Say what you will about the Phoenix Coyotes successes and failures over the years; just say them quickly because it appears they won’t be around too much longer.

I am not sure why this team was moved from Winnipeg in the first place as it obviously had a better fan base than it does in the dessert city or any other southern American city for that matter. To me it just doesn’t make sense to try to force feed a sports league on country that just isn’t interested.

Will Gary Bettman finally clue in to the fact that you can not find a bigger fan base for an NHL team than a Canadian city? My bet is he won’t, he will probably do something even crazier like move the team to San Juan, Puerto Rico!

While a move to the small Caribbean nation may seem like a long shot I put it at about even odds with this hockey franchise moving to a Canadian city. Fortunately for you my gambling friends BetUS.com see things a little differently as they are offering betting odds on which Canadian city is going to get the Phoenix Coyotes.

Hamilton 3/1

Winnipeg 7/2

Victoria 4/1

Quebec City 6/1

Halifax 8/1

Sherbrooke 10/1

Regina 10/1

Charlottetown 25/1

E. Zack Lee

It seems that there is one sure bet in sports betting these days and that is if you bet against the Vancouver Canucks winning any game they are playing. The Canucks GM wasted ½ of the season waiting for the past his prime center Mats Sundin. Sure he was a hell of a hockey player but he never really helped the Toronto Maple Leafs win anything of significance so what makes him think he will do anything for the accolade starved Canucks?

While I am at it what about that useless coach Alain Vigneault? Sure the Canucks’ best player Roberto Luongo has been injured for the past 20 games or so but what about the rest of the team, have they not been playing and practicing for all that time? Sure the players have to take some of the heat for how bad they suck at the power play and the penalty kill but really does it not reflect more on poor management? And how about the ineffectiveness of this team on the shoot out, what’s that al about?

Sad to say that as far as betting on hockey games goes the only sure bet is that the Vancouver Canucks are not going to win their games, home or away, so why not make some money on a sure thing.

The Canucks suck and they always will because the Vancouver fan base will continue to support mediocrity by continuing to sell out this over priced, under performing bunch of junior players dressed up as professionals.

It is like I have always said…

“it doesn’t matter how big of a super star you bring to Vancouver in the end all you are doing is turning him into a Canuck!”

E. Zack Lee

With the 2008 NHL hockey season about to start the Vancouver Canucks are getting ready to release their tickets to the public on September 20th. Surprise, surprise the Vancouver Canucklehaed brain-trust (and I use the term generously) thought that it might be a good idea to raise ticket prices once again.

To secure a ticket in the nose bleed sections we will now be fortunate to shell out $64.25, which includes the parasitical service charge of Ticketmaster, for the privilege of watching a seriously down graded team that is led by the rookie GM Mike Gillis.

You know back in the day when this team had some better talent in the line up, and I am speaking of the heady days of the 2006 – 2007 season, tickets were almost 20 bucks cheaper.

So let’s see, less talent in the line up with a star goaltender who doesn’t seem to care about this team or city, a coach that produces a boring style of play and an unproven GM in Mike “I got no backup plan if I can’t sign Mat Sundin” Gillis and for this we get to pay more money.

While I am on it… I really don’t get the whole “you have to pay more to see premium teams” thing. For me I would understand and possibly even support this plan if we could pay less to see less than premium teams like the Vancouver Canucks play.

Mike Gillis – I can’t wait until you get fired and this team gets some owners that don’t seem to have their heads up their asses!

E. Zack Lee

The Vancouver Canucks announced today that Dave Nonis has been relieved of his duties as the team’s General Manager & Sr. Vice-President.

One down and one more to go!

All we got to do now is get rid of the other dead weight management type Alain Vigneault, once that is done maybe we can get this team moving in the right direction again.

E. Zack Lee

News just came out of the Vancouver Canucks leadership that they have decided to equip the Canuck goalie – Roberto Luongo – with a new stick!

The major reason for this decision has not come due to the star goalie’s inability to stop pucks from entering his own net but rather from his inability to put pucks into opponent’s net – inability to score.

This may come as a surprise to many of you hockey fans since what does a goalie have to do with scoring. Well, in Vancouver it may be the key component they are missing in order to produce some potent and enjoyable hockey games.

The logic behind this decision goes like this:

“The best player on our team is the goalie; In fact he is the best goalie in the whole league! So let’s exchange his fat stick for a proper shooting one and he may become the best scoring player on our team; In fact he may be the next Ovechkin!”

