Canucks GM wants to see what Bernier, Raymond and others can do
On the eve of Canucks’ training camp, one has to wonder how many returning players are currently looking over their shoulder.
GM Mike Gillis has made it very clear that he wants some of the younger players in the organization to be afforded an opportunity in the NHL this year, and the only way that can happen is at the expense of a veteran or two.
Up front, Steve Bernier will begin the season with the Sedins barring something completely unforeseen and it sounds like Kyle Wellwood will have to put his skates on backwards to miss the cut.
Given the signing of Pavol Demitra that leaves just one spot open on the top two lines. Mason Raymond is the odds on favorite, but freshmen Cody Hodgson, Michael Grabner and Jannik Hansen will be pushing to impress in the preseason, as will last season’s AHL scoring champ Jason Krog.
With the third and fourth lines virtually set thanks to off-season additions Ryan Johnston and Darcy Hordichuk, the futures of both Taylor Pyatt and Matt Pettinger seem unclear. Both are options for Alain Vigneault in the bottom half of his forwards, but neither has received much in the way of endorsement from Gillis this summer.
On the back end, Mattias Ohlund, Sami Salo and Willie Mitchell all have the luxury of no-trade clauses, something Kevin Bieksa, Lukas Krajicek and Alex Edler are without. Edler’s not going anywhere because of his low salary and big upside, leaving the other two as potential casualties.
Bieksa has the capability to be the Canucks most versatile defenseman, which is both a blessing and a curse because it’s what makes him extremely attractive to other teams should Gillis pull the trigger on a deal for more offense. Krajicek is vulnerable because his game lacks the physical element Gillis promised to put on the ice this season, which is why bruiser Rob Davison was signed this summer. That leaves either Nolan Baumgartner or Lawrence Nycholat to win the seventh spot on defense unless a prospect surprises everyone over the next couple of weeks.
Though fan expectations are relatively low for the Canucks this season, it’s easy to see why this year’s training camp has Canucknation very intrigued. For a few players heading to Whistler this weekend, it’s tough to tell whether that feeling in their stomachs is one of excitement or uneasiness.
