Canucks scout Swedes but need finish.

I started last night with the Habs game at 7:30 PM ET and intended to switch to the Canucks at 8:30 loving the fact that I wouldn’t have to be up until 1:00 AM to see the end of a game. It kind of backfired on me though as I began to flip flop back and forth from the Habs to Vancouver. I know they play very different styles and systems, but I have to admit, if I wasn’t such a huge Canucks fan I would have been glued to Montreal - Ottawa. End to end and amazing speed. Not to say the Canucks haven’t been trying. Vigneault, who asks only that his club makes a solid effort each game and will not hesitate to call out players who don’t, can’t find a fault in their effort on the ice and seems helpless to stem the tide of injuries and illness. So how does a team go on a 15 game downward spiral if they, in the words of their coach, have played their best hockey in January? Finish.

 A major difference between the Habs and Canucks as of late is that the Habs are converting offensive plays with an ease and  finish that would make some past legends grin in recognition. Indeed, it has been awhile since the Canadiens have had a line as explosive and crafty as Kovalev, Plekanec and Kostitsyn. While Nalsund and the Sedins are keeping the ship afloat through injuries and a minor slump for Luongo, the rest of the team has the finish of a rusty Cuban Chevrolet. Players like Burrows, Kesler, Ritchie, and Raymond have speed to burn as they fly through the neutral zone and then turn to stone as they shoot the puck. I am reminded of Jim Robson describing  Russ Courtnall ’dancing across the blue line’ only to take a lame shot or lose the puck along the boards…all speed no finish. At least those other Canucks bring more dimensions to their game such as grit, checking and a willingness to scrap once in awhile. Yet, it is a lack of finish that has killed the Canucks as of late, not a lack of grit.

So how do you ’start to finish’? Tough one. You can’t ask more of a player than he can provide. Burrows was not blessed with a golden touch and Raymond is still figuring it all out. Kesler is revealing more to us each day about what his offensive potential is and what his future role on the team will be (1-8 in the shootout and he gets the call? I can’t take that leg kick one more time). As for Ritchie, you can’t squeeze water from a rock nor goals from and defensive checker. And where has Taylor Pyatt gone amidst all this? The Canucks have become a one line team with no goal support beyond that…an easy defensive assignment for any NHL team to prepare for. The Canucks, more than ever in light of recent injuries, need to make a move. Dave Nonis had the luxury to be patient 15 games ago when the Canucks were in the playoffs and looking strong despite a beat up blue line. But now, out of the playoffs and dressing an quasi-minor league line-up, Nonis needs to feel the urgency. If he is not a buyer within the next week, he’ll certainly become a seller within two. Forsberg? Sundin? Hossa? Jokinen? They’re not all Finnish…but could certainly provide some.

Go Canucks Go!