D Is For Deficiency
You know what happens when the Vancouver Canucks don’t solve their blueline issues during the off-season? They go through eleven defencemen by mid-November.
Lefty Travis Dermott, apparently close to finally returning to action following a training camp concussion, will be the twelfth Canucks blueliner to dress this season.
Some of that total is based on trial and error, as in players not talented or adaptable enough to get the job done, while Tucker Poolman’s fate seemed very clear from the get go. Tough spot. The Canucks couldn’t move him, all they could do was bring him back from his headache issues and hope he could play. He can’t.
Salary cap limitations played a part in the club not being able to address right-side defensive deficiencies. They focused instead on re-upping parts of their forward core with deals that kick in next season.
We’ll see who comes out of the blender Saturday night as the Canucks host the Arizona Coyotes, a team they simply have to beat. While we wait …
Let’s Skate !
Steven Stamkos became the first Tampa Bay Lightning player in history to reach the 1,000 point mark with the club. The 32-year-old is the 95th player in NHL history to reach the milestone. NHL.com listed the eight other active players who have reached the mark … can you name them? (answer at bottom of page).
“Stammer” has 494 goals with the Bolts, the franchise record holder. He won the Rocket Richard Trophy for most goals in a season by an NHL player in 2010 and 2012.
Aside from the forward’s scoring prowess, Stamkos also captained the club to Stanley Cup titles in 2020 and 2021.
Ouch! Again
Tyler Bertuzzi tallied 30 goals and 32 assists for the Detroit Red Wings last season in 68 games. This season, when healthy, he’s been buzzing again in Motown. Unfortunately, he’ll miss a significant number of games for the second time this campaign after he blocked a shot with his left hand late in the third period on Wednesday night against the Buffalo Sabres.
He had surgery and will be out six weeks. Earlier this season Bertuzzi missed 13 games after breaking his right hand on a blocked shot.
Tyler is the nephew of former Canucks “West Coast Express” line winger Todd Bertuzzi.
Enjoy the Hockey Action !!
(Answer to trivia; active NHLers with 1,000+ points: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins – Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals – Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks – Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins – Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings – Eric Staal, Florida Panthers – Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals – Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins.)
