Tag Archives: manny malhotra

Time for the Canucks blame game: AV may be up first

Posted on May 7, 2013 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

Time for the Canucks blame game. The coach may come up.

With the New York Rangers win, the Vancouver Canucks must now endure the indignity of being the sole team still winless in the 2013 NHL playoffs.

Given the way they’re going out, turning the spotlight on embellishing for old time’s sake, I doubt they care too much about dignity.

But they probably care about winning a game. We’ll see in Game 4.

Until the Canucks can win three, the obits will flow fast and furious.

With good reason. They look like a team that’s naked and pinned to a table covered in plastic wrap and duct tape, just waiting for Dexter to finish it.

Can they wiggle free? Well, there’s about 8 minutes left in the episode.

So, how did they get here? It wasn’t animal tranquilizer.

You can start with general manager Mike Gillis who had a rough year, even without the goalie fiasco which, in the...

It’s now up to Roberto Luongo to stop the bleeding

Posted on March 11, 2013 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The biggest problem for the Canucks hasn’t been trying to win with two goalies.

It’s trying to win with two centres. Especially when one of them was acquired for the fourth line.

Henrik Sedin and Max Lapierre have been the constants. From there it’s been a black hole down the middle.

The Canucks tried a raw rookie in Jordan Schroeder, a journeyman on a two-way deal in Andrew Ebbett, a player who was actually risking his personal safety in Manny Malhotra, and three wingers — Alex Burrows, Mason Raymond and now Chris Higgins.

That’s enough to make Samme Pahlsson look good.

It’s been a long, but quick, fall from the team that had the deepest core of centres in the NHL in 2010-11, to the one that could have Ebbett centring its second line in Columbus Tuesday.

The Canucks should have seen it coming. They knew Ryan Kesler wasn’t going to be healthy to start. Even when he is, how long...

Fan-Attic: Vancouver Canucks after 20 games

Posted on March 5, 2013 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

Hey, where did those 20 games go as it just seems yesterday when the season started back up. The first ten games were 4W, 2L, 3SOW, 1SOL as the Canucks started slow but had possible extra points in four games that went to a shoot-out. The last ten – 5W, 3L, 1SOW, 1SOL, the Canucks defense and goal tending came into play and the team got on a roll for the first seven games, ran into Detroit and Phoenix (losses) and then played a strong game against Los Angeles. The Canucks still remain third in the Western Conference with 26 points (11-5-4), two points ahead of Minnesota, with a key game against the Wild this coming Sunday.

Disappointments - The special teams after being so good the last couple of seasons are struggling, with the power-play sitting in 15th spot and the penalty-kill ranked 20th. There are a number of reasons for these poor numbers and you have to look...

Canucks Hat Trick: Raymond draws attention; It’s Tom Terrific; A beef with Ballard

Posted on March 3, 2013 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

Three things to ponder following the Canucks’ 5-2 win over the Kings on Saturday at Rogers Arena:

1. CENTRE OF ATTENTION: Mason Raymond took a deft back pass off the sideboards from linemate Jannik Hansen at stride midway through the second period and then beat Jonathan Quick with a wrist shot to the glove from the high slot to provide a 2-1 lead. It gave the converted winger his sixth goal of the season and a chance to reflect on his rebound season, but had to then answer questions about what happened when he attempted to win faceoffs. It wasn’t pretty. On a night when the Canucks could have used Manny Malhotra (season-ending injury reserve) or Ryan Kesler (broken foot), they won just 38 per cent of their draws and Raymond went 1-for-9.

Of course, that’s like splitting hairs on what was a good individual and team performance. Raymond couldn’t even recall the last time he played centre. In working...

Manny Malhotra still wants to play, but accepts Canucks decision to end his season

Posted on February 27, 2013 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

VANCOUVER — When Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis sat Manny Malhotra down a couple of weeks ago, Malhotra was not prepared for what he was about to hear.

Gillis told him it was all over, that Malhotra could no longer play for the Canucks due to the vision problems arising from his horrific eye injury suffered March 16, 2011. Gillis feared for Malhotra’s safety, feared he would be seriously injured again because he couldn’t see properly to play at the incredible speed of the National Hockey League.

Naturally, Malhotra didn’t agree. He still wants to play.

