(Photo: Canucks TV Screenshot/Canucks.com)

While the Canucks may not have been active on the trading block today, they did finalize two deals yesterday. General Manager Mike Gillis announced Tuesday that the Canucks acquired centre Derek Roy from the Dallas Stars in exchange for defensemen Kevin Connauton and a second round draft pick in the 2013 NHL draft (x). Roy will add much needed depth at centre for the Canucks, who are without their usual second line centre, Ryan Kesler, who is still recovering from a broken foot.

Roy has the potential to contribute offensively, having once tallied a career high 81 points (32 goals and 49 assists) in 78 games with the Buffalo Sabres in 2007-2008. More recently, the 5’9, 184lb Ottawa native registered 22 points in 30 games with the Dallas Stars this season. GM Mike Gillis is adamant that given his history, Roy will be able provide the Canucks with some offence: “I like the fact he’s been a winner, and an MVP at the Memorial Cup…I like his points per game average[.] I [also] like his play-making aspect and…[his ability] to add another layer of offence [is] important” (x).

Roy, who struggled with injuries earlier this season is eager to bounce back and make his Canucks debut, noting that “I’m healthy now….I’ve been skating really well [and] I’m excited to join the team and…make a good playoff push” (x).

The Canucks were busy Tuesday, also signing forward Chris Higgins to a 4 year, $10 million extension.

The Smithtown, New York native reveals that he expressed interest in staying with the Canucks throughout the year and is ecstatic that the deal is done. “I’m absolutely thrilled that it got done. I really enjoy playing for this organization and I have a lot of respect for the guys on the team. It made the choice a little bit easier knowing the type of character we have here” (x) says Higgins. GM Mike Gillis is also happy to have Higgins locked up, stressing “Chris is a highly versatile player, he can play in a lot different situations and he’s been a very good player for us since we acquired him” (x).

Higgins, currently in his third year with the Canucks, has been one of the team’s most consistent forwards, registering 14 points (9 goals and 5 assists) in 35 games played this season.

in his natural habitat.

Today on Canucks in Wonderland, I spy with my little eye, Mason Raymond in his natural habitat.

Mason Raymond and Tanner Glass (Photos: Adrienne C./UBC)

Yes, I know, it’s not a very good picture. But today, spotted practicing up at UBC was in fact none other than Mason Raymond, Tanner Glass (who has recently signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins), Daniel Sedin (minus Henrik)  and some various others.

All those practicing today were not wearing the jerseys of their respective teams, but jerseys that said NHLPA on the front and #theplayers on the back. Of course, the main reason for that is simply that there is still a lockout going on.

Others who were also up at UBC this morning, included Cory Schneider, Maxim Lapierre, Chris Higgins and Willie Mitchell of the LA Kings.

Let it also be known that I miss hockey.

Huh.

Today on Canucks in Wonderland…

The Vancouver Canucks – Era: 2011 (Photo: Naki Edits/canucks.com)

The Vancouver Canucks are separated into their individual districts and their industries, specialties and most notable members (and the up and coming) are determined.

Sweden

• Industry: style, twins, sleepy eagles
• Notable Members: the Sedin Twins, Alex Edler
• Specialties: Tick Tack Toe Passing, sleeping, being stylish
• Up and Coming Members: Eddie Lack (modeling, Swedish goalie extrordinaire)

Canada

• Industry: sassy French men, a Juice box who likes milk dogs, ‘Kids Who Could Play With Cigarettes in their Mouths’ and men who can grow amazing beards
• Notable Members: Alain Vigneault, Alex Burrows, Hammer the community man, Luu the amazing goalie and Kevin Bieksa
• Specialties: Sass, the art of growing beards (see: Kevin Bieksa, Dan Hamhuis),  the attempt at the art of growing beards (see: Mason Raymond).
• Up and Coming Members: Frankie Corrado; Italian

United States of America

• Industry: sets of Abs, Golden Locks of American Freedom and impressionists Extrordinaire
• Notable Members: Chris Higgins, David Booth and Ryan Kesler (the American Express) and Cory Schneider (impressionist extrordinaire)
• Specialties: the showing off of abs and the impersonating of his teammates/coach
• Up and Coming Members: Jordan Schroeder; Darth Vader (references at x and x)

Denmark

• Industry: a unique set of vocal chords , the art of growing beards
• Notable Members: Jannik Hansen
• Specialties: being fiesty and ‘hot’ at all the right times, also the art of growing beards
• Up and Coming Members: Nicklas Jensen, the little Danish Prince

(Photo:VancityAllie/Flickr)

The expected wave of criticism surrounding the Canucks and their disappointing early exit from the playoffs this season is in full force. Critics and fans alike have heeded every opportunity to lay the blame and find reasons for why a team favoured to win it all this year was eliminated just five games into the post-season. Everyone from the likes of General Manager, Mike Gillis, to players including Ryan Kesler, David Booth, Chris Higgins, and Alexandre Burrows have been targeted for the team’s inability to advance past the first round. Scrutiny following the team’s elimination by the LA Kings has not escaped Head Coach Alain Vigneault either, despite him having lead the team to two back-to-back President’s trophies and its fifth North-West division title in six years.

