Canucks commit to winning a championship… eventually

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Hockey fans are shaking the wrinkles out their jerseys and staking out their place in front of the TV tonight.

The NHL is back, including the Vancouver Canucks, who are on the ice in Calgary to take on the Flames at 7 p.m. on Rogers Sportsnet.

It’s the same arena where the team exited from Round One of the Stanley Cup playoffs last spring, but NEWS 1130 Sports Director Ann Schmaltz says the Canucks are making some promises as this season starts with a younger, new-look roster.

“The organization has made a commitment to the process of winning a championship — just making the playoffs is no longer good enough. By keeping the youngsters, the team added spirit and skill to the line-up and the Canucks got younger and faster,” she says.

“Ben Hutton was probably the biggest surprise of training camp. The defenseman impressed from the start with poise and the ability to move the puck quickly and calmly out of his own end.”

Schmaltz says the rookies know their work is just beginning, but at least the fans can “finally be excited about a new chapter.”

So where does that leave you if you’re leaping into a last minute hockey pool? The Canucks aren’t the only team with fresh faces.

“You are definitely seeing a bit of a youth movement in the NHL when it comes to the top players in the league,” says NEWS 1130’s resident poolie, Adam Forsythe.

“There’s the usual — Sydney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos — but expect Vladimir Tarasenko, Port Moody’s Ryan Johansen and a healthy Tyler Seguin all to contend for the scoring race.”

Another piece of advice… stay away from bad teams!

“This year is no exception. Do not pick anyone from Carolina, Arizona and New Jersey. Even the skilled guys will struggle to crack 50 points. Picking players from the Flames, Stars and Blue Jackets are safe bets. All three teams are heavily improved and the regulars should see their points totals soar.”

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