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Maybe Canucks coach Alain Vigneault should give Daniel Sedin a rest in Los Angeles
The Sedins have given a lot to Vancouver, including a $1.5-million donation to B.C. Children's Hospital.
William Stewart
Last night on CKNW Radio, Sports Talk host Dan Russell raised a thought-provoking argument about Canucks winger Daniel Sedin.
Last year's Art Ross Trophy winner has not played since the middle of March after being elbowed in the head by Blackhawks defender Duncan Keith.
The Canucks are facing elimination tonight in Los Angeles. And the team has flown in Sedin to lace up his skates for practice, and possibly to play in Game 4 of the Western Conference quarterfinals.
Russell rightly asked why the Canucks might risk Sedin's health when they're down 3-0 in the opening series of the playoffs. The broadcaster said he could understand if the series were tied 3-3, but saw no justification when the Canucks were three games behind.
If Sedin isn't completely ready—or isn't even at the proper level of physical fitness—he faces an elevated risk of another injury. Many of us recall how his brother Henrik was crunched by Kings captain Dustin Brown near the Canucks bench in Game 3.
Most fans have written off the Canucks' chances of winning the Stanley Cup this year.
Even if they become the first team in NHL history to overcome a 3-0 deficit in an opening series, they will still have to win 12 more games before there will be a ticker tape parade in Vancouver.
In light of this, why would the Canucks possibly jeopardize one of their prime assets, who might help them win the cup next year?
Both the Sedins have given a lot to the city, including a $1.5-million donation to B.C. Children's Hospital.
Some things are far more important than winning a hockey game. That includes Daniel Sedin's future well-being.
While it's true that winning four straight is a statistical improbability, forcing a Game 7 is not out of the question at all. And as pundits like Dan Russell have likely said dozens of times ... once you get into Game 7, all bets are off. Anything can happen.
The fans writing this team off may not be true fans or they just may be fans that are tired of a team not able to get the big enchilada.
I say we make a blockbuster trade Vancouver for Philadelphia.
The Canucks haven't felt like a team for years now just a collection of interchangeable players.
The only real entertaining Vancouver series last year was against Chicago and after taking a 3 game lead they barely won the thing.
In order to win a Stanley Cup a team needs to command the play, the nucks just don't do it.
What are we 7 loses in our last 8 playoff games = FAILURE.
3 goals in the last 5 games against Boston's 22 goals and 4 goals in 3 games against LA.
What's that about 0.87 goals a game average?
Just reminding anyone with limited short term memory.
I know I for one ain't wasting a dime in a pub tonight and will probably spend more time watching the Whitecaps than the Nackers...Go Caps!