From: chim@sfu.ca (Alan Chim)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.hockey
Subject: Vancouver Canucks Pre-Camp Outlook
Date: 12 Sep 92 19:16:04 GMT
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

Canucks Pre-Camp Outlook  (from Vancouver Sun)
------------------------

GOAL

Sure thing:  Kirk Mclean.  Captain Kirk will sign his mega-buck contract
any day now and play at least 60 games.  Although in his short NHL
career he has followed a good season by a bad season, he looks poised
this year to break this trend.

On the bubble:  Troy Gamble.  The free-spirit is fighting to resurrect his
career.  Simply stated, he was horrendous last season and a poor start
could mean waivers and a ticket to Hamilton, one-way contract or not.
Gamble must try and regain the form he had two years ago when he played
so brilliantly in the Stanley Cup Playoffs against LA.

Worth Watching:  Mike Fountain.  The 20-year-old was among the top juniors
last season and graduated from the same Oshawa program that produced
McLean.  He also was selected for Canadian Junior Team, although he saw
little action (or no action) with Trevor Kidd as the team's #1.

DEFENCE

Sure thing:  Jyrki Lumme, Dave Babych, Doug Lidster, Gerald Diduck (when
he resigns), Robert Dirk.  Quinn likes his veterans although one could
be trade bait somewhere.  Lumme had a good season last year, and is
looking to build on it.   Lidster and Babych are nearing the end of
their careers.  Robert Dirk and Gerald Diduck are solid defencemen.

On the bubble:  Adrien Plavsic, Dana Murzyn.  Plavsic was a delight when
he returned from the Olumpics last March but Quinn still hesitates to
announce his full-fledged arrival.  Murzyn was benched in favor of
Plavsic to start last season's playoffs.  He has some ground to make up.

Worth watching:  Jiri Slegr, Jassen Cullimore.  As a Czech national team
member, Slegr would seem to have the international experience.  But can
he do it in the NHl and beat out the liks of Dirk, Plavsic or Murzyn.
Slegr has so much offensive potential, and could be the point man the
Canucks desperately need on the power play.  Cullimore, the 220-pound
giant is coming off an excellent junior season and has the size and
potential to become a Scott Stevens type defenceman.  He is the Canucks
future on defence.

CENTRE

Sure thing:  Cliff Ronning, Trevor Linden, Tom Fergus, Ryan Walter.  If
Linden's conversion to the middle remains permanent Linden will stay at
center and pivot one of the top two lines.  Ronning will pivot the other.
Fergus and Walter will be shifted around third and fourth line duties,
and play some wing as well.

On the bubble:  Petr Nedved.  The slender centre is in no danger of
demotion but he still has detractors, those who wonder whether he
has the jam or the attitude to be a front-line NHL pivot.  He will be
given every opportunity with the void creawted by Igor Larionov's
departure.

Worth watching:  Libor Polasek, Mike Peca.  First-round pick Polasek
is the latest candidate in Quinn's never-ending quest for a big centre.
Likened to Mark Messier, he won't make the team this season but at least
we'lll receive some indication.  Peca is touted as a feisty Jeremy
Roenick-type.  The Canucks only wish.

LEFT WING

Sure thing:  Greg Adams, Geoff Courtnall, Sergio Momesso.  All proven
players with Courtnall promising to bounce back after a sub-par
illness-plagued season.

One the bubble:  Gino Odjick.  The Algonquin Enforcer watched most of
the playoffs from either the pressbox or the end of the bench.  With
the new instigate-and-you're-out fighting rule, the slow-afoot Odjick
is facing a desperate battle to keep his job.  Enigmatic Shawn Antoski
could be breathing down his neck.

Worth Watching:  Alek Stojanov.  The monstrous No. 1 pick in '91
didn't last the first weekend of training camp after blowing out
a shoulder. l He eventually needed surgery and lost a year of
development.

RIGHT WING

Sure thing:  Pavel Bure, Jim Sandlak, Garry Valk, Robert Kron.  It
looks weird without Linden listed here but the Rushin' Rocket
could and should be double shifted to fill the void.  Sandlak will
play behind Bure with Valk and Kron vying for third and fourth-line
duty.

On the bubble:  Jay Mazuer, Robin Bawa.  Mazur dropped out of sight
last season after a promising '90-91 campaign.  Will he return
and claim a fourth-line, penalty-killing spot?  Bawa, a big hitter
with decent hands, had a cup of coffee last season.  Will push to
stay for full meal.

Worth Watching:  Sandy Moger, Dixon Ward, Dane Jackson.  All
high-scoring collegians looking to make a quantum leap to pros.

CAMP FACTS

When:  Sept. 11-18
Where:  Memorial Arena Victoria
On-Ice Workouts:  Saturday-Tuesday scrimmages at 9 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.
                  Practices at 8 a.m., 10:45, 11:45 and 2:30.
                  Admission:  free

IntraSquad Game:  Wednesday, Sept, 16 at 7:30.  Admission:  Adults $9,
                  children $6.  Preliminary game at 3 p.m. between
                  Hamilton Canuck farmhands and UBC Thunderbirds.
                  Admission: free.

First Exhibition Game:  Friday, Sept 18, 7:30 versus LA Kings.  At
                        Pacific Coliseum


BTW - The Canucks have agreed to terms on a contract with defenseman
Gerald Diduck.

Alan.
chim@sfu.ca
Newsgroups: rec.sport.hockey