Canucks Training Camp - 06/07 Season

[Argyle]

Well...here we go! They hit the ice this morning and we start to get a look at the on ice product that Nonis has put together for us.

Post all Nuck comments regarding training camp here to discuss!

Hockey season is finally back!!!

 

[Argyle]

Here is the TSN Vancouver Canucks team preview...

Vancouver Canucks

2006-2007 Season Breakdown

2005-06 Finish: 42-32-8, 9th West
General Manager: Dave Nonis (2nd Season)
Head Coach: Alain Vigneault (1st Season)
2005-06 Goals For: 256
2005-06 Goals Against: 255
2005-06 Power Play: 18.3% (10th)
2005-06 Penalty Killing: 81.8% (18th)
Points Leader: Markus Naslund (79)
Goals Leader: Anson Carter (33)
Assists Leader: Henrik Sedin (57)

Offseason Moves: Acquired right wing Tommi Santala and a 2007 fifth-round pick from the Atlanta Thrashers for a 2007 fourth-round pick; signed centre Brandon Reid, who had been in Switzerland; signed centre Brad Moran, who had been in Switzerland; acquired goaltender Roberto Luongo, defenceman Lukas Krajicek and a 2006 sixth-round pick from the Florida Panthers for right wing Todd Bertuzzi, defenceman Bryan Allen and goaltender Alex Auld; signed defenceman Willie Mitchell, who had been with the Dallas Stars, to a four-year contract; acquired a 2007 second-round pick and a 2009 conditional pick from the Los Angeles Kings for goaltender Dan Cloutier; acquired the rights to left wing Taylor Pyatt from the Buffalo Sabres for a 2007 fourth-round pick; signed centre Marc Chouinard, who had been with the Minnesota Wild, to a two-year contract; signed defenceman Joe Rullier, who had been with the New York Rangers; signed centre Jan Bulis, who had been with the Montreal Canadiens, to a one-year contract; signed defenceman Rory Fitzpatrick, who had been with the Buffalo Sabres.

Goaltending: The Canucks are hoping that Roberto Luongo is the answer to their goaltending concerns. He had a 2.97 goals-against average and .914 save percentage last season, but the Panthers finished 11th in the East and never made the playoffs during Luongo's five seasons with the team. Mika Noronen, acquired by the Canucks last season at the trade deadline, wanted the chance to become the No. 1 man in Vancouver and has opted to play in Russia. That leaves the backup role up to Wade Flaherty, but don't count out prospects Cory Schneider and Julien Ellis turning a few heads at training camp.

Defence: The Canucks suffered a huge blow to the lineup with the losses of Ed Jovanovski and Bryan Allen, who headed to Phoenix and Florida respectively. With a blueline ravaged by injuries last March, the Canucks loaded up with veterans Sean Brown, Keith Carney and Eric Weinrich. None of the three players were retained. That leaves the defence rather thin on paper, with veterans Mattias Ohlund and Sami Salo left to lead the way. At 6-3 and 205 pounds, Willie Mitchell is a huge physical specimen and displays terrific mobility for his size. He also possesses a big shot from the point. Lukas Krajicek has a lot of potential, but has just one full NHL campaign under his belt. After that, the remaining spots are up for grabs.

Forwards: The loss of Todd Bertuzzi and Anson Carter certainly changes the dynamic of this team up front, with Vancouver giving up some size and scoring. GM Dave Nonis hopes 6-4, 227-pound winger Taylor Pyatt can fill in the need for size after acquiring him from Buffalo, while Jan Bulis had a career year in Montreal and should help put points on the board. The Canucks still have plenty of speed and offence with the core group of Markus Naslund, Brendan Morrison and the Sedin twins, while Ryan Kesler and offseason pickup Marc Chouinard excel in their two-way game. Keep an eye on Swiss League refugees Brandon Reid and Brad Moran. Both were star scorers in junior and have a chance to make the team - especially Reid because of his great skating ability.

Welcome to the NHL: The Canucks have a couple of spots up for grabs on the blueline, and that could mean a full-time job for heralded blueliner Luc Bourdon. The Moncton defenceman carries a lethal shot and also plays a great physical game. With Jovanovski gone, Bourdon could have the tools to fill the void.


Depth Chart

Left WingCentreRight WingJan BulisBrendan MorrisonMarkus NaslundDaniel Sedin Henrik SedinMatt CookeMarc ChouinardRyan KeslerAlexandre BurrowsJosh GreenRick RypienTaylor PyattTyler BouckTrevor Linden Brandon Reid Tommi Santala Lee Goren Jason King

Defence DefenceMattias OhlundSami SaloLukas KrajicekWillie MitchellLuc BourdonKevin BieksaRory Fitzpatrick Sven Butenschon Prestin RyanYannick Tremblay

GoaltendersRoberto LuongoWade FlahertyRob McVicar (M)

