Whenever there’s less than a month to go before the NHL trade deadline (February 27 this year), there are bound to be lots of wild rumours bouncing off the walls. One such wild rumour had Corey Perry on his way to the Vancouver Canucks for Corey Schneider, Keith Ballard and Mason Raymond. This is of course a ridiculous trade, one that doesn’t meet the Ducks needs at all. Yet, somehow there were a lot of Canucks fans that didn’t want the reasonably priced, highly skilled and gritty Hart Trophy winner from a year ago in exchange for a back-up goalie, sixth defenceman and third line winger. But I digress.

There’s always a lot of names that get tossed around before the trade deadline, but when Bob McKenzie brings up a name, people take notice. Bob McKenzie is reporting that Brenden Morrow may become available before the trade deadline. If Morrow becomes available, Mike Gillis will surely be one of the first people in line to put forth an offer.

McKenzie goes on to note that Brendan Morrow has a no trade clause and that Dallas may not ask him to waive it should they get closer to a playoff spot. But if things go bad in the next three weeks, and if Morrow wants a chance to win a Stanley Cup, maybe something could be done. Morrow makes $4.1 million this year and next.

Morrow is exactly what the Canucks need. He is a great bodychecker and can score. Apart from that, he has loads of leadership and experience.

Now, what it would take to get Morrow could be another story. If Dallas ownership (Tom Gaglardi, arch nemesis of Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini) decides to meddle, then a deal could be quashed before it begins. If not, the asking price would likely be high, despite the fact that Morrow is having a disappointing season and is 33 years old. But Morrow brings more than just stats to the table, as long as he’s healthy.

From time to time I like to dream up trades involving the Canucks. Sometimes realistic, sometimes not. Today I’d like to take a crack at some realistic ones.

Firstly, a bit of background. Mike Gillis was on the Team 1040 last week and proclaimed that the Canucks were ‘open for business’ on the trade front and that he wanted to change the ‘change the balance’ of the team. By Mike Gillis standards, this is an earth shattering revelation. Some general managers call press conferences sans-tie, Mike Gillis is more subtle. Gillis will drop hints, and this was a hint.

Of course it should come as no surprise that Mike Gillis might be looking to bolster his lineup. This is a team that is poised to make another run for the cup, but it is not without flaws. Last year Gillis added Chris Higgins and Maxim Lapierre at the trade deadline, and both moves proved to be strokes of genius. They were brought in to provide depth on the fourth line and ended up both playing key roles on the 2nd and 3rd lines.

The Canucks’ needs this year are a little different. The recent injury to Sami Salo has highlighted once again how dependent they are on the fragile Finn. A defenceman who would step up into a top four role if needed would be welcomed, as it is becoming more and more clear that Keith Ballard is not fit for that role. The Canucks could also use some grit on their forward lines.

The Canucks don’t have a lot of players on their roster that they would like to deal that also have significant value, but Mason Raymond is one of them. With David Booth, Chris Higgins and Jannik Hansen, the Canucks have a lot of guys that can do what Mason Raymond does. Because of that, I think Raymond is expendable (although I have been saying this for about three years with Raymond).

Of course, any player the Canucks acquire has to fit under the salary cap. The Canucks don’t have a lot of cap space, but you don’t need a lot of cap space if you acquire a player at the end of the year.

So who’s available? I’m not sure, but I can take some educated guesses. Lets take a look:

George Parros

Contract: One year left, $875,000

Doug MacLean from Sportsnet got the ball rolling today on the possibility of George Parros heading to Vancouver today on a Toronto radio station. Parros would give the Canucks something they haven’t had for a couple of seasons now, a heavyweight enforcer. The question with Parros would be, can he play well enough to stay in the lineup? That’s tough to say. Parros has seen limited minutes in every postseason with the Ducks, so he wouldn’t likely see many minutes on the Canucks as well. But if Parros could come cheap enough, he might be worth a look. Having a guy like Parros to throw in the lineup if you need to help turn the momentum of a series could come in handy, if only for a game or two in the playoffs.