Frustrated fans have criticized Vigneault for everything from his constant line juggling to benching certain players, and allotting excessive ice time to underachievers. While he may be a scapegoat for those looking to incriminate someone for the Canucks’ disheartening end to the season, Mike Gillis recognizes just how valuable Vigneault is to the team. Gillis assures that he is proud of what the Canucks have accomplished in the the last few years under Vigneault and is confident in wanting to keep him behind the bench. Gillis explains, “I feel very comfortable with Alain as a coach…He’s done an excellent job, and I don’t know why you wouldn’t want somebody back that has done an excellent job and has the results to show for it” (x). Gillis, who won General Manager of the Year at the 2011 NHL Awards, has nothing but praise for Vigneault, who became the Canucks’ winningest coach in franchise history early this season after recording his 247^th win.

Vigneault’s biggest critics never fail to point out that he has yet to bring a Stanley Cup to Vancouver, but tend to overlook the simple fact that he has shown that he has what it takes to win. In his six years as Head Coach, Vigneault has brought five North-West division titles, two President’s trophies, and a Western Conference championship to Vancouver. Vigneault has also been a finalist for the Jack Adam’s award as, NHL Coach of the Year, three times in his career, winning the award in 2007. The Quebec City native’s winning ways are also reflected in the individual successes of certain Canucks such as Ryan Kesler (Selke Trophy), Henrik Sedin (Art Ross and Hart trophies), Daniel Sedin (Art Ross and Ted Lindsay trophies), Roberto Luongo, and Cory Schneider (William Jenning’s Trophy) who have excelled under his coaching system.

Although Vigneault’s system and methods may be unconventional, his track record of success speaks for itself. After all, it was Vigneault, amidst his line-juggling, that placed Alexandre Burrows, a hard-nosed, grinder on a line with offensive minded, Henrik and Daniel Sedin. Since then the unexpected trio has been proven to be one of the best top lines in the NHL. In Vigneault, the team has a coach that thinks outside of the box and will not hesitate to conjure up new strategies to assure victory. His atypical coaching style also keeps the opposition guessing and envious of what he may think of next. So with just one year remaining on Vigneault’s current deal, it is no surprise that Mike Gillis has said that securing AV’s spot behind the Canucks bench for years to come is “the first thing on [his] agenda” this off-season (x). Gillis also confirms that Vigneault would like to stay the Canucks’ bench boss, having “made every indication that he does want to come back and coach this team” (x).

In the end, Alain Vigneault can not solely be held responsible for the Canucks pre-mature exit from a playoffs that has been far from convention, having seen both teams from the previous year’s finals eliminated in the first round. The Canucks abrupt end to the season is also not a reflection of AV’s coaching ability, having shown last June, after taking his team to within one win of a Stanley Cup, that he is equipped to go the distance. Gillis stands by Vigneault and notes that “having a good head coach is one reason [other teams are] envious” (x) of the Canucks. Gillis goes on to credit Vigneault’s accomplishments with the team and stresses the importance of maintaining him as Head Coach, explaining, “we [have] accomplished 98 percent of what we set out to do, and in those circumstances most people continue on and continue with the plan…to finish off the last two percent” (x). Clearly, with reason, that plan includes Alain Vigneault as Head Coach.

Fans should be reassured by the confidence Mike Gillis, the NHL’s reigning General Manager of the Year, has in Vigneault. They should keep faith in the fact that it is only a matter of time before the Canucks most winningest coach in franchise history rallies his troops and leads them to only thing left for him to win, the Stanley Cup. Remember Canucks fans, patience is a virtue.

Celebration! (Photo: Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Dear Hockey Gods.

Hello.

I am here on behalf of my team the Vancouver Canucks and I am here to ask and ask politely for you to give us our game back (namely our offense and our defense and last but not least, dear Daniel Sedin.).

Thanks.

Now let’s get to the game.

