Vancouver Canucks News

New and old Canucks add voice to Kovalchuk drama
September 3
Vancouver Province
As the collateral damage around the Ilya Kovalchuk contract soap opera threatened to include other teams in its blast radius, several Canucks – current and past - offered mixed opinions regarding Friday's apparent deadline that could void the pending 12-year, $64 million contract extension of goaltender Roberto Luongo. Former Canuck Brendan Morrison – an NHLPA player rep when he was in Vancouver three seasons ago – put it bluntly. "It's amazing," said Morrison, a free agent who's taking part in informal workouts at UBC. "The owners find a way to circumvent the deal and it comes back to the players to rectify it. How many more parameters do we need to put in place in order for these guys to
Source: No ultimatum issued by NHL in Kovalchuk contract saga
September 2
TSN.ca
As the Ilya Kovalchuk contract drama continues to spin, there is a new twist, with the New York Post reporting that the NHL has issued an ultimatum to the NHLPA regarding front-end heavy contracts - specifically Kovalchuk's deal with the Devils, Roberto Luongo's with Vancouver and Marian Hossa's with Chicago. On Wednesday, league sources told TSN that no ultimatum had been issued, but the NHL and NHLPA did agree to extend the deadline for a decision on the Kovalchuk deal until Friday at 5pm et.
Canucks' Mikael Samuelsson looking for roommate - for charity
September 2
Vancouver Sun
Athletes and charities go together like Hall and Oates. Sadly, the thought behind the fundraising initiative is usually just as dated as the 1980s pop duo. Well, now for something as stupid and wonderful as owning a pet elephant. Something as outlandish as Nicolae Ceausescu, the Romanian dictator who was rumoured to have people walk in front of him painting the leaves on trees green — in the fall. That's right, Vancouver Canucks winger Mikael Samuelsson is ditching the tried-and-true golf tournaments, softball games and signed jerseys and rewriting all the rules. The 33-year-old is auctioning off an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Vancouver — including a pair of tickets to two home games
Report: Luongo contract could be void on Friday
September 2
Vancouver Province
The NHL could move to void Roberto Luongo's contract as soon as Friday, a report revealed late Wednesday. The NHL and the NHLPA appear on a collision course over Ilya Kovalchuk's latest deal and Luongo's contract is being offered up as collateral damage. The New Jersey Devils, the league and players' union moved Wednesday's deadline — to agree to or reject Kovalchuk's $100-million, 15-year deal — to Friday. The NHL extended the deadline because it is negotiating with the NHLPA in an effort to close a gaping hole in the CBA which has allowed teams to circumvent the spirit of the salary cap with front-loaded, long-term contracts. For now, the NHL says it will only register the Kovalchuk deal
Tambellini targeting spot on Canucks' third line
September 1
Vancouver Province
Jeff Tambellini has National Hockey League wheels, a quick release and a shot to match. At 26, after six seasons of pro hockey and a middling 180 NHL games played, he's at a crossroads in his career. Cast adrift after last season by the New York Islanders, Tambellini signed a one-year free-agent deal with Vancouver on July 1. He grew up in suburban Port Moody, B.C., while his father, Steve (now the general manager in Edmonton), played for and then became a member of management with the Canucks. It sets the stage for a storybook turn to his path in hockey, but Tambellini will be challenged to prove he belongs in the NHL and crack what appears to be a stacked lineup. "To come to a
Beaten up but unbowed, Alex Bolduc back for another shot with Canucks
September 1
Vancouver Sun
Upon review, Vancouver Canuck centre Alex Bolduc admits that maybe dropping the gloves last season with 6-8 heavyweight John Scott wasn't the mensa move of the year. Scott, then of the Minnesota Wild and now a Chicago Blackhawk, tips the Toledos at 258 pounds while Bolduc is listed at a more modest 197. The fight was no contest. Bolduc lost, blew out his shoulder and required major surgery. His season ended Jan. 13. "It probably wasn't the smartest guy to try," a rueful Bolduc noted Tuesday following an informal skate at UBC. "Fighting him wasn't my first option but I was willing to do anything. You have to do whatever you can do to try and stay up." Bolduc didn't mean stay upright but
Victor Oreskovich out to prove his worth with Canucks
August 31
Vancouver Sun
You'd think it would be easy to dislike Victor Oreskovich. The guy stands 6-3, weighs a shredded 225 pounds and can bench press Mini Coopers without a warm-up. Never mind he comes from money, has a finance degree from one of the most highly lauded universities on the continent and just so happens to be a second-round National Hockey League draft pick. And boy you'd be wrong. To be honest, there's so much to like. Maybe it's the fact he comes across much more personable than the brooding malcontent you were expecting. Or it could be that he isn't afraid to admit his mistakes and the errors of his youth. Then again, maybe you see a bit of yourself in the once-troubled teen. Whatever it is,