Where’s the Sandpaper?

So, Nashville got a point this afternoon vs. Detroit which means a Canuck win puts them back in the driver’s seat. We all know the Canuck’s schedule has been ridiculous and that the injuries they have had this season should have them near the bottom of the Western Conference…but they’re not; They are in position to earn a playoff spot over the next four games. Having just lost four in a row, four wins in a row would do just fine. I could be like most analysts who have counted Vancouver out of the playoffs already…but…no forget that, they’re done.

I thought a few games ago they had the character and will to come back and secure a playoff spot. But after the last game, when Luongo comes back the morning of the game only to have his players lay and egg with a complete lack of effort and focus against Minnesota, I no longer believe this team has the “sandpaper”, “grit”, or whatever you want to call it to beat out Nashville for the last spot in the west.

Nashville, on the other hand, has also endured a difficult season with injuries to key players and a roster that was completely gutted after last years playoff ousting at the hands of San Jose. However, now that it is crunch time they are showing true colours with tough performances, clutch goaltending (Ellis has his shutout steak end as the 5th longest all-time in the NHL), and…well, “sandpaper”.

I have a feeling that if Rob Ray was a player sitting in the Vancouver locker room he say much the same thing about Vancouver’s lack of leadership and character as he did about his former teammates in Ottawa. You can’t blame the players for being who they are. We are not all Scott Stevens’ or Bobby Clarke’s out there. You can’t blame the coach who, I think, has put himself at least in contention for another Jack Adams trophy (especially even they domake the playoffs). You have to blame the GM. He puts the team together and is responsible for securing a team that will have the right mix and be able to compete for the Stanley Cup. It is not all black and white either. Nonis has made someone excellent move in getting Luongo (finally trading for the goalie that previous GM’s were unable to acquire). But his inability to improve the Canucks or at least recognize that the division was getting really big and really tough (something Doug Risebrough saw in Anaheim and addressed this year in the draft and with trades) shows a lack of vision and leadership. Luongo and Vigneault must be sitting around lamenting the fact that they are stuck with a team whose best line (by virtue of who shows up every night and is effective when the going gets tough) is the third string. Nonis needs to improve.

Even if the Canucks make the playoffs, look at the character and toughness on all the other Western teams. It is unreal that the Canucks are even in the running. Part of me wants them to make the playoffs to have at least something to cheer about here in Habland; the other says lose and then maybe Nonis will wake up to the reality of the Western conference and get some players who care and are not afraid to hold each other accountable. Bye, Bye Naslund, Morrison, Sedins, Ohlund, etc. Thanks for the good times? but time to move on.