Remembering Luc

Wednesday day morning brings us to one more sleep before the pucks drop. One more sleep before the games mean something. And one more sleep before hockey without Luc Bourdon begins.

Born February 16th, 1987 in Shippiagan New Brunswick Luc Bourdon grew up with one goal in mind, to play in the NHL. After spending winters playing hockey, Luc, would work summer's on his uncle's fishing boat.

Luc was drafted to the QMJHL in 2003 and left home at the age of 16. His junior hockey career included stops in Val-d'Or, Moncton and Cape Breton as well as a trip to the Memorial Cup and two tours of duty with the Canadian Junior World Championship team, bringing home the gold medal on both occasions.

Shippagan is a small town with a population under 3,000 and as you can imagine when someone from this town makes it big, they become a folk hero. After being drafted 10th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in 2005 Luc almost made the hockey club as an 18-year old.


After continuing to develop in the Q Luc eventually made it to the Canucks AHL farm team, the Manitoba Moose, in April of 2007. Just in time for the playoffs.


As a symbol of his respect and gratitude to those who helped him along his road to the pro's, Luc made and a donation to his former minor hockey program back in Shippagan.


Bourdon began the 2007-08 campaign back in Manitoba, however, with the Canucks struggling and a serious rash of injuries plaguing the defencemen, Luc was summoned on several occasions.


On his first game back with the big club Luc would record his first NHL goal on November 17th, 2007 versus the Minnesota Wild in a 8-1 Canucks romp.


The Canucks' struggled the rest of the season and failed to qualify for the playoffs, however, one of the encouraging bright spots was the development of Luc Bourdon as an NHL d-man.


On May 29th, 2008 fate took a turn for the worse and the NHL, the Vancouver Canucks, the city of Shippagan and society in general lost a great person.The news of Luc Bourdon fateful accident took the hockey world by shock, his desire to be the best at whatever he sought after was something that many admired about him.


As the players step on the ice tomorrow evening, everything with seem the same. With all the new faces in the Canucks locker room there will be one that is missed the most. One thing that we here in Vancouver can all take from this is that we are tremendously honoured to have had Luc Bourdon on our side. Luc Bourdon will always be a Vancouver Canuck....

Avalanche cut 3

The Avs have cut TJ Hensick and Per Ledin, sending them down to Lake Erie of the AHL. Colorado also cut Brian Willsie.

Islanders shape final roster

Jeremy Colliton, Mitch Fritz, Tim Jackman, Kurtis McLean, Trevor Smith, Chris Lee and Yann Danis have all been sent down to Bridgeport (AHL) by the Islanders. This means Joey McDonald will backup Rick Dipietro.

Rookies Josh Bailey and Jack Hillen are still with the team as the 13th forward and 7th d-man respectively.

Talkcast in 5 Minutes!

http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/27965

Talkcast in 20 Minutes

http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/27965

Other player movements

- The Carolina Hurricanes have sent forwards Joe Jensen and Trevor Gillies, along with defenseman Tim Conboy to Albany of the AHL.

- The San Jose Sharks have put veteran defenseman Kyle McLaren on waivers since they were unable to find a taker for his $2.5M salary.

- The Anaheim Ducks have claimed back forward Joakim Lindstrom after the Hawks put him on waivers. Lindstrom will now stick with the Ducks as they cannot sent him down to Iowa.

O'Sullivan Signing Coming Soon?

Talk coming out of the Kings front office is that O'Sullivan is very close to resigning. Dean Lombardi had very long talks directly with O'Sullivan late last night and are continuing today. A source close to the situation says its a very good possibility that O'Sullivan will be in the opening day lineup.

UPDATED BY SCOTTY,6:05:O'Sullivan signs 3-year deal.

Brule demoted to the AHL

The Edmonton Oilers have demoted center Gilbert Brule to the AHL to get some seasoning.

The Oilers also cut Taylor Chorney and Theo Peckham. Brule needs a full season in the AHL before being efficient in the NHL.

Brule's demotion means Robbie Schremp finally made the cut.

Around the Hawks

The Chicago Blackhawks have assigned defensemen Cam Barker and Aaron Johnson, as well as goaltender Anti Niemi to the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. In addition, the Blackhawks have released center Kevyn Adams who was on try-out.

