A few things I think I think, Part 3

In House:

1. The Canucks need somebody that's not from Sweden to score. Kesler might be learning if last night's three point performance is any indication that he feels like producing under a 1.9 million dollar contract. But the occasional goal from the likes of Burrows and Bulis won't cut it. There has to be more production for the Nucks to have any sort of success.

2. In relation to number 1., Brenden Morrison has to reach the 65 point mark, and score about 25 goals. There are way too many pass first players on the team, and he is one of them.

3. I retract my top 6 defensemen in camp, and place Patrick Coulumbe ahead of Bourdon. It might be better that young Luc plays one more year at the junior level. If it wasn't for Coulumbe's amazing play, remember this guy was a walk on, this decision couldn't be made.

4. I don't think it really matters who's on the fourth line. The fact is it's just going to stink.

5. Overall, not many good impressions thus far in the preseason. With a 1-5 record the Canucks aren't looking like the "dark horse" candidates experts are predicting. Luongo will have to have the season of his career for the Canucks to go somewhere this season.

Out House, or Rest of the League:

1. Rookie prospect Brett Sterling of the Atlanta Thrashers has some of the best hands in the world. I used to play roller hockey against this guy and the things he did with the puck most NHLers could only begin to imagine. But, he is only 5'6 (I'm thinking even 5'4/5'5) and so odds are he'll be in the AHL this year. Too bad for fans, he would fill the highlight reels that'll be yearning for Tim Connolly.

2. Again, I mentioned it before but the key to the Northwest is goaltending. Every team has an unarguable excellent number 1. The biggest question is which team has the best backup, just in case someone falters or gets injured. Come playoff time backups are essential. Note: review the Carolina Hurricane's and the Ottawa Senator's last post-seasons.

The Canucks of course have Luongo, but if something happens can the 38 year-old Wade Flaherty be relied upon in an emergency? My answer is no. Look to see Nonis address the situation accordingly.

The Flames went out and acquired Jamie McLennan after losing faith in struggling Brian Boucher. But same question arises with this much travelled veteran backup, is he good enough to fill in? Hard to tell. He's a great back up that hasn't been able to stay consistent. He had a fairly good run with the Flames in 2003-04 before the lock out, but it wasn't good enough to win games for the Flames. That's what Kiprusoff does best, and what the Flames now rely upon. So, the answer is no, come playoffs it's Kipper or bust.

Manny Fernandez and Dwayne Roloson were the best 1-2 punch in the league for three years until Rolly got traded to Edmonton. With Fernandez as the undisputed number one and a more potent offense up front the Wild look like a contender for the playoffs. The Wild have two guys fighting it out for second spot, Niklas Backstrom the Finnish veteran, and Canadian youngster Josh Harding. While Harding has the inside track, Backstrom has the pro level experience. Both of these guys are a huge question mark when it comes to the NHL.

Will we see Jose Theodore of 2001 or Jose Theodore of 2005? Whichever the case may be, the Avalanche will play him at least 60 games. The Avs, have in my mind the best relief in Peter Budaj. He played extremely well in his 29 starts last season posting 2.86 GAA, with a .900 SV%. If in fact Theodore falters Budaj will be there to soften the load and perhaps split games with the unconfident veteran.

"Rolly the Goalie" came into the spotlight in 2005-06, after being traded to the Edmonton Oilers before the trade deadline. Without the untimely injury in game one of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes we might be still talking about Kevin Lowe's excellent move that turned the Oilers season right around, and helped them capture the Stanley Cup. But words die slowly when 'almost' is mentioned. The back story of course is that Jussi Markannen was unable to " get the job done " as number two. That was a lofty task to ask for an inexperienced backup, but one that he will be asked if the situation arises again this year. The Oilers will hope he can get it done this time if needed. My guess, no way.

3. If preseason numbers have any indication of who's the team to beat, and I argue there's a good case, here's how it'll look like atop each division:

Atlantic: New York Rangers (4-1)
Northeast: Boston Bruins (4-2)
Southeast: Tampa Bay (2-0-2)
Northwest: Edmonton (5-1)
Central: Chicago (6-0)
Pacific: San Jose (5-1)

Which one does not look like the others? ...If you picked Boston I'll give you a 1/2 point.

If I was Alain Vigneault Pt. 1

Great game tonight! I was fortunate to catch the highlights. Luongo looked good. He's struggling now in preseason but I've got no worries.

Based on the stats and what was mentioned on TSN after the game, I think Vigneault should keep Markus Naslund with the Sedin twins to start the season, especially after the 5 point performance they just had against Anaheim. It's a sign for good things to come. The Canucks will be hard pressed for scoring so loading up an excellent first line like this one will should be as effective as it was two years ago with Naslund, Bertuzzi, and Morrison. The question you have to ask is whether a second unit with Bulis and Morrison is strong enough? It's at least worth a try. As for the rest of the lineup I'm hoping this is what we'll be seeing come opening day:

Forwards- 1st Line: D. Sedin, H. Sedin, Naslund; 2nd Line: Pyatt, Morrison, Bulis; 3rd Line: Linden, Kesler, Cooke; 4th Line: B. Reid, Chouinard, Burrows; Alternate: J. Schultz

Defensemen- 1st Pairing: Ohlund, Salo; 2nd Pairing: Mitchell, Krajicek 3rd Pairing: Bourdon, Bieksa; Alternate: R. Fitzpatrick

Goalies- Starter: R. Luongo; Backup: W. Flaherty

Having 6'4 Taylor Pyatt alongside playmaker Brenden Morrison and emerging goalscore Jan Bulis just makes sense. They all bring different dimensions on the ice so there's loads of potential there.

Ryan Kesler may or may not move up to the 2nd line by the end of the season. This all depends on his production and Pyatt's. These two may see-saw back and forth depending on consistency.

Guys I liked in training camp and deserve a chance are Jesse Schultz and Brandon Reid. I've like Reid since his days in the QMJHL. He's a speedster that can score and create oppurtunities. Although his size has restricted him in the past, in the new NHL he has the potential to get between 25-40 pts as a 3rd/4th line winger. That would be good production compared to what Kesler, Linden, Burrows, Green, and Goren were putting up last year (Kesler had the most with 23 pts, followed by Linden with 16). The battle in my mind is with Schultz and Rick Rypien for that last spot. We got to see Rypien last year and he was decent checker with lots of intensity, but seeing is the Canucks need all the scoring they can get Schultzy is the man for the job. I know coaches like their 4th liners to be battlers and grinders but really with a potential checking line of Kesler/Linden/Cooke we already have enough guys that will annoy the crap out of the opposition's star players.

Overall, looking forward to a brand new Vancouver Canucks season.