I can't believe it's finally here. Ever since the Angels were out of the AL West race, so basically sometime in July, I've been counting down the days until October 9. The wait is over. After finishing up their roster juggling, the Canucks are set to open their 2010/2011 season against Willie Mitchell and the Los Angeles Kings.
Last season, after capturing their second straight Northwest Division title, the Canucks steamrolled (in 6 games) the Kings in the opening round of the playoffs, en route to their second straight postseason series loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Despite the "early" exit, there was a lot to be proud about when the final season at the building known as The Garage came to a close. The team nailed down 103 points in a year that saw Hank Sedin win the Art Ross Trophy (with his awe inspiring 112 point year) and the Hart Trophy (recognized as the NHL's very best). Contrary to what the "real" media may hace told you, he wasn't the only Vannie on fire. Despite missing a large chunk of time to injury, Brother Daniel set a career high with 85 points. Other studs with career high seasons (in terms of points were Mikael Samuelsson (53), Ryan Kesler (75), Mason Raymond (53), and Alex Burrows (63). We're expecting them all to do even better this time around.
This season will start without Burrows, though, which has led to tons of line combination speculation around Orca Nation this offseason. After offseason surgery, Burr should be back around Thanksgiving (the US Thanksgiving, that is), and he'll be a welcome addition at that point. Until then, we'll have to find another way to score. Hopefully the additions of Manny Malhotra and Raffi Torres will be part of that other way. The defensive additions of Hamhuis and Ballard will also be in place, looking to help out former captain Roberto Luongo in his quest to keep the rubber out of the net.
Much has been made this offseason about Lu giving up his captaincy, but I think it's a bit overdone. El Roberto summed it up well, "At the end of the day, it's really just a letter and a title, and it doesn't really change much for me." Everyone in the locker room knows that Bobby is still the team's leader, and as he goes, so goes the 'Nucks. Vannie fans will do well to remember that he is normally a slow starter, and despite the high hopes, a slow start to October should be taken with that in mind. The Canucks have yet to name a new captain, although Henrik and Kesler are the rumored top candidates. They plan to announce it before tomorrow night's puck drop.
The Kings are no cupcake to start the season, to be sure. Drew Doughty is a solid force, and adding our boy Willie Mitchell will surely elevate the Southern California squad. Kopitar, Brown, Simmonds, and Stoll are all known snippers on offense, but they are coming into a building that hasn't been very kind to them lately.
The name of the arena may have been changed from GM Place to Rogers Arena, the nickname may have been changed from "The Garage" to "The Cell," but the simple fact remains that the 'Nucks killed the Kings in British Columbia last season. LA came up North five times last year, and walked off losers on four of those occasions. The last time they came up to BC, we lit them up 7-2 in the opening round's game 5. You know that must be in their head's coming into this one.
In case you're a video game geek, EA Sports did a simulation of the 2011 season via NHL '11, and the video game Canucks captured the Stanley Cup. Yeah, they've won the Stanley Cup in every hockey video game I've ever owned too. But hey, it's always nice to have someone else on the bandwagon.
The time is here. All the predictions, preseason story lines, and video game simulations are behind us. It's time for hockey, Orca fans.
Go Canucks Go!
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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