Considering all the defensive problems the Canucks have endured, the lack of attention being paid to the injured Sami Salo is somewhat astounding. I say somewhat because Salo still has a reputation as a primarily offensive defenceman – he’s the guy with the big shot – so it’s understandable (albeit misguided) that his imminent return doesn’t have fans overly excited. After all, it’s defensive breakdowns that have been the Canucks’ demise, not the power play.
Make no mistake about it, though; Salo will make a big difference when he plays either Wednesday in Detroit or Friday in Washington. That’s because, dare I say it, he’s the best defenceman on the club. You might disagree. I wouldn’t blame you. It’s a strong statement considering the quality of the Canucks’ back end. If you’d like to fight about it, let’s arrange a time and place. No head or groin shots. Also, we will be wearing those sumo suits.
But seriously, folks, here’s what’s good about Salo: he was +21 last year, tops on the team, and he was second in scoring among d-men with 37 points (Kevin Bieksa led with 42). Here’s what’s even better: Salo took just 26 minutes in penalties over 67 games. Compare that to Bieksa with 134 PIM in 81 games, Mattias Ohlund (80 in 77), Willie Mitchell (45 in 62) and Lukas Krajicek (64 in 78).
Granted, in Bieksa’s case particularly, not all those minutes resulted in an opposition power play, but Salo was by far the best at avoiding the lazy hooking and holding minors that occur when forwards get body position.
One other thing that Salo does well is move the puck. What does that actually mean? Well, you know how once in a while Mitchell gets it in the Canucks’ end and you can feel the panic before he rattles it high off the glass and out? Salo doesn’t do that. He actually finds the open man and starts the rush.
Salo has also, to the KB’s knowledge, never allowed Chad LaRose, a player with nine goals in 138 career games, to sneak behind him like a beer-league seagull and score on a breakaway from the blue line in. (Just saying is all.)
Putting the Panic in Perspective
The Canucks (4-5-0) have played nine games. The season is 82 games long. That means they’ve played approximately 11 percent of their schedule. A CFL team plays 11 percent of its schedule in two games. So if you’re already panicking about the Canucks, you’re essentially panicking about a 1-1 football team. So stop panicking and get a hold of yourself.
And while we’re here, let’s remember that Vancouver started the 2005/06 season 8-1-1. They missed the playoffs. Last year, they started 8-10-1 and were 17-18-1 at Christmas. They won the division.
BC's Shame
So Cranbrook’s Scott Niedermayer won the Conn Smythe Trophy in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals, Victoria’s Steve Nash was the NBA’s MVP in 2005 and 2006, New Westminster’s Justin Morneau was the American League’s MVP in 2006 and North Delta’s Jeff Francis is starting Game 1 of the 2007 World Series. My question is as follows: why is British Columbia not producing NFL stars? It’s a total joke. A complete embarrassment.
Beating a Dead Horse, Running a Granny
Roy MacGregor wrote an article today about the CFL’s importance in Saskatchewan. It didn’t tell us anything we don’t know, unless you didn’t know the CFL is pretty darn important in Saskatchewan. The reason it warrants mention is the quote by one Lori Cosh, a Roughriders’ season ticket holder.
"We consider the NFL an inferior league to the CFL," she said. "For heaven's sake, my grandmother can run 10 yards in four tries."
For heaven’s sake, why do insecure CFL fans feel the need to bash the NFL with such stupid arguments? You know what, Lori? Prove it. Throw granny out there. Give the ole gal the ball. Four tries. Ten yards. Let’s see it.
Okay - thought I'd do a wee cut and paste job from my fav. blog - them lads is funny! Sumo suits, that is some fine blogging action. Some of you may know the site, others maybe not. Now be like me - cut and paste!
http://communities.canada.com/theprovince/blogs/kurtenblog/default.aspx
5 comments:
Good to see the Kurtenblog! I though those guys were dead.
Canucks still won't make the playoffs unless they can score more than a goal or two per game; even with the second or third best goalie in the game (#1 Brodeur, #2 or 3 Auld).
And there's no point in hoping they, as you say on FB, pull their heads out their asses. They're playing as good as they possibly can. This just isn't a team built to score goals and win games. Something has to change.
Auld - I think I'm having a stroke I'm laughing so hard!
Agree about the change, there's way to many grinders on this club and I hope Puffy sends that message to AV via a shake up trade to bring us some real scoring.
Dare to dream....
by the way therzo; when ya gonna blog again? Miss yer rants, and still awaiting that open letter to our friends with the weak dollar. Now may be the time to strike young revolutionary!
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