Familiar Face Returns

When a team is sitting near the top of the standings, leads the league in goals and have played well to date you dont expect many changes.  Well the Canucks went against all logic and continue to shake up their team adding more depth to their 3rd line.  In a surprise move the Canucks moved No.1 centre Joe Thornton along with Matt Carle, Paul Gaustad, Rob Niedermayer and prospect Curtis Hamilton to the New York Rangers in exchange for Ryan Kesler, Nathan Horton and Manny Malhotra.  The move brings back the up and coming Kesler and give the Canucks solid depth on their 3rd line with Horton while Malhotra is a solid centre man.  It is unknow if the loss of Joe Thornton's play making ability will affect the chemistry on the top line, although Kesler has been know to be creative as well. 

In another deal the Canucks acquired gritty winger Troy Brouwer from the Capitals in exchange for Kevin Cannaughton and Shawn Matthias.  The Canucks covited both young players but couldnt pass up on the opportunity to add Brouwer.  The move solidifies the 3rd line and completes the Canucks forward roster.

Both moves give the Canucks depth through out their roster that will be hard for their opponents to match.  Other than adding another 6th dman the Canucks look poised to continue their run this season.  Their current line up will look as follows

Ovechking - Kesler - Burrows

Parise - Stamkos - Perry

Brouwer - Fisher - Horton

Smithson/ Abdelkader - Malhotra - Steckle/ Yip

Pronger - Seabrook

Lidstrom - Stuart

Foote - Baumgartner

Lundqvist - Varlamov

We will see hwo far this roster can take them.