Francois Beauchemin

Contract: One year left, $3.8 million

Francois Beauchemin is a name that I haven’t heard yet this season, but given the state of the Ducks (currently 14 points out of a playoff spot) and the pending free agent status of Beauchemin, he could become available. Beauchemin would be the perfect addition to the Canucks defense. He is used to playing big minutes (he is averaging 25 minutes of ice time a night this year) and is steady and gritty. Beauchemin also knows what it takes to win a Stanley Cup, winning with Anaheim in 2007. Beauchemin likely wouldn’t come ridiculously cheap (even though he is a rental), but he would be worth it.

Travis Moen

Contract: One year left, $1.5 million

Travis Moen would be an upgrade to Dale Weise on the Canucks fourth line. He is 6’2″, 217 lbs, has cup winning experience (Anaheim, 2007) and can play hockey pretty well too. He has a respectable 15 points, -1 and averages 15:28 of ice time on a terrible Montreal Canadiens team. Montreal will surely become sellers at the trade deadline and a guy like Travis Moen is a luxury they can’t afford. Moen would provide size, character and leadership. He’s also a guy that can handle himself against Boston’s Shawn Thornton.

Hal Gill

Contract: One year left, $2.25 million

Another member of Montreal’s impending fire sale could be Hal Gill. The hulking 6’7″, 244 lbs defenceman is 36 years old and is slow as molasses. He has also proven himself to be a valuable defenceman come playoff time in the last few seasons. He wouldn’t need to play in a top 4 role in Vancouver, but could likely fill-in should the need arise. He doesn’t fit the Canucks mold per say, but he is an upgrade on Andrew Alberts.

Shane Doan

Contract: One year left, $4.55 million

Ok, I know the Coyotes probably don’t want to get rid of Shane Doan. He is their Trevor Linden. But what if they do? Trevor Linden was traded once upon a time. So was Ryan Smyth out of Edmonton. Doan is a big power forward that is probably best suited to a role on the second line. He has never played beyond the first round of the playoffs, but is likely hungrier than anyone in the league for playoff hockey. He loves life in Phoenix, but he’s also 35 years old. Sooner or later, he’s got to want a chance to win. Getting a guy like Shane Doan won’t be cheap, even though he is a rental. The Canucks would likely have to give up a guy like Mason Raymond, maybe more. As long as it’s not too much more, I would pull the trigger.

Loyal readers of this blog know that I love trade rumours. Not just trade rumours, but when you’re sitting around with your buddies and say “hey, what do you think the Canucks would have to give up to get Shea Weber”. Love it. I even came up with my own trade proposal last season, trying to figure out a way to get Jarome Iginla (if Calgary ever agreed to that deal, I’m certain the Canucks would have hoisted the Stanley Cup last spring, but I digress). So of course my interest was peaked when Bob McKenzie said that the Vancouver Canucks were one of the teams most interested in acquiring Bobby Ryan from the Anaheim Ducks.

The Ducks are off to a brutal start this year, and have the second worst record in the NHL. Ryan isn’t playing great either. He has just 11 points in 23 games. Apparently the Ducks are willing to shop him.

To be honest, the idea of the Ducks shopping Bobby Ryan is a little bizarre to me considering his talent and age. It also doesn’t make sense to me when you consider that their second line consists of a 41 year old (Teemu Selanne) and a 37 year old (Saku Koivu). In a year or two, they will be very thin up front after Getzlaf and Perry.

But there’s been enough scuttlebutt with enough reputable sources (such as Bob McKenzie) to suggest that the Ducks are indeed shopping Bobby Ryan. And if they are, could he be on his way to the Vancouver Canucks? And if so, what would it take to get him? Lets investigate.

