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Coldstream, BC • Canada • 44 Years Old • Male
I started riding a mountain bike three years ago dropped about sixty pounds and like some of us I tend to get big head when I start having success. Just when I start thinking I’m all that is about when my riding buddies take me out and either seriously school me on a really big hill or they bust a rib laughing at me chipping a tooth on a rock garden I usually ride clean.

I am not trying to rain on the 08/09 Stanley Cup parade just yet and L~rd knows I get fairly unrealistic when it comes to assessing our team, but reality tends to bite hard.

If training camp and exhibition can be any indicator or predictor its's looking like Ryan may play a biggger role with the Canucks. His speed and hands are a welcome addition to a team where those abilities are in short supply. It will be interesting to see where he ends up. I believe he is a reality check as well.

He is a young forward who if we are lucky in the prime of his development. Each year showing more growth towards getting better and better through training and practice. I don’t remember much of him and his six minutes per game last year with the Ducks but would it not be a strong indicator of our depth if this guy is ends of playing on one of the top two lines?

I wonder if Dave Nonis’ has these thoughts? If this guy can crack the line-up how much more building does he need to do? How does a guy go from the fourth line and six minutes to top six and ten more minutes? If this continues it should serve as a wakeup call for all of us about how much help we need.

A big indicator in last night’s game for me was Michael Grabner’s tip in shot. This guy is Moose meat for sure but has glimpses of the type of talent you see from truly gifted offensive players. Again moose meat and a pretty good depth indicator.

Granted the Ducks won Lord Stanley’s cup, but that’s our goal and Dave and Co need to “live in the now” or another playoff schooling is on the horizon.
Filed Under:   Exhibition   Grabner   Shannon   Nonis   Canucks   depth  
September 20, 2007 8:34 PM ET | Delete
lol I wrote a Shannon thingy a day or two ago...Nice to see someone thinks like I do.
September 20, 2007 8:47 PM ET | Delete
I liked Ryan a LOT intially last year. He seemed like another Andy MacDonald. But as the season wore on it was apparent that he was just too small. Ryan is faster than light and has great hands but good God, if you breathe on him he falls sprawling on the ice. Hopefully he worked on his strength in the off season. As for his positioning, I would be a little surprised if he is on the second line. If he is a first line winger, holy crap it's time to re-build!
September 20, 2007 8:51 PM ET | Delete
He seems pretty stable so far...no one has really taken a run at him yet.
September 21, 2007 12:14 AM ET | Delete
I liked Shannon last year too, but he always seemed to get separated from the puck. He was just too small. I think his best use would be as a special teams player like on 4 on 4s and during the shootout. He's got an awesome spinorama shootout move - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKIIWMBD43A.
September 21, 2007 12:54 AM ET | Delete
I'm hoping that he has just neaded the oportunity and is a little more stable on the puck this year.
September 21, 2007 1:10 AM ET | Delete
I think you are on to something. Shannon is faster than light and with some good confidence and some mentoring, he could be a star a la Kariya, McDonald, St. Louis, etc. The kid does need an opportunity and I hope he gets it there in Vancouver.
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