CAROLINA HURRICANES NEWS CLIPPINGS Feb. 9, 2018 - NHL.com
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CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • Feb. 9, 2018
Hurricanes place Kruger, Jooris on waivers
By Chip Alexander Checkers forward Valentin Zykov leads the AHL with 23
goals this season. Forwards Warren Foegele (21 goals) and
calexander@newsobserver.com Aleksi Saarela (18) also have been consistent goal-scorers
February 08, 2018 12:56 PM for Charlotte and Lucas Wallmark has NHL experience with
the Canes.
Updated February 08, 2018 02:24 PM
Kruger, 27, was obtained from the Vegas Golden Knights on
Carolina Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis traded for July 4, 2017 after the expansion team traded for the Swede.
center Marcus Kruger last July, believing the former Chicago Kruger helped the Blackhawks win two Stanley Cups and on
Blackhawks player could help the Canes reach the playoffs the day of the trade Francis said, “We were determined to
this season, bring in experienced players with winning pedigrees and
On Thursday, Kruger, who has spent much of the season as Marcus is another addition who fits that mold.”
the Canes’ fourth-line center, was placed on NHL waivers. Kruger, who has a salary cap hit of $3.08 million, has one
Also going on waivers was forward Josh Jooris, another goal and five assists in 48 games with Carolina this season,
offseason addition. playing a little less than 11 minutes a game. He has been
NHL teams have until noon Friday to make a claim on either used on the penalty kill and has won 55 percent of his
of the players. If unclaimed, the Hurricanes could assign faceoffs.
them to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL, allowing roster Jooris, 27, has three goals and three assists in 30 games
flexibility and free the way for some callups. and has often been a healthy scratch. He was signed to a
The Canes (24-21-9) host the Vancouver Canucks on Friday one-year free-agent contract on July 1, 2017.
in the sixth game of their eight-game homestand.
“We’re going to try and dress a lineup we think can be able Read more here:
to compete and be dangerous offensively every night,” http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/carolina-
Canes coach Bill Peters said Thursday. “We’ll see what hurricanes/canes-now/article199087984.html#storylink=cpy
happens.”
Hurricanes place Kruger, Jooris on waivers
NHL's 30 other teams have until noon Friday to make a Both players are in their first year in Carolina. Kruger was
claim on the players acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights on July 4 for a 2018
fifth-round draft pick. He had played his previous seven
February 8, 2018 Cory Lavalette Article, NHL, Sports seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, winning two Stanley
RALEIGH — At a pivotal point in their season, the Carolina Cups and becoming the team’s shutdown fourth-line center.
Hurricanes placed forwards Marcus Kruger and Josh Jooris He was traded to Vegas for future considerations last
on waivers Thursday. The NHL’s other 30 teams will have offseason, likely as part of an expansion draft deal with the
until noon tomorrow to make a claim on either player, Blackhawks, before being flipped to Carolina. He has one
otherwise they will be eligible to be assigned to the AHL.
CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • Feb. 9, 2018
year left on a contract that has a cap hit of $3.083 million, Jooris, signed as a free agent to a one-year contract over the
though it will costs just $2.3 million in real money. summer, has been unable to establish himself as a mainstay
in the Hurricanes’ lineup, playing in 30 games with three
Kruger has one goal and five assists in 48 games with the goals and three assists. His one-way contract pays him
Hurricanes this season. For the first time this season, he was $775,000 this season.
a healthy scratch on Tuesday for the team’s pivotal
Metropolitan Division game against Philadelphia. The Flyers The Hurricanes will have options come noon tomorrow, when
won 2-1 in overtime. claims for players on the waiver wire are due. If either or both
players go unclaimed, the Hurricanes could opt to keep them
Kruger was acquired to ease the defensive burden on center with the team or assign them to Charlotte.
Jordan Staal, and he was a respectable minus-6 on the
season. But the Hurricanes scored just 11 goals in 48 games Carolina could recall as many players as they move off their
when Kruger was on the ice. roster, meaning if both players are claimed, assigned to the
Checkers or a combination of those two results, the
“We are going to try and dress a lineup that we think is going Hurricanes could recall two players from the AHL.
to be able to compete and be dangerous offensively every
night,” Hurricanes coach Bill Peters said Thursday after the Charlotte has several high-scoring players who could be
two were placed on waivers. “We’ll see what happens. Two options. Andrew Miller, with 43 points in 48 games, is tied for
good players, NHL players. Good men.” third in AHL scoring. Valentin Zykov leads the AHL in goals
(23) and power play goals (13), while Warren Foegele is tied
Despite averaging just 10:50 minutes a game, Kruger also for fourth in goals (21), first in even-strength goals (17) and
ranked third on the team in penalty minutes with 28 and tied for first in shorthanded goals (4). Lucas Wallmark also
struggled when paired with Joakim Nordstrom on the penalty has 31 points in 30 games, one of six players currently in the
kill for most of the first half of the season, when the coaching AHL to play 30 games this season and average more than a
staff moved Nordstrom back with Staal on the top forward kill point per game.
unit. The penalty kill has since climbed back to respectability,
ranking 21st at 79.1 percent. That also ranks fourth in the
eight-team Metro.
Gameday: Canucks vs. Hurricanes
by Michael Smith @MSmithCanes / CarolinaHurricanes.com conference match-up with the Vancouver Canucks begin
another back-to-back set for the Canes.
12:00 AM
The Hurricanes are 2-2-1 on the homestand thus far. After
If you can play, you can play. winning the first two games coming off the All-Star break, the
This is the gameday hub, where you can find all the latest Canes have since gone winless in their last three games (0-
news and information you need to know for today's You Can 2-1).
Play Night match-up featuring the Vancouver Canucks and In a critical Metropolitan Division tilt on Tuesday, the
Carolina Hurricanes. Make Hurricanes.com a regular stop Hurricanes were able to snag a point in a 2-1 overtime loss
throughout the day, as we update this hub with notes, to the Philadelphia Flyers. It was a closely contested match
videos, photos and more as puck drop draws near. for nearly 65 minutes before Jordan Weal scored the game-
We'll be rinkside, as always, as the Hurricanes morning winning goal for the Flyers in the waning seconds of 3-on-3
skate, which gets underway at 10:30 a.m. at PNC Arena. overtime.