The BlackHawks kept Nikolai Khabibulin in the NHL in order to work a deal with a NHL or KHL team. Cam Barker is in the same situation as Bobby Ryan of the Ducks. As soon as GM Dave Tallon finds a taker fo the Bulin Wall, then the Hawks will be able to call Barker up.

Around the Wings

According to Ken Holland, Darren Helm, Ville Leino and Jonathan Ericksson have all been sent to Grand Rapids. Aaron Downey has been put on waivers to be reassigned.

Darren McCarty has a groin injury and will start the regular season in Detroit on injured reserve.

Kyle Quincey is not on the ice and not on waivers. The team has until 3 p.m. Wednesday to finalize its regular-season roster. The team is likely shopping Quincey around for trade.

Jackets place 3 on waivers

The Blue Jackets have placed defensemen Aaron Rome, as well as centers Derek MacKenzie and Craig MacDonald on waiver.

The Blue Jackets now have 25 players on the active roster, not including two players on injured reserve – goaltender Steve Mason and right winger Raffi Torres. Filatov is still with the club.

Canucks place Krog and Pettinger on waivers

As per TSN:

The Vancouver Canucks also made a couple of players available by putting on waivers forwards Matt Pettinger and Jason Krog.

LEAFS PLACE DEVEREAUX AND KRONWALL ON WAIVERS

Both will report to the Marlies if they clear, Devereaux for sure but Kronwall, I don't know.

Side note: I tried that cereal "Mini Wheat's" you know, the one with the catchy commercials. Well, it tastes as bad as the Leafs Offensive corps looks.

The Lesson: Do NOT buy Mini-Mini-Mini-Mini Wheat's.

And so it Begins...

Cliff Fletcher announced that the Leafs highly touted D-man prospect, and the future of the club, Luke Schenn has been signed to a three year entry level contract.

“Luke’s got a bright future in the NHL and we are very excited to have him signed to a contract,” Said Fletch.

Schenn's entry-level contract will see him earn a base salary of $875,000 (all currency U.S.) and he could receive an additional $2.1-million a year if all his bonus clauses are met.

Full Story HERE.

Filatov Building His Case

First shot of the night first goal by…….Filatov and top it off with a game winning SO goal (vs. Toronto on Sunday). That’s the dilemma the team is facing right now, was it a fluke or was Filatov really starting to understand the true nature of playing a North American style of game. That is why he just built himself a sudden case, he impressed when given is last chance in the preseason. He was plagued by an injury and missed out on the Traverse City prospect tournament and he only played two preseason games because of that injury. So likely against all odds if he produces and we see good thing out of him during that 9 game stretch permitted in the regular season before the limit date to send him back to his junior team (Sudbury) he might just stay on board and take a run at the Calder with Voracek just like a certain dynamic duo by the name of Kane and Toews. Ok maybe that’s a little too much of my day dreaming I just said but still, he hasn’t been cut and I predict he might replace Brassard if he shows more maturity on the ice. Or then again maybe it was a fluke …..To be continued……in Dallas.

Best of luck to all NHL teams in this new season

Return Of Todd

As the world turns and the hours tick by towards the beginning of the NHL season we will continue to review some of the storylines that may (or may not) play out in the season opening game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames. Today’s story: The Return of Todd Bertuzzi…

Would the real Todd Bertuzzi please stand up?

Back in 1998 when then GM Mike Keenan acquired Todd Bertuzzi from the New York Islanders in a deal that involved Canucks’ legend Trevor Linden many of the the Canucks faithful did not know what to expect. Bertuzzi was an underachieving prospect in the Islanders system that carried the potential to be a dominant force in the NHL, if given the opportunity.

Upon his arrival to the struggling Canucks, Bertuzzi immediately started producing highlight reel goals and shortly thereafter became a fan favourite. With Bertuzzi’s size and abilities coming to the limelight and they chemistry between he and Markus Naslund, Todd was now becoming the focal point of the Vancouver Canucks. He along with Naslund and centre Brendan Morrison combined to form one of the most feared lines in the NHL. Each and every time the ‘West Coast Express’ stepped over the boards the opposition would crumble under the pressure. The hulking 6’3” winger created room, demanded attention and created mayhem.

