Tanev
VANCOUVER — The Canucks are hoping to do more than rely on home-ice advantage to solve the Bruins’ forecheck tonight in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.
After witnessing the circus act that was defenseman Keith Ballard’s first appearance in the Final (he replaced the suspended Aaron Rome) in Game 4 Wednesday, Vancouver head coach Alain Vigneault might be ready to swap Ballard out of the lineup for rookie Chris Tanev.
Tanev came off the Rogers Arena ice along with many of the usual game players, while Ballard stayed out longer for a hard skate. Vigneault would not confirm any lineup changes but he was willing to talk about what Tanev could bring to his team if he plays.
“When we’ve used Chris this year, he’s real steady, can make a first pass at the forecheck,” said the coach. “He’s a kid that is playing in Manitoba [of the AHL], and we got in injury trouble and he came up and did a real solid job for us.”
Tanev could be paired with Andrew Alberts, who earlier this series replaced the injured Dan Hamhuis. Vigneault said Hamhuis remains day-to-day and will be with the team on its trip to Boston for Monday’s Game 6.
sorry repeat post by mistake, it probably looks like I’m defending myself vigorously
Aaron, totally agreehis stock has gone down this series without Hambuis. I’m just thinking if he’s not surrounded by douches maybe he would have a different attitude in a B’s sweater.
If I’m PC and doling out cash for defensemen – I go immediately to the RFA list and pick one of Weber, Doughty or Yandle to start writing my checks to. I might even consider Bogosian before Bieksa.
Yeah, it’s become apparent that Bieksa needs a little Hamhuis beside him. Still a solid defender who can skate though. As a Van-City fan, the last thing I want to hear is that we’re gonna throw a rookie to the Bears tonight. A big opportunity for the kid, but probably too big of a stage…
It’s true his stock has gone down this series without Hambuis. I’m just thinking if he’s not surrounded by douches maybe he would play differently
Prior to this series I would have agreed with you George. He’s a douche and he hasn’t been good at all.
Jangles, Bieksa will get a huge raise next year but I would take him. 2nd pair Ferance and Bieksa? I would overpay for that
Always thinking about future rosters – I had noticed Erhoff on the UFA list for 2011 and have kept an eye to see if he could do Kaberle’s job a little better than Kaberle has.
My assessment at this point can be summed up in one word: Yuck.
Pundits must have just been piggy-backing off each other with their excitement for this club. All I can remember hearing is that this team was 7-8-9 deep on D and losing anyone (save for Bieksa) wouldn’t be a road bump of any magnitude. Yeah.. right.
queen injuries have andrew alberts posing as a top 4 defenseman. lol.