The 2005-06 season was expected to be a good one for the Vancouver Canucks, but multiple injuries and the ongoing fallout from the Steve Moore incident with Todd Bertuzzi derailed the team. The Canucks missed the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. After the conclusion of the season General Manager Dave Nonis and Head Coach Marc Crawford were relieved of their duties.
To guide the team through a period of transition the Canucks turned to a former player, a Hall of Fame member, and current player agent Igor Larionov. Larionov's appointment made him the first non-North American General Manager in NHL history. Shortly after taking over the team Larionov hired Alain Vigneault as a new Head Coach for the Canucks.
At the 2006 Entry Draft Larionov moved to decisively put the More/Bertuzzi saga behind the Canucks by trading Bertuzzi, Allen, and Auld to the Florida Panthers for star goalie Roberto Luongo, defenseman Lukas Krajicek, and a 6th round pick. With the five picks available to the Canucks Larionov drafted Grabner (1st), Rahimi (3rd), Shirokov (6th), Simek (6th), and Fuller (7th).
The Canucks saw significant turnover during the summer. Jovanovski, Brookbank, Baumgartner, Carney, Ruutu, Carter, and Park were all lost to free agency. Mitchell, Chouinard, Bulis, and Fitzpatrick were signed as free agents to fill the holes. Meanwhile goalie Dan Cloutier was dealt to the Los Angeles Kings and forward Taylor Pyatt was acquired from the Buffalo Sabers.
The team entered training camp with many questions throughout the lineup. Danny Sabourin, claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins, won the backup job from Dan Flaherty while a former Canucks player Justin Morrison won a roster spot following a tryout. Alex Edler impressed and won a spot on the opening night roster. Before the start of the season the Canucks acquired Jed Ortmeyer from the New York Rangers who were no longer interested in his services in return for Jesse Schultz who had a promising 05-06 AHL season. Taylor Pyatt started the season in the wing with the Sedin twins, while Matt Cooke skated with Naslund and Morrison. To fill out the bottom six the Canucks acquired Manny Malhotra from the Columbus Blue Jackets two games into the season after the Blue Jackets made it clear Malhotra was not in their long-term plans in return for AHL player Brandon Reid. To start the season the Canucks lineup looked like:
Sedin - Sedin - Pyatt
Naslund - Morrison - Cooke
Bulis - Kesler - Linden
Burrows - Malhotra - Morrison
Chouinard - Ortmeyer
Ohlund - Salo
Mitchell - Bieksa
Edler - Krajicek
Fitzpatrick
Luongo
Sabourin
The team started the season 9-3-1 through October, but then captain Markus Naslund suffered an injury and the Canucks went 1-4-1 on the following road trip. After Naslund returned the Canucks put together a 6 game winning streak to climb back up the rankings. A few weeks into the season New Jersey Devils inquired about acquiring depth player Josh Green and eventually did so in return for a 3rd and 4th round picks. A week later Larionov made use of his Russian connections to learn that Alexei Semenov and Florida Panthers were at odds and he moved to acquire Semenov for Rory Fitzpatrick. By Christmas the team had a record of 23-10-3, good for 3rd in the West.
A Russian in the NHL
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Stormsky
- Junior League
- Posts: 44
- Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2015 3:57 pm
- Favourite Team: Vancouver Canucks
-
Stormsky
- Junior League
- Posts: 44
- Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2015 3:57 pm
- Favourite Team: Vancouver Canucks
Re: A Russian in the NHL
Around Christmas a number of Canucks players came down with a virus. At one point 8 players were unavailable and the team scrambled to put together a roster. Pascal Rheaume was claimed off waivers to fill in, and then waived and sent down to Manitoba. After the players recovered the Canucks went on a 6 game winning streak until Naslund was injured again.
In January Larionov negotiated new contracts with the Canucks’ two most important free agents. Sami Salo agreed to a 3 year contract with a cap hit of 1.7 million and Ryan Kesler agreed to a 5 year contract with a cap hit of 2.15 million.
