(Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports)

Former Vancouver Canucks left winger Jeff Tambellini has resurfaced in Vancouver and it looks like he is trying to catch on with a National Hockey League team.

Never know who you’ll see at UBC practice. Jeff Tambellini in old #Canucks gear here too. Left Swiss team. Looking for place to play

— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) January 24, 2013

Tambellini was a member of the 2011 team that made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. Most notably in Game 7, he skated on the second line with Chris Higgins and Ryan Kesler replacing the injured Mason Raymond.

However, he did not re-sign with the Canucks despite a strong season as a utility player. Tambellini, in a surprising move, signed a three-year contract with the ZSC Lions of National League A in Switzerland.

“It’s great stability and it’s a chance to play a different role over there,” Tambellini said at the time. “It’s on the big ice and playing a lot of minutes. It’s going to be a lot of fun and a great opportunity.”

The Lions and Tambellini mutually agreed to terminate their contract back on December 28 after one-and-a-half seasons.  The termination was at the request of Tambellini, who cited personal reasons.

It appears Tambellini is back hoping to get back into the NHL. The Canucks may be interested in giving him a tryout in the American Hockey League given the team has shown they like to help out former players.

The Canucks have used up 47 out of the 50-contract limit, so they are in a position to sign Tambellini or add extra players at the trade deadline.

Sergei Shirokov and Jeff Tambellini stretch at morning practice May 16, 2011 at Rogers Arena (photo courtesy of Harry How/ Getty Images)

So often in professional sports, media and critics either directly or indirectly raise the question: What have you done for me lately?  For the moment, let’s fail to adopt that mentality, and recall a former General Manager for the Vancouver Canucks, Brian Burke.  For that matter, let’s involve another, Dave Nonis.  While it’s impossible to say what would have evolved were they to stay longer, the results they produced are irrefutable.

The Western conference finals we are witnessing involve a solid number of players that these former GM’s brought in during their tenure.  You may recall one of them from the third period of Game One – With the game on the line, this Hart Trophy candidate laid his body down to block a slap-shot.  Sure, he didn’t score a goal or register a point in the game, but his importance to the outcome can’t be understated.  By now you must realize I’m referring to Daniel Sedin, one half of the oh-so-important tandem Burke brought in.  He fervently worked the phones and 1999 Draft floor to obtain the 2nd and 3rd picks to ensure Henrik and Daniel would play together, in Vancouver. (more…)

Perhaps it was the fact that the Canucks outscored opponents by a 1.71 margin while earning 24 points, going 11-1-2 during December.  It might also have been Roberto Luongo’s hottest stretch of hockey in recent memory, averaging a paltry 2 goals a game and .924 GAA in that span.  Whatever the reasons, the Canucks find themselves someplace they haven’t been since the 1992 season:  Sitting atop the NHL standings.  Roberto Luongo spoke to the teams recent success, their 5th straight win, earned during a 2-1 win in Colorado Sunday.  ”We’ve got guys chipping in every night; it’s not always the same guys producing.  You need that over the course of an 82 game schedule.  It’s not always going to be the same line.”

Ryan Wilson of the Avalanche attempts to check Mason Raymond, who missed 10 games with a broken thumb

Perhaps what Canucks fans are witnessing is a more “coming of age” in the maturation process of the core players.  Ryan Kesler is possibly the embodiment of the theory.  Much has been made of his ‘less chirpy’ style of play, reserving his emotion for matters during the game, not between whistles.  The perennial Selke trophy threat has elevated his game, and is on pace to decimate his previous career best in goals (26), at a 42 goal clip.  Having honed his release, particularly his wrist-shot, he’s added elusive direction changes to the skill set, with very favorable returns.

Manny Malhotra as well has continued his emergence as one of the premier defensive forwards in the League.  He’s on pace for a career-best 15 goals and 41 points.  But size, speed, and a shutdown presence are what he’s most appreciated for.

Manny Malhotra works against former Shark teammate, Swede Niclas Wallin

Of course, there’s always the bonus of having possession of the puck 62.5% of the time after a faceoff.  Mikael Samuelsson on Malhotra’s leadership role with the club: “It comes with how you carry yourself, how you approach things.  He’s very serious and focused to do the right things all the time – he’s not just throwing words out there – but the things he says are usually right on.”

Jeff Tambellini has also been a very pleasant surprise.  The former 1st round draft pick has hockey sense galore, and is tied for the team lead in hits.  His takeaway percentage is also quite high, with the versatility to be inserted anywhere between the 2nd and 4th line.  His rocket, top shelf (glove side) wristers have become somewhat of a common occurrence.

Alex Burrows celebrates his go-ahead goal versus the San Jose Sharks Monday

The Canucks, now 25-8-5, have Calgary (18-19-3) up next Wednesday, and then complete the Western teams hosting Friday as they entertain the Edmonton Oilers at Roger’s Arena.  The Canucks put a six-game winning streak on the line against the Flames, who just had a four game winning streak snapped by the inexplicably hot New York Islanders (7-2-1  last 10).

In the next installment of The Canuck Way, focus shifts towards the Canucks new bread and butter: Special teams.