Lining Up – Fun Facts

• With the loss of Byron Bitz, Coach Vigneault went ahead and made some more changes to the lineups last night. This time around, Jannik Hansen would play on the first line in place of Mason Raymond. Mason Raymond would in turn play on the third line alongside Samuel Pahlsson and Maxim Lapierre.
• Also, the Amex line was reunited (Ryan Kesler, David Booth, Chris Higgins), much to the delight of fans.
• And also to the delight of fans; the regular D-partners of Kevin Bieksa and Dan Hamhuis and Alex Edler and Sami Salo were re-united. The final D-pairing also saw Keith Ballard back to the line-up. He would play alongside Chris Tanev. Welcome back Keith Ballard!

The Fun Facts of the First, the Second and the Third Period

• In which Rogers Arena is filled with chants of ‘Go Canucks Go’ when the puck hasn’t even dropped yet.
• But anyways: the First Period consisted of 1 goal, 3 penalties, 21 shots on net, some LUUing and a Green Men sighting.
• LUUUUU- You get the point.
• Speaking of points, there was only 1(2) points in the first period of Game 2 and that was Kings Captain Dustin Brown’s shorthanded goal with assistance from teammate Mr. Kopitar.
• The Second Period on the other hand, consisted of 2 goals, 2 penalties, more LUUUing and 21 shots on net.
• Jannik Hansen and Dustin Brown would exchange another set of goals, that unfortunately put LA in the lead yet again with a score of 2-1.
• And the Third and Final Period consisted of more LUUUUUUs, 3 goals, 10 penalties (ugh) and 32 shots on net.
• The Nucks and the Kings also had a bit of a scrum with a good 7 minutes left in the period. Vancouver’s resident Dane nearly got himself into a fight and for that received a double minor and a 10 minute misconduct.
• LA would then score 2 more goals, in which Vancouver responded to with 1, courtesy of Samuel Pahlsson.

The LA Kings would go on to win the game and now lead the series 2-0.

Game 3 will take place in LA, tomorrow at 7:30 pm, Pacific Standard Time and I will see you all then!

Congratulations! (Photo: Rich Lam/Getty Images)

Opponent: The Edmonton Oilers.

Total number of times we’ve faced the Oilers: 5

Number of wins against the Oilers: 4

Game Number: 82.

Number of Games left in the season: 0

So let’s get to it!

Lining Up: Fun Facts

• Last night’s changes to the lineup saw Andrew Ebbett to the first line alongside Henrik Sedin and Alex Burrows. Maxim Lapierre would play on the second line, alongside David Booth and Ryan Kesler. Chris Higgins, in turn would play on the third line with Samuel Pahlsson and Jannik Hansen. The 4^th and final line would consist of Manny Malhotra, Dale Weise and the newly recalled Byron Bitz.
• Our d-pairings consisted of Alex Edler and Kevin Bieksa, Dan Hamhuis and Chris Tanev and Aaron Rome and Sami Salo.
• And you may have noticed that Mason Raymond did not play last night. That was due the fact that his wife was expected to give birth last night. And give birth she did! And therefore I extend a congratulations to Mason and Megan Raymond on their baby boy: Max Raymond!

The Fun Facts of the First, Second and Third Period

• The First Period consisted of several really, REALLY nice saves, 5 penalties and 22 shots total.
• I have nothing else to report for said period.
• The Second Period, on the other hand saw 2 POSTs, 1 goal, 4 penalties, a LUUUUUUUUUUU and 15 shots total.
• Canucks Captain Henrik Sedin scored one for the Canucks though not before several shots rang of the post.
• The post could not seem to decide whose side it was on last night, as 3 shots went of the post, 2 would ring of the post next to netminder Roberto Luongo and the third (as shot by rookie defenceman Chris Tanev) would ring of the post next to Devan Dubnyk.
• LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
• The Third and Final Period saw 2 goals, 1 penalty and plenty of cheering.
• Samuel Pahlsson and the beautiful blonde locks of American Freedom David Booth would score for the Canucks.
• Roberto Luongo and Kevin Bieksa would get an assist on David Booth’s goal, which was also the GWG of the final game of the season.
• The Canucks would go on to win the game 3-0 and would leave Rogers Arena with their fans on their feet and their heads held high.

And thus the Vancouver Canucks will enter the 2012 playoffs with 111 points and number 1 in their division, their conference and in the League.

Congratulations on clinching the top spot in the NHL!

Next up: The Fight for Stanley begins April 11^th 2012. The Canucks face off against Jonathan Quick and the LA Kings in Round 1.

Good Luck everyone and may the odds be EVER in your favour!

