Canucks sign Pettinger

The Canucks have realized that Aaron Rome, who is still fights for a defensive spot on the roster, is even less of a winger. So the Canucks have gone out and signed Matt Pettinger to a 1 year, two way contract for the league minimum of $500 000.

Now, let's remember that Pettinger is really not a good winger, in fact during his time in Vancouver, he was a pretty unspectacular, we eventually lost him to Tampa Bay last year through waivers. The Kuz says it best: "He is best known for accomplishing little when acquired in a trade for Matt Cooke on Feb. 26, 2008" Pettinger is just an average winger who is getting to be old by NHL standards (he's 29), thus there weren't any offers for contracts this year, not even from Tampa Bay.

Instead of heading to Europe, he elected to play for the Manitoba Moose and since the Canucks are forwards and being decimated by injuries or needs some time playing in the AHL (Shirokov), Pettinger is expected to play on the 4th line with Hordichuck and Mario Bliznak.

This and That: Salo's injury,

Still no hockey for another 3 more days...and this madness is apparently due to Gillis' request of less travel for the Canucks...

Now for your Canuck news:

• After undergoing an MRI today, it has been confirmed that Salo has a sprained MCL and will be out an estimated 4-6 weeks
• Demitra is not getting better from his shoulder surgery that he had in the off season to repair tears in his rotator cuff
• The Canucks have reassigned Guillaume Desbiens back to Manitoba

With the reassignment of Desbiens, I think we'll see either Grabner or Shirokov back up to add some offence. As for the defense, I don't think we'll see any call ups since we still are carrying Aaron Rome.

Salo Injury Watch: We may have #38

So, as everyone in Canuck nation feared when they saw Salo get in a collision with Jamie Benn during the Dallas game last night, Salo may be yet again injured. This would injury #38 if he misses the next game. But since to this weird scheduling of 1 game in 8 days, Salo still has a few more days of recovery time. If he's not ready to go by Friday for the game against Calgary, it is likely that Aaron Rome will dress, with Shane O'Brien getting more ice time again.

But this was expected non?

This & That: Salo missing from practice, Tanner Glass in for Shirokov

*Updated*
Canuck news from today:

• Clearly somebody gave Salo a high five or something because he missed practice today. No official word from the Canucks on whether he's injured, he was just absent from practice.

• After losing 3 straight games, Coach V is making a lineup change with Tanner Glass in for Shirokov on the 3rd line with Wellwood and Bernier. Mason Raymond, who was one of the best Canucks last game, is getting a promotion to the second line. I hope Shirokov takes the game off to regroup and then have a strong game if he gets another chance. Tanner Glass likes to bring energy to the line as well as liking to drop the fisticuffs to protect his teammates...kinda like another Rypien.

• Bob McKenzie didn't like the hit on Jared Boll by Hordichuk last game. Lame how he keeps writing pussy(cat) throughout this article, which just drops his credibility about the whole arguement. And does TSN think it's less offensive writing it like that? Or did McKenzie have to do that to get through TSN's filter?

Update:

• Hordichuck received a $2500 fine from the NHL for his hit on Jared Boll
  

• TSN is reporting that the Canucks are pursuing tampering charges with the NHL because of the comments that Burke made public about a proposed Canucks trade with Tampa Bay
  

And because in Vancouver, if you couldn't get Olympic tickets and think it's a cool idea to watch the game at Molson Canada Hockey House, tickets are only $500 per day! That's right! $500 per day. But why stop there? You might as well buy yourself a "season pass" for the Olympics for $8500!

And the organizers consider that a steal: "Based on the Superbowl, Formula 1 or the Ryder Cup, we're cheap,". Right.

If you buy tickets, someone should remind you, that you are just watching the game on TV at Hockey House. Those aren't even actual hockey tickets. Though it is catered by Wolfgang Puck (no pun intended) and includes "all-inclusive" drinks. Personally, I'm holding out for the Dutch and their Heineken House.