Updates on the Canadiens-Lightning and Ducks-Flames series, plus the latest on the Canucks and Oilers.
MONTREAL GAZETTE/TAMPA BAY TIMES: While Montreal Canadiens winger Alex Galchenyuk struggles to cope with rising expectations and playoff pressure, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov has learned from his previous playoff frustration.
Calgary Flames captain Mark Giordano has returned to practice with his teammates.
CALGARY SUN/LOS ANGELES TIMES: Calgary Flames captain Mark Giordano (bicep surgery) participated in full practice with his teammates, but he still isn’t expected to suit up for this series against the Anaheim Ducks. Meanwhile, veteran Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin has been mentoring young defenseman partner Hampus Lindholm.
THE PROVINCE: Despite calls from some Vancouver fans and pundits for the Canucks to blow up their roster by shipping out their aging stars in favor of young talent, management persists in taking a more patient approach.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Considering the Canucks surprised everyone by reaching the playoffs in the first year of their supposed rebuild, I can’t say I blame their front office for their current course. They will gradually phase in younger players, but they still haven’t fully restocked their system yet. It’s wise not to rush their promising kids before they’re fully ready, as that can do more harm than good. The Canucks are transitioning rather than doing a full roster rebuild. So far, so good. Should they take a step backward next season, then you’ll likely see them ship out more veterans while cycling in youth.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: The prospect of drafting wunderkind Connor McDavid, along with the recent front-office changes and the prospect of a significant coaching hire, has brightened the Oilers’ future.
I don’t see a lot of ‘promising’ prospects in the Canuck’s system.
1st rounders Cody Hodgson and Jordan Shroeder have already been shipped out of town. Ister Nick Jensen is still in the minors, not scoring there and a horrendous plus-minus; I guess he’s mentally packed his bags, checked out, and catching a flight back to Denmark. 1ster Brendon Gaunce is in the minors, and was a healthy scratch the first two playoff games I like 1ster Hunter Shinkeruck, but he just had major surgery on a chronic hip injury. Last year 1ster Jake Vertainen should have gone around 12th, not 6th, and, like Sam Bennett, will end up like Wendell Clark or Wayne Babych, if he keeps banging and crashing at the NHL level.
That’s all forwards; they never drafted a defenceman in the 1st (since the year they took one instead of Anze Kopitar).
The Canucks’ core are already four years past their prime, no other GM is stupid enough to give the Canucks good young players in a trade, when free agents are free. The Canucks missed that boat, now they will have to finish last, in about three years, but not be guaranteed any of the top three picks. At that rate, if they don’t ruin those players, a la Edmonton, they’ll have a new good core in ten years.
Considering you cannot even spell their names correctly, it is evident you have no idea how the Canuck prospects are progressing. For starters take a look at how the farm team in Utica is doing and listen to what coach Green and the fans have to say about them. Green has done a masterful job with the kids this year, turning Grenier into a viable prospect for one. As for Gaunce, Green named him the most=improved player this season, and Shinkaruk finished the last 15-20 games on a PPG pace not to mention Baertschi better than that. Hutton has arrived from college and Pedan has improved to where he will see time with the Canucks next season. Then you do not even mention how well Cassels and McCann dominated the OHL this year.
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