It is a good reasoning and I won’t argue that; In fact I said this in January. And it makes total sense because when things are going not so well you should try to do everything with every player you have.

Viva new Luongo’s hockey stick!

Stanoo Calista

The slumping Dallas Stars play host to their division rivals from L.A., as Mike Modano, Brad Richards and Marty Turco look to halt a 1-6 losing streak against a team they’ve handled all year. This is a must win game, but guess who Captain Canuck is choosing!

E. Zack Lee

The Toronto Maple Leafs visit the surging Sabres, looking to knock off Buffalo for the first time in the New Year. The Sabres are coming off a huge 3-goal comeback just two nights ago as they look to nail down a playoff spot. Check out who Captain Canuck thinks will win.

E. Zack Lee

Captian Canuck makes his video debut video offering his free nhl pick between the Blackhawks and the Wild. Is he right or is he wrong – why not comment on it?

Personally I find both teams to be quite boring but what do I know I only watch the games for the fights!!!

E. Zack Lee

By Scott Burgess
Game Day: Tue, Dec 18, 2007 10:00 PM ET
Odds provide by BodogLife for odds.

The Vancouver Canucks (-120) host the New Jersey Devils (+100), at G.M. Place, for some hard hitting NHL action. The last time the Devils were in Vancouver was December 29, 2001, where the Canucks won 4-2.
The Vancouver Canucks (17-12-0-4) just got home after a dismal road performance where they had one win in four games. They recently lost 2-1 (SO) in Edmonton. The Canucks have been without their super star goalie Roberto Luongo because of sore ribs. He is expected to start on Tuesday but it is still a game time decision. The Canucks have been plagued by injuries but the new recruits have filled in nicely. The Canucks offense averages 2.6 GAG and their power play has been average lately. On defense they allow 2.3 GAA but that’s with Luongo in net. Daniel Sedin is the top producer with 29pts and Marcus Naslund leads with 90 shots on net.

The N.J. Devils (18-12-2-1) have seven wins in their last ten games after their most recent, 4-2, home win over the Philadelphia Flyers. John Madden banged in two goals, Aaron Asham and Jamie Langenbrunner each put a goal in. The Devils aren’t know for their aggressive style of offense but it has sure picked up in their last ten games. Their defense is their strongest attribute. They’re ranked 6th in goals against and shots on net but surprisingly the aren’t good on the penalty kill. G Martin Brodeur is 16-11-2 with a 2.26 GAA along with 2 SHO.

Bottom Line: It’s all going to come down to who’s in net for the Canucks. If it’s Luongo, expect a low scoring defensive game. If it’s Sanford, expect the Devils to bang a few in and they’ll continue to play strong defense the rest of the game. Devils win!

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By Scott Burgess
Game Day: Wed, Dec 12, 2007 10:05 PM ET
Odds provided by BodogLife

The Anaheim Ducks (-160) will host the Vancouver Canucks (+140) tonight, at the Honda Center.

The Vancouver Canucks (16-11-3) could be in big trouble tonight with goalie Roberto Luongo out due to sore ribs. During the Canucks – Wild game Luongo was hit square in the chest by a rocket of a slapshot, and he’s been nursing sore ribs ever since. Goalie Curtis Sanford filled in for the game against the L.A. Kings, which the Canucks lost 2-4. Sanford stopped 27 of 31 shots putting his record at 3-1 with a 2.82 GAA and a .902 SVPCT. The Canucks Brendon Morrison and Brad Isbister are questionable for tonight. The Canucks looked awful against the Kings and it might get ugly against the Ducks. Their top producer is Daniel Sedin with 27pts and Marcus Naslund leads his team with 86 shots on net.

The Anaheim Ducks (15-13-4) have five wins in ten games after their most recent, 4-3 (OT), road win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Corey Perry had two goals on the night and gapped toothed Chris Pronger got the OT goal. The Ducks are scoring an average of 2.5 GAG and surprisingly their power play is lacking (#25). They are the best team in the league at winning faceoffs which is key to any teams’ success. Goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere is 12-8-2 for a 2.58 GAA with a .908 SVPCT. He’s currently got three wins in a row. Their penalty kill is ranked 23^rd in the league and the Canucks will want to take advantage of this. The Ducks top producer is Ryan Getzlaf with 35pts and Corey Perry leads his team with 102 shots on net.

Bottom Line: The Canucks are just to incompetent without Luongo in net.They showed NO offense against the worst team in the league last game and the Ducks are great at home.

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