'Luuuu' king on. (Photo: Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)

There are now 7 games left in the regular season. The Canucks have clinched the Northwest Division Championship and are now hoping that this last stretch of games will bring us wins and the President’s Trophy.  And standing in their way are the St. Louis Blues, the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

But let’s take a step backwards. Here are the Fun Facts of Saturday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche.

Lining Up: Fun Facts

• The lineup for Saturday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche would undergo very few changes. Sami Salo and Aaron Rome would play as a pairing tonight, in place of Marc Andre Gragnani and Andrew Alberts.
• No further changes were made.

First Period

• The First Period consisted of 1 goal, a ‘GREAT SAVE LUONGO’, a shot that went high, 25 shots on net and 8 penalties.
• Dale Weise’s penalty 36 seconds in would eventually lead to a goal made by Colorado Avalanche rookie: Gabriel Landeskog.
• GREAT SAVE LUONGO.
• Also, Ryan Kesler had a REALLY nice shot on net. Unfortunately, it went high.

Second Period

• The Second Period saw 3 goals, 3 penalties and 25 shots on net.
• Aaron Rome did not return to the game due to a lower body injury late in the first period.
• Colorado would get one past Canucks net minder Roberto Luongo thanks to Jamie McGinn.
• However, the Canucks would answer with 2 goals of their own, thus tying up the game. Mason Raymond and Chris Higgins would be credited with the goals.

Third Period

• The Third Period saw 3 lovely saves, 0 goals, 21 shots on net and 1 penalty.
• LUUUU
• LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
• LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
• I think I over did the Luuu’s.
• Yes, yes I over did the Luuu’s.
• But you get the point. Roberto Luongo made some key saves during the third and not without help either. The goal post was also willing to give us a hand.
• Word is also going around that Kevin Bieksa’s theme song (SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS, SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS) was heard sometime during the third period.

Overtime

• With no goals scored during the Third Period, the game was to go to overtime.
• But it would end and end quickly and with a win for the Vancouver Canucks, thanks to Chris Higgins.

Next Up: The Vancouver Canucks take on the LA Kings tonight at Rogers Arena at 7 pm. See you all then!

(Photo: Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Or in this case.

An Avalanche.

10 points to the person who knows what inspired the title.

Well, there’s good news. And there’s bad news.

The good news is that Chris Higgins is back.

He was out with a staph infection since January 31^st and since then has been rid of it, with help from medication.

Unfortunately, he had a negative reaction to the medication and was unable to join the Canucks on their mini road trip last week.

But the good news is he’s back and looks like he’s back for good.

The bad news is: Keith Ballard is ailing. And we have no clue what he’s ailing from. Not yet anyways. And Dale Weise also remains out for reasons I am unsure of.

But enough about that; let’s get to the game!

Lining up – Fun Facts

• With Chris Higgins back in the lineup; Mike Duco was sent back down to play with our AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves.
• Chris Higgins would play on the fourth line alongside Maxim Lapierre and Jannik Hansen. Other than that the lineup would not change.
• Luongo would start.

First, Second and Turd Period – Fun Facts

This is not due to a lack of sprinkles. There were plenty of sprinkles that came in the form of a rather well-played game. And so I give to you; in short and in order: The Fun Facts of da First, Second and Turd Periods.

• 13 seconds in, David Booth gives the Canucks a 1-0 lead.
• Byron Bitz and Cody McLeod have a showdown. Byron Bitz managed to get two; good solid punches on him before the fight was broke up.
• LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU.
• And the period ends like that. 1-0, favor of the Nucks.
• Period 2 starts off well, though the Avs decided to tie it up, courtesy of Erik Johnson.
• One of the referees also took a stick to the eye.  It did look like he was alright though. Which is good.
• BEGIN DA TURD.
• Now where do I start with Da Turd?
• Oh yes.
• THE HONEY BADGER.
• Jannik, where HAVE you been?
• Well, he’s been around and he scored tonight and I couldn’t be happier.
• The only down side to this period was that Alex Burrows got an empty netter and Chris Higgins was next to him and Y U NO GIVE PUCK TO HIGGY SO HE COULD SCORE EMPTY NETTER?
• I’m joking.
• Alex Burrows got an empty netter and the best part is: we won a game in regulation time.

In other news, I would like to thank the Hockey Gods for finally giving us our game back. Please note we would like Keith Ballard and Dale Weise back uninjured and as soon as possible. Thanks plenty.

We shall gladly take these 2 points and may we go through the rest of the year without going through any more overtimes and shootouts 5 times in a row.

That is all.

Up next: The Toronto Maple Leafs are over for a visit on Saturday. Puck drop is at 4 and I shall see you then.

Until then Canuckleheads.

Until then.