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Speed and skill, or grit and size? How should the Canucks build their lines for the postseason? My quick thoughts here.

 

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Montreal has returned Nathan Beaulieu to the AHL, likely to make way for Raphael Diaz on the back end.

 

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Per TSN’s Scott Cullen – don’t look now, but Mike Green has seven goals and 11 points in his last 10 games. Is Green back from the isle of fantasy irrelevance?

 

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Patrick Sharp may play tonight – let’s hope he does, for those of us with him on our fantasy squads. Chicago has missed him, and I bet he would be suiting up if this were the postseason. No harm in being extra careful.

 

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The Rangers have recalled Chris Kreider after the injury to Brian Boyle. They could really use some energy right now, and Kreider could be the guy to provide it, just like he did last spring after turning pro.

 

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The Oilers signed former Yale captain and Frozen Four MVP Andrew Miller to a two-year rookie contract. Miller is a prototypical undersized skilled college forward – these signings are great – asides from taking up a contract (each NHL team can have up to 50 contracts at any time), there is absolutely zero downside/risk to them.

 

Miller’s teammate, rangy winger Antoine Laganiere, inked a deal with the Ducks – Laganiere could play in the NHL right now according to many scouts. Limited upside power winger with great size, good wheels, and decent hands.

 

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With both Malkin and Crosby out, Pascal Dupuis slid over to center in between Morrow and Kunitz. Morrow, in particular, had a phenomenal game. The biggest difference for him when he has played well in recent years – his “jump.” He gets to loose pucks, forces turnovers, and that allows him to generate and finish offensive opportunities.

 

It was a vintage multi-cat night for Morrow – two goals, an assist, three SOG, and seven PIM.

 

Kris Letang, showing why he is one of the most valuable d-men in the league, had two helpers and controlled the game for most of the 29 minutes he was on the ice.

 

Beau Bennett had a helper and continues to look comfortable down the stretch – can’t see him getting left off the playoff roster.

 

Rolled the dice starting Budaj in my H2H postseason last night – and it bit me in the butt. Budaj let in three goals on nine shots before getting the pull. Our league counts saves and games started, and I was hoping for something like two or three goals on 25 shots (well, hoping for better, but expecting that).

 

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Mark Pysyk stood out to me last night – the rookie looked like anything but one against the Big Bad B’s. He is a good skater and moves the puck really well – he will be a fantasy factor next season for Buffalo.

 

Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand combined for 10 shots on goal (no points, but both players were positive factors for Boston).

 

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Well said Roberto:

For tonight and tonight only I am a Boston Bruins fan

—Strombone (@strombone1) April 17, 2013

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Today's team for a sleeper and a deep sleeper – the Calgary Flames.

 

Sleeper for 2013-14: Max Reinhart

 

What Reinhart lacks in size, strength, and speed, he makes up for in hockey IQ. He isn't small, but he does need to get bigger and stronger this summer (he's still pushed off the puck rather easily at this level). He's a really smart player and could hold down a third or fourth line spot while getting acclimatized to the NHL game. With skilled linemates, he could be a 40-50-point guy one day.

Deep sleeper (longer term): John Gaudreau

The pint-sized forward will return to Boston College for at least one more year. Gaudreau is extremely talented and a lot of fun to watch. He plays with a ton of confidence and isn't afraid to try "practice" dekes and moves in game situations. His lack of height/size is a concern, but guys his size have had long and successful NHL careers before. He's a guy you may have to wait on for a few years, though.

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The Canucks have recalled Derek Joslin from the AHL – could be a decent depth option for leagues with blocked shots and hits. Alberts/Ballard/Barker all struggled against the Blues, and the Canucks will want to give all of their depth defensemen some action before the postseason kicks off in a little bit.

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Great/moving video footage from Boston last night:

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Jared Cowen is a fantastic young defenseman, but even the most optimistic Sens fans weren't expecting that type of return on Tuesday night. Cowen smoked Jeff Skinner with an open ice hit, and then  pummelled two different 'Canes in very lopsided fights.

Cowen is a guy I saw a bit of during his WHL career, and his upside is interesting. He is thought of as a defensive guy by many people because of his size and physicality, but he has a great shot and he skates really well for a big guy, too. I'm excited to see what he can do now that he is healthy.

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Unfortunately looked like another concussion for Jeff Skinner, who has already battled his fair share of them early on into his NHL career.

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Christian Ehrhoff deserves some Norris attention,writes Thomas Drance. And after reading that, I can't disagree.

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My end-of-season hardware picks:

Hart – Crosby

Norris – Subban

Vezina – BOBROVSKY

Jack Adams – Paul MacLean

Selke – Bergeron

Calder – Brodin (HM's to Brenden Dillon, Brendan Gallagher, and Brandon Saad)

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Teemu Pulkkinen has officially been added to the Grand Rapids (AHL) roster. Wrote about him last week – another skilled Wings prospect with NHL upside.

Calle Jarnkrok, who had three points in nine AHL games, is heading back to Sweden, as he will play a big part on their 2013 World Championship squad. Jarnkrok has the most upside of any prospect in the Wings organization (not counting Nyqvist, who I consider an NHLer now).

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Ryan Kesler's deadly wrist shot is back – for the first time in two years. Kesler's shot is one of the best in the league, but it has been dormant (wrist injury the likely culprit) for a while. He's been victimizing goaltenders and posts over the past week or so since returning to the Vancouver lineup. Great news for poolies (and the Canucks).

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Sticking with Vancouver – after only one goal in his first 15 games of the season, Jason Garrison is now on a 13/14 goal pace over a full 82 game schedule. And he's done that without much top unit PP time. His shot is heavy and accurate, but its best attribute is how fast he can release it.

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My latest fitness post – 10 Nutrition Tips for April. Lots of good stuff in this one – hydration, the truth about carbs, a great book to check out, and more.

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The Wizard of Dallas – a look at what makes the ageless Ray Whitney so effective.

Whitney is a great example of the term “sport-specific skill.” Nowadays athletes spend all summer (and all season) preparing their bodies with grueling workout routines and incredibly strict diets. Whitney obviously takes care of his body, as he remains an elite player into his 40’s, but he doesn’t dominate with his physical tools. You could be 6-6 and 250 pounds of pure muscle, and he’s going to find a way to get around you (or saucer pass the puck over you, for that matter).

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