Canucks’ Schneider working to stay sharp
VANCOUVER — Straight from the file of “discouraging signs about the lockout,” Cory Schneider is now considering his options in Europe.
A member of the NHLPA’s bargaining committee, Schneider had long said he was avoiding the idea of playing overseas. It was going to be his last resort. Well, guess where we are if there’s not a deal this week?
If a collective bargaining agreement isn’t reached by Thursday, many expect what happens next is an extended cooling-off period, which could put the negotiations in a deep freeze. It could be for weeks. It could be longer.
“It would have to become more realistic, for sure,” Schneider said when asked about the possibility of going to Europe if there’s no CBA next week. “If they decide to go into a deep freeze, who knows when they will talk again or when this will get sorted out.
“If everyone is going to start heading over there with bad news, (jobs) are going to start filling up pretty quickly. It’s something I have to think about more seriously.”
Schneider has asked his agent, Mike Liut, to start exploring possibilities, but he isn’t yet ready to pull the trigger on a European deal.
“My agent is out there, talking to teams to see what is available,” said Schneider. “I haven’t really given him the green light to go and try to find something for sure.”
What Schneider can’t keep doing is participating in shinny practices three or four times a weekin Vancouver. Net minders generally don’t count on shinny to prepare themselves for games, requiring instead a healthy dose of goalie-specific practice usually directed by their position coaches.
As Toronto netminder James Reimer pointed out last week when he showed up in Vancouver, you can’t regularly make saves in shinny without a significant amount of cheating because the shots look nothing like they do in a real game.
But for two months, shinny is all Schneider has had. He’s essentially hoped his technique and preparation haven’t eroded significantly as he’s participated in informal skates without NHL-quality drills.
That’s what led Schneider and Reimer to work out Tuesday with former Ottawa Senators goalie coach Eli Wilson.
It’s the first time since Schneider arrived here two months ago he’s been able to train with a coach. And what a change. Wilson put the goalies through drills for 90 minutes, leaving them both bent over, huffing for oxygen by the end.
“I haven’t been able to talk to Rollie (Melanson),” said Schneider. “I thought about going home or flying in a guy from home, so it was good Eli was here to lend a hand.
“It’s little habits you get out of. (Working with Eli), reminds you, reinforces them.”
Added Reimer: “It’s more structured. You can work on things that are more relevant to your position. Also, the shots, and where they are coming from are more like game situations. It gets you prepared. It gets you ready.
“When you’re working like this, it’s obviously a lot harder. You’re getting more shots and it’s not just guys floating around the zone and holding onto the puck. It’s quick plays and quick shots and you’re working your legs more. It’s a lot more tiring.”
Interestingly, the person who connected Wilson with Reimer and Schneider is a media member.
Kevin Woodley, who writes for NHL.com and operates the netminder-specific InGoal Magazine, works with Wilson regularly. He recently pointed out to the goalie coach that the locked out NHL goalies in town were in desperate need of some help.
“I just decided to help these guys out,” said Wilson. “I talk to a lot of guys in other cities and I live here in Vancouver, so if I can help out guys who are itching for the help, then I definitely will.”
Wilson’s past client list includes Carey Price, Ray Emery, Tim Thomas, Tuukka Rask and Brian Elliott.
“It’s a lot easier with support around you than not having the support,” he said of the locked out goalies.”