Last updated: 12:00 a.m. "Really good game. High-end game," head coach Bill Peters
said after practice on Thursday. "Both teams I thought were
CANES LOOK TO GET BACK IN WIN COLUMN AGAINST dialed in. There wasn't a lot of space. There were scoring
CANUCKS chances, but there were more scoring opportunities that we
12:00 a.m. could do more with. … We have to make sure we execute
Three games remain in the Carolina Hurricanes' season- and take advantage."
long, eight-game homestand, and Friday night's cross-
CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • Feb. 9, 2018
The Vancouver Canucks come into tonight's game having Articles
lost three in a row. They've been outscored 12-5 in that
stretch, which includes a 5-2 loss to the Tampa Bay • Van Riemsdyk Leads Hockey is for Everyone
Lightning on Thursday night. The Canucks are 21-27-6 Initiatives for Hurricanes
through 54 games this season.
• Hurricanes Place Kruger, Jooris on Waivers
The Hurricanes and Canucks first met this season on Dec. 5
in Vancouver, the first stop on what was a two-week, six- • Tweetmail No. 175: Black Jerseys, Goal Scoring &
game road swing for the Canes. Carolina was shut out 3-0, Pizza
falling to 0-7-3 in their last 10 visits to Vancouver. • Recap: Canes Fall to Flyers in OT
Forwards Marcus Kruger and Josh Jooris were placed on Videos
waivers on Thursday and can be assigned to Charlotte of the
American Hockey League should they clear on Friday. • In the Room: Bill Peters, Feb. 8
"We're going to try to dress the lineup that we think is going • In the Room: Trevor van Riemsdyk, Feb. 8
to be able to compete and be dangerous offensively every
night," Peters said. • Behind the Scenes: Gameday
Scott Darling, in search of his first win since Jan. 11, will get • Question of the Day: Break Nose or Lose Tooth?
the start in net for the Hurricanes.
Gameday Links
CANESPR NOTES: Jaccob Slavin is expected to play in his
200th career NHL game tonight. … Justin Faulk has • Buy Tickets
recorded five points (2g, 3a) in his last three games against
Vancouver, including his most recent three-point game (Dec. • You Can Play Night
13, 2016), in which he registered a goal and two assists. • FANuary: Concessions & Parking Discounts
CLICKS AND CLIPPINGS
• First Goal Contest presented by Kayem
Hurricanes Place Kruger, Jooris on Waivers
Forwards can be assigned to Charlotte if they clear scratch on Feb. 6. The Canes acquired the Stockholm,
Sweden, native from the Vegas Golden Knights shortly after
by Michael Smith @MSmithCanes / CarolinaHurricanes.com the expansion draft. A two-time Stanley Cup champion with
February 8th, 2018 the Chicago Blackhawks, Kruger has totaled 111 points (34g,
77a) in 446 career NHL games.
The Carolina Hurricanes today placed forwards Marcus
Kruger and Josh Jooris on waivers. Jooris, 27, has posted three goals and three assists (six
points) in 30 games with the Hurricanes in 2017-18 and has
If either player clears waivers on Friday at noon, the been a healthy scratch for 24 games this season, including
Hurricanes can assign them to the Charlotte Checkers of the the team's last eight contests. Carolina signed Jooris to a
American Hockey League. one-year contract on July 1 after the Burlington, Ont., native
"We're going to try to dress the lineup that we think is going split the 2016-17 season between Arizona and New York.
to be able to compete and be dangerous offensively every Jooris has totaled 55 points (23g, 32a) in 203 career NHL
night," head coach Bill Peters said after practice on games.
Thursday. "We'll see what happens," Peters said. "Two good players,
Kruger, 27, has tallied a goal and five assists (six points) in NHL players. Good men. We'll go from there."
48 games with the Hurricanes in 2017-18 and was a healthy
Van Riemsdyk Leads Hockey is for Everyone Initiatives for Hurricanes
Hurricanes to host You Can Play Night on Feb. 9 smiling as he wrapped multi-colored Pride Tape around the
blade of his stick after practice on Thursday.
by Michael Smith @MSmithCanes / CarolinaHurricanes.com
February is Hockey is for Everyone month, a joint initiative
February 8th, 2018 between the NHL, its 31 member clubs and the NHLPA that
While sporting a gray t-shirt with a rainbow Carolina reaffirms inclusion on the ice, in the locker room and in the
Hurricanes' logo, Trevor van Riemsdyk was focused and stands and celebrates a diverse and united hockey
community.CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • Feb. 9, 2018
As the Hurricanes' Hockey is for Everyone ambassador, van "It's awesome," head coach Bill Peters said. "It's a great
Riemsdyk is helping to spearhead the team's initiatives sport, and everyone should feel they're welcome and
throughout February. Van Riemsdyk served as Chicago's everyone should be a part of it."
ambassador last season and was also involved in the
University of New Hampshire's outreach with the You Can Under the Hockey is for Everyone umbrella, the Hurricanes
Play Project. will also host Girls Hockey Night (Feb. 13), Triangle Special
Hockey Association Night (Feb. 16), Triangle Sled Hockey
"It's a great initiative," he said. "I think it's something that the Association Night (Feb. 18) and Capital City Crew Night
league does a great job with. This month where they focus in (Feb. 23).
is awesome, but I think they do a good job throughout the
whole year of making sure that every locker room - I can only Van Riemsdyk and Haydn Fleury recently surprised a group
speak for the ones I've been in - but I know that they've been of Capital City Crew players at their practice at PNC Arena.
awesome and very inclusive. You can go in there and it's a The program provides opportunities for inner-city youth ages
welcoming environment where you feel right at home." 8-14 to play ice hockey through partnerships with the Wake
County Boys & Girls Club, Raleigh Youth Hockey
The Hurricanes' Hockey is for Everyone initiatives begin with Association and the Canes.
You Can Play Night on Friday, Feb. 9 when the team plays
host to the Vancouver Canucks. Various LGBTQ "The one thing about hockey is it's not necessarily cheap.
organizations will be stationed on the concourse, and the You have to buy the gear and ice time, so there's all that that
Kids 'N Community Foundation will host a special silent goes into it. It's awesome they're able to get on the ice," van
auction to benefit the You Can Play Project. Leaders within Riemsydk said. "It's awesome to see that more and more
the LGBTQ community will be recognized and featured kids are getting the chance to play."
through various in-game activities. Fans will also notice a Exposing hockey and the values within to a growing
number of Hurricanes players warming up with Pride Tape population of youth and adults alike, regardless of race,
wrapped on their sticks. color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, sexual
"It's important. We have a lot of guys who take pride in it and orientation and socio-economic status, is the crux of Hockey
want to make sure, especially this month, that we get the is for Everyone. It's a celebratory initiative of inclusivity and
word out there. It's a great month," van Riemsdyk said. "We diversity, a manifested belief of hope, love and community.
have 20-something guys who really focus in and make sure "It's a game that I've made a lot of my best friends in," van
that everything goes really well. It's something we all take Riemsdyk said. "You want everyone to be able to have that
pride in." opportunity to come in a locker room. There's a lot of fun to
be had in there, and you want everyone to be able to
experience that."
