Canucks espresso: The roster speak by no means stops

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A grinding win over a solid-but-struggling crew is the massive headline for the Vancouver Canucks this morning, however there was extra dialogue about off-ice issues throughout on Hockey Evening in Canada on Saturday evening.

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We pause for a second to look at that not solely have the Canucks scored essentially the most targets within the NHL this season, they’ve acquired the second-best aim differential within the NHL, simply behind the Los Angeles Kings.

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For 2-straight video games, the Canucks have gotten it carried out in opposition to top-notch opposition.

There are flaws to their recreation, definitely, however the extra they hold discovering wins like this, the extra they’ll proceed to intrigue over the lengthy haul.

Sure, in fact, they’d like so as to add one other defenceman and there’s little doubt one other ahead to the top-six would dramatically enhance the complexion of this crew however, because it stands, that is an fascinating crew.

They principally play sensible, competent hockey and so they’ve acquired a fantastic goaltender.

Anyway, allow us to flip to the studies from Sportsnet a few present Canuck and a former, maybe-once-again Canuck:

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Kuzmenko most likely isn’t flustered

Andrei Kuzmenko’s head is probably going just a little out of kinds. How may he be aware be? He likes to attain targets and he’s barely carried out that this season.

Plus, he’s skating on the fourth line, his confidence completely shot. Simply have a look at the scoring alternative he missed on a first-period energy play on Saturday. If that’s not a participant who has misplaced all confidence in his fastball, I don’t know what’s.

There’s some irony to the truth that the Canucks’ latest defenceman, Nikita Zadorov, compelled his method out of Calgary after his agent, Dan Milstein, who can also be Kuzmenko’s consultant, spoke out on behalf of his participant.

There’s no signal but that Milstein will converse up on behalf of Kuzmenko. However you surprise if he would possibly quickly.

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One factor you could be certain of: Kuzmenko’s not going to pout. He’s acquired an excessive amount of vitality and an excessive amount of want for good vibes to mope for lengthy.

It needs to be no shock that groups are calling to inquire about Kuzmenko — Elliotte Friedman reported as such — since groups name about different crew’s gamers on a regular basis. Kuzmenko is a little-used spare half in the mean time, however one other crew would possibly assume they current a chance for him.

That stated, simply because a crew calls doesn’t imply there’s a cogent reply.

Bear affords

Ethan Bear’s camp at all times believed that the veteran defenceman nonetheless had loads of leverage by being able to signal midseason. Accidents occur, groups run into wants, snd like what Bear can provide.

The query now could be, would possibly a crew provide $2 million for him to complete the season with them, and the way would a Canucks provide evaluate? Because it stands, the Canucks can’t go that prime.

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So that they’re leaning on familiarity. Bear and his spouse make their low season residence in West Kelowna. She has a lot of household there. With a younger daughter, having a lot of assist round is a giant deal.

Cap house … lol

You couldn’t assist however snigger just a little at Friedman’s remaining level about Kuzmenko’s state of affairs: The concept they’re at all times able to clear cap house.

Know what the simplest cap clearance transfer might need been?

Not re-signing Kuzmenko.

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