At the All-Star break the Canucks had a record of 39-12-5 and were 1st in the West. Luongo and Naslund participated in the All-Star Game. In the run-up to the trade deadline Larionov accepted an offer from the Anaheim Ducks to trade Bulis for a 2nd and 4th round picks and from the Tampa Bay Lightning to trade Krajicek for a 2nd round pick. To replace Bulis Larionov acquired Oleg Saprykin and the rights to Blake Wheeler (unwilling to sign in Phoenix) from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Brad Moran, the rights to Jozef Balej, and 2 2nd round picks. To replace Krajicek the Canucks acquired Curt Sauer (on trade block) from the Colorado Avalanche for Tommi Santala. Marc Chouinard was traded to the Blue Jackets for a 4th round pick.
The Canucks were the 2nd team to qualify for the playoffs on March 4th. All playoff spots in the West were set by March 24th. In the run-up to the playoffs Ohlund and Henrik Sedin suffered injuries and the Canucks finished with an unimpressive 4-3-3 in the last 10 games. The team’s season record was 53-17-12 as the Canucks won the Northwest Division and finished 2nd in the West.
In the first round of the playoffs the Canucks met divisional rival the Edmonton Oilers. After winning 2 games at home the Canucks split the 2 games in Edmonton, but lost Daniel Sedin to injury. Vancouver won game 5 and Daniel returned to the line-up in time for the second round of the playoffs.
The second round matchup opponent was the Minnesota Wild, another divisional rival. The Canucks split the first two games, then lost a physical game in Minnesota. Kesler and Saprykin were injured and Bieksa received a 1 game suspension. The Canucks won the 2nd game in Minnesota and game 5 in Vancouver, but the Wild forced game 7 by winning at home. In game 7 the Canucks advanced to the Conference Finals on an overtime goal by captain Markus Naslund.
In the 3rd round the Canucks were matched up against the Anaheim Ducks who held the top seed in the West and had only lost 1 game in the first 2 rounds of the playoffs. After losing both games in Anaheim the Canucks regrouped and won both games at home. Anaheim and Vancouver then won both of their home games. In game 7 the Canucks once again won on an overtime goal, this time from Daniel Sedin, advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1994.
In the Final the Canucks met the Buffalo Sabers, the top team in the East during the regular season. The Sabers had only lost 1 game through the first 3 rounds of the playoffs. Despite this the Canucks won the first 3 games comfortably before losing a close game in Buffalo. In game 5 in Vancouver the Canucks defeated the Sabers in a convincing manner to win the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history.
The best performing players for the Canucks (regular season and playoffs) were Luongo, Henrik and Daniel Sedin, and Markus Naslund. Manny Malhotra acquired early in the season was the only disappointment, although his performance improved in the playoffs.
Before the Entry Draft the Canucks deal Jason King to the Los Angeles Kings for a 2nd round pick. After a number of other trades, including moving up from the 30th to 15th overall picks, the Canucks entered the draft with the 15th pick, 3 2nd round picks, and a 3rd round pick. At number 15 the Canucks selected David Perron (15th overall), and then followed with Tikhonov (2nd round), Weber (2nd round), Petrecki (2nd round), and Kampfer (3rd round).
Jagr won the Art Ross, the Rocket Richard, the Pearson and the Heart trophies with 108 points and 62 goals. Scott Niedermayer won the Norris. The Canucks’ Roberto Luongo won the Vezina and the Conn Smythe, Daniel Sedin the Lady Byng, and Alain Vigneault the Jack Adams.. Bobby Holik won the Selke and Malkin won the Calder.
Before July 1st were able to re-sign Saprykin for 1.05 million for 1 year as well as Justin Morrison, Tyler Bouck, and Alexei Semenov. There was no agreement between Canucks and Taylor Pyatt and he left the team as a free agent.
In January Larionov negotiated new contracts with the Canucks’ two most important free agents. Sami Salo agreed to a 3 year contract with a cap hit of 1.7 million and Ryan Kesler agreed to a 5 year contract with a cap hit of 2.15 million.