Carolina Hurricanes vs Vancouver Canucks: Preview & Storm Advisory
The Hurricanes will look to right the ship in first half of a Twitter @CanesCountry
back to back set on You Can Play Night. Facebook Canes Country
Instagram @canescountrypix
By Cody Hagan@Caniac88 Feb 9, 2018, 8:15am EST
It’s You Can Play night inside PNC Arena as the Carolina
Carolina Hurricanes (24-21-8) vs. Vancouver Canucks Hurricanes look to get back to winning against the
(21-27-6) Vancouver Canucks. Amazingly, the Canes still only sit one
Friday, February 9, 2018 - 7:30 p.m. ET point out of playoff spot and it appears changes have finally
PNC Arena - Raleigh, NC started.
TV: Fox Sports Carolinas Vital Statistics
Radio: 99.9 The Fan
Opposition coverage: Nucks Misconduct Category Hurricanes Canucks
Follow Canes Country on Social Media
Record 24-21-9 21-27-6CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • Feb. 9, 2018
Goaltender #2
Category Hurricanes Canucks
Category Cam Ward Anders Nilsson
Points 57 48
Record 15-7-3 6-8-1
Division Rank 7 Metro 7 Pacific
Save % .907 .906
Conference Rank 10 EC 14 WC
GAA 2.65 3.39
Last 10 Games 4-5-1 4-6-0
Streak Lost 3 Lost 3
Game Notes
Goals/Game 2.61 2.60 • The Canes placed both Josh Jooris and Marcus
Kruger on waivers yesterday so expect roster
Goals Against/Game 2.98 3.17 moves to be announced shortly after noon. It would
be very surprising if there is not at least one player
from Charlotte in the lineup tonight.
Shots/Game 34.1 29.7
• The last time these teams met was on December
Shots Against/Game 29.3 31.9 5th in Vancouver where the Canucks won 3-0. (And
the last time they played in Raleigh was that
bonkers 8-6 Canes win in December 2016 where
Faceoff % 52.9 48.7 the Canes scored six times in the second period.)
• Carolina trails all-time with a 26-33-14-1 (74)
Power Play % (Rank) 19.4 (20) 21.4 (9)
record, including a 16-14-6 (36) record at home.
Penalty Kill % (Rank) 79.1 (21) 78.0 (T25) • Jaccob Slavin will play in his 200th NHL game
tonight, all with the Hurricanes.
ES Corsi For % 53.51 47.68 • Scott Darling was announced as the starter tonight
and he is looking for his first win since January
11th.
ES PDO 100.2 97.8
• This is game one of a back to back set for the
PIM/Game 6:25 9:11 Canes while the Canucks are playing in the back
half of their own back to back, losing 5-2 in Tampa
last night.
Goaltender #1
• In conjunction with the NHL’s Hockey is for
Category Scott Darling Jacob Markstrom Everyone initiative, the Hurricanes will host You
Can Play Night tonight. Various LGBTQ
organizations will be on the concourse to speak with
Record 9-14-6 15-18-5 fans. In addition, the Kids ‘N Community Foundation
will host a special silent auction benefiting the You
Save % .892 .908 Can Play Project.
• Trevor van Riemsdyk is the Hurricanes
GAA 3.06 2.75 representative this year and select other players will
be sporting pride taped sticks in warmups.CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • Feb. 9, 2018
Metropolitan Division Weekly Roundup: Is Everyone Allergic to the Wild Card?
All teams competing for a wild card position have back of the head. The weird thing is that neither player is
stumbled when having the ability to cement themselves really a fighter or has a dirty reputation, so I don’t know what
as a wild-card team. caused him to snap. Regardless of motives, the NHL
suspended Burrows for 10 games on Wednesday.
By Zeke Lukow Feb 8, 2018, 2:32pm EST
4. Philadelphia Flyers: 59 Points (25-19-9)
1. Washington Capitals: 67 Points (31-17-5)
The Flyers snapped a four-game losing streak on Tuesday
The Capitals had a rough weekend, first losing to the when they beat the Hurricanes in the last three seconds of
Pittsburgh Penguins 7-4 on Friday and then falling to the overtime. The game was goaltender Brian Elliott’s first game
Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 on Sunday. The Caps’ struggles back from injured reserve. Elliott stopped 27 of the 28 shots,
on the weekend came largely as a result of not playing letting up a lone goal while shorthanded in his return. The
disciplined hockey, allowing four power play goals in the five Flyers really hope that he can keep up his play to give
times they were shorthanded. In the Penguins game, they themselves a more comfortable hold on a playoff position.
erased a two-goal deficit in the second period before
allowing two power play goals in the third. Then in the Vegas Nolan Patrick was moved up to the second line at the end of
game which proved to be a one-goal game, they failed to kill January in a game against the Capitals. In the four games
their only penalty. that he has played on the second line, the rookie has scored
at a point per game pace. His four points are one-third of his
Despite that rough swing and only winning four out of their total season points, and includes scoring two of his five goals
last 10, they are still in good shape. They have a four-point this season. This is a huge development for the Flyers who
lead over the Penguins with two games in hand. They also were really hoping to get solid production out of the second
bounced back on Tuesday with a win over the Columbus overall pick from last year’s draft.
Blue Jackets. It's also important to remember that it’s
February and the Caps always keep their composure until 5. Columbus Blue Jackets: 58 Points (27-22-4)
April.
No team close to the wild card wants to win, apparently. The
2. Pittsburgh Penguins: 63 Points (30-22-3) Columbus Blue Jackets are currently in the middle of their
own four-game skid. In their last five games, the Blue
The Penguins have the most back-to-back sets of any team Jackets have scored at a pace of just two goals per game.
in the league this season with 19. To start the season this Since the new year, Columbus has a league-worst 24 goals
was a huge issue for the Pens as they went 0-4-2 in their first for in 13 games. The Canes, even given all of their offensive
six games in the back half of a back to back. However, they struggles, have 14 more goals in the same time span.
have turned the corner and have gone 4-1-0 in their last five, FOURTEEN! Columbus really needs to add offense and
a huge factor in their recent turnaround due to the frequency quick. Waiting until the end of the month may be too late for
of these games. What looked like automatic losses through them.
