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sellout crowd of 41,530 something to celebrate.
After winning five straight Northwest Division titles, the Vancouver Canucks crash-landed last season and missed the playoffs altogether. Discount Jordans Shoes . Change came quickly. Mike Gillis was fired as president and general manager the day after the regular season ended. Franchise icon Trevor Linden was installed as president with Jim Benning as GM. John Tortorella was soon dismissed as head coach with Willie Desjardins named to replace him. The team parted with or did not bring back veterans Ryan Kesler, David Booth, Jason Garrison and Mike Santorelli in favour of newcomers Ryan Miller, Radim Vrbata, Nick Bonino and Luca Sbisa. As training camp begins after a spring and summer that saw organizational turnover almost from top to bottom, it falls to Benning and his staff to push the Canucks back to their former success and help promote a new identity for the club. "Well have six new players, thats (one) third of our team," Benning explained in conversation with TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie. "I think when you bring young players into your organization they add enthusiasm and energy. What we tried to do is with the support of our core players, we tried to add depth so we want to be a four-line team. "If you look at L.A. and Anaheim and San Jose, theyre four-line teams. In adding some younger players to our line-up, I think it will be good for our group." With the players now in place, its up to new head coach Desjardins to set the tone for the new season. "Willie is a tireless worker, first of all. His teams have always bought in and worked hard for him, whether it be at the junior level, at the American Hockey League level, he has a way with his players that they work for him and they give him everything theyve got," said Benning. "So I expect us to be a hard-working that uses our skill. Instead of playing a dump-and-chase game, were going to come across the blue line with the puck and were going to take it to the net and use our speed and skill to create scoring chances. Those opportunities to put the puck in the net will be spearheaded, as usual, by Henrik and Daniel Sedin. The pair are turning 34 in two weeks and are coming off a season where both had vastly reduced offensive output. Still, Benning knows that a bounce-back season is squarely in their sights. "They have worked hard the whole summer and they still want to prove to people that theyre elite players in this league - and they are elite players in this league. They had a lot of chances to score last year and their numbers didnt reflect it. But I expect them to come back in this year and be real good players like theyve always been. Vancouver is hoping to reignite the duo with the addition of veteran free agent Radim Vrbata. Hell begin the season as the right-winger on Henrik and Daniels line. "When we talked about how to support (the Sedins), Radims like a give-and-go player," said Benning. "He jumps into the holes and hes a finisher and has a good shot. We think it will be a good fit. Willie is going to try it out and its like anything - until you try it out and see where it goes you dont really know. But we think its going to be a good fit and so I hope it works. The other significant newcomer to the team is Ryan Miller, who ended last season with the St. Louis Blues. Benning was a scout in Buffalo when the Sabres drafted Miller in 1999 and is more than familiar with what the 34-year-old netminder can bring to the Canucks. "I know what kind of personality he is. Hes an intense guy, a focused guy, he wants to win. This year we have a lot of players on our team that have something to prove, whether its to themselves or to each other. Our team from last year still wants to prove to people that theyre still a playoff team, and adding Vrbata and Miller, these guys want to prove that they can be part of a winning team. The other audition figures to come at second-line centre, where the departed Kesler leaves an opportunity for a younger player. McKenzie asked about Nick Bonino, Brad Richardson, Shawn Matthias, and Linden Vey as possible candidates for the role. "Training camp will bear that out," explained Benning. "Bonino had a very good year in Anaheim last year. Hes a solid 200-foot player, but he has good hands around the net and sets his teammates up for scoring chances. Over the course of training camp and exhibition games that will sort itself out." Benning has full confidence that these changes can put his team back in the post-season after a one-year absence. "We want to get back to where were a competitive team and we can compete for the Cup. So, well get there." Cheap Air Jordan Retro . Betancourt was 2-5 with a 4.08 ERA and 16 saves for the Rockies last season before tearing a ligament in his pitching elbow. He considered undergoing platelet-rich plasma therapy to fix his arm, but announced in August his decision to have Tommy John surgery. Cheap Real Jordans .3 million qualifying offer to outfielder Michael Cuddyer on Monday.SAN FRANCISCO -- Brandon Hicks hit a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give the San Francisco Giants a 4-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday, completing a three-game sweep. Buster Posey led off with a single and pinch runner Gregor Blanco went to second on Juan Perezs sacrifice bunt. Pablo Sandoval struck out and Brandon CCrawford, who drove in the Giants first run, was walked intentionally. Air Jordan Shoes Wholesale. Hicks took a ball and then hit a towering fly into the left field bleachers, giving the sellout crowd of 41,530 something to celebrate. Sergio Romo (2-0) pitched a scoreless inning to get the victory. Cory Allen (2-1), who allowed his first run in 12 games, took the loss. 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- Created: Jan 2 '19
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