At the All-Star break the Canucks had a record of 39-12-5 and were 1st in the West. Luongo and Naslund participated in the All-Star Game. In the run-up to the trade deadline Larionov accepted an offer from the Anaheim Ducks to trade Bulis for a 2nd and 4th round picks and from the Tampa Bay Lightning to trade Krajicek for a 2nd round pick. To replace Bulis Larionov acquired Oleg Saprykin and the rights to Blake Wheeler (unwilling to sign in Phoenix) from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Brad Moran, the rights to Jozef Balej, and 2 2nd round picks. To replace Krajicek the Canucks acquired Curt Sauer (on trade block) from the Colorado Avalanche for Tommi Santala. Marc Chouinard was traded to the Blue Jackets for a 4th round pick.
The Canucks were the 2nd team to qualify for the playoffs on March 4th. All playoff spots in the West were set by March 24th. In the run-up to the playoffs Ohlund and Henrik Sedin suffered injuries and the Canucks finished with an unimpressive 4-3-3 in the last 10 games. The team’s season record was 53-17-12 as the Canucks won the Northwest Division and finished 2nd in the West.
In the first round of the playoffs the Canucks met divisional rival the Edmonton Oilers. After winning 2 games at home the Canucks split the 2 games in Edmonton, but lost Daniel Sedin to injury. Vancouver won game 5 and Daniel returned to the line-up in time for the second round of the playoffs.
The second round matchup opponent was the Minnesota Wild, another divisional rival. The Canucks split the first two games, then lost a physical game in Minnesota. Kesler and Saprykin were injured and Bieksa received a 1 game suspension. The Canucks won the 2nd game in Minnesota and game 5 in Vancouver, but the Wild forced game 7 by winning at home. In game 7 the Canucks advanced to the Conference Finals on an overtime goal by captain Markus Naslund.
In the 3rd round the Canucks were matched up against the Anaheim Ducks who held the top seed in the West and had only lost 1 game in the first 2 rounds of the playoffs. After losing both games in Anaheim the Canucks regrouped and won both games at home. Anaheim and Vancouver then won both of their home games. In game 7 the Canucks once again won on an overtime goal, this time from Daniel Sedin, advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1994.
In the Final the Canucks met the Buffalo Sabers, the top team in the East during the regular season. The Sabers had only lost 1 game through the first 3 rounds of the playoffs. Despite this the Canucks won the first 3 games comfortably before losing a close game in Buffalo. In game 5 in Vancouver the Canucks defeated the Sabers in a convincing manner to win the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history.
The best performing players for the Canucks (regular season and playoffs) were Luongo, Henrik and Daniel Sedin, and Markus Naslund. Manny Malhotra acquired early in the season was the only disappointment, although his performance improved in the playoffs.
Before the Entry Draft the Canucks deal Jason King to the Los Angeles Kings for a 2nd round pick. After a number of other trades, including moving up from the 30th to 15th overall picks, the Canucks entered the draft with the 15th pick, 3 2nd round picks, and a 3rd round pick. At number 15 the Canucks selected David Perron (15th overall), and then followed with Tikhonov (2nd round), Weber (2nd round), Petrecki (2nd round), and Kampfer (3rd round).
Jagr won the Art Ross, the Rocket Richard, the Pearson and the Heart trophies with 108 points and 62 goals. Scott Niedermayer won the Norris. The Canucks’ Roberto Luongo won the Vezina and the Conn Smythe, Daniel Sedin the Lady Byng, and Alain Vigneault the Jack Adams.. Bobby Holik won the Selke and Malkin won the Calder.
Before July 1st were able to re-sign Saprykin for 1.05 million for 1 year as well as Justin Morrison, Tyler Bouck, and Alexei Semenov. There was no agreement between Canucks and Taylor Pyatt and he left the team as a free agent.
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Stormsky
- Junior League
- Posts: 44
- Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2015 3:57 pm
- Favourite Team: Vancouver Canucks
Re: A Russian in the NHL
2007-08
In free agency the Canucks added Pascal Dupuis while retaining all players other than Taylor Pyatt who left for the St. Louis Blues. With the arrivals of Lukas Mensator and Cory Schneider the Canucks had a bottleneck at the goalie position and elected to move Drew McIntyre to the Sabers for a 2nd round pick.