*(M) - in minors
* (I) - injured (but not on IR)
Last updated September 14, 2006

Fantasy Focus

Off-season changes have shaken up the forward lines in Vancouver. Markus Naslund had a rough year last year and he should be a point producer, but it will depend on who the Canucks get to join Naslund and centre Brendan Morrison. Look for Naslund's numbers to be similar to last season, though he may improve on his unseemly minus-19 rating. The Sedin twins enjoyed unprecented NHL success with Anson Carter on their wing last year, but now Carter is in Columbus so the brother act will have to try and put it together with a new linemate.
Losing Ed Jovanovski to free agency leaves Mattias Ohlund and Sami Salo at the top of the defensive depth chart. Both are solid, not spectacular, performers who run into health issues now and then. Lukas Krajicek, picked up from Florida as part of the Roberto Luongo deal, will get some power play time as well and could be quite useful before too long.
Roberto Luongo is one of the league's best goalies and he's a good one in fantasy hockey as well. However, with questionable talent on hand in Vancouver, Luongo will have to be at his best if he's going to warrant being one of the first goalies selected.
With four set spots among the top six forwards, there are several players angling for spots that could make them productive. Philadelphia's favourite, Ryan Kesler, will build on his 10-goal season. If he scored 20 goals and 45 points, that would be a huge increase, but also not a shock if he's playing on a scoring line. Jan Bulis has shown scoring ability, if not consistency. Matt Cooke is a pest, and gets hurt, but is a good skater with decent hands (who will also contribute PIMs). If you want a deep sleeper, keep an eye on Brandon Reid, a waterbug of a player returning to the NHL after playing in Switzerland last year.

Thoughts?

 

[TheRob]

I haven't heard much from camp this year. Don't watch TV, or get the newspaper.

Who's in line for the back up job?

Who's looking good and who isn't?

 

[Regs]

Listen to Team 1040.

Or do you not have a radio either?

First scrimmage yesterday resulted in a 1-0 win for Team White. Luongo played 30 minutes for Team White.

Sedins, Naslund, Morrison, Ohlund, Salo, etc. didn't play.

 

[The Franchise]

I haven't heard much from camp this year. Don't watch TV, or get the newspaper.

Who's in line for the back up job?

Who's looking good and who isn't?

Most likey Shields....

Offence is going to struggle can't wait till november to see what moves Nonis has to do to get them back in the race.

 

[Argyle]

Here is the latest on cuts...and who will be playing tomorrow might...

MAIN CAMP -DAY FOUR

SEP.18.2006

The Canucks re-assigned or released eight players following Monday's workout:
The following players were released:
Fortunus, Maxime-Defense-Manitoba-AHL
Gainey, Steve-Left Wing-San Antonio-ECHL
Ray, Chris-Right Wing-Kelowna-WHL

The following players were re-assigned:
Heshka, Shaun-Defense-Manitoba-AHL
Rahimi, Daniel-Defense-Bjorkloven-SWE
Simek, Juraj-Right Wing-Brandon-WHL
Smith, Nathan-Centre-Manitoba-AHL
Vincent, Alexandre-Goal-Val-d'Or-QMJHL


Coaches split the remaining players into two groups. Team 'C' flew to Calgary immediately following dryland training and will face the Flames in Vancouver's first pre-season game tomorrow night.
The following players will dress against the Flames Tuesday:
Bernier, M-A-Right Wing-Columbia/Manitoba-ECHL-AHL
Bieksa, Kevin Defense-Manitoba/Vancouver-NHL-AHL
Bourdon, Luc-Defense Moncton/Val-d'Or-QMJHL
Brown, Mike-Right Wing-Manitoba-AHL
Chouinard, Marc-Right Wing-Minnesota-NHL
Cooke, Matt-Left Wing-Vancouver Canucks-NHL
Dwyer, Gordie-Left Wing-Lowell-AHL
Goren, Lee-Right Wing-Vancouver/Manitoba-NHL-AHL
Green, Josh-Left Wing-Vancouver/Manitoba-NHL-AHL
Fitzpatrick, Rory-Defense-Buffalo-NHL
Flaherty, Wade-Goal-Manitoba-AHL
Kutny, Vladimir-Left Wing-Trencin-CZE
MacIntyre, Drew-Goal-Grand Rapids-AHL
McIver, Nathan-Defense-Manitoba-AHL
Reid, Brandon-Centre-Rapperswil-SWISS
Rullier, Joe-Defense-Hartford-AHL
Rypien, Rick-Centre-Manitoba/Vancouver-NHL-AHL
Santala, Tommi-Centre-Jokerit-FIN
Schultz, Jesse-Right Wing-Manitoba-AHL
Tremblay, Yannick-Defense-Mannheim-GER

 

[TheRob]

To quote Tom Larshied:

Bingo, bango, bongo, his name is Roberto Luongo.

I don't know.

 

[Yoda]

Went to the game last night against Anaheim, and damn was it entertaining!
Lineups last night started with Naslund, Sedin x2, and an interesting yet very cohesive Morrison, Bulis, Pyatt.

Sedin's looked great without what's his name between them.
Oddly enough i didn't really even notice much of Naslund out there but the Sedin's were stringing passes together amazingly.

That line will stick for the season i bet.

Missing was Cooke and Linden so who knows where they'll end up in the lineups

Luongo looked hot, except for the first goal he let in and looked even better in the shootout.

I can't wait!