Calgary came into tonights game hitting hard and skating fast and really put the pressure on the Canucks early when they scored 3 unanswered goals to go up 3-1 in the first period. Even though it ended up being a loss the Calgary Flames played one hell of a game and could have easily won the game. If it wasnt for a lucky break by the Canucks when a trip by Alex Burrows wasnt called that resulted in Pavel Demitra scoring his first as a Canuck and the game winner in OT, Calgary could very well have won this rematch.

This was a fast paced, hard hitting and very entertaining game. It doesnt matter what team you were rooting for, you have to be happy with the entertainment value of the game and the effort both sides put in.

My choice for players of the game?

Jerome Iginla. He was all over the ice, hitting hard and shooting lots. Plus he won a fight when he and Mitchell dropped the gloves and Jerome won the bout when her connected a good hard right hook and dropped the big Canucks defenseman.

The Twins. Both Sedins were dominating tonight. Anyone that watched the game would have to agree.

The last player of the game is a toss-up between Phaneuf and Rypien. On one side Phaneuf had a way better game tonight, hitting hard and playing the style everyone is used to seeing. On the other side Rypien won a fight when he pummelled Brandon Prust with hit after hit and scored a goal for the second game in a row.

Some side notes on tonights game. It was a great to see Demitra score his first goal as a Canuck. You could see the relief when Demitra celebrated the goal.

It looks like Bertuzzi is back to his dirty playing. The worse example was when he elbowed one of the Sedins from behind in the 3rd period, there was no call. Shortly after that incident Todd Bertuzzi pushed Ryan Johnson from behind into the boards. Even though there was some embellishment on the part of Johnson a penalty was called.

Great game. Canucks won!

As with last nights game, I was very happy with what I saw from the Canucks. Granted it is only two games into the preseason, and it was only an exhibition game, I think we all got a good view of what Vancouver has in regards to prospects and depth for this season.

Ryan Johnson, one of the new acquisitions made by GM Mike Gillis in the off-season, really stood out for me in tonights game. It had nothing to do with flashy play or any points on the board. What caught my attention was his 7-0 in the faceoff circle and his play in the defensive end of the rink. I look forward to watching Johnson and what he has to offer in regards to blocked shots, defensive play and faceoff wins.

The line of Cody Hodgson, Demitra and Bernier did not show up on the scoreboard tonight, but that doesnt mean they had a bad game. Steve Bernier showcased his physical play in tonights game while Demitra gave fans a glimpse of the offensive skills he will bring to the Canucks this season. While Cody Hodgson was pointless on the night, he looked comfortable on the ice and looked to be always in good position. I hope to see more of Hodgson in the remaining exhibition games.

Jannik Hanson and Michael Grabner were two other players that had a good night on the ice and may be two players that have the best chance of making the team this year. I have been a fan of Hanson since his stint with the Canucks in the playoffs the year before last and have been hoping since then that he would get his second chance. Hopefully this will be the year. Michael Grabner I will admit I dont know too much about, but from what I have seen this preseason and clips from training camp he may very well make the team. If he does it will be well deserved.

So with what you have seen so far this year cheer up Canucks fans. We are most likely not a Cup contender this year, but it is definately not as bad as some of you initially thought. Things are looking bright, stay positive and open minded, and lets see what this season and new management brings us.

There seems to be a lot for Canucks fans to be excited about, the down side of that statement is it is for the future. For once though, Vancouver has a lot of prospects that show large amounts of potential… finally. Here are some players that stood out for me in tonights win against the Edmonton Oilers.

I will start off with Corey Schneider. What can I say about Schneider but that he IS the goalie for the future, and he showed the reason why tonight. Making 33 saves and allowing 3 goals he proved to be a solid netminder for the Nucks.

Another prospect that stood out for me was Jason Krog. I dont know much about this player except that he is small, but he showed some flashes of the talent that made him the top scorer of the AHL last year while playing for the Chicago Wolves. I hope to be able to see him play in at least a couple more games to really get a better look at his abilities.