November have turned out to be competitive games with a 4-
5-2 record. However, they’re not out of the woods yet: they You would have to think a potential landing spot for Rick
have four more sets waiting for them in March. Nash would be his former home, Columbus. I feel this could
be similar to Mike Green returning to the Caps. The Blue
What’s so surprising about the Pens rise to the second place Jackets could use more skill up the wing and specifically
in the division is that they’re doing it despite a league-worst could stand to move Oliver Bjorkstrand to the bottom six for
.907 even strength save percentage. (Yes, worse than even the rest of the year. Acquiring Nash wouldn’t take a
the Hurricanes!) Looking at recent performance, their .920 permanent roster spot away from the youngster, but it would
even strength save percentage since the start of January is just help them load up for a deeper playoff run. That is the
just 21st in the league. But they have been able to cover this type of move that can push a team to a round one series
up with a 32.6% power play percentage since the start of the victory and potentially get some momentum rolling.
new year. These stats aren’t exactly what you would call
sustainable, so it will be interesting to see if they fall back to 6. New York Islanders: 58 Points (26-22-6)
earth and back down the standings as well.
The Islanders lost their third defenseman to injury when
3. New Jersey Devils: 62 Points (27-17-8) Scott Mayfield went out with a lower-body injury on Tuesday.
This adds to a growing list of players on injured reserve that
With all of the Devils’ goaltending injuries they called up also includes Shane Prince, Nikolay Kulemin, Johnny
Eddie Lack from AHL Binghamton. This is Lack’s first time in Boychuk, and Calvin de Haan. Mayfield’s injury has forced
the NHL since mid-November when he was still with the the other Sebastian Aho to play on a top pairing with Nick
Flames. Lack got into Tuesday night’s game after Keith Leddy. The Isles are out of options on defense, as they have
Kincaid struggled against the Ottawa Senators. In his relief no other defensemen scratched and will have to roll with
appearance, he stopped 11 out of 12 shots with a .917 sv%. Adam Pelech-Ryan Pulock and Thomas Hickey-Dennis
Lack will likely see more playing time with starting goaltender Seidenberg as their second and third pairings respectively.
Cory Schneider still missing time with a groin injury.
This makes the deadline even more interesting for the
This wasn’t the only eventful moment in the 5-3 loss to the Islanders who may need to acquire a defenseman ASAP to
Senators. Senators forward Alex Burrows punched Taylor be able to compete for a playoff position. Since December
Hall, took him to the ground and started kneeing him in the 28th, when Boychuk went on IR, the Isles have just 14 pointsCAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • Feb. 9, 2018
in 17 games with a 6-9-2 record. Now with an even thinner With Peters, player utilization has always been suspect. Jeff
defense, they aren’t exactly expected to rise up the ranks in Skinner is by all metrics one of the top three players on the
a quick fashion. The Isles could look within the division to the team but can’t get out of the bottom six. The line
Hurricanes or the selling Rangers to pick up a defenseman combinations that were rolled out on Tuesday had the Canes
or trade for Mike Green from Detroit. They have the cap with a top line and three third lines. They really need to have
space and would provide a big boost to the defense not just multiple scoring lines and I don’t see how that’s possible
now, but when they are making a playoff run next month in when you’re putting Brock McGinn on a line with Rask and
March and into April. Williams instead of Skinner.
7. Carolina Hurricanes: 58 Points (24-21-9) 8. New York Rangers: 55 Points (25-24-5)
The Canes have had three of their most lackluster It looks like the sell is on for the Rangers. They have officially
performances in the Bill Peters era and you have to start asked for Rick Nash’s no-trade list which consists of 18
asking if he has lost the locker room. Even after a scathing teams. According to Bob McKenzie, the Rangers are looking
interview where Peters was quoted as saying the “lineup was for a first-round pick, a top prospect, and an additional
not acceptable” and bag skates on Monday, the team fell flat player-pick-or prospect. That asking price seems absurd for
on Tuesday. The Canes managed a single goal against the a player who is on a steep decline in production. The 33-
Flyers in Brian Elliott’s return and that was on the power year-old winger has just 25 points and 15 goals. Though 15
play. goals are tied for second for scoring on the Hurricanes, 25
points would rank just tied for eighth with Noah Hanifin.
The big lineup shakeup was taking out shutdown center
Marcus Kruger, and replacing him with Phil Di Giuseppe, The Rangers are also asking for a first-round pick for Michael
who has one point in 21 games played this season. The Grabner which is also insane. Grabner does have over 20
other was replacing Haydn Fleury with Klas Dahlbeck. goals on the year, but he is also 30 and will only be able to
Dahlbeck has the lowest Game Score Value Added on the contribute this season. If you want to compare it to the
Carolina Hurricanes with a -1.0. Game Score Value Added Hurricanes, they traded Eric Staal to the Rangers for two
measures a players win’s above replacement by looking at second-round picks and a prospect, Aleksi Saarela who was
scoring efficiency and ice time, where a score of zero means battling injuries. I guess Jeff Gorton thinks first-round picks
a player is replacement level and adds no value to the team. grow on trees. I just can't expect teams to give up a first-
A score of -1.0 means that Dahlbeck’s play is worse than round pick for either player who are both only signed through
replacement level and causes the team to lose one more the rest of the year. I honestly hope that no team takes either
game than if a replacement level player was on the ice. So player for this asking price and the Rangers have to sit on
yeah, pretty underwhelming roster moves. wasted assets.
Carolina places Kruger, Jooris on waivers
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes have Jooris signing a one-year contract July 1 after playing with
placed forwards Marcus Kruger and Josh Jooris on waivers. Arizona and the New York Rangers last season.
The team announced the move Thursday and can send Kruger has a goal and five assists in 48 games this season
either or both to its AHL affiliate in Charlotte upon clearing but was a healthy scratch in Carolina’s last game Tuesday
waivers at noon Friday. night. Jooris has three goals and three assists, but has been
a healthy scratch in each of the last eight games and in 24
Both players were acquired this offseason, with Kruger overall.
coming in from Vegas following the expansion draft andCAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • Feb. 9, 2018
Something has to give as Hurricanes host Canucks
RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes could be December meeting 3-0 at home. Canucks goalie Jacob
headed toward the desperate category. Markstrom needed 30 saves for his only career shutout.
by STATS Tuesday night's game was the first time in the last 15
contests that a Carolina game was extended beyond
9h ago • 2 min read Update 9h ago regulation.
RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes could be headed Peters bashed the Hurricanes after their loss to San Jose on
toward the desperate category. Sunday. He had a much more positive tone regarding the
The Vancouver Canucks have already been in that situation. most-recent game.
The teams meet Friday night at PNC Arena, with one of the "I was happy with the effort," Peters said. "Not in love with
clubs guaranteed to snap a winless stretch. the result."
The Canucks lost their third game in a row Thursday night at Peters said he'll go with Scott Darling as the starting goalie in
Tampa Bay. Vancouver has suffered three consecutive the Vancouver game. It will be only the second appearance
losses in regulation for only the second time this season. in an eight-game span for Darling, who began the season as
the team's No. 1 goaltender.