There were no surprises at training camp. The 19 year old David Perron was close to making the team, but eventually returned to his junior team. David Steckel was claimed off waivers from the Capitals to provide depth. The Canucks entered the season looking very much like their previous year version:
Sedin - Sedin - Dupuis
Naslund - Morrison - Kesler
Saprykin - Malhotra - Cooke
Burrows - Linden - Morrison J
Ortmeyer - Steckel
Ohlund - Salo
Mitchell - Bieksa
Edler - Semenov
Sauer
Luongo
Sabourin
The Canucks started the season well going 10-1-2 through October. However it became apparent that age has caught up with Trevor Linden and he was not able to hold down a regular spot in the lineup. Together with the continuing struggles of Manny Malhotra this left the Canucks with a very weak bottom six down the middle.
The Canucks won 8 games straight in November despite missing Mitchell and Edler for most of them and an anemic powerplay that managed to score on just 12% of chances. Despite changes to the setup the powerplay continues to struggle.
To help the struggling bottom six the Canucks claimed Jason Chimera off waivers from the Columbus Blue Jackets, though in the process they lost Jed Ortmeyer to the New York Islanders.
Soon after Christmas the Canucks agreed to a new contract with Head Coach Alain Vigneault which will see Vigneault remain with the team for another 5 years. The Canucks also locked up defenseman Kevin Bieksa to a 2 year deal worth 1.425 million per year.
The teams struggled uncharacteristically through January, going 4-5-1 to finish the month. The team entered February with top defensemen Ohlund, Edler, and Mitchell all injured. Despite playing average hockey into February the Canucks had a record of 40-10-6 and were 1st in the West at the All-Star break.
At the trade deadline the Canucks made the decision to improve their team by acquiring Keith Tkachuk from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Justin Morrison, goalie Lukas Mensator, and a 2nd round pick. Shortly thereafter the Canucks sent Matt Cooke to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 1st and 4th round picks.
The Canucks lost Sami Salo immediately after the trade deadline, meaning that Ohlund, Mitchell, and Salo were all out for extended periods. Naslund, Burrows, Bieksa, and Tkachuk were injured within the next week as well. For a time the team had only two regular defensemen playing in the lineup. Luc Bourdon, Jannik Hansen, and Mason Raymond filled in as replacements and stellar goaltending by Roberto Luongo kept the Canucks competitive.
Canucks qualified for the playoffs on March 9th, the third team in the NHL to do so. In doing so the Canucks put together a 13 game winning streak, which started after the return of Naslund to the lineup. The Canucks finished the season 60-15-7, winning the President’s Trophy.
In the first round of the playoffs the Canucks faced divisional rival the Colorado Avalanche. The Canucks took the first two games in Vancouver, and then beat the Avalanche in 4 games, propelled by the return of Sami Salo to the lineup. The media, which had until now treated the Sabers as the favorites for the Stanley Cup, began to focus more on the Canucks.
The second round saw a matchup between the Minnesota Wild and the Canucks. The Wild had been the Canucks’ closest competition in the Northwest Division the past two years. It takes the Canucks 5 games to get past the Wild and on to the next round.
In the Conference Final the Canucks matched up against the number 2 seed in the West the Nashville Predators. The teams split the 2 games in Vancouver and the Predators win both games in Nashville. The Canucks force game 6 with a win in Vancouver, and then game 7 with a shutout in Nashville. With a dominant display in front of the home crown the Canucks advance to the Stanley Cup final for the 2nd year in a row.
In the Stanley Cup Final the Canucks faced the Sidney Crosby-led Penguins. Despite Crosby’s heroics the Canucks won both games in Vancouver, and Roberto Luongo shut the door, allowing only 1 goal in the 2 games in Pittsburgh. For the second year in a row the Vancouver Canucks won the Stanley Cup.