Mason Raymond and Ryan Kesler also stood out for me tonight. They always seemed to be in the plays and once again their speed proved to be a very handy tool to use against the opposition. I know Kesler is a given to make the team this year but I really hope Raymond gets his chance to fill up a regular spot on the roster this year.

Now for a player everyone was watching, especially after failing his first physical, Kyle Wellwood. Im going to go out on a lymb here and say I liked what I saw for the most part. There seemed to be a ton of miscommunication among Wellwood and his linemates, however his soft hands and good view of the ice was apparent. I really do hope Kyle puts in the effort to get into better shape and really makes a run at getting a roster spot. From what I have seen thus far, if he was in better shape and maybe put in a little effort he could be a very useful center for the Canucks this year. Hey Wellwood, snap out of it. Get your shit together.

A few players stood out in a negative way for me tonight, those players were Shaun Heshke, Nolan Baumgartner and Taylor Pyatt. I wont go into detail about what it was that stood out for me, anyone that watched or listened to the game would know anyways. Plus, I dont like to focus on the negative, whats the point.

Anyways, even though it was a preseason game with a roster full of rookies I was impressed with what I saw and am officially excited to see what this season brings for the Vancouver Canucks. Oh ya, I cant forget to mention that I liked the style of play tonight too. I really hope they stay away from the boring style of hockey from the last two years.

A fan that called into the Team 1040 sports radio station today made a point that I agree with, and as days go by I am starting to think he hit the nail on the head. He said something along the lines of maybe Mats Sundin having no intentions of ever coming to Vancouver, and is using the Canucks 20 million dollar offer as as leverage for trying to make a deal with Toronto. Mats could be biding his time, waiting to see what the Leafs can come up with, and has every intention of returning to the eastern team.

I think he would be a great addition to the Canucks, especially with the 2 year deal he has been offered. At least Mike Gillis didn’t offer him some retarded long term contract. If he doesn’t decide to play for Vancouver I still think the team is sitting pretty for next season. They would still have the 10 million per season that they had offered to the Maple Leafs captain to bring in two more top 6 forwards… preferably one center, and one winger… to play along side Demitra.

Anyways, thats it for now. I can’t wait untill a decision is made by Mats Sundin so we can start hearing real news again and not all of this ongoing speculation by the fans and the media alike.

Lets start with Vancouver. Mike Gillis, the Canucks new GM made one of the most shocking moves. Gillis offered Mats Sundin, former Leaf captain a 2-year deal worth $20 million dollars. Sundin has not accepted or refused the offer as of yet, but the offer leaves a lot of questions concerning the direction the Canucks are heading. If Mats Sundin does accept this offer, who would his linemates be? With Naslund still unsigned and his future with the team in limbo, you have to wonder who will play with Sundin on the first line. Would Markus sign for less for the oppurtunity to play with Mats? Does Gillis have another deal in the works to bring in another top 6 forward to play with the aging center?

What if Mats Sundin doesn’t sign with the Canucks? Where does that leave the team for next year? Do they try for Hossa? Rumour has it that the Oilers are putting in some high bids for the highly coveted UFA. This summer is going to be a stressful one for Canucks fans, and many of them might be remembering a time not too long ago when a popular player by the name of Mark Messier was brought to Vancouver. We all know how that turned out. I guess all the fans can do for now is hope that if he does come to Vancouver he is up for the task set for him, and if he doesn’t come to the west, that Mike Gillis has some other deals or signings in the works.

Mats Sundin wasn’t the only news from the Canucks on July 1st, but he was the biggest news. Gillis also signed Kyle Wellwood to a 1-year deal, former Blues Ryan Johnson to a 2-year deal and former Predator Darcy Hordichuk to a 3-year deal.

Kevin Lowe and the Edmonton Oilers were very busy, shipping out Raffi Torres and Joni Pitkanen, bringing in Erik Cole and Gilbert Brule. Lowe also added puck-moving defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky.

Michael Ryder, former Montreal Canadien, was picked up by the Boston Bruins.

Wade Redden, former Ottawa Senator defenseman, was signed to a wopping 6-year deal by the New York Rangers that will see him earning $6.5 million per season.

