Injury list swells
NHL: Report Vancouver Canuck veteran willing to waive clause is off the mark
The Canucks are hoping Bo Horvat can play tonight after the centre, who has 15 points in his last 16 games, hurt his foot blocking a shot Saturday
As one noted hockey philosopher often said: “It is what it is.”
Todd Bertuzzi repeatedly used that phrase to defuse questions about his playing status or even his future NHL career. Alex Burrows didn’t go there Sunday, but he did toss cold water on a hot report that suggested the Vancouver Canucks’ winger may be willing to waive his no-trade clause if approached by management.
With the Feb. 29 trade deadline nearing, and the franchise in a retool-on-the-fly mode, the fact Burrows is 34 and has a year left on his contract at a $4.5-million US salary-cap hit made the Saturday report by Hockey Night in Canada insider Elliotte Friedman thoughtprovoking. He later said Burrows had denied the report and the winger was adamant Sunday that there was nothing to it.
“I learned about it after the (Saturday) game,” said Burrows. “Obviously, I think Elliotte had the same game as we had — not a very good night — because there’s no truth to that. I’ve never talked to management or coaches about it or to teammates. Last time I talked to my agent was to wish him Merry Christmas. The (trade) deadline is in two weeks and you might try to get a rumour out there and see what happens.
“Sometimes the media has it right and sometimes wrong.”
It’s not wrong to speculate what the Canucks may or may not do at the deadline. General manager Jim Benning maintains he’s in a wait-and-see mode, but in parting with unrestricted free-agents Dan Hamhuis and Radim Vrbata, he can continue to shape the franchise’s future. Hamhuis has a full no-trade clause, but if the Canucks aren’t going to re-sign him — and at age 33 with a rejuvenated game, he’s going to get a free-agent raise and not a pay cut on his expiring $4.25-million cap hit — then they need to convince the veteran defenceman that he’d help a Stanley Cup contender and also increase his offseason value.
As for Burrows, he’s often a thirdor fourth-line player, who’s good on the penalty kill and good at mentoring the kids. That might not be enough in the big picture and with just seven goals in 53 games, his future here isn’t a lock. What if Benning approaches him to waive his NTC at the deadline?
“Then you’ve got to talk to my agent and I’ve got to talk to my wife because we love it here,” stressed Burrows. “I’ve always wanted to stay here, even if the team is in a rebuild mode because I want to be a part of it. When I signed my contract, I wanted to be here forever and that hasn’t changed. I want to be impactful and successful, and you want to be a good teammate and help the young guys grow. I like to believe I can help in that way.”
Friesen makes NHL debut
Whether Bo Horvat will or won’t play Monday after blocking a shot Saturday and missing practice Sunday, it won’t affect the plans for forward Alex Friesen. The centre skated on the left side with Linden Vey and Radim Vrbata on Sunday and the club is anxious to get a look at a 25-year-old, sixth-round draft pick who has more than paid his minorleague dues.
“This is something I’ve wanted since I was a little kid dreaming of that opportunity,” said the 5-foot-10, 186-pound Friesen, who has eight goals and 10 assists with the Utica Comets this season. “I hope to bring some energy and be a physical presence and I want to keep the game simple early and just play hard. There are going to be a lot of emotions out there for me, but I’m excited.”
Friesen is the ninth player in the organization to make his NHL debut this season. The list includes winger Hunter Shinkaruk, who hit the 20-goal plateau Saturday, but has played just one game for the Canucks.
“When you see guys getting opportunities it motivates you more,” said Friesen. “The AHL definitely helps you get ready for the NHL — I don’t know if it does mentally — but it’s a tough game in the AHL.”