All New: Dressing Room, Cap Space, Rypien Victim

The Canucks dropped their first pre season game of the year last night, but the game was almost worth it after I saw Rick Rypien teach Ryan Carter a thing or two. Tom Larscheid gets a little over the top sometimes, but I love that he’s pumping Rick Rypien’s tires. Rypien doesn’t get enough credit as a fighter and hitter for his size; he can throw ‘em with the best of them in the NHL. “The Pit Bull” is listed at 5″11 and 170 lbs and plays with more heart than anyone on the Canucks, so cheers to Rypien for another great tussle. If you didn’t get enough of Rypien last night, here’s his fighter profile with video links. The video of Rypien vs. Stortini punishing Stortini always puts a smile on my face.

The Canucks also got a new dressing room this year, and if it wasn’t every Canadian kids dream to become an NHL player, it is now. NHL players are already living the dream, but damn does the room really make it official. The only thing the room is missing is a Stanley Cup and champagne puddles. Check out the slideshow of the player’s palace.

The Canucks also found some cap space to go along with the new digs. Fragile forward Pavol Demitra and defenseman Mathieu Schneider have been placed on long term injury reserve freeing up some cap space for the Canucks who were previously over the cap limit, but now find themselves $2.79 million under. Its too bad Schneider won’t be able to start the year, but he will be a nice addition to the power play when ready. As for Demitra, I can’t say I’m saddened to see him on the LTIR and off the Canucks cap hit for a while. It will be interesting to see who will fill in his spot on the 2nd line, especially if the Hodgson or Shirokov can stick around with the big club. I guess we will find out soon enough – 6 days.