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 Thursday. 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.)
- This year's Canucks Christmas e-card can’t hold a candle to the ugly Christmas sweaters from a couple years ago, but it’s still pretty good. I appreciate the inclusion of the yellow flying-V jersey in the “ornament” game. []
- Brandon Prust writes a defence of fighting in hockey. []
- Jason Botchford gets into the details behind the night of a thousand penalties, which apparently was a result of the ref’s feelings being hurt by the Canucks being too mean. It’s shameful: referees need to be able to take a step back and continue being objective. If the Canucks had lost that game, I feel like we would be making a lot more noise about this. []
- Jeff Paterson recaps that last Canucks’ game and spotlights Daniel Sedin’s slap shot goal, pointing out that in recent seasons it seemed like Daniel didn’t have that shot in his arsenal. The way Daniel has played so far this season has been an absolute delight. []
- Couple big questions for the Canucks: what should they do with Alex Biega, who has held his own as an injury replacement but has pretty ugly underlying numbers? Also, Jared McCann did a pretty decent job on the first line with Henrik out, so why did he end up on a line with Derek Dorsett when Henrik returned? []
- I love stuff like this: here’s a video of the Canucks visiting BC Children’s Hospital.
- Team Canada faced Sweden in their final pre-tournament game before the World Junior Championship and managed to hold off a late comeback attempt to win 7-6. Jake Virtanen, who scored two goals, was named player of the game. []
- Speaking of Virtanen, why are NHL teams more open to sending their players to the World Juniors? Gare Joyce talked to one NHL scouting director who said, “If these kids weren’t junior eligible, they’d be candidates for assignment to the AHL. But that option’s just not available to them.” []
- You’ve read our preview of the Canucks prospects at the World Junior Championships (right?), but here’s another one and it suggests Virtanen will get first line ice time with Brayden Point and Brandon Perlini. []
- Cabbie teaches Jake Virtanen, Mitch Marner, and Dylan Strome some very important Finnish phrases. []
- John Garrett gets a little cynical in his World Junior preview, but only a little, because Garrett just doesn’t have it in himself to go full cynic. []
- Tough news for Canucks fans looking forward to watching their prospects at the World Junior Championships, as Lukas Jasek was one of two final cuts for the Czech Republic. They're down to two prospects: Virtanen and Boeser.
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Czech Republic narrows down roster to 24 players. Christov and Jasek cut
— IIHF WJC 2016 (@WJC2016Helsinki)
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- Cole Cassels is struggling in his first professional year, with just one assist in 21 games. Is it his skating? His strength? I think it’s a little early to be concerned: Brendan Gaunce and Hunter Shinkaruk struggled in their rookie seasons last year but are both at or near a point per game this year. []
- Chris Johnston’s favourite article of 2015 was a short 127-word article that broke the Eddie Lack trade, simply because it reminded him of the power of breaking news and getting an exclusive. []