As the line began to take the NHL by storm the Vancouver Canucks slowly began to climb in the NHL standings and some considered them to be amongst the NHL’s elite. And many pre-season predictions had the Canucks sipping champagne from the Stanley Cup.

In October of 2003, Bertuzzi, thriving off the success of a 46 goal (97 point) outburst in the 2002-03 season signed a four year /27.8 million dollar contract with the Canucks. The love affair was on and Bertuzzi would seemingly remain a Canuck for the remainder of his NHL career.

Bertuzzi struggled through the 2003-04 season and having scored just 17 goals, being ridiculed in the media for not performing to his contracts standards, Bertuzzi snapped. In retaliation to a hit on captain Markus Naslund not two-weeks prior, Bertuzzi, attacked Colorado winger Steve Moore. To date Moore has not returned to the NHL and Bertuzzi has yet to return to his previous NHL fourm.

In the summer of 2006, GM Dave Nonis traded Bertuzzi to the Florida Panthers. A trade that has brought on several changes to the Vancouver Canucks line-up and one that has switched the focus of the team from high-flying offence to conservative defense.

Bertuzzi returned to Vancouver for the first time last season with the Anaheim Ducks, amid the fan-fare of his return Bertuzzi was a non-factor in the game. This season, Todd will return to GM Place wearing the C-of red for the Calgary Flames. A jersey that he so loathed while part of the Canucks, he is playing for ‘the other guys’ and while you may want to wish the worst upon him, lets not forget all the good that he brought to the Canucks; the highlight reel goals and the bone-crushing body checks.

How much of a factor will Todd Bertuzzi have in his return to GM Place?

Waiver wire

- The Predators have put forward Josh Gratton on waivers.

- The Bruins have put fowards Peter Schaefer, Nate Thompson and Jeremy Reich on waivers.

- The Devils have put forward Fedor Fedorov on waivers.

Another round of cuts

- The BlackHawks cut four players, sending Akim Aliu and Kyle Beach to junior, and Troy Brouwer and Cory Crawford to Rockford (AHL). They still have five more to cut. Crawford will be the backup when they deal with Khabibulin.

- The Kings cut highly touted prospect Teddy Purcell to Manchester. He won't stay there long, but he clearly was sent down because of Oscar Moller playing such great hockey. Thomas Hickey was also cut, as well as Alec Martinez, Jonathan Quick, and Kevin Westgarth.

- The Lightning have cut Karri Ramo and Vladimir Mihalik.

- The Avalanche have assigned Kyle Cumiskey to Lake Erie (AHL).

- The Ducks have cut Ryan Donally and Andrew Ebbett.

- The Rangers have assigned Miika Wilkman to Hartford (AHL).

- The Capitals have sent Karl Alzner and Chris Bourque to Hershey (AHL). They also put Quintin Laing on waivers.

HOCKEYBUMS YOUTUBE CHANNEL

We have launched our very own YOUTUBE channel where we hope to put a lot of amazing features on to in order to solidify our reputation as your Hockey Talk Alternative. Shows, highlights and features will be shown on this channel.

Our first feature is the First Part of the interview Dewey did with Hockeybuzz Penguins blogger Brian Metzer last Friday on his weekday Talkcast. The interview is below.

Three Steps Til Puck Drop...

With the Canucks-Flames ready to battle this coming Thursday its time to approach the next few days with some reflection on the stories that may (or may not) surround the game. Today, we begin with step one: optimism

The last time these two teams met in the regular season was back on April 5th and the Flames added salt to the wound that was known as a missed playoff berth for the Vancouver Canucks. It has been 6 months since the Flames lit up Roberto Luongo and the Canucks in an 8-1 thrashing and in that time there have been a lot of changes on both sides of the puck.

The Flames have added speed and grit with the likes of Mike Camalleri, Todd Bertuzzi and Andre Roy. Meanwhile the Canucks have had a complete overhaul of their organization including new GM Mike Gillis and his staff with the likes of Scott Mellanby, Dave Gagner and Lorne Henning.

Not to mention the player movement.

Trevor Linden has retired, Markus Naslund is a Ranger, Brendan Morrison is a Duck and Brad Isbister has still not shown up in Binghamton. In are the likes of Kyle Wellwood, Steve Bernier, Pavol Demitra and Rob Davison. And without further aidue Shane O'Brien has been acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for the slick and smooth skating Lukas Krajieck.