Brian Rolston went to the New Jersey Devils where he will be earning $5 million each year.

The Toronto Maple Leafs picked up a couple of players as well. Defenseman Jeff Finger and forward Niklas Hagman.

There were a ton of other signings, to get all the info on them check out the Sportsnet Free Agent Tracker.

With negotiations coming to a halt, Minnesota Wild left winger Brian Rolston might be shopping around this season to see what kind of deal he could get with another team. Last year Rolston played 81 games scoring 31 goals with 28 assists for a total of 59 points. At 35 years of age, and a $2.5 million price tag, he might be too much of a risk for most teams, but if you ask me, he would be a great signing for any team. With the rate of todays players, $2.5 mil for 31 goals and around 60 points, is a fair deal. I would like to see him wearing a Canucks uniform next year but I don’t see that happening.

Michael Ryder, a right winger for the Montreal Canadians is another UFA that has been highly talked about. However, with his 14 goals and 17 assists in 70 games last season I think his 3 million dollar price tag is way too high. I would not like to see him in a Canucks uniform next season… unless he accepted $1.5-2 million max.

Ryan Malone is a big left winger for the Penguins that has earned the attention of many GM’s from around the league. It has been said that he will most likely be making $5 million or more next season compared to his $1.5 million salary from last season. With 27 goals and 24 assists for a total of 51 points in 77 games last season, I think he earned a raise to around 3-3.5 million dollars next season, but as usual GM’s will be willing to overpay just to sign a player. I would like to see Malone in a ‘Nucks jersey next year, hopefully with a pricetag of around 4 million per season. I can see him being signed by the Canucks but I think if it does happen it will be for more then $5 million a season.

Marian Hossa is another UFA from Pittsburgh that will be shopping around to see what offers are out there. What can I say about this guy? I think he is an over-rated and over-payed player. I just don’t see how his 29 goals and 37 assists justify his $7 million price tag, and most likely $8 million or more next season. I have to laugh at myself when I see fans on the Canucks forum saying how Mike Gillis should sign Hossa, these are the same fans that were whining for Naslund to be traded because he only had 25 goals and 30 assists last season with a price tag of $6 million. I would not like to see Hossa signed by the Canucks, not for that price.

Another notable player that might be available to other teams is Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin. With his 32 goals and 46 assists for a total of 78 points in 74 games last season his 5.5 million dollar price tag is more then fair. Granted, Sundin is pushing 38 years old, but I still believe he has at least 2 or 3 more years left in him. I would love to see Mats Sundin playing for Vancouver next year but I doubt that will happen. I see him either retiring or signing with another East Coast team.

Among lots of other players available, the Vancouver Canucks have a number of players that are UFA’s this season. Most notably are Markus Naslund and Brendan Morrison. I would like to see both of these players re-signed by Canucks management… for a pay-cut of course. Out of the two, I think the only player that we might see in a Vancouver jersey next season is Morrison. Naslund will be picked up by an Eastern team that will be willing to pay him top dollar. I hope that happens, and I hope he finds his stride again, he was a great player for us here in Vancouver.

Ok, I know there are a lot of other free agents available but I am going to limit how many I post about. Instead I want to poll all of you about them, to see who you think the best player available is. Im talking about the best player available for the amount of money they will most likely be signed for.

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When Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis first got the job, he was ecstatic in his commitment that big changes are coming. So far the only changes that have been made are this years draft picks (5 total) and a mediocre at best pickup off waivers from Toronto. Granted it is only June, and the free-agency pool hasn’t opened for the season, but I still expected a trade or two around this years draft.

This years draft picks consist of a Centre, a left and right winger, a defenseman and a goalie.

With their first pick, 10th overall, the Vancouver Canucks selected highly respected centre Cody Hodgson. I believe this will turn out to be a great pick for the ‘Nucks. He (Cody Hodgson) has been compared to the likes of Trevor Linden, and if he is anything like the fan favourite ‘Captain Canuck’ he will have a lengthy and successful career with the Canucks. With Lindens recent announcement of his retirement this year I am sure many fans are looking out for the next player to fill the shoes of Trevor… and maybe that player will be Hodgson.

