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 Thursday. 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.)
- Todd Bertuzzi didn’t have the most graceful exit from Vancouver for obvious reasons, so getting the chance to come back to Rogers Arena and actually get cheered was an experience he welcomed. [Vancouver Sun]
- One person especially excited to see the West Coast Express back in town: Jared McCann, who idolized Markus Naslund. “His minor hockey team only had jerseys that went up to No. 16. He turned the ‘6’ upside down to form No. 19.” Can we forgive him for desecrating Linden’s 16 because it was to get Naslund’s 19? [The Province]
- Are the Canucks the worst team in the NHL? I think it’s far too early to pass them the baton—the Sedins alone can propel them to at least mediocre. [The Province]
- If the Canucks’ November struggles continue throughout December, then it might not matter that they’re in the Pacific Division; they might have to give up any hope of making the playoffs. At that point, pending UFAs like Radim Vrbata, Chris Higgins, and Brandon Prust will be heading out the door. [Sportsnet]
- Johnny Canuck is back. His latest video about the West Coast Express might have given my chills. Either that or my home is really drafty. One or the other. [YouTube]
- I knew the demand for Canucks tickets was down, but this article invokes the Mike Keenan era in talking about fan disinterest. Is that a bridge too far? [Global]
- The Canucks have been pretty terrible lately, but is this who they really are? Or is sometimes a slump just a slump? [Always90Four]
- To the surprise of no one, both Brock Boeser and his magnificent hair are on Team USA’s preliminary roster for the World Junior Championship. [USA Hockey]
- Fellow Canucks prospect Dmitry Zhukenov, on the other hand, was left off Russia’s WJC roster despite a stellar performance at the Under-18 tournament last year. [Canucks Army]
- It looks like Jake Virtanen has recovered from his hip pointer injury and has been assigned to the Utica Comets for a conditioning stint. This may pave the way to him being added to Team Canada’s WJC roster in the near future. [Canucks]
- Congratulations are in order to Canucks Army alumni Josh Weissbock and Money Puck, who got hired by...someone. They’re smart folks and I like them, so here's wishing them all the best. [Canucks Army]
- Finally, we have Alex Burrows mic’d up against the Boston Bruins. Halfway through the video, my wife turned to me and asked, “Was that french?” It wasn't. [YouTube]