The Ducks don’t have a lot of depth on forward or defense. Particularly defense. Jonas Hiller hasn’t been the same since his battle with vertigo last season, but you have to think that they still believe in him. So if Vancouver wants Ryan, it will have to be a combo platter that helps the Ducks in multiple areas and addresses their depth.

It’s interesting to note that the Province’s Jason Botchford was offering up some tidbits on Twitter this evening. Apparently he knows that the Canucks have interest in Bobby Ryan because they tried to acquire him when Mike Gillis first joined the Canucks. Gillis offered their 2008 first round draft choice (Cody Hodgson) in exchange for Bobby Ryan and Mathieu Schneider.

With the news that Cory Schneider will be starting in goal again tomorrow, a lot of fans are speculating that Roberto Luongo might be traded for Bobby Ryan. With his no-trade clause aside, that kind of trade would make very little sense for the Ducks. Jonas Hiller is an amazing goalie who has had a sub-par start to this season.

Getting Bobby Ryan would likely mean that the Canucks would have to part with Cody Hodgson and some other parts. Perhaps a package of Cody Hodgson, Mason Raymond and Chris Tanev gets the deal done? I think Anaheim would think about that deal. I’m not sure that the Canucks would pull the trigger on that though.

So is Bobby Ryan on his way to Vancouver in the near future? Not likely. I just don’t see the Canucks being willing to give up what it takes to acquire a player like Ryan. Ryan is still young and has loads of talent. He’s big and would likely be a great fit with Ryan Kesler on the Canucks second line. But it’s for those reasons that I don’t see any way that Anaheim gives him up easily.

From time to time, I like to make up rumours. They never come to fruition, they completely lack any kind of insider knowledge, but they’re fun to talk about damn it!

While watching the Winnipeg Jets get their first win in 16 years tonight, I couldn’t help but think that the Canucks could poach some talent of the young Jets roster. One guy in particular is Tobias Enstrom. Enstrom, if you’re not familiar with him, is a small but skillful offensive defenceman in his fifth year in the NHL. He’s quietly put up two consecutive 50+ point seasons the last two years in Atlanta. He is 26 years old and makes $3.75 million per season.

Essentially, Enstrom is the perfect replacement for the departed Christian Ehrhoff. Ehrhoff is a player the Canucks still miss, particularly on their power play.

The Jets are weak in goal and up front, but they’re rich in young offensive defencemen. Perhaps the Winnipeg Jets are willing to part with Enstrom, given that they already have Dustin Byfuglien and the young Zach Bogosian on their blue line. In order to get better up front or in goal, the Jets might be wise to move of them.

So what can the Canucks give up? They have a few pieces that the Jets might find attractive.

Cory Schneider spent three seasons in Winnipeg with the Manitoba Moose and the Jets brass is likely very familiar with him. He’s a natural fit in Winnipeg and could form a nice goaltending tandem with Andrej Pavelec.

I’m not sure if I would make this trade straight up, but if you could add Keith Ballard (who has the potential to be a good all-around defenceman) and Blake Wheeler (a big strong forward with skill), I would make this deal. The Jets might need a forward thrown into the deal, in which the Canucks could add a player like Chris Higgins or Mason Raymond once he recovers from his injury (or if that tickle their fancy, prospect Jordan Schroeder might look appealing).

What do you think Canucks and Jets fans? Would you make this deal? Why or why not? Let me know in the comments section.

Hello everybody. I’m back. It’s been a while since my last blog, and I’m sure you can understand why. The Canucks exciting and exhausting Stanley Cup run ended one month ago today. That was followed up quickly with the NHL draft, the NHL awards and the start of free agency. I was exhausted. I needed to re-charge. And no, the signing of Marco Sturm didn’t exactly give me the kick start I needed.

But I’ve recovered and I’m back for some fun summertime blogging. You know what’s great about summertime blogging? RUMOURS. Mike Gillis and the brass are pretty tight lipped, so there aren’t many juicy ones out there.

