After another pair of exhibition games the roster picture is getting a little clearer, but there are still some question marks.
Up front the Canucks have to decide if there is a role for Morrison and whether they can work out a deal to satisfy both sides. After that things should fall into place on the forward lines. On the back end it looks like Shane O'Brien is the odd man out. Alberts has been better and O'Brien makes too much money to be a 7th(or 8th) defenseman.
Cody Hogdson appears destined for a stint with the Moose. Consider that in place of Hogdson's cap hit the Canucks could carry Glass, Bolduc and Tambellini. Then consider his pre-season play and the fact that he barely played any hockey last year and it's a no-brainer for him to start with the Moose.
Here are the pre-season depth chart rankings heading into the last game against Anaheim...
Forwards
- "Safe Group"
- Daniel Sedin; Henrik Sedin; Ryan Kesler; Mason Raymond; Mikael Samuelsson; Manny Malhotra; Raffi Torres; Jannik Hansen;
- "Should Make It"
- 9 Tanner Glass (10) - Don't see anyone pushing him off the roster.
- 10 Rick Rypien (12) - Likely to stick with the team whether he is healthy by opening night or not
- "Outside Looking In"
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- 11 Brendan Morrison (9) - Had a few good shifts in SJ, but overall didn't like his game. Not sure if he's the right fit for the Canucks, at least not for the money he could likely get somewhere else.
- 12 Darcy Hordichuk (13) - No one else has really done anything to push him off the roster.
- 13 Alexandre Bolduc (18) - One of the best Canucks in SJ, played with intensity and showed that he wants it. Might be the best option for the 4th line centre position.
- 14 Jeff Tambellini (15) - If he killed penalties he would probably have a spot locked up, but I'm still not sure if he fits in. Has one more game.
- 15 Cody Hodgson (11) - Isn't ready yet and needs to play hockey. Better off with the Moose, especially when you consider that the Canucks can have two or three players on the roster for the same cap hit as Hogdson.
- 16 Victor Oreskovich (14) - I believe he is exempt from waivers so he is likely to be a guy who shuttles between Vancouver and Winnipeg. Hasn't done enough to unseat one of the incumbent 4th liners.
- 17 Peter Schaefer (16) - Has the smarts and some offensive skill, but showed in SJ that he still doesn't move his feet enough. Canucks are too close to the 50 contract limit, so I don't see a contract heading Shaeffer's way.
- 18 Joel Perrault (17) - Completely eclipsed by Bolduc in the SJ game.
- 19 Guillaume Desbiens (19) - The Canucks like him, but as another waiver exempt player he's heading back to the farm for now.
- 20 Sergei Shirokov (20)- Will be on his way to Moose camp soon.
Aaron VolpattiJordan Schroeder
Defencemen
- "Safe Group"
- Christian Ehrhoff; Keith Ballard; Alexander Edler; Dan Hamhuis; Kevin Bieksa;
- "On The Bubble"
- 6 Andrew Alberts (6) - Has been better than O'Brien and is cheaper.
- 7 Aaron Rome (7) - Solid in SJ despite his partner (see below)
- 8 Shane O'Brien (8) - At $1.6m SOB is not doing enough. Isn't playing tough enough while his competition is.
- "The Depth Guys"
- Lee Sweatt - Still around, but he's not anywhere near ready for the NHL
Nolan BaumgartnerEvan ObergChristopher TanevKevin ConnautonSean Zimmerman
Goalies
- Roberto Luongo - Was on the ice today, will be good to go by opening night, maybe sooner.
- Cory Schneider - Much better game against SJ.
- Eddie Lack - Got shelled in SJ, but there's still a lot to like. Great net coverage and rebound control. For a big guy he does a real good job of covering the 5-hole.
Tyler Weiman
Injured
- F Alexandre Burrows
- D Sami Salo
- D Yann Sauve
One more game and then it's decision time. The Canucks will then trim the roster down, but may not make any immediate decisions as they still have a week of practice time before they have to decide on their final roster.
