Canucks Training Camp Roster III

There is quite a logjam among potential bottom-six forwards. These guys would have had to do this just to rise above it.

According to Kristin Reid's Twitter, The Canucks have made seven more cuts, sending Marco Rosa, Stefan Schneider, Shawn Weller, and David Shantz to the Moose, releasing Pierre-Olivier Morin outright, and sending Steven Anthony and Adam Polasek back to their junior clubs. That's too bad for Morin, who Skeeter sort of figured might be offered a contract before being sent back. Not so. Still, he made it the farthest of all the invitees, so there's at least a moral victory in it for him.

The cut was probably a kick in the pants to Rosa, who scored a goal tonight and showed some good hands and defensive skill. But, with a logjam among potential bottom-six guys, he never stood a chance. He would have had to dance on the logs like the guy from Log Driver's Waltz (obscure Canadiana reference, embedded above because we love our country).

Steven Anthony's cut is no surprise. He showed very little despite being given some plumb power-play time, and clearly needs more seasoning before he's ready to make any kind of jump.

Polasek, on the other hand, made it farther than anyone expected, especially considering he was drafted in the 5th round, this year. He showed some kill and he showed some toughness, but he also showed he didn't have the decision-making skill for this level when he let Jarome Iginla get in behind him in his first preseason game. That's like leaving a thing of lasagna out when you're Jon Arbuckle. Still, it looks like Polasek can play, and Canucks management was pleased with him. His extended stay will hopefully give him some confidence going back to junior.

Weller and Shantz I knew nothing about. I never saw them play, or at least, didn't notice them when they did play. Maybe we'll notice them when they come to Abbotsford to play the Heat.

Kristin Reid just about gave Canucks fans a heart attack by originally tweeting that "C Schneider" had been assigned to the Moose. Thankfully, she meant Stefan Schneider who plays Center, hence "C." Schneider was a darkhorse for the 4th-line center role. I'm talking The Phantom Blot dark. He didn't look out of place, but could certainly use some time in the AHL to get used to the professional game and fill out his frame. He has, after all, only been playing center for one season. With his size and defensive ability, he'll be a prime candidate for the role in a couple years.

This leaves the Canucks with 48 guys in training camp, below:

Forwards (26)
Mario Bliznak, Alex Bolduc, Alex Burrows, Guillaume Desbiens, Tanner Glass, Jannik Hansen, Cody Hodgson, Darcy Hordichuk, Ryan Kesler, Manny Malhotra, Brendan Morrison, Victor Oreskovich, Joel Perrault, Prab Rai, Mason Raymond, Rick Rypien, Mikael Samuelsson, Peter Schaefer, Jordan Schroeder, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Sergei Shirokov, Bill Sweatt, Jeff Tambellini, Raffi Torres, Aaron Volpatti.

Defensemen (18)
Andrew Alberts, Keith Ballard, Nolan Baumgartner, Kevin Bieksa, Kevin Connauton, Alex Edler, Christian Ehrhoff, Taylor Ellington, Dan Hamhuis, Shane O’Brien, Evan Oberg, Travis Ramsey, Aaron Rome, Sami Salo, Yann Sauve, Lee Sweatt, Chris Tanev, Sean Zimmerman.

Goalies (4)
Eddie Lack, Roberto Luongo, Cory Schneider, and Tyler Weiman.