To start a good rumour, we have to address a team’s needs.

What do the Canucks need? The three most glaring areas are: an offensive defenceman to replace Christian Ehrhoff, a better second line winger to play with Ryan Kesler, and more grit/toughness.

Ok, those are the needs, lets start it off!

Mark Streit

Position: Defence

Age: 33

Contract: 2 more years left at $4.1 million per season

Last season stats: n/a

Why he’s a good fit: He’s an offensive defenceman who can play big minutes. He didn’t play at all last year due to injury, but his stats the previous three years are very impressive. He had 62, 56 and 49 points with the Canadiens and Islanders. He’s great on the power play, doing most of his offensive damage there. But he’s more than just a power play specialist. He averaged over 25 minutes of ice time in 2008-09 and 2009-10 on some terrible Islanders teams and was a combined +6. That’s downright astonishing.

What it would take to get him: So if Mark Streit is so good, why would the Islanders want to get rid of him? Perhaps because of his age (at 33 he’s getting old for a rebuilding team like the Islanders) or perhaps because of his injury troubles. But the best reason why he would be available is because Garth Snow is not a very good general manager! He wouldn’t come cheap, but perhaps he could be had for a combination of Keith Ballard and Mason Raymond? That’s a bit of a long shot, but certainly the Canucks could get him if they were willing to give up Cory Schneider or Cody Hodgson. I probably wouldn’t trade either youngster for him, but it’s at least worth a thought.

Dennis Wideman

Position: Defence

Age: 28

Contract: One more year left at $4.5 million per season

Last season stats: GP: 75, G: 10, A: 30, Pts: 40, -19, TOI/G: 23:59

Why he’s a good fit: He’s an offensive defenceman that could replace Christian Ehrhoff. He’s only two years removed from a 50 point season with the Bruins. He’s also low risk, seeing that he is only under contract for one more season.

What it would take to get him: Probably draft picks and/or young players. The Washington Capitals are currently over the salary cap and have a lot of defencemen. Wideman was brought in last season to fill-in for the injured Mike Green. Now that Green is healthy again, perhaps there’s less of a need for Wideman. The Caps currently have eight legitimate NHL defencemen signed.

Brenden Morrow

Position: Left Wing

Age: 32

Contract: Two more years at $4.1 million per season

Last season stats: GP: 82, G: 33, A: 23, Pts: 56, -3, TOI/G: 19:14

Why he’s a good fit: He’s got grit, toughness, determination, leadership, experience and a goal scoring touch. He also scores big goals. What more do you want for your second line alongside Ryan Kesler?

What it would take to get him: A lot. He is the captain of the Dallas Stars and has played his whole career there since being drafted by the Stars in 1997. With that said, with the departure of Brad Richards and not much else coming on the horizon, the Stars are in a rebuilding situation. If the Canucks could knock their socks off with some young talent, I think the Stars might be willing to give up Morrow. What about Cory Schneider and Mason Raymond (or insert someone else’s name here if Dallas is unwilling to acquire a player with a broken back!) and a first round pick for Morrow and Andrew Raycroft? I’d make that deal.

So that’s my best attempt at getting the rumour ball rolling. Keep on enjoying the summer everybody.

It was a slow day in Canuckland today given that the team has been given their second day off without practicing and the fact that they won’t play game 1 of the conference finals until Sunday. That was, until Jason Botchford of the Province dropped this in the Twitter world:

I choose to read lots into news malhotra is skating #callitacomeback

This is unexpected and encouraging news. Manny Malhotra’s career was thought to be in jeopardy after he suffered a serious eye injury on March 16. Malhotra was skating with a full cage, by himself. The Canucks aren’t saying that he’s on the comeback trail, but it doesn’t make sense for him to be practicing unless that was a possibility.

