the Devils

Then Philly takes out Boston.

West

Canucks beat the Blackhawks and the Nashville beats St.Louis

Vancouver takes out Nashville.

Finals: Canucks beat the Flyers.

Of course, I could be wrong but I doubt it.