With the Canucks in the midst of a 6 game losing streak, it would seem it is a good time for the team to take a break and regroup.....or is it?
A quick look at the standings and you will see the Canucks presently sit in 8th, the final playoff spot, in the Western Conference. A closer look at the standings and you will notice that along with the streaking 5th place Phoenix Coyotes and the 7th place Anaheim Ducks, the Canucks have played the most games (48) in the Western Conference. The teams (Columbus, Minnesota, Colorado) trailing the Canucks and the teams the Canucks are chasing have at least 2 games in hand. Alarming, to say the least.
All teams have to deal with the break, one way or the other. I am sure most of the players, not taking part in the all-star game, appreciate the 4-5 hiatus away from the game. Seems as though some of the Canucks, most likely the single guys, flew to Maui after the San Jose game. Am I the only one who is jealous?
However, a break is not what is needed for three very important players on the Canucks roster. These three players, that have missed a lot of playing time this season, are Luongo (groin injury), Sundin (self imposed soul searching) and Salo (the latest injury a broken rib).
It is next to impossible to come back from an extended lay off and play at the top of your game. Columbus Blue Jacket coach Ken Hitchcock is of the opinion that it takes players at least a month to be in top form when returning from a lay off. While a month seems to be a little long, it does take time to readjust to the speed of the game and for players to regain their timing.
These three very important players do not need the break. Salo.... a very important player you say? Yes, a healthy Sami Salo is extremely important to the Canucks' success. The top four D on the Canucks are Mitchell, Bieksa, Ohlund, and Salo. Edler and O'Brien round out the top six. Without Salo, fringe defencemen Davison or Nycholat make their way into the line up. Salo makes the all important good first pass to get out of the defensive zone and has the best howitzer from the point on the Canucks. While the problem is him staying healthy, him in the line up makes the team far better.
Sundin missed half the season before it dawned on him that he would like to play. It will take him at least 10-15 games to get into game shape and get his timing back. A break after his first 7 games, which have been mediocre at best (2G, 1A, -3), is not what is needed. He needs to play games. I am concerned that a break will just stagnate his comeback.
Luongo travels to his his hometown to participate in the All Star game. Playing a period in a game that is just glorified shinny, will not help his progress. The team would be better served if he would stay in town and work out with goaltending coach Ian Clark and strength and conditioning coach Roger Takahashi. Pray that he doesnt get hurt.
Notes:
- Will people please stop harping on Bieksa. So what if he's had a couple of give aways, hasn't played that well of late. He is a top 4 defencemen on any team in the league. Who would you play in his place? Davison? Give your head a shake, he's a good defencemen, and like every player, he will have the odd poor game.
- Same goes for Alex Edler. Edler is only 22 and the youngest Canuck d-man. He will have his struggles, but the Canucks scouting staff (kudos to European scout, former Canuck stand out, Thomas Gradin) for nabbing this kid in the 3rd round, 91st overall, in the 2004 draft. FYI, the Canucks traded up to take Edler because Detroit was set to take him 6 picks later......but don't feel bad for Detroit, they got a good one in Johan Franzen with the 97th pick.
- Has anybody seen Kyle Wellwood?
A quick look at the standings and you will see the Canucks presently sit in 8th, the final playoff spot, in the Western Conference. A closer look at the standings and you will notice that along with the streaking 5th place Phoenix Coyotes and the 7th place Anaheim Ducks, the Canucks have played the most games (48) in the Western Conference. The teams (Columbus, Minnesota, Colorado) trailing the Canucks and the teams the Canucks are chasing have at least 2 games in hand. Alarming, to say the least.
All teams have to deal with the break, one way or the other. I am sure most of the players, not taking part in the all-star game, appreciate the 4-5 hiatus away from the game. Seems as though some of the Canucks, most likely the single guys, flew to Maui after the San Jose game. Am I the only one who is jealous?
However, a break is not what is needed for three very important players on the Canucks roster. These three players, that have missed a lot of playing time this season, are Luongo (groin injury), Sundin (self imposed soul searching) and Salo (the latest injury a broken rib).
It is next to impossible to come back from an extended lay off and play at the top of your game. Columbus Blue Jacket coach Ken Hitchcock is of the opinion that it takes players at least a month to be in top form when returning from a lay off. While a month seems to be a little long, it does take time to readjust to the speed of the game and for players to regain their timing.
These three very important players do not need the break. Salo.... a very important player you say? Yes, a healthy Sami Salo is extremely important to the Canucks' success. The top four D on the Canucks are Mitchell, Bieksa, Ohlund, and Salo. Edler and O'Brien round out the top six. Without Salo, fringe defencemen Davison or Nycholat make their way into the line up. Salo makes the all important good first pass to get out of the defensive zone and has the best howitzer from the point on the Canucks. While the problem is him staying healthy, him in the line up makes the team far better.
Sundin missed half the season before it dawned on him that he would like to play. It will take him at least 10-15 games to get into game shape and get his timing back. A break after his first 7 games, which have been mediocre at best (2G, 1A, -3), is not what is needed. He needs to play games. I am concerned that a break will just stagnate his comeback.
Luongo travels to his his hometown to participate in the All Star game. Playing a period in a game that is just glorified shinny, will not help his progress. The team would be better served if he would stay in town and work out with goaltending coach Ian Clark and strength and conditioning coach Roger Takahashi. Pray that he doesnt get hurt.
Notes:
- Will people please stop harping on Bieksa. So what if he's had a couple of give aways, hasn't played that well of late. He is a top 4 defencemen on any team in the league. Who would you play in his place? Davison? Give your head a shake, he's a good defencemen, and like every player, he will have the odd poor game.
- Same goes for Alex Edler. Edler is only 22 and the youngest Canuck d-man. He will have his struggles, but the Canucks scouting staff (kudos to European scout, former Canuck stand out, Thomas Gradin) for nabbing this kid in the 3rd round, 91st overall, in the 2004 draft. FYI, the Canucks traded up to take Edler because Detroit was set to take him 6 picks later......but don't feel bad for Detroit, they got a good one in Johan Franzen with the 97th pick.
- Has anybody seen Kyle Wellwood?