“I’d be lying if I said no,” Malhotra told reporters Wednesday in the Canucks’ dressing room, making his first public comments since Gillis shut him down. “It’s tough to go from playing two or three weeks ago to saying that I no longer have that itch and no longer want to play. It’s incredibly tough to have someone else say that you’re not allowed on...

Canuck notes: Manny Malhotra joins scratches for morning skate

Posted on February 17, 2013 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

VANCOUVER - Centre Manny Malhotra, who was shut down by the Vancouver Canucks last week due to vision issues, made a surprise appearance Sunday at the team's optional morning skate.

There weren't many players on the ice, just the scratches and goalies, and the practice mainly involved shooting on Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider.

Malhotra, 32, did not talk to reporters following the workout and, according to the Canucks, he won't be speaking to the media until he feels more comfortable with his situation. He did appear to be having fun, however.

Canuck head coach Alain Vigneault later explained Malhotra's appearance.

“Manny is still a part our team and we want him to be around the players,” Vigneault said. “We want him to continue to have that solid impact that he has with our group with the way he conducts himself. Anytime he wants to step on the ice and skate with our guys, he's more than welcome.”

Malhotra's last game...

Canucks’ Manny Malhotra’s playing days over in Vancouver

Posted on February 14, 2013 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

VANCOUVER — Mike Gillis made up his mind last summer, but wanted to give Manny Malhotra a chance to prove him wrong.

And when the veteran centre could not, the Canucks general manager met with Malhotra earlier this week and did what he described Thursday as "the hardest thing I have done in this job."

Gillis told Malhotra that his playing days were over in Vancouver.

Gillis said he believed Malhotra was putting himself at risk by continuing to play and had never fully recovered from a serious eye injury during a game on March 16, 2011.

"I came to this decision last year and I wanted to give Manny the opportunity to put his best foot forward, the opportunity to get in great shape," Gillis said Thursday after the Canucks announced that Malhotra was being put on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

"The year before because of the (eye) procedures he was going through he didn’t have a chance...

Canucks: No more baby steps — Kesler’s back

Posted on February 14, 2013 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

Ryan Kesler is back.

At least, that’s what head coach Alain Vigneault promised.

Vigneault said he’s planning to give Kesler limited minutes against the Dallas Stars. Kesler was coy about it, claiming he didn’t know he was playing. Maybe he didn’t. It wouldn’t be the first time he wasn’t on the same page as his coach.

Vigneault said he has Kesler in the lineup, on the second line, on the team’s first power-play unit, and will need him to pick up the faceoff slack left by Manny Malhotra, who was, well, told to go home.

Is that all? Good luck with managing those minutes.

Kesler said he wouldn’t come back unless he’s 100 per cent. So, he must be ready to reprise his role as the team’s heart and soul. Right?

He doesn’t plan to change the way he plays, either. You know, the often daring-but-reckless, gutsy-but-risky style that, when he’s on, can look like he’s driving a stock car and taking turns just...

Canucks GM Gillis shuts down Malhotra with concerns about eye injury compromising on-ice safety

Posted on February 14, 2013 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

Concerns for Manny Malhotra’s safety on the ice during the course of an NHL game prompted Canucks GM Mike Gillis to shut the player down for the season.

Gillis met with reporters on Thursday afternoon, after the NHL club announced that Malhotra, who’s struggled to deal with a serious eye injury suffered in March 2011, has been placed on the Injured Reserve list for the remainder of the season. His playing career with the Canucks is clearly finished, although it’s uncertain whether Malhotra will retire. He is on the final year of a three-year deal that pays him $2.5 million annually, which he will be paid as an injured player.

Malhotra, 32, was struck in the eye by a deflected puck during a game nearly two years ago and the reduced vision in his eye clearly prevented him from regaining his previous form last season and nine games in to this one.

“It was the hardest thing I’ve done in...

Canucks’ Manny Malhotra to miss rest of NHL season

Posted on February 14, 2013 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

Slain model Reeva Steenkamp

Freckled, green-eyed Reeva Steenkamp was a brainy blonde who died Thursday at the home of her boyfriend, double-amputee Olympian and Paralympian Oscar Pistorius.

Oscar Pistorius's girlfriend Reeva was law graduate, activist against abuse, inspirational speaker
After losing his legs as a baby, Pistorius lived out his greatest dream at London Olympics
Olympic, Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius charged with murder in shooting of girlfriend (with video)
Photos: Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius and model girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp over the years

...