With their other four picks the Canucks management selected defenceman Yann Sauve, wingers Prab Rai & Mats Froshaug, as well as goaltender Morgan Clark.

On Wednesday, June 25th, GM Mike Gillis picked up Kyle Wellwood off of waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Wellwood, a 25 year-old, 5’10”, 180-pound finesse forward scored 12 goals and had 42 points in 48 games with the Leafs in 2006-07 before a sports hernia sidelined him for 33 games. Canucks fans are hoping this isn’t another injury prone player that will be injected into the line-up. This is definitely not the ‘fix’ that Vancouver desperately needs, but it might be a good piece to the rest of the puzzle… if he can stay healthy that is.

So, like the title suggests… are there really big changes to come? As a fan I hope so. I am happy with what has been done so far but if nothing else is done before training camp this year my happiness will turn into bitter disappointment very fast. I am expecting a couple of big free agent signings and maybe a trade or two that will put some of the bandwagon Canucks fans on edge and ready to jump… or climb back on depending on how things turn out.

I would like to hear what you think of the signing of Kyle Wellwood and this years draft picks. Leave a comment or fill out this weeks poll… or both.

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The Edmonton Oilers played the roll of spoilers tonight perfectly. Scoring two goals in the second period, and the stellar play of Roloson (if I got the spelling wrong, I couldnt care less) proved to be too much for the seemingly unmotivated Canucks team.

Anyone that watched the game will know what I mean when I say the Canucks deserved to lose tonight. Regardless of the fact that Vancouver outshot the Oilers 38-21 I do not believe they outplayed them. Half the game no Canuck player on the ice looked like they wanted to be the one with the puck. The effort was dissapointing to say the least.

Anyways, I could go on and on for 20 pages about what the players didn’t do and what they should have done, but really there isn’t a point. The season is over.

I’d like to wish an early fairwell to those players that won’t return next year. I wish you all the best of luck in the future.

On a lighter side, Id like to add a poll to this post to find out your opinions on who you think was the Canucks most underrated, unsung player this year.

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With the less then stellar play of Roberto Luongo and the devastating injuries to the Canucks defensive core the teams faults and missing pieces have been exposed. Last year, the teams inability to score wasnt as big of a focus because of the amazing play of Luongo and the defense in front of him. That is not the case this year, and something needs to be done.

I do have to wonder one thing though, last season the lack of scoring was an obvious flaw yet Dave Nonis did not address that concern in the offseason. Why? I will be fair to him and admit that there was not much available this past summer in regards to real scoring threats, but all he managed to add to the team were more third and fourth line grinders. This is simply not good enough. I believe this summer will be the real test for Vancouver GM Dave Nonis and there should be some major changes to the Vancouver Canucks this offseason. If Nonis does not manage to make his mark on this team and bring in some players to address the lack of scoring I believe it will be his last season as GM of the Canucks, so either way big changes are coming.

I would like to see the Canucks revert back to their old style of run and gun hockey. If you ask me, now is the perfect time to play that style of hockey, we have one of the best goalies in the NHL. All of the previous years that Nucks played that style of hockey our goaltending was questionable, with Luongo in net we should have the goalie required to make the big saves. Is that not the reason he is making the most money on the team?

I have another poll for you fans. Lets hear what you think.

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If you arent a Flames fan, Jarome Iginla is a player that you love to hate. You cant deny he is talented, plays with grit and can scrap pretty good, but for any fan of any other team you just have to hate him.

Whats with the back of the head sucker punk that he gave Burrows? Seriously, get a clue Iginla. You dont need to throw a tantrum every time you lose or dont score. This guy annoys the hell out of me, and he always will because he will most likely never play for a team Im a fan of.

Iginla, listen. You are not a goon. You are a scorer, and a leader. Lose the tantrums and focus that energy on something more productive, like playing the game and leading your team. Just like you have done many times, carrying your team on your back to a victory.

Anyways, Canucks won, are back in a playoff spot and Im happy. I hate Iginla and my team won.