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 [email protected] or tweet us @passittobulis. Or tell us some other way. The point is: we'll probably link it if we know about it.)
- Is it too early to be thinking about the 2017 draft? With the way the Canucks are playing right now, definitely not. Janik Beichler takes a look at five centres the Canucks should be interested in come June 23rd. [The Canuck Way]
- Jake Virtanen was sent to Utica, then brought back up to sit in the press box, then sent back down again. Jeremy Davis breaks down his recent two-game stint with the Comets in detail, pointing out how Virtanen could benefit from a longer stay in the AHL. [Canucks Army]
- In his always insightful 30 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman touches on Vancouver several times. Regarding rumoured interest in Evander Kane, Friedman believes that the Canucks haven’t offered much, which may or may not be a relief to fans depending on what Jim Benning considers to be “not much.” He also touches on Trevor Linden, as well as Jake Virtanen’s “demotion” to the Utica Comets. [Sportsnet]
- Ben Kuzma notes that Vancouver’s defensive pairing of Ben Hutton and Erik Gudbranson is not off to a terribly good start, with Gudbranson overextending himself and Hutton being forced to play a more controlled game in the absence of Chris Tanev. Gudbranson feels their poor play is possibly a result of Hutton’s inexperience. [The Vancouver Sun]
- The Canucks have tried a bunch of crazy line combination, but are they loco enough to try Bo Horvat with Daniel and Henrik Sedin? Jeff Godley breaks down why they ought to try, and the potential ripple effect on the rest of the lineup. [The Canuck Way]
- With Ryan Miller out with the flu, Vancouver made the surprising move to call up Michael Garteig directly from the ECHL in order to backup Jacob Markstrom against Arizona. That’s likely because he’s closest at hand while on a road trip with his Alaska Aces, but he’s been playing very well in six starts so far this year. [HockeyBuzz]
- Jake Virtanen isn’t the only one who could be Utica bound. Iain MacIntyre explains in a radio interview why he thinks some time in the AHL might benefit the young Canucks defender. [TSN 1040]
- As the Canucks continue to freefall, the Sedin twins have one year remaining on their identical contracts. Rob Williams wonders if it’s in Vancouver’s best interests to keep them with the team? Or should the Canucks trade their franchise players and embrace the darkness? For now, Trevor Linden says no. [Daily Hive]
- After their annual meeting, several GMs and Gary Bettman meet the press to talk headshots, specifically in reference to Nazem Kadri’s brutal hit to Daniel Sedin’s head. [Sportsnet]
- Pierre LeBrun offers further insight into what was discussed in those meetings, and it appears that the room was more or less split on the Kadri hit, with many GMs citing the need to keep the game safe without greatly impacting the game’s physicality. And if you can get enough of those Evander Kane rumours, Bob McKenzie discusses Vancouver’s ongoing pursuit of the forward. [TSN]
- What would Fall in Vancouver be without a Vancouver fall guy? Jason Botchford analyzes the increasing likelihood that Willie Desjardins will be the underperforming Canucks’ first casualty. [The Vancouver Sun]
- New team logo talk is always fun, right? Redditor ohwowwhatashot designed custom badges for each team in the league. They’re actually all pretty amazing. Well, 29 out of the 30 are pretty amazing. One in particular is incredible. Be sure to scroll down to his submission for Vancouver. That’s… that’s just… wow. [u/ohwowwhatashot]
- We at Pass it to Bulis do not officially endorse any Canucks drinking games, as actually playing one would likely result in alcohol poisoning and a trip to the Emergency Room, but if you’re so inclined, Reddit has you covered. [r/Canucks]