"It's just a lot of little things that we need to work on,"
Canucks center Henrik Sedin said. The Canucks are hoping to receive a boost with the addition
of forward Darren Archibald, who's expected to join the team
The Hurricanes are grasping for positives as they are 2-2-1 in Raleigh.
through five games of a season-long eight-game homestand.
They've lost the last three games, including Tuesday night's "He's a big strong guy and he's physical," Vancouver coach
2-1 overtime decision to the Philadelphia Flyers, who are one Travis Green said. "... He has come a long way the last few
of the teams that Carolina is contending with for an Eastern years. He almost made the team out of camp. He's going to
Conference playoff spot. get a chance up here during the regular season."
"It's something we can build on," Carolina center Jordan Archibald, 27, had been playing with the American Hockey
Staal said of securing a team point. "We're going to work. Try League's Utica Comets. He has played 16 career NHL
to get out of this." games, all with the Canucks in the 2013-14 season.
The Hurricanes have scored a total of seven goals across "He's another guy who's a big body," Green said. "When he's
the past five games since the All-Star break. not skating well, he's not as effective. I think he has just
matured over the years and understands himself and the
"We talked about, we've got to score goals," Staal said. game. ... He still has a lot to prove."
"There hasn't been enough."
Vancouver has scored five goals total in the past three
Indeed, the offense has dried up for Carolina. games. This will be the third stop on its four-game road trip.
"It's not going in right now for us," coach Bill Peters said. Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin is set to play his
So it might not be a good thing for the Hurricanes that their 200th NHL game -- all with Carolina -- on Friday.
next game comes against Vancouver, which won an earlyCAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • Feb. 9, 2018
Hurricanes Place Kruger And Jooris On Waivers
Written by Nicholas Niedzielski Should they clear tomorrow at noon, Carolina could then
assign them to the Checkers. If that were to happen, the
Published: February 08, 2018 Hurricanes would have the roster flexibility to make recalls
from Charlotte to fill those holes if they choose to do so.
Some roster moves could be in the works as the Hurricanes Kruger, 27, has six (1g, 5a) points in 48 games with Carolina
placed forwards Marcus Kruger and Josh Jooris on waivers this season, while Jooris, also 27, has six points (3g, 3a) in
Thursday. 30 games. Both forwards are in their first seasons with the
Hurricanes organization.
TODAY’S LINKS
http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/canes-now/article199087984.html
http://nsjonline.com/article/2018/02/hurricanes-place-kruger-jooris-on-waivers/
https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/gameday-preview-vancouver-canucks-vs-carolina-hurricanes/c-295752856
https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/hurricanes-place-kruger-jooris-on-waivers/c-295741086
https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/van-riemsdyk-leads-hurricanes-hockey-is-for-everyone-initiatives/c-295750760
https://www.canescountry.com/2018/2/9/16993866/carolina-hurricanes-vs-vancouver-canucks-preview-storm-advisory-stormy-you-can-play-night-
pnc-arena
https://www.canescountry.com/2018/2/8/16983806/nhl-metropolitan-division-weekly-roundup-wild-card-stanley-cup-playoffs-eastern-conference
https://apnews.com/43a6b5844e4c45eaa1cbc3488be59c41/Carolina-places-Kruger,-Jooris-on-waivers
https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/something-has-to-give-as-hurricanes-host-canucks/
http://gocheckers.com/articles/features/hurricanes-place-kruger-and-jooris-on-waivers
1097275 Carolina Hurricanes On Thursday, Kruger, who has spent much of the season as the Canes’
fourth-line center, was placed on NHL waivers. Also going on waivers
was forward Josh Jooris, another offseason addition.
Hurricanes place Kruger, Jooris on waivers NHL teams have until noon Friday to make a claim on either of the
players. If unclaimed, the Hurricanes could assign them to the Charlotte
Checkers of the AHL, allowing roster flexibility and free the way for some
BY CHIP ALEXANDER callups.
February 08, 2018 12:56 PM The Canes (24-21-9) host the Vancouver Canucks on Friday in the sixth
game of their eight-game homestand.
“We’re going to try and dress a lineup we think can be able to compete
Carolina Hurricanes general manager Ron Francis traded for center
and be dangerous offensively every night,” Canes coach Bill Peters said
Marcus Kruger last July, believing the former Chicago Blackhawks player
Thursday. “We’ll see what happens.”
could help the Canes reach the playoffs this season,
Checkers forward Valentin Zykov leads the AHL with 23 goals this
season. Forwards Warren Foegele (21 goals) and Aleksi Saarela (18)CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • Feb. 9, 2018
also have been consistent goal-scorers for Charlotte and Lucas Wallmark The Canucks don’t seem so sure. If they were, they would have kept
has NHL experience with the Canes. Archibald with this group at the start of the season.
Kruger, 27, was obtained from the Vegas Golden Knights on July 4, 2017 He was one of Green’s favourite players in Utica, and was the Comets’
after the expansion team traded for the Swede. Kruger helped the MVP last season. There wasn’t a role he didn’t excel in. He killed
Blackhawks win two Stanley Cups and on the day of the trade Francis penalties. He was on the power play. And at midseason, Green put him
said, “We were determined to bring in experienced players with winning on his top line and that line took off.
pedigrees and Marcus is another addition who fits that mold.”
Archibald put up 23 goals and 24 assists in in 76 games, all while he was
Kruger, who has a salary cap hit of $3.08 million, has one goal and five pancaking opponents and standing up for teammates.
assists in 48 games with Carolina this season, playing a little less than 11
minutes a game. He has been used on the penalty kill and has won 55 Green made a point at training camp by making Archibald one of his last
percent of his faceoffs. cuts. But even that didn’t get him an NHL contract when he was sent
back to Utica.
Jooris, 27, has three goals and three assists in 30 games and has often
been a healthy scratch. He was signed to a one-year free-agent contract Before signing Archibald, the Canucks were at 45 NHL contracts. The
on July 1, 2017. limit is 50 and many believed Vancouver wanted to keep those slots
open for potential college free agents.
News Observer LOADED: 02.09.2018
Green said the team didn’t consider signing and recalling him earlier in
1097426 Vancouver Canucks the year because when it had injuries up front and needed a player
Archibald was out six weeks with a broken jaw.
“Every team wants a guy who is physical and can play in different
Jason Botchford: Canucks take tougher tack adding Archibald situations,” Green said. “I’m not sitting here saying Darren Archibald’s
ready, or is a full-time NHL hockey player yet.
Jason Botchford “He still has a lot to prove. He knows that as well.”
