It’s time for “Stick in Link”, the feature where we just plug in a bunch of stuff written by others! Featuring a smattering of links from around the Smylosphere and beyond every Tuesday and Thursdayish. Warning: our links are so hyper, they change colour when exposed to heat. (Have something for us to share in the next edition? E-mail us at [email protected] or tweet us @passittobulis. Or tell us some other way. The point is: we'll probably link it if we know about it.)
- Willie Desjardins says that Sven Baertschi being a healthy scratch had more to do with sending a message to the team than Baertschi himself. As evidence that there’s no ill will, Baertschi has been added to the first power play unit in place of Loui Eriksson. The title of my next blog post: “What’s it going to take to get Brandon Sutter off the first power play unit?” []
- In other news, Ryan Miller is back after sitting out with an ankle injury, so Thatcher Demko has been sent back to the AHL. Former Canuck goaltender Eddie Lack is out for the Carolina Hurricanes with a concussion. []
- Demko got a tiny taste of the NHL this week, but don’t expect him to make the jump to the big leagues any time soon. Jeff Godley argues that Canucks fans should be prepared to see either Ryan Miller or another free agent goalie sign for next season, giving Demko another year in the AHL. []
- On December 10th, Jeff Paterson questioned whether Brandon Sutter has enough grit and snarl to his game, pointing out that he had yet to earn a single penalty minute this season. On December 11th, Sutter took his first penalty of the season, a gritty, snarling hooking penalty. Coincidence? I think not. [±ŐĚý
- Ben Hutton’s sick flow just got a little bit sicker. Heading into the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Hutton bet Erik Gudbranson that he wouldn’t get the gamewinning goal, with a Gudbranson-controlled haircut on the line. It seemed like a safe bet until an errant Gudbranson shot banked off the back boards, off Ben Bishop’s glove, and in. Inspired by an old photo of Doug Lidster, Gudbranson chose a mullet for Hutton’s new look. []
- What’s the deal with Willie Desjardins’ lineup decisions? Jackson McDonald takes a look and doesn’t like what he sees: “We can say with almost complete certainty that over-reliance on sub-par players at even-strength has definitely been a pattern under Desjardins.” With that said, he makes the point that the Canucks don’t exactly have a wealth of above-par players to choose from. [±ŐĚý
- Kent Basky pulls no punches in his assessment of Willie Desjardins: “Willie's ideas are stale at best, and disastrous at worst.” [±ŐĚý
- Jim Benning didn’t mind asking veterans to waive their no-trade clauses in the past, but Jannik Hansen appreciates having that option taken off the table this season: “It prevents you (media) guys from coming to us and asking when are we going to get traded this year — so it’s nice.” []
- Anton Rodin has been sent to the Utica Comets for a conditioning stint, which is great news for anyone hoping to see him suit up for the Canucks this season. Here’s hoping his knee holds up and he’ll be ready to join the Canucks soon. [±ŐĚý
- Alex Burrows talking to kids! Seriously, this is great. I love how Burrows is literally steaming the entire time, having just come off the ice. Keep an eye out for Erik Gudbranson coasting by with the Keslurk impersonation. [CanucksTV]