With all that said the Canucks will step to the ice on Thursday having come off a 6-0-1 pre-season that has provided optimism amoungst the fans. With all the changes throughout the organization the Canucks were expected to falter this season and many still believe that the pre-season is just that...pre-season. However, one cannot look forward to the upcoming season with an open mind. A new season brings new expectations, maybe the lack of expectations will breed success...one can only hope.

Hollweg Suspended For Two Games

Leafs winger Ryan Hollweg had been suspended for the first two games of the season for being assessed three boarding or checking misconducts within 41 games of each other.

Two of the three occurred before he was with Toronto on January 5th against Edmonton and February 3rd Vs. Montreal. The final offense was Wednesday Vs. the Blues.

Hollweg will miss the Leafs first two regular season games; Thursday at Detroit and Saturday night hosting the Habs.

Sidenote: Does anyone else drool over the thought of a Manny Vs. Red Sox Nation World series?

Risebrough: Gaborik won't be signed by start of season

The Marian Gaborik negotiations have hit a stalemate, and GM Doug Risebrough told Michael Russo a few days ago that he won’t be signed by the Oct. 11 opener.

It looks more and more like Marian Gaborik will be on the trading block. A few teams have expressed interest in Gaborik such as Vancouver, Montreal, Pittsburgh, Carolina and Buffalo.

Gaborik's cap hit is $7,500,000 this upcoming season.

Hurricanes sign F Dan Lacouture

The deal will pay LaCouture $475,000 on the NHL level or $50,000 on the American Hockey League (AHL) level, with a guarantee of at least $75,000 during the 2008-09 season.

“Dan came to our camp in great physical condition and earned himself a contract,” said Ron Francis. “He is an experienced, veteran player with good speed and size and is capable of contributing on the NHL level.”

Lacouture took avdantage of Williams and Walker's injuries to earn a roster spot for the start of the season.

Talkcast in 10 Minutes!!

http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/27965

Avs eyeing the Bullin Wall?

The Colorado Avalanche might be interested in acquiring goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin as they haven't been very impressed by Peter Budaj and Andrew Raycroft. The Los Angeles Kings and Ottawa Senators are also rumored to be interested in the Bulin Wall. Martin Gerber has been far from impressive in the Senators' 4-3 OT loss against the Penguins on Saturday.

Thrashers cut three players

The Atlanta Thrashers have reassigned Joey Crabb, Colin Stuart and Boris Valabik to Chicago (AHL). Valabik was expected to make the team on defense.

The Thrashers now have 23 players on their training camp roster, including 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders.

Luke Schenn to start season in Toronto

According to TSN, Cliff Fletcher told the press the Leafs like Schenn so much that they will keep him with the big club to start the season.

Expect Schenn to log plenty of ice-time before Finger and Kubina come back from their injury. Scheen can play 9 games before being sent back to junior.

Canucks and Lightning swing deal

Vancouver Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis announced today that the Canucks have acquired defenceman Shane O’Brien and right wing Michel Ouellet in exchange for defenceman Lukas Krajicek and right wing Juraj Simek from the Tampa Bay Lightning. O’Brien will report to Vancouver and Ouellet will report to Manitoba.

The Bolt were looking to add a puck-moving defenseman. I'm not sure Krajicek fits the bill, but he's certainly better offensively than O'Brien. O'Brien will add even more toughness to the Canucks defensive squad.

The Lines in St.Lou

Andy Murray announced he would start the season with the following lines:

Stempniak-McDonald-Boyes

Kariya-Berglund-Perron

Tkachuk-Oshie-Backes

Hinote-McClement-King

Porter-Stastny-Janssen (according to website)

McKee-Brewer

Pieterangelo-Jackman

Woywitka-Polak

Wagner-E. Johnson (according to website)

Legace

Mason

Murray chose to stick with these line because of the high amount of scoring and cohesiveness throughout the preseason.

Hodgson to be sent to Brampton

Cody Hodgson is expected to be sent back to Brampton (OHL) before the Canucks open the seaosn on Thursday against the Flames. His camp was solid, but not good enough to crack the roster. He'll have a better chance to make the team next season.

Update: Hodgson was indeed sent to junior today.