Malhotra’s eye first appeared better in some celebration videos inside the Canucks dressing room (notice he’s not wearing sunglasses):

Who knows if and when he could possibly return, but if he could it would do wonders for the team. Malhotra helps in a lot of areas, and would give them another centre they so desperately need right now. It would turn the Canucks from a three line team into a four line team. Currently they are a team that plays only three lines primarily when the score is close in the third period. If he could return to his previous form, he could be matched up against other teams’ top lines, freeing Ryan Kesler to play in more of an offensive role.

So what does this mean? RUMOUR TIME!

Lets begin:

Atlanta Thrashers – Andrew Ladd

It may seem strange that the Thrashers would want to part with their captain, but it’s not inconceivable. The Thrashers are five points out of a playoff spot and Ladd is a restricted free agent after the season. He won’t come cheap, but it’s widely known that the Canucks have high interest in him. He would provide everything the Canucks covet to replace Mason Raymond: grit, scoring ability and Stanley Cup experience (he’s a two-time winner). He would have to patch things up with Ryan Kesler though.

Buffalo Sabres – Mike Grier, Rob Niedermayer, Cody McCormick

The Sabres are only 3 points out of a playoff spot, so they’re hardly in a position for a fire sale, but these three players are all pending UFAs who aren’t lighting the world on fire. They just let their captain Craig Rivet go recently, so I don’t see why they wouldn’t be willing to part with Grier, Niedermayer or McCormick. All three would fit into the Canucks fourth line and all three provide some grit. Grier is probably the best of the three but Niedermayer and McCormick can both play centre (a position the Canucks are sorely missing on the 4th line).

Florida Panthers – Marty Reasoner

In my mind, Reasoner is the best fit of all of the players available. He’s 6th in scoring and 2nd in plus-minus for the Panthers this season. He could centre the 4th line and is an impressive 54.5% in faceoffs.  He can also kill penalties. Should an injury occur to one of their centres, he could slide into that spot also.

Ottawa Senators – Chris Neil, Chris Phillips

You’ve heard the names before. There’s a fire sale going on in Ottawa and Neil and Phillips are two guys likely to be getting a change of address. Neil would be a nice fit with the Canucks, but he makes $2 million this year and next. Phillips is likely to cost too much as well. Maybe the Canucks scouts were only in Ottawa to see Reasoner play.

Edmonton Oilers – Gilbert Brule

This one is interesting. Brule makes $1.85 million this year and next, but maybe a move home is just what he needs. He’s also currently injured, which doesn’t bode well. If he is healthy soon I think the Canucks could form a Detroit Red Wings type 4th line with Tambellini, Brule and Glass. Not a lot of size there, but they’re all speedy and play with an edge.

Colorado Avalanche – Milan Hejduk

The Avalanche would want something significant in return, but Milan Hejduk would look good on the Canucks second line. The former 50 goal scorer makes only $3 million this year and is a UFA at the end of the season.

One of the most exciting days on the NHL calendar is just around the corner. That day is trade deadline day, and it’s less than two weeks away. We have already gotten a taste of deadline day in recent days, with the Leafs and Senators beginning to offload players.

Loading Up

This is probably going to be the most important trade deadline in the history of the Vancouver Canucks. Never before has this franchise been so well positioned to challenge for the NHL’s top prize and it’s time to load up. The time to load up is not when you’re struggling to make the playoffs. It’s when you’re close, and can fill a need with a role player or two that fit a need. Recent examples of this include the Detroit Red Wings in 2008 (Brad Stuart) and the Anaheim Ducks in 2007 (Brad May). Stuart and May were not the most talented players available at either deadline, but they helped their new teams win the Stanley Cup.

The Need

The Canucks currently sit in top spot in the Western Conference, so they don’t need major changes. But with that said, there are a couple of areas that Mike Gillis should try to improve before the clock strikes noon on February 28.

