Michael Grabner News

Canucks forward Kyle Wellwood has zero goals, two assists, a plus-1 rating and 18 shots in 19 games this season.

One-quarter of the way into the National Hockey League season, Vancouver Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault still doesn't know what kind of team he has.

The goal-starved Manitoba Moose have put in some full practice days this week, but the goings-on after Thursday's workout at Gateway Recreation Centre were more telling.

So here we are at the twenty game mark and it's time for some beefs, bouquets, surprises, and disappointments.

Andrew Raycroft seems to be rejuvenated after being shuffled around the league and is playing the game the way he did in his rookie year where he was awarded the Calder Trophy with the Boston Bruins.

THE SETUP: Fresh from three off-days, the Canucks get a chance to get back on the winning track in St.

Left winger Matt Pettinger has stayed healthy since the Canucks called him up from the Manitoba Moose.

Who do the Canucks miss more, Roberto Luongo or Daniel Sedin? It's an intriguing question, and one that Tony Gallagher - in the latest instalment of his Tony Talk podcasts - has an interesting time tackling.

Matt Pettinger played 20 regular season games for Vancouver in 2007-08, but failed to make the Canucks the following training camp.

An alarming amount of injuries to the Vancouver Canucks to start the season have forced them to sign a player many thought they would never see in a Canucks uniform again.

The Vancouver Canucks are riddled with injuries and the New York Rangers have practically none, so on paper this should not be a fair fight tonight at GM Place.

Add rookie forward Michael Grabner to the long list of injured players on the Vancouver Canucks roster.

After knocking off the Western Conference-leading Colorado Avalanche on Sunday, the Vancouver Canucks hope to score a win over one of the Eastern Conference's elite teams in the New York Rangers tonight at General Motors Place before departing on a five-game road trip beginning on Thursday.

Matt Pettinger signed a one-year, two-way contract Monday. Photograph by: Arlen Redekop file, The Province Matt Pettinger always believed he could play in the NHL.

Vancouver may have devised a new strategy for 28 NHL teams when facing hard-to-beat Colorado Avalanche goalie Craig Anderson: Drive the net and get a bit lucky.

He's a forward with no shortage of confidence and a number of important goals on his resume, so Matt Pope's presence on a first line with Marty Murray and Michael Grabner was no surprise to start the Manitoba Moose season.

Thursday night's game was only his eighth in the NHL, but in one respect it felt just like old times for Vancouver Canuck winger Michael Grabner.

Vancouver Canucks' defenceman Willie Mitchell hits the ice in front of Detroit Red Wings' right winger Todd Bertuzzi with left winger Henrik Zetterberg holding off right winger Michael Grabner during first period NHL action at GM Place in Vancouver, BC, October 27, 2009.

Ryan Kesler is third in Canucks scoring this season with eight points in nine games and has looked good on a line with Mason Raymond and Michael Grabner.

Crisis averted. For now. The 3-2 win against the Blackhawks was worth a lot more than two points to the Canucks.