In free agency the Canucks added Pascal Dupuis while retaining all players other than Taylor Pyatt who left for the St. Louis Blues. With the arrivals of Lukas Mensator and Cory Schneider the Canucks had a bottleneck at the goalie position and elected to move Drew McIntyre to the Sabers for a 2nd round pick.
There were no surprises at training camp. The 19 year old David Perron was close to making the team, but eventually returned to his junior team. David Steckel was claimed off waivers from the Capitals to provide depth. The Canucks entered the season looking very much like their previous year version:
Sedin - Sedin - Dupuis
Naslund - Morrison - Kesler
Saprykin - Malhotra - Cooke
Burrows - Linden - Morrison J
Ortmeyer - Steckel
Ohlund - Salo
Mitchell - Bieksa
Edler - Semenov
Sauer
Luongo
Sabourin
The Canucks started the season well going 10-1-2 through October. However it became apparent that age has caught up with Trevor Linden and he was not able to hold down a regular spot in the lineup. Together with the continuing struggles of Manny Malhotra this left the Canucks with a very weak bottom six down the middle.
The Canucks won 8 games straight in November despite missing Mitchell and Edler for most of them and an anemic powerplay that managed to score on just 12% of chances. Despite changes to the setup the powerplay continues to struggle.
To help the struggling bottom six the Canucks claimed Jason Chimera off waivers from the Columbus Blue Jackets, though in the process they lost Jed Ortmeyer to the New York Islanders.
Soon after Christmas the Canucks agreed to a new contract with Head Coach Alain Vigneault which will see Vigneault remain with the team for another 5 years. The Canucks also locked up defenseman Kevin Bieksa to a 2 year deal worth 1.425 million per year.
The teams struggled uncharacteristically through January, going 4-5-1 to finish the month. The team entered February with top defensemen Ohlund, Edler, and Mitchell all injured. Despite playing average hockey into February the Canucks had a record of 40-10-6 and were 1st in the West at the All-Star break.
At the trade deadline the Canucks made the decision to improve their team by acquiring Keith Tkachuk from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Justin Morrison, goalie Lukas Mensator, and a 2nd round pick. Shortly thereafter the Canucks sent Matt Cooke to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 1st and 4th round picks.
The Canucks lost Sami Salo immediately after the trade deadline, meaning that Ohlund, Mitchell, and Salo were all out for extended periods. Naslund, Burrows, Bieksa, and Tkachuk were injured within the next week as well. For a time the team had only two regular defensemen playing in the lineup. Luc Bourdon, Jannik Hansen, and Mason Raymond filled in as replacements and stellar goaltending by Roberto Luongo kept the Canucks competitive.
Canucks qualified for the playoffs on March 9th, the third team in the NHL to do so. In doing so the Canucks put together a 13 game winning streak, which started after the return of Naslund to the lineup. The Canucks finished the season 60-15-7, winning the President’s Trophy.
In the first round of the playoffs the Canucks faced divisional rival the Colorado Avalanche. The Canucks took the first two games in Vancouver, and then beat the Avalanche in 4 games, propelled by the return of Sami Salo to the lineup. The media, which had until now treated the Sabers as the favorites for the Stanley Cup, began to focus more on the Canucks.
The second round saw a matchup between the Minnesota Wild and the Canucks. The Wild had been the Canucks’ closest competition in the Northwest Division the past two years. It takes the Canucks 5 games to get past the Wild and on to the next round.
In the Conference Final the Canucks matched up against the number 2 seed in the West the Nashville Predators. The teams split the 2 games in Vancouver and the Predators win both games in Nashville. The Canucks force game 6 with a win in Vancouver, and then game 7 with a shutout in Nashville. With a dominant display in front of the home crown the Canucks advance to the Stanley Cup final for the 2nd year in a row.
In the Stanley Cup Final the Canucks faced the Sidney Crosby-led Penguins. Despite Crosby’s heroics the Canucks won both games in Vancouver, and Roberto Luongo shut the door, allowing only 1 goal in the 2 games in Pittsburgh. For the second year in a row the Vancouver Canucks won the Stanley Cup.