The Canucks fourth line has been a revolving door all year long. It has lacked an identity and perhaps more importantly, lacked a natural centre. The Canucks should be in the market for a gritty centre that can win faceoffs and be dependable in his own end. The fourth line could also use a little more size and physicality, which could come in the form of a gritty winger.

In case you haven’t noticed, the Canucks have suffered a few injuries on defense. Alex Edler, Keith Ballard and Andrew Alberts are all injured but are expected back in time for the playoffs. As long as that’s the case, then the Canucks can make due for now. There seems to be less certainty with Dan Hamhuis, he of the concussion. If Mike Gillis feels like Hamhuis will be ready for the playoffs, then not to worry. If however he feels like Hamhuis could be gone for a long period of time, then a top four defenseman has to be the top priority. In any case, the Canucks would be well advised to add yet another defenseman, for the right price, for insurance.

The Cap

The NHL’s salary cap might be the most difficult thing to figure out as a fan when your team has had a lot of injuries. The Canucks are a cap team, but will get some unexpected salary relief due to all of their recent injuries. How much? Good question. CapGeek.com is probably the best tool out there, but with the return of so many injured players uncertain, it’s very difficult to figure out. Mike Gillis will likely be able to add an inexpensive player at the deadline without problem, but adding a player that makes over $3 million may mean some roster juggling.

Who is Available?

I’m not going to pretend like I have insider knowledge, but it’s often possible to decipher who is going to be available. Teams that have fallen out of playoff contention usually attempt to move pending unrestricted free agents on their roster (as the Senators have already done with Mike Fisher and Chris Kelly). With that said, here is a list of players that will likely be available and would be a good fit for the Canucks:

Impact Defensemen:

Chris Phillips, Ottawa Senators

Contract: One year left with a $3.5 million cap hit.

What he brings to the table: He has been a shutdown defenseman for the Senators for a number of years now, but he’s having an off-year. He hast a no trade clause, but it’s uncertain whether or not he will want to waive it.

Eric Brewer, St Louis Blues

Contract: One year left with a $4.25 million cap hit

What he brings to the table: Steady, stay at home defenseman. Leadership (he’s the Blues captain) and experience (he won Olympic gold for Canada in 2002).

Depth Defensemen:

Ian White, Carolina Hurricanes

Contract: One year left at $3 million.

What he brings to the table: A poor man’s Kevin Bieksa, White had a career year last year notching 13 goals, 25 assists and was a +8 splitting time between Toronto and Calgary. This year hasn’t been as kind to White, but he would still be a nice insurance policy.

Andy Greene, New Jersey Devils

Contract: One year left with a $0.738 million cap hit

What he brings to the table: A solid puck moving defenseman, he would provide the Canucks depth and could play on the power play.

Radek Martinek, New York Islanders

Contract: One year left with a $1.5 million cap hit

What he brings to the table: He’s been a top 4 defenseman for a number of years on the island. That doesn’t say much, but he’d be a capable replacement and fill-in for injuries.

Jan Hejda, Columbus Blue Jackets

Contract: One year left with a $2 million cap hit.

What he brings to the table: See Radek Martinek but substitute-in Columbus for New York.

Adam Foote, Colorado Avalanche

Contract: One year left at $1.25 million

What he brings to the table: Experience, leadership and toughness. Nobody crosschecks guys and gets away with it, other than Chris Pronger. The question is his age and if he’s over the hill.

Fourth Line Centre

Zenon Konopka, New York Islanders

Contract: One year left at $0.6 million

What he brings to the table: Toughness. Not sure if he’s a good fit because he takes a lot of penalties. He’s a fourth line centre/enforcer which is not very common.

Marty Reasoner, Florida Panthers

Contract: One year left at $1.15 million

What he brings to the table: Good two-way forward. Already has 11 goals and is a +8 on a bad Florida team.

Fourth Line Winger

Rob Niedermayer, Buffalo Sabres

Contract: One year left at $1.25 million.

