I hear you on Raymond, but he’s still young. Only his second season. He may not be Kane-like gifted but he’ll learn his finish (and honestly look at his linemates most of the season…certainly not the best either).

Raymond, Wellwood, Bernier and Pyatt do form the core of a very silent problem. 4 of the top 9 (damn near half) are woefully hit or miss. If we add Demitra in there, then we’re past the 50% marker. Two of these guys simply have to get more consistent. I think Demitra will eventually get there, but I’d like to see Bernier definitely round out his game. I think Pyatt, at the trade deadline, will be moved unless he goes gangbusters with Sundin.

The past 20+ games without Luongo could have been a nightmare. Sanford, Schneider and Labarbera did great all things considered. This team is going to have to really hit their strides soon. Vancouver is at 49 points and LA (14th in the conference) is at 40. We all know how quickly such a lead can evaporate so the gimme games (like the Atlanta and St. Louis) can’t be pissed away when Luongo returns.

I wouldn’t lock the playoffs in at all yet. Still plenty of games to play and way too many variables (injuries especially) that could derail these guys.

Let’s face it — Demitra is the third-best forward on the team, and even with Sundin, they’re still short two top-6 forwards. Pyatt has been useless. Raymond keeps evoking Richard Park with that blinding speed and no finish. Wellwood has been a fine story, but he looks half asleep out there most of the time. I don’t mind Bernier — if only he could consistently bang in those rebounds and goal-mouth passes from the Sedins.

I know Salo is injured for long stretches every year, and it always seems like the team suffers in those stretches. I have no stats to back it up, just a hunch. They’ve been lucky to not plummet in the standings through this stretch without Luongo. Right now, I’d say we’re in for more of this inconsistency, but with more wins than losses, which should still get them into the playoffs. And although I’m generally not optimistic about these things, I can still see the Canucks coming together and peaking as they head into the playoffs…maybe even doing some damage in the first two rounds.

And stop making excuses for Sundin. He’s still getting back into it, but don’t roll over for him. The Blues call was horrid, absolutely terrible. I can forgive the Sharks a little bit less, but with the PIM leader clocking 20 minutes a game and a requisite Sedin hooking call every other game, do we really need the chosen one doing it too? Especially when the game is on the line?? At least take them in the first when we can still catch up!

Sundin is God.

1st penalty against the Sharks: a botched all. The guy stepped in front of him.
2nd penalty: at least he was backchecking to prevent the 2 on 1!!! A flukey high stick it was.