From the National Post:
Offensive prospects shine for Canucks
Training-camp news not so positive for defensive suspects
Iain MacIntyre
The Vancouver Sun
<<...>> Chris Relke, The Province Prospect Steve Kariya, right, being held up
by Todd Bertuzzi during a scrimmage last week, has impressed the Canucks brass
with his explosive speed. He's the younger brother of Anaheim superstar Paul
Kariya.
VANCOUVER - Steve Kariya can play, and Artem Chubarov has star potential. Josh
Holden and Peter Schaefer show signs of being ready, and Matt Cooke already has
one hand on free agent Dave Scatchard's job.
As the Vancouver Canucks broke training camp to begin their NHL pre-season
schedule, which resumes tonight with a home date against the Montreal Canadiens,
the best news came up front.
The forwards who played for the Canucks last season were, in addition to being
shockingly short on depth, the lowest-scoring group in the history of the
franchise.
But there was bad news from training camp on defence, which last season had been
considered the backbone of the club's future. With Bryan McCabe traded and
Adrian Aucoin and Ed Jovanovski unsigned, none of the team's minor-league
defencemen looked capable of stepping in. Worse, 19-year-old blue-chip prospect
Bryan Allen looked ready to step out of the lineup. He was the week's biggest --
literally and figuratively -- disappointment.
"Every level you move up, you have an adjustment," said Kariya, who scored
Sunday in the Canucks' 1-1 tie in pre-season against the San Jose Sharks. "You
don't just step in and go like you did at the previous level. Guys are stronger,
bigger and everyone is more skilled. I think [training camp] went pretty well.
You have good days and bad days. You have to learn as much as you can."
It seems Kariya is a fast learner. The 21-year-old graduate of the University of
Maine was a dynamo all last week, using his explosive speed to find holes while
coping with NHL-size traffic.
Left-winger Kariya and centre Artem Chubarov were dominant among Canucks
rookies. Chubarov, a 19-year-old offensive centre from Moscow Dynamo, was one of
camp's biggest surprises. Although likely a season or two away from playing in
the NHL, the 1998 third-round pick showed far more poise and polish than most
players his age.
Other impressive, young players who appear to be on their way to the NHL in the
next few years include high-scoring centre Harold Druken, enforcer Mike Brown
and Slovak defenceman Rene Vydareny, a third-round pick last June.
Along the blueline, Zenith Komarniski's steady, unspectacular game gives him at
least a chance to stick if Jovanovski and Aucoin remain unsigned.
Komarniski's opportunity was enhanced by Allen's poor week. Trying to overcome a
summer foot injury, Allen, who is being counted on to replace McCabe, has much
ground to make up. Fortunately, he has three weeks to do it. Minor leaguers
Brent Sopel and Chad Allan, meanwhile, did little to claim a defence spot.
In fact, the best-looking candidate at camp isn't yet a member of the
organization. Journeyman Greg Hawgood, a smooth but undersized 31-year-old
trying to win a contract, easily stood out as a likely replacement on defence.
Among the veterans, sophomore Bill Muckalt was the best player at camp. Markus
Naslund and free-agent recruit Andrew Cassels also were excellent, and Mark
Messier managed to get through the week without sustaining an injury.
Goalie Garth Snow was good, backup Kevin Weekes excellent and minor-league
starter Alfie Michaud outstanding.
"I think we've actually had a real good week," coach Marc Crawford said. "We try
not to get too carried away at training camp. Exhibition games are the times
when you see them at the next level."
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> ----------
> From: Dave Wollstadt[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Reply To: The Maine Hockey Discussion List
> Sent: Tuesday, September 14, 1999 7:50 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Stevie
>
> The Hockey News lists Steve Kariya as No. 5 on the depth chart for the
> Vancouver Canucks at right (?) wing.
>
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