What he brings to the table: He’s having a bad year, with no goals yet this season. The good news is he won’t cost much but the bad news is he might be terrible. Perhaps a chance to play in his home province would be the spark he needs.

Mike Grier, Buffalo Sabres

Contract: One year left at $1.4 million.

What he brings to the table: He would be a perfect fit on the fourth line. He hits and can score goals and has a lot of experience.

One day after the Dallas Stars inexplicably had their poorest showing of season, a 7-1 loss at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks, and one day before Mr Roxy himself, Shane O’Brien returns to town, it seems appropriate to look in-depth at the “Roxy Flu”.

Jeremy Roenick on the Roxy:

It is the place to go to on the road. They play great music. There are hot chicks. There’s lots of beer. There’s lots of shots.

Definition

The Roxy Flu is a term that has been coined to explain poor performances by visiting opponents in Vancouver. It is usually contracted when teams arrive to Vancouver early, thus giving visiting players a chance to party it up and causing them to not be at their best.

Last year, Shane O’Brien contracted the rare hometown Roxy Flu, of course contracted when a player on the home team frequents the club and then is late for practice the next day!

Latest Cases

January 24, 2011 – Dallas Stars

The Stars had every reason to come out with a great effort against the Canucks. The Stars are enjoying a great surprise season that has them in third in the Western Conference and are coming off a disappointing loss in Calgary. It was also the return of former Canucks coach Marc Crawford and a chance to show they belong among the NHL’s elite. Recipe for a motivated team in Vancouver right? Wrong. The Stars spent the weekend in Vancouver after their Friday night game in Calgary and presumably partied it up in Vancouver on Saturday and/or Sunday. They lost the game 7-1. Definite case of the Roxy Flu.

December 28, 2010 – Philadelphia Flyers

A good way to identify the Roxy Flu is when a good team comes into town early and gets lambasted by the home team. That was the case when one of the best teams in the league came to town about a month ago and were beat down, falling 6-2. And there’s more than a few photos on the internet to suggest Mike Richards and Jeff Carter like to party (like here, HERE and here).

Shane O’Brien’s Itinerary

If Predators head coach Barry Trotz is smart, he’ll keep a close eye on big number 55 in his return to Vancouver slated for tomorrow night. I’m not sure what the travel plans are for the Predators, who lost last night in Calgary. Presumably they arrived in Vancouver late last night. As dumb as O’Brien can be, I think he’ll wait until after the game tomorrow to head over to the Roxy. With the all star break looming, he’ll have lots of time to let loose. If he does decide to pay the Roxy a visit, I’m sure there will be no shortage of Vancouver sluts puckbunnies there waiting for him.

My eyebrow was raised a little bit with the news this morning that Sergei Shirokov has been re-called by the Vancouver Canucks. Remember him? Shirokov had some good seasons in Russia since being drafted by the Canucks in the sixth round back in 2006. He made the move to North America last year, dazzled everyone in preseason and earned a spot on opening night.

Fans expected something resembling Pavel Bure but what they got more resembled the second coming of Fedor Fedorov (minus the attitude). Shirokov played only six games last year and was given only a quick look this year in preseason, dressing only twice.

Fast forward to the regular season, Shirokov has been a consistent point producer and now leads the Moose in scoring. While Cody Hodgson was getting all the press early on, Shirokov has quietly been producing at the same level.

What’s puzzling is not that Shirokov would get a call-up given the way he’s playing, it’s puzzling that he gets called up after Alex Bolduc (a fourth liner) got injured. Shirokov would seemingly need to be on a scoring line to be productive. Does that mean the Canucks will boast a fourth line including Tambellini and Jannik Hansen? If so, that’s a lot of skill for a fourth line, perhaps taking a page out of the Detroit Red Wings template.

Personally, I would have expected another recall for Mario Bliznak, who looked good in spurts earlier this year and who also plays centre. In any case, look for Shirokov to have a lot of jump (at least in the short term) in order to try and prove himself.