Vancouver canucks News

So take that coach John Tortorella! Roberto Luongo, dissed by his former coach, who gave a key start to his back-up, got lots of respect in his first game after being traded back to the Florida Panthers. Lou got the club's first shutout in two years.

When it comes to hockey opinions and the NHL, any pundit with a forum likely to reach others - hey, I got one! - is sure to have a take on a trade the magnitude of the Roberto Luongo deal. It was a newsworthy exchange of NHL goods, no question.

I haven't gotten a bead on exactly who did all the griping about Vancouver Canucks' coach John Tortorella's words to the effect that he'd prefer Sweden to beat Canada for the gold at Sochi. But whomsoever it was needs a course in sucking it up.

Phoenix Coyotes forward Martin Hanzal has some 'splaining to do and it appears the Vancouver Canucks have players who may do more than just listen. Canuck Dale Weise told media Saturday today's game may see Hanzal forced to "answer the bell."

Let's start here: the Calgary Flames are a pathetic excuse for an NHL hockey team and coach Bob Hartley should concentrate on making them a viable on-ice product. Not on fighting. Not on creating a circus-like atmosphere.

It had to happen eventually and it looks like now is the time. The Vancouver Canucks are playing in Edmonton against the Oilers Tuesday night and the team says that for the first time since Feb. 23, 2003, captain Henrik Sedin won't be in the lineup.

There's an unspoken rule in the NHL that if you try running a top player, not just bodycheck, but hurt, you have to face the music. Jordan Nolan, all 6'3" and 230 pounds of him, did the first part Monday night but turtled when it came to the second.

Depending on which report you believe, Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo is out with a groin injury either 7 to 10 days or he's day-to-day. Either way, until he returns his back-up, Eddie Lack, is ready to enjoy a stint as the go-to guy.

While Vancouver Canuck GM Mike Gillis has not revealed the full extent of the injury suffered by goalie Roberto Luongo, he has called up goalie Joacim Eriksson from the Utica Comets of the AHL. Gillis called up Eriksson Friday morning.

Vancouver - Dallas came into Sunday's NHL game knowing it had to play good defense against Vancouver, one of the best offensive units in the NHL and despite allowing over 40 shots on goal, the Stars escaped the game with a 2-1 victory over the Canucks.