With the Canucks placing Curtis Sanford on Waivers today, the team chemistry is now at a crossroads for either a positive or negative outcome.
With Roberto Luongo coming back from injury the team has shown the door to Sanford and gave the backup job to Jason LaBarbera who is 2-1-2 in his last 5 starts with a above GAA of 3.
What is concerning here is the impact that may occur when the likable teammate of the Canucks leaves the team if claimed or traded (one of the two will happen) for a relatively unknown commodity in the backup position who realistically will only get 3 or 4 games from this point forward if Captain Roberto Luongo stays healthy.
When the Canucks choose to start Rookie goalie Corey Schneider on a HNIC game instead of Sanford who deserved that start, it really showed in the teams poor response to that game and saw Calgary win (and possibly start their current ridiculous winning run).
Team Chemistry is incredibly important in any sport and most importantly in hockey. The balance between being an immensely talented team but not close knit and one with average talent but incredible team chemistry is night and day.
Take the New York Rangers the years they choose to sign every big name talent in the book to try to buy their way to the Cup and failed miserably year and year compared to the year the Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes played in the Stanley Cup Finals. 2 teams who had average talent but solid goaltending and team chemistry.
Because that is what the Canucks are an average talent team with an extraordinary goaltender and had for a while good team chemistry. It showed when Sanford got his first win of the season and his first shut out with the teams hooting and hollering to cheer their teammate on.
Will this happen with LaBarbera? It is tough to say as he is a likable guy for a team, that being said the team cannot be happy with seeing Sanford get thrown to the side because of injury and the same inconsistent play plagued but both backups.
Sanford was liked and it may show how much in the coming games.
Add to that Sundin who took 99% of the media spotlight and is being looked upon as their saviour with Luongo we could have a time were egos may push their way to the top and affect the chemistry of the team.
You see with the media and fans all thinking that this team can only succeed with Luongo hurts, and hurts bad. Both in the fans turning on other players faster than you can sneeze (such as with Sanford last night) and other players losing all confidence in important situations. Sadder part is that it is now proven that without a goalie of Luongos calibre or at least close this team cant win. They are sub .500 and its shown in the standings.
Lou is back and we will make the playoffs Im certain. that being said anything less than a 6th place finish is a straight 4 game out against Detroit or San Jose. They have not shown enough as a team with Lou in the lineup (unless he is playing November like all season) and with him in the lineup to expect a strong Run in the playoffs. They could win a round yes against the other teams not named Detroit or San Jose. The teams mental strength is not steel enough to do that.
yes things could change but 7 weeks of the hockey we just saw is a strong indicator that this team is not a contender but a wanna-be.
Lou changes everything I know but he cant win it by himself. The teams needs chemistry
Chemistry that is at a crossroads!
