Originally published in Eishockey News in 2009
By Lucas Aykroyd
In January, the Vancouver Canucks looked like they were about to freeze to death. In February, the club has begun to smell as sweet as springtime flowers.
After an overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild on January 31, the Canucks had truly hit rock bottom, registering their ninth consecutive defeat on home ice. But they finally gave the GM Place faithful something to cheer about on February 3 with a 4-3 victory over the... Read Full Story
An NHL general manager says Peter Forsberg is going to stay in Sweden this season. Mike Gillis of the Vancouver Canucks was considering signing the former Colorado star, but said he learned Monday that Forsberg wanted to stay in his home country. Forsberg, who is playing for Modo of the Swedish Elite League after 12 NHL seasons spent mostly with the Avalanche, has dealt with nagging ankle and foot problems for several years. "My understanding is Peter is going to stay and play in Modo and he... Read Full Story
Vancouver Canucks president and chief executive officer Chris Zimmerman is stepping down. Zimmerman is leaving for family reasons, the team said Tuesday in a statement. The 49-year-old Zimmerman, a former Nike executive, held the job for three years. Canucks general manager Mike Gillis will also take on the role of president of Canucks Sports and Entertainment. "These past three years have been a tremendous personal and professional experience for me and I have loved working and living in... Read Full Story
Alright this comes as a bit of a shock . I'm trying to digest this. I know the Canucks are deep on defence, but I am a huge Krajicek fan. "They (management) told me that Tampa wanted me for quite some time," Krajicek told CKNW in Vancouver. "They said I would play more minutes there and in every way it should better for me." This comes down to Gillis wanting even more offence and Tampa needing a top 2 defenceman. We know Ouellet has a lot of skills and was a victim of the Lightning having... Read Full Story
From Team 1040 (tip to the CDC guys): The travel issue has always been a contentious one for the Canucks, and Mike Gillis has been taking pro-active steps with the NHL office to try and ensure the Canucks don't keep going through those kind of schedules. He had a lengthy meeting earlier this week with league officials, and told BMac and Rintoul that the Canucks may get a much better look next season. "I think we have a great chance. In fact, we've got a draft in place for about 38 of our... Read Full Story
Let me quote some of a Canucks.com article from yesterday that falls under the above title (minus the question mark): On July 1, Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis stood waiting. With an elevated heart rate, heightened senses and sweaty palms, Gillis, alongside 29 other GMs aligned on the dock of NHL free agency, waited. Rod and reel in hand, the new leader of the Canucks baited his line and waited…and waited…and waited. Day one of free agency flew by, so did day two, day three... Read Full Story
The Vancouver Canucks re-signed forward Steve Bernier to a two-year contract extension on Thursday, keeping him away from free agency. The 24-year-old right winger gave up his chance to become a restricted free agent on July 1. Bernier scored 15 goals and posted a career high with 32 points in 81 games in his first season in Vancouver. He added two goals and two assists in 10 playoff games before the Canucks were eliminated by Chicago on Monday. "He gets there, he hits hard, and he's a... Read Full Story
“It’s timing, where you come in and shoot, you jam yourself a little bit. And when you’re trying to make a pass (it goes) over a stick,” Sundin said post game. “It felt exactly like where you are at the start of a season, where you’re trying to get it back, but the only way to get it back is to play games.” No, Sundin did not get a 5 point night in his debut. He was hardly even a factor. 15 minutes of ice time over 24 shifts, zero goals, no assists, no shots on net, one hit and 9-for-18 on... Read Full Story
The agent for Vancouver Canucks forward Alex Burrows says his client in under investigation for an altercation that took place in a summer league hockey game. Canadian television network RDS reported a complaint was filed July 21, stating Burrows hit goalie Koray Celik in the face with his stick during a game in suburban Kirkland, Quebec. "There are no changes, the police are investigating, but we won't comment on what happened," Burrows' agent Paul Corbeil said. 'I don't think he'll he... Read Full Story
Free agent defenseman Mattias Ohlund has signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 32-year-old native of Sweden has played in 770 games over the past 11 NHL seasons, all with the Vancouver Canucks. He is the Canucks' career leader in goals by a defenseman and was an All-Star during the 1998-99 season. He received a seven-year deal worth $24.5 million. Ohlund played in all 82 games last season, finishing with six goals and 25 points. He has 93 goals and 325 points during his career. In 52... Read Full Story
