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Series Preview – Canucks Forwards

Now that we’ve taken a look at the clown college that is the Canucks corps of defensemen, lets get a closer look at a far more frightening group, the Canucks forward lines.
More after the jump…

Top Line – Mikael Sumuelsson – Henrik Sedin – Daniel Sedin


Mikael Samuelsson

#26 / Right Wing / Vancouver Canucks

6-2

218

Dec 23, 1976



GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2009 – Mikael Samuelsson 74 30 23 53 10 64 7 0 4 0 219 13.7



Henrik Sedin

#33 / Center / Vancouver Canucks

6-2

188

Sep 26, 1980



GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2009 – Henrik Sedin 82 29 83 112 35 48 4 1 5 0 166 17.5



Daniel Sedin

#22 / Left Wing / Vancouver Canucks

6-1

187

Sep 26, 1980



GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2009 – Daniel Sedin 63 29 56 85 36 28 8 0 8 0 225 12.9



This is what we call in my country a “problem”. Any line that boasts the year’s Ross trophy winner is going to be a royal pain in the ass to contain, and Henrik Sedin and his Swedish countrymen are going to be noticed. Mikael Samuelsson jumped up to join the Sweet Valley High twins in the first series, and has been thoroughly lighting it up since, leading all scorers with 7 goals to this point. Their game is to cycle the puck low and wait for a defenseman to bite and get out of position, then make a pass for a shot in a dangerous section of the ice. This line will get theirs-scoring wise, but it will be the job of Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith and likely the Sharp line to keep the line from going apeshit, and being positionally sound will be key.

Second Line – Alex Burrows-Ryan Kesler-Mason Raymond


Alexandre Burrows

#14 / Left Wing / Vancouver Canucks

6-1

188

Apr 11, 1981



GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2009 – Alexandre Burrows 82 35 32 67 34 121 4 5 3 0 209 16.7



Ryan Kesler

#17 / Center / Vancouver Canucks

6-2

202

Aug 31, 1984



GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2009 – Ryan Kesler 82 25 50 75 1 104 12 1 5 0 214 11.7



Mason Raymond

#21 / Left Wing / Vancouver Canucks

6-0

185

Sep 17, 1985



GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2009 – Mason Raymond 82 25 28 53 0 48 8 0 4 0 217 11.5



Ahh yes, everyone’s favorite arbiter of cowardice, Ryan Kesler, anchors the Nucks second line, which will also draw the checking assignment against Daydream Nation. Alex Burrows finds himself on this line after potting 35 goals with the twins during the regular season due to posting a bagel against the Kings until he finally potted the empty netter to clinch it- which of course meant he had to do his bow-and-arrow thing (I don’t care if it’s a tribute, after an empty net goal, it’s a D.B. move). Kesler and Burrows provide the grit on the line, and Raymond provides the speed, but don’t be fooled, this line can clearly put the puck in the net.

Third Line – Pavol Demitra – Kyle Wellwood – Steve Bernier


Pavol Demitra

#38 / Center / Vancouver Canucks

6-0

200

Nov 29, 1974



GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2009 – Pavol Demitra 28 3 13 16 3 0 1 0 0 0 53 5.7



GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2009 – Pavol Demitra 28 3 13 16 3 0 1 0 0 0 53 5.7



Kyle Wellwood

#42 / Center / Vancouver Canucks

5-10

181

May 16, 1983



GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2009 – Kyle Wellwood 75 14 11 25 6 12 3 0 2 0 98 14.3



Steve Bernier

#18 / Right Wing / Vancouver Canucks

6-2

216

Mar 31, 1985



GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
2009 – Steve Bernier 59 11 11 22 0 21 3 0 0 0 95 11.6


Vancover’s third line follows the Quenneville template of puck-winner, playmaker, finisher with Bernier, Wellwood, and Demitra respectively. But Demitra is old and hurt, Wellwood is fat, and Bernier is an underachieving meathead. Though Bernier has elevated his game in the Los Angeles series, it will be interesting to see if he can keep up that pace. If Kyle Wellwood plays like there’s Ho-Hos behind Antti Niemi, it could pose a problem to the Hawks, as well as if Pavol Demitra plays like he did in the Olympics, consistency is something that’s eluded him since his days in St. Louis. The production of this line as opposed to that of the Hawks third line of Versteeg, Bolland, and Ladd will be an indicator of who will win the series.

Fourth Line – Michael GrabnerRick RypienJannik Hansen

Unfortunately, the widget thing that lets me put up mug shots and stats is being lame right now, so you’re just going to have to use your imagination for all of them. Basically all you need to know that this line has one point between the three of them, and Rick Rypien is a total fucking lunatic. This line will be out to disrupt shifts and provide energy and physicality in their limited time on the ice.

So there you have it, there’s a lot for the Hawks to worry about up front, but if the Hawks can get back to their puck possession game, it will most definitely limit the chances Antti Niemi will have to face coming back the other way.

Talking Points