Published:February 8, 2018 Archibald is not some prospect. He’s 27 years old, and has spent the
past six years shuttling between the AHL and the ECHL. He also played
Updated:February 8, 2018 1:52 PM PST 16 games with the Canucks in the John Tortorella season of 2013-14.
But last season was somewhat of a watershed moment for his pro
career. Something changed. For the Comets, Archibald became a
TAMPA, Fla — Paraphrasing Erik Gudbranson, one player can’t make a
complete player.
team tough.
“He matured,” Green said. “He become comfortable in his own skin.
But it wouldn’t hurt to try.
“When I talk about players and when they fully grasp it, he’s a good
The Vancouver Canucks finally bellied up and signed Darren Archibald to
example.
an NHL contract after spending months rolling out a team that was a little
too pliable, a little too delicate and a little too soft. “When he was younger, he was torn between playing a big, heavy game
while trying to score goals.
The Canucks have been making two-hand touch football look violent this
season. “He almost got caught in the middle a little bit.”
Archibald probably can’t change all that. Not in any significantly dramatic Since recovering from his broken jaw, Archibald has played 16 games for
way. Heck, as head coach Travis Green pointed out, we don’t even know the Comets. He’s had five goals, six assists and even scored a shootout
if Archibald is an NHL. player. goal. He’s also crushed opponents regularly without taking penalties.
We’re about to find out. In these 16 games, he’s had just seven minutes in penalties. They all
came in one game, when he was standing up for a teammate.
After losing Sam Gagner to an ankle injury and Brendan Gaunce to a foot
fracture, the Canucks recalled Reid Boucher to help their offence and Could the Canucks use some of that?
signed Archibald to a contract to help their spine.
Never mind, you don’t need to answer.
Archibald is sent to join the team in Raleigh, N.C., and is expected to
play against the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 02.09.2018
There may have been a couple of hallelujahs in the Canucks’ locker
room when that news filtered in. 1097427 Vancouver Canucks
Since Derek Dorsett’s forced retirement, the Canucks have obviously
lacked edge, pushback and a man who hits like a one-ton truck.
Canucks Game Day: Can Vancouver bounce back to bolt past Lightning?
You know it. The players know it.
Bo Horvat was asked whether the team needs this element, and midway
through the question he jumped to the answer. JASON BOTCHFORD
“I think that’s exactly what we need,” he said. “I think we have to get Published:February 8, 2018
more hits. Even on the forecheck.
Updated:February 8, 2018 8:22 AM PST
“We need to get more fear into our opponents. They need to know
someone is going to come down hard on them.
“I do think (Archibald) is going to bring that to our team.”CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • Feb. 9, 2018
The Vancouver Canucks, 3-1 losers against the Florida Panthers on together a Vezina-worthy season. He has a .929 save percentage on the
Tuesday, make their second stop of a four-game road trip tonight in year.
Tampa to face the NHL-leading Lightning (36-14-3).
CANUCKS’ GAME-DAY LINES
The Canucks, who are as healthy as they have been all season, lost 4-2
to the Lightning on Feb. 3 at Rogers Arena. Tonight’s game is at 4:30 Sven Baertschi, Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser
p.m. PT at Amalie Arena (TV: Sportsnet Pacific, Radio: SNET 650AM): Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Thomas Vanek
THE BIG MATCHUP Loui Eriksson, Brandon Sutter, Markus Granlund
Brock Boeser vs. Steven Stamkos Brendan Gaunce, Nik Dowd, Jake Virtanen/Darren Archibald
In his second shift of Tuesday’s game, Brock Boeser had the puck and Defensive pairings
room. He was coming clean down the wing against the Florida Panthers.
Boeser made a really nice play. It just wasn’t the one everyone wanted. Michael Del Zotto, Chris Tanev
Boeser passed, setting up Sven Baertschi. It set the tone for what was
Alex Edler, Troy Stecher
Boeser’s quietest game of the season. Will he bounce back against one
of the NHL’s best teams? He’ll need to, because to beat Tampa the Erik Gudbranson, Ben Hutton
Canucks will need goals. They’ll need Boeser.
Expected starting goalie: Jacob Markstrom
THE PAT-CAST:We’re on the road in Florida. While the weather is fine
and the Super Bowl was tremendous, that first game of the road trip LIGHTNING’S GAME-DAY LINES
against the Panthers was, in a word, brutal. Jeff Paterson and Jason
Chris Kunitz, Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov
Botchford break that down, then look ahead, wondering how many more
games like that are to come. Vladislav Namestnikov, Brayden Point, Tyler Johnson
FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME Alex Killorn, Matthew Peca, Yanni Gourde
1. Darren Archibald’s arrival Slater Koekkoek, Cory Conacher, Ryan Callahan
His signing and recall from the Utica Comets is important for a couple of Defensive pairings
reasons. One, the Canucks didn’t trade for a “Derek Dorsett” type, they
signed the guy they had in the organization. Two, the team is soft. It’s Victor Hedman, Jake Dotchin
been soft. And it’s been in need of a player who can physically have an
Mikhail Sergachev, Anton Stralman
impact. Archibald can do that. When he’s in, it’s crash and bang time. But
it won’t be easy if his first game is tonight against the ridiculously gifted Braydon Coburn, Andrej Sustr
Lightning.
Expected starting goalie: Andrei Vasilevskiy
2. Thomas Vanek is with the Sedins
POWER PLAY
Asked who has looked the best with the Sedins, head coach Travis
Green didn’t have an answer. He’s cycled through multiple wingers with Canucks: 21.4% (9th)
the Sedins and none has had sustained success. Green thinks Markus Lightning: 23.4% (5th)
Granlund’s future is as a shutdown, matchup winger, so he seems last on
his list of possible options. The Sedins have had a lot of even-strength PENALTY KILL
possession but not a lot of even-strength goals. They could use a finisher
in Tampa. Maybe Vanek will be on his game. Canucks: 78.0% (26th)
3. The Brandon Sutter assignment Panthers: 78.4% (24th)
The Lightning will get last change so Tampa may look to pit its top line SICK BAY
against the Canucks, which is currently centred by Bo Horvat. With Canucks: C Sam Gagner (ankle) week-to-week
Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov on the same line, you know exactly what
Green wants to do. He wants Brandon Sutter on the ice as much as Lightning: G Peter Budaj (groin) long-term injury reserve; LW Ondrej
possible against them. How much he is fighting for that match remains to Palat (lower body) long-term injury reserve; D Dan Girardi (lower body)
be seen. Kucherov is having an outstanding season and leads the league day-to-day
with 66 points.
jbotchford@postmedia.com
4. The Canucks defence
Vancouver Province: LOADED: 02.09.2018
They signed Michael Del Zotto and traded for Derrick Pouliot but this
defence is worse than last year’s. And that’s with one of Alex Edler’s best
seasons in some time. A healthy Erik Gudbranson hasn’t helped. And 1097428 Vancouver Canucks
neither has Ben Hutton, who the team needed to take a big step up this
season. It’s been just the opposite. Hutton has been in and out of the
lineup and may be suffering a confidence crisis. He’s expected to get
The Provies: The Tampa reality, the Nilsson blown chance, the Vanek
back in against Tampa, but he’s got to “play better” the coach keeps
plan and livin’ that Archibald life
saying.