Game Within a Game: Penalty kill huge at right time

Posted on February 12, 2013 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

THREE STARS

ONE: Jannik Hansen, Canucks. One goal, five shots and superb on the penalty kill.

TWO: Roberto Luongo, Canucks. Bobby Lou stopped 25 of 26 shots to remain undefeated in regulation (4-0-2.)

THREE: Darcy Kuemper, Wild. Rookie netminder gave his team a chance in his NHL debut. Stopped 28 of 30.

PIVOTAL POINT: With the Canucks clinging to a 2-1 lead in the third period, Alex Burrows went to the box at the 6:39 mark for a hook on Tom Gilbert. His teammates easily killed it, allowing just one shot, and the Canucks were able to ride it home from there despite one last-minute flurry from the Wild.

BY THE NUMBERS: In addition to their six-game win streak, the Canucks have won five straight at home... Mason Raymond extended his points streak to four games (1-4-5) with his second-period assist...Wild have lost 11 straight at Rogers Arena... It took the Wild until the 10:16 mark of the second period to register a...

Canucks Gameday: Henrik looks to draw even with Markus Naslund

Posted on February 12, 2013 by admin in Province Hockey | No comments

Minnesota (6-5-1) at Vancouver (7-2-2)

Tuesday, Feb. 12, Rogers Arena, 7 p.m.

TV: TSN; Radio: TEAM 1040

- - - - - -

CANUCKS:

Canucks centre Henrik Sedin, with 755 career points with

the Canucks, is one point behind former captain Markus Naslund for the

franchise all-time scoring leadership. You can bet he’ll be interested to see a

rookie goaltender in the Wild net. More

on that below.

“It’s nice to be up there (in points) with Markus and

Trevor (Linden) and those guys, but if it happens, it happens,” said Sedin.

“It’s going to be a nice feeling for sure. It means a lot. Markus is a guy from

our home town and Trevor he meant a lot to us our first couple of years. I’m

not going to force it, but when it happens, it’s going to be a nice feeling.”

Vancouver, riding a five-game winning streak, will start

Roberto Luongo after sitting him the last two games in favour of Cory

Schneider. Luongo has three straight shutouts against the Wild at...

Game within a game: Roberto Luongo nets first star for superb game in goal, again

Posted on February 1, 2013 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

THREE STARS

ONE: Roberto Luongo, Canucks.

Stupendous again with 28 saves in regulation and overtime and a perfect 4-for-4 in shootout.

TWO: Corey Crawford, Blackhawks.

Did his part to keep goaltender duel interesting. Wound up with 21 saves.

THREE: Patrick Kane, Blackhawks.

Outstanding sharp-angle shot to tie game. Dangled all night long.

PIVOTAL POINT

After surrendering the tying goal to Patrick Kane midway through the third period, the Canucks’ power play had three chances, including a 5-on-3 for 40 seconds, and barely threatened. The sour play enabled the Blackhawks to escape Rogers Arena with a loser point when they should have no points Friday night.

BY THE NUMBERS

Henrik Sedin appeared in his 900th regular-season game for the Canucks, second all-time behind Trevor Linden’s 1,140. Stan Smyl stands third at 896 ... The Canucks scored the game’s opening goal for the sixth time in eight outings ... The teams combined for four hits in the first period, three of them by the Canucks. The Hawks had just two...

Chris Higgins has ‘a lot more to give’

Posted on January 27, 2013 by admin in Sun Hockey | No comments

SAN JOSE, Calif. – On a night of gift-giving, it even sounded like Christmas as the Vancouver Canucks rang the goalposts surrounding San Jose Sharks' goalie Antti Niemi five times.

Disagreeable former Buffalo and Pittsburgh netminder Tom Barrasso once brayed at a question about shots off the post: “You want me to stop the ones that are going wide, too?”

There's a lot of truth in that. Shots off the post, however few millimetres they are from going in, aren't good enough. That's the way it was for Chris Higgins, who redirected a puck off the post late in the second period and hasn't been good enough since the season began.

The two-way winger, who scored 18 times last season and stopped the downward trajectory of his National Hockey League career by coming to the Canucks, has only one assist in the first five games this season and has managed only six shots on target.

“Tonight was a step in the right...