Canucks' Sedin twins may be better without Klatt
Kevin Woodley
VANCOUVER ? For three seasons Trent Klatt did everything in his power to help Daniel and Henrik Sedin adapt, on and off the ice, to life in the NHL. Ironically, it may be his departure that finally allows them to break through.
"We've played better when we've been apart from Trent a bit," Henrik, hesitating slightly, to choose his words carefully, said shortly before training camp. "It seems like when you play with one guy for a lot it's just tough to keep up the good play."
Much like Markus Naslund became a true leader only after Mark Messier left, the Sedins hope to benefit from an opportunity to play with different people, try new things offensively, and stay away from the dump, chase and cycle habits that often left them stuck in the corners.
They already lined up in training camp Saturday with recently acquired Magnus Arvedson, who despite a preference for Daniel's left wing is being touted as potential Sedin linemate and a skill upgrade on Klatt. The twins also teamed up with tough guy Darren Langdon in the annual Silver-Blue Game Sunday, helping him score twice in a 6-4 Team Silver loss.
"We played with Trevor [Linden] for a bit last year and that worked out real well, but when we lose a couple of games they threw us back with Trent," continued Henrik, who showed more off-the-rush offence with Linden. "Maybe we can take another step with Trent left."
Don't get him wrong, Henrik spent at least five full minutes extolling Klatt's virtues before offering up the possibility of a silver lining in his departure. And brother Daniel wouldn't go nearly as far when it came to looking on the bright side. Given what Klatt meant to the twins, it's easy to understand their loyalty.
"He's been a big part of our career over here," added Henrik, whose point totals have actually increased slightly each season, culminating in last year's 39-point effort. "He played with us from first training camp and he took care of us all three years we've been here. He's one of the players that has taken us this far."
Most observers expected the Sedins, drafted second and third overall in 1999, would have come a lot further by now. They aren?t the only ones. Asked where secondary offence would come from after the loss of Klatt, sometimes linemate Todd Bertuzzi wasted little time singling out the twins.
"I expect nothing but outstanding play from them," Bertuzzi said. "Daniel's a 30-goal guy and Hank's a 60-point guy, so a lot of offence has to come from there. Sure that's a lot of pressure ... but that's the kind of pressure guys want to have."
After hovering in the 30-point range for their first three seasons, even the Sedins themselves are openly talking about a breakthrough campaign this year. Their predictions aren't quite as bold as Bertuzzi's, but they do involve increased offensive production.
"I got higher expectations than I've been having the last three years for sure," said Daniel, whose point totals have declined slightly ? from 34 to 32 to 31 ? since a 20-goal rookie season. "It's our fourth year now and I think maybe it?s time to take the step now and I think we?re ready to do it too."
Asked what that step meant, Daniel said: ?more offensive numbers,? a sentiment shared by brother Henrik. The twins know there will be no more moral victories for decent defensive play and barely positive plus-minus statistics.
They also know it won?t be enough just to turn up their games after the all-star break and into the playoffs. Both of them focused on improved speed and leg strength this summer and plan to do a better job staying on top of conditioning throughout the season, something they felt benefited them late last year.
?We?ve got to be a good second line all year,? said Henrik. ?We?ve got to put points up and goals. We?re here to score and be creative and that?s what we want to do.?
Which is where they hope Klatt?s departure may come in.
Reality Bites
Arvedson met the Vancouver media in person for the first time Saturday, and wasted little time trying to bring management-induced expectations about his offensive upside back down to earth.
GM Brian Burke pegged Arvedson as a top-six