5. The goalie battle
Jason Botchford
No one is going to be surprised if Green taps Jacob Markstrom for
another start. Since Dec. 28, only two goalies in the league have started
more games. Markstrom has a .913 save percentage in that span, which
is pretty good for him. Unfortunately, it ranks 39th in the NHL over that BEST LIFE MOVES FAST
time frame. He’ll have to out-duel Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has threadedCAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • Feb. 9, 2018
If we can be real for a second, the Canucks never had a chance. Nilsson needed all the help he could get and he didn’t get much.
Tampa is the team that does everything right. Was he great?
The Canucks? No.
Somehow, Tampa is big and small. They are skilled and tough. They are How many goalies are going to be great being out this long?
fast, creative and have edge. They will rub you out. They will make your
head spin. And they will score. Oh, they will score lots of goals. Any momentum he had generated in Winnipeg was long gone. He won’t
say it.
The forwards get all the love. For good reasons. Whatever juice is left
behind goes to the goalie. He’s 23 years old and may win the Vezina. “Obviously, it’s been a while since I played last time,” he said. “It
He’s good. shouldn’t matter.
But the defence is a freaking monument. “It’s no excuse for letting in five goals. There are other reasons that
happened.
Hedman is 6-foot-forever and ridiculous.
“I don’t want to go in a direction I can’t do anything about.”
Suster is 6-foot-7.
The Provies plan had Nilsson starting a week ago against Chicago, in a
Girardi can hit and hit and hit. game the Canucks won, then riding the wave with starts against Florida
Tuesday and Carolina tomorrow.
Sergechev is 6-foot-3 and his skating is a thing of beauty.
That plan had a chance to get Nilsson an uptick on the save percentage.
If only the Canucks had one of these guys.
They blew it.
Stralman could arguably be their best dman.
This plan tonight?
Oh yeah, they could have had one of those guys.
It was buried before it started.
That’s a story for another day.
If Markstrom is the best goalie on this team, and he is, why is he getting
Tonight? Carolina on this back-to-back?
This game was over before it started. And you should have been sitting How many backups are starting against Tampa?
back admiring this creation that is the Tampa Bay Lightning, wondering
how long it will be before the Canucks have a team like this. The last back-to-backs, Nilsson got the tougher opponent, which was the
second game.
Actually, don’t.
This time he gets the first one, which is, wait for it, the tougher opponent.
That’s a little depressing.
The Canes have been just awful too.
What’s not is listening to Henrik talk about Tampa’s D.
This Nilsson start was an inside job.
“They come at y0u so quick and they all have good sticks,” Henrik said.
BEST WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN
“They have three guys back there who play like Chara. They have good
sticks, long reach, they’re on you quick and they can also jump up into To be honest, Luongo is better than both the Canucks’ goalies and could
the play.” have been a fantastic mentor for Demko.
Tampa has this incredible team. They have the best line in hockey and Few understand the position and what it takes to be elite more than
Henrik is sitting here talking about how attacking its D is like playing three Luongo.
Charas at the same time.
And no one understands our market better.
Meanwhile, some of us in Van are left tonight just excited to get a chance
to see Darren Freakin’ Archibald play. BEST ORAL HISTORY
Man, life moves fast. The Stamkos goal is everything which represents the current state of the
Canucks.
BEST BACK PATTING
A brutal giveaway. A soft, lost defensive play. A wide-open superstar. A
The Canucks were looking for a trading partner to move Nilsson. goalie who can’t save the day.
It wasn’t an impossible concept. It does look that way now. The Canucks are two games into this road trip and this play captured
both in one brief, not-so-shining moment.
There were five teams interested in him in the summer and the Canucks
had been making a list of possible destinations this winter, exploring out Henrik: “I got it behind the net and I thought somebody called for a
options. reverse. (That’s MDZ on the other side of the net.)
But it doesn’t matter how much a goalie coach or an executive from “They picked it off. By me doing that, it put other guys out of position.
another city likes this particular backup.
“That’s what happens.”
Who is going to trade anything of value for a goalie giving up five goals
on the regular? Nilsson: “They had two guys at net front there. It was a pass from low to
high. And then he made a second pass.”
Nilsson was in an impossible spot tonight, btw.
Green: “The turnover is a tough one. Hank knows that. That’s what
He was great in Winnipeg. But it was 18 days ago. happens when you turn a puck over there.”
So, play great, sit for 17 and then start in one of the toughest buildings in BEST QUESTION
the NHL against one of the most devastatingly dangerous teams.
Who do you guess?CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • Feb. 9, 2018
BEST HEAD WRAPPING Even with Fisher coming back, the Preds could use a winger, a scoring
winger.
I’m really trying to get my head to come around on MDZ.
In Sunrise, Vrbata was busy reminding me of the chemistry he had with
Obviously, I see some of what Green sees. Bonino and how much he loved playing with Bones as a C.
He lays out, lots. He’s out there trying to be physical and not everyone on Don’t you think a Vanek-Bonino duo could work?
this team is.
Maybe a Vanek, Bonino and Fisher third line for Nash.
Yes, he’s hitting and blocking shots.
It looks to me like an NHL third line that could give your team some
But his play in tight, in and around his own net … secondary scoring in the playoffs.
DT calls it “cake testing.” The Preds are being aggressive. But I think, in the end, they could come
It’s just a lot of “spamming the poke check” to get over. around to looking for value.
BEST I KNOW IT’S BAD BUT … I know they’ve been tied with Rick Nash and are considered the front
runner, and maybe it happens. Poile has chased him before.
There’s just no way:
But Nash is likely to be pricey. NYR wants legit top-six prices for him,
BEST JUXTAPOSITION meaning the risk/reward balance may not tip Poile’s way and Poile
generally doesn’t get fleeced.
For a team known most for drafting skill, little guys and Russians, Tamp
was just bodying the Canucks when they were invested in the game If you’re looking for value, in terms of money and acquisition costs, you’ll
early. be hard pressed to top Vanek on this list.
