As the Vancouver Canucks reach the midway point of the 2009/10 schedule, here is a reflection to date of the individual top 11 performers for  the club, in my humble opinion.
Willie Mitchell, B
Willie Mitchell came to Vancouver touted as a shut-down defender.  The Canucks were well acquainted with the Port McNeil blueliner, having been Todd Bertuzzi’s irritating shadow when the Canucks faced the Minnesota Wild in the post season.  This year, Mitchell has added an element to his game that is a welcome addition for Canucks fans.   As pictured, Mitchell has been hitting with more frequency and tenacity, which is [...]

The Vancouver Canucks killer instinct took over as the Nashville Predators attempted to hand them a second straight loss at General Motors place.
Refusing to become another Nashville snack (who were red hot coming into the game, 8-1-1 in their last 10), the Canucks applied a very diligent  forecheck and were smart moving the puck out of their own zone.
The game opened a little tentatively, with both teams playing cautiously, collapsing to the net at any sign of danger.  This was to be expected, as the Predators are set on defense with an exceptional core, with shutdown players like Dan Hamhuis, [...]

With the Washington Capitals and Vancouver Canucks tied at 2 at 12:24 of  the third period, referee Brad Meier assessed Caps Tom Poti a double minor that changed the game.
Washinton’s head coach, Bruce Boudreau couldn’t beleive what he was seeing as Poti first received a cross-checking minor for hitting Alex Burrows in the shoulders.  Then, after dismissing Meier’s call with a “take off” waving gesture, Poti was given an additional two minute minor for Unsportsmanlike conduct.   On the subsequent power play, Mason Raymond notched his 2nd of the game, and as Brad Meier skated by the Washington bench, all Boudreau [...]

After dropping a decision late in the third period at home against the Ducks, who were 3-5-5 on the road entering the game, the Canucks have some ground to gain.   Following the loss, Vancouver is 10th in the West, and Minnesota, who holds a game in hand, only trails by three points.  These, in my humble opinion, are the 5 things they must do to ensure a playoff spot in the Western conference.
5) Better third line production:   Kyle Wellwood, wherefore art thou?  Please leave the Press box and come join us for some goals, would you?  I recognize that it’s [...]

Ryan Kesler and Mason Raymond proved a formidable, speedy duo with both recording a goal and an assist against the surging Los Angeles Kings.
The Los Angeles Kings touched down at YVR looking to accomplish something they hadn’t done since 1980: Earn points in 9 straight games.  Unfortunately for them, they would take off early Tuesday morning from Vancouver International failing to duplicate the feat.
The Vancouver Canucks skated to a 3-1 victory over the Western conference leading Kings Monday night.  Los Angeles also missed the opportunity to move abreast of the entire NHL with a win.  Vancouver outhustled and overwhelmed the [...]

Henrik Sedin posted three assists during a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Wild Saturday to earn his 500th point as a Vancouver Canuck.
Alex Burrows was quick to point out his adoration of the set-up twin.  “Every play he’s so smart.  Every time he gets it he’s finding ways to get it to the shooter, he sauces it through sticks or finds lanes to make the play and whether its on his forehand or backhand he’s able to make tape-to-tape passes.”
The Canucks opened the game like race horses out of the gate.  Gillaume Latendresse received a penalty 1:13 in for interference, [...]

Tired of being spectators while their previous two opponents had hat-trick goal scorers, the Canucks went out and got their own.
The Atlanta Thrashers dropped their 2nd straight game to Northwest division foes after a loss in Calgary on Tuesday.  Ondrej Pavelec was busy for Atlanta, facing 15 shots in the second period, and 16 in the third, for a total of 38 on the night.
Daniel Sedin, with a little bit of luck, recorded the Canucks’ second hat trick of the season (his brother had one while he was injured).  This one was particularly special, as it was a ‘natural’ hat [...]

For the second consecutive road game, the Vancouver Canucks proved 3 is their unlucky number, as yet another hat-trick proved their downfall.
Despite a couple of individual standout performances by the Canucks, the team as a whole was unable to show the kind of finish that wins hockey games.  The edge in special teams went to Nashville, who registered two goals on five power play opportunities.  The Canucks were only able to score once in their five chances, but were successful once they established a presence in front of Preds goalie Pekka Rinne.
The Canucks threw 36 shots at Rinne, who was [...]