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Vancouver Canucks Edition: 2016 NHL All-Stars Survival Guide

By David Joun

Oct 27, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Brandon Prust (9) goes down during the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Brandon Prust (9) goes down during the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Vancouver Canucks
Sep 25, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks center Hunter Shinkaruk (48) skates against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Survival Tip #1: Try the AHL All-Stars

When was the last time a Vancouver Canucks prospect was invited to the AHL All-Stars Classic?

Folks, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience as a Canucks fan to watch a Vancouver prospect participate in the AHL All-Stars Classic. What better way is there to celebrate the youth movement than watching Hunter Shinkaruk represent the Utica Comets at the AHL All-Stars Classic?

The year 2016 seems to be the year of the youth. Look at how Sven Baertschi, Bo Horvat, and Jake Virtanen have been playing. Hence, it is only fitting that Canucks fans watch Shinkaruk play at the All-Stars, hosted this year by the Syracuse Crunch, the AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightnings.

Other reasons to watch:

  • Don’t you miss the 4-on-4 overtime and its controlled excitement? Then watch the first portion of the AHL All-Stars game on February 1st! The teams are set to play about 30 minutes of 4-on-4 as part of the round-robin segment of the tournament.
  • After the Canucks traded Nicklas Jensen and a late-round draft selection for Emerson Etem, the Canucks’ NHL-ready prospects pool looks awfully thin. Names like Alex Grenier and Ronalds Kenins are set to hit restricted free agency. It would be a good chance for the Canucks to see who is worth trading for, or even worth picking up come free agency.
  • Building on that last point, who knows if Vrbata or Dan Hamhuis gets traded for one of those players at the AHL All-Stars game?
  • No John Scott on the ice.
  • It is difficult to watch Utica Comets games from Vancouver unless one purchases the AHL live viewing package. Want to know if Shinkaruk is ready for the NHL? Better watch him try to outplay the best AHL players, then.

Next: Survival Tip #2: Watch for Sedin's Sake

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