It’s time for “Stick in Link”, the feature where we just plug in a bunch of stuff written by others! Featuring a smattering of links from around the Smylosphere and beyond every Tuesday and Thursdayish. Warning: our links are so hyper, they change colour when exposed to heat. (Have something for us to share in the next edition? E-mail us at passittobulis@gmail.com or tweet us @passittobulis. Or tell us some other way. The point is: we'll probably link it if we know about it.)
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The Player's Tribune featured an extended Alex Burrows thank you to Vancouver fans, and my face is leaking. I'm a pretty quick reader but I took my time with this one. It's definitely a must-read. We've all heard the story of his Cinderella story to reach the NHL, but I don't think I've ever heard it told from his point of view with such detail.
It's also a unique perspective into the logistics of being traded as a veteran, namely the family impact. And yeah, he talks about "the goal." Insightful, beautiful and honestly humbling, it's a reminder that Vancouver was lucky to stumble across a player of Burrows' qualities.
He ends by asking Canucks fans not to forget about him. Yeah right. [The Player's Tribune] - Back to your regularly scheduled griping! Jim Benning was interviewed on TSN 1040 and reiterated that Vancouver now realises that a playoff spot isn't happening (it isn't??) and the focus will now be on giving young guys more significant ice time. He also covers a bunch of other topics, such as Vancouver's draft goals for 2017, Brock Boeser's potential signing, Jonathan Dahlen's summer plans, and Goldobin's flu. [TSN1040]
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How are you at reading between the lines? Vancouver likes college free agents, and Alex Kerfoot, currently property of the New Jersey Devils, has plenty of connections to Vancouver. The high scoring forward is a Vancouver native and his father is the majority owner of the Whitecaps. Hmmm... New Jersey might wanna trade those rights if they can...
Kerfoot : "It was a dream to play for the #Canucks growing up but I'm property of NJ & I'm not looking past the Devils at this point."
— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) March 16, 2017 - More Kerfoot, you say? Take it away, Rob Williams. Jimmy Vesey's former linemate will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and Kerfoot is a lifelong Canucks fan. Plus, Vancouver has plenty of roster spots up for grabs next season. All the better to sign him with! [Daily Hive]
- As Canucks free agent signings go, most fans would rate the Loui Eriksson signing thusly. Not so, says J.D. Burke; Eriksson is a far better player than he's been given credit for, and his season stats don't tell the whole story. In other words, fans can expect more from the skilled winger over the remainder of his contract. [Canucks Army]
- Ryan Hank of Always90Four agrees with that assessment, giving his own perspective on why Loui is a player Vancouver fans can expect big things from over the next few seasons. Some encouraging advanced stats in this one, with a similar conclusion: Loui has had one heck of an unlucky season. [Always90Four]
- Friend of the blog and "53 Horvat Magic" creator Clay Imoo offers some much needed positivity. It's working! I feel better already. [Daily Hive]
- We agree. To what, you ask? Reid Boucher is worthy of another contract and a full season to show what he can do. So says Jeff Godley. We agree, Jeff Godley, we agree. [The Canuck Way]
- The future is now. Brock Boeser seems likely to sign with Vancouver as soon as his NCAA season is done. He had a lengthy phone call with good buddy Troy Stecher, and with Vancouver finally buying in to full youth movement and still smarting from copious injuries, there's no better time than the present. Of course that means that Vancouver burns the first year of his entry contract. [The Province]
- We've been bashing coach Willie Desjardins all season. He's just so goshdarn bashable! But Janik Beichler believes that coaching decisions aren't the critical component in Vancouver's flailings this season. [The Canuck Way]
- It's a strange sensation, being giddy over a late round pick. I mean, the last ones to really pan out were drafted in 2004. But Adam Gaudette, a two-way centre chosen in the fifth round, is giving Canucks nation the butterflies for good reason. [Daily Hive]
- Is Brock Boeser the light at the end of the tunnel for Vancouver? This is a fantastic read, worth it just for the incredible Benning / Trump graph near the start. But don't stop there, this piece goes over the ins and outs of Boeser's contract, and how burning a contract year could actually benefit Vancouver. [Canucks Army]
- No matter where you stand, there's no denying that hockey analytics is gaining steam. Vancouver is taking a proactive approach by hosting an advanced stats conference. [Canucks TV]
- Without taking sides, it was interesting to watch the discord betwee Iain MacIntyre and Canucks Army unfold over the last few days. Frankly it's something we've bumped into, albeit on a smaller scale: the Canucks currently stink, but how should management properly destinkify? That's a contentious issue. Plus the always popular undercurrent of analytics guy vs. gut guy. This particular squabble got heated. Still, I'm positive it drove traffic for both sides. Memo to Daniel: start more feuds. Anyway, here are some details from the CA side of things. [Canucks Army]
- With the upcoming expansion draft, who should Vancouver expose? Well according to The Score, it shouldn't be Luca Sbisa. That's... interesting. They suggest Vancouver exposes a different struggling physical defender instead. That IS interesting. Also note that forward list. Check it out. [The Score]
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And lastly, let's take a closer look at the ever-mysterious "Granimal" in the latest King of the Rink.