Daniel got toyed with by Girardi. And here’s the kicker, the Preds were one of the teams in on Vanek in
the summer and some believe the final decision came down to
Boeser got trucked by Girardi.
Canucks/Preds.
And Edler had his face bounced off the glass (to the right on this next
Could have used him hitting the net here.
gif).
That’s one shot on net for him in two games and four attempts.
Juxtapose all of those hits with this one.
BEST WHERE DO I SIGN?
Or lack of one.
BEST CLOSE CALL
JV18 has the speed, and the angle, but just can’t land the hit.
BEST UPDATE
BEST BRING HIM BACK
Gaunce’s foot not expected to be as bad as Horvat’s.
Make him the coach, or GM, I don’t care, get him back:
Should only miss a few weeks.
BEST DREAM
Granlund’s ankle looks wrecked.
BEST LOOK WHAT YOU’VE DONE
BEST EXCHANGE
Yeah, yeah, I’m looking forward to seeing a 27-year-old pro journeyman
play a game. JPAT: There’s 28 games to go, coach. Is there more to give from your
guys?
Let that marinate.
GREEN: What do you mean?
It says just about everything that needs to be said about the 2017-18
Canucks. JPAT: Is this really the essence of the team, the inconsistency and the
struggling?
Let’s just say, it hasn’t lived up to the preseason hype, and the
preseason hype was muted. GREEN: You’ll see a lot of teams that are trying to get better as an
organization, trying to develop a winning culture moving ahead.
From the GM:
This is part of it. You’re going to have ups and downs.
“I think this year, when we do have injuries, we’re going to be calling up
real players that we want to develop.” We’ve played Tampa two times out of three games and we had two
pretty good efforts.
The sales pitch was essentially the Canucks would have 7-8 NHL-ready
players in Utica, many of whom would be part of the long-term plan here. (If these are good efforts, there’s not much more to give, fam.)
But it failed to materialize. BIGGEST SLUMP
It just never happened. One calendar year without a power play goal.
And here we are with Reid Boucher playing tonight, because Archibald This doesn’t sound good.
had immigration issues.
I asked Loui what the difference is between scoring 10 goals in one
I’m assuming Archibald plays vs. Carolina and Boucher sits that one out. season, like he did in Boston, and scoring no goals in a calendar year,
like, uhm, now.
BEST LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT
Loui: “I’m usually good at finding rebounds and being in front of the net
BEST LANDING SPOT
and tipping shots.”
If you’re looking for potential suitors for Vanek, one place to circle is
Except he doesn’t play net front anymore.
Nashville.CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • Feb. 9, 2018
He’s high in the middle of the slot, where Bergeron played when he was I was midway through my question, and Horvat’s eyes bugged.
scoring all those Bruins PP goals.
He jumped the answer, with an aggressive interrupt, and he rarely does
“I’m playing a different position now than what I’m used to. it.
“I’m still trying to learn to be the bumper guy in the middle.” But he knew where I was going. And he knew what he wanted to get out.
Still? He was adamant the Canucks need a player like Archibald and have
missed a player like Archibald for quite some time.
The key to a great bumper guy is that he has options. He can shoot. He
can chase. He can crash the net. For months, his team has been too delicate, too easy, too soft.
Loui has eight power play shots, for the season, and 12 attempts. Bo: “We need to get more fear into our opponents. They need to know
someone is going to come down hard on them.”
It’s not a lot.
No one has feared the Canucks in quite some time.
But I’m not even sure it makes that much of a difference because he
doesn’t have the type of shot that’s going to allow him to snipe from that I remember seeing a list of things that Drake is softer than. Replace
area of the ice. Drake with the Canucks.
At least, not often. Horvat has played a bit with Archibald over the years. The first thing that
came up when I asked about him was The Hit.
GREEN: “I haven’t sat here and put a lot of thought or worry into how
Loui is going to score on the power play. “i saw this one hit online,” he said. “He steamrolled a guy and flipped him
right around.
“I want him to score and I want him to play well all the time, not just the
power play.” “It was like a backflip. It was unreal.”
Yeah, but a bunch of that $36 million was about scoring pp goals. You know it’s a great hit when a player remembers it five years later.
BEST WTF I’ve seen it 20 times and could see it 20 more.
Guddy has lots of fans in Florida. It came on my radar when Comet Cory got in my mentions in late
January when the player he’s dubbed “The Gooch” was last being widely
Including people there who think the Leafs should still trade for him. discussed as an option for the Canucks.
His rep for being hard to play against is strong around the Everglades. Personally, I love The Gooch as a nickname but I’m embarrassingly gun-
We just haven’t seen that crease-clearing player in Van everyone keeps shy after being shattered by the Huncho blowback.
trying to sell us on. Comet Cory explained how terrified he was of The Gooch from Diff’rent
Yanni Gourde is a 170-pound rookie who is 5-foot-9 and has the type of Strokes growing up.
build Guddy should be able to knock over with a strong exhale of air. The Hit is from 2013. If you could combine the force of every Canucks hit
The whole point of Guddy is so little water bugs like Gourde don’t second this entire season, The Hit would still knock the Canucks collective to
chance goals. Fort McMurray.
I mean, it’s rough enough to cede the front of the net to him so he can It was that ferocious. As Bo said, so hard he made a guy do a backflip.
screen Nilsson. What I liked most from talking to Comet Cory, who has caped harder for
But Nilsson stops the tipped shot. The Gooch than anyone, is that Archibald has played 16 games and only
took a penalty in one of them.
Knock this puke through the boards so he can’t get his mitts on the
rebound, right? And those PIMs were from him mauling a guy while standing up for a
teammate.
Yeah, wrong.
Loved this assessment:
When we talk about the Canucks playing soft, these are the types of
plays we’re talking about. BIGGEST KNOCK
BEST TURNAROUND Hey, Archibald is no saviour.
I don’t know if Archibald can play in the NHL. I got it.
Green doesn’t know if he’ll translate. I’m under no illusions.
I do know he’s turned himself into a complete forward in Utica. You don’t need to tweet me.
There was a defining moment last season when Green put him on his top I understand he’s 27.
line in January and Green’s top line took off. And I also was there in the Torts year, when he played, and didn’t have
Ten goals the season before turned into 23. this massive physical impact.
I asked Green how Archibald did this. He did lead that team, however, in hits-per-game, even though he saw
just 7:48 in avg TOI in his 16.
He referenced all the times this year when he’s talked about his players
— JV18 and Hutton and Pouliot among them — needing time to “figure it His skating was the issue then, and maybe it is now.
out.” It’s the biggest reason he didn’t make the Canucks out of camp.
At 26 years old, last season, Archibald figured it out. We’ll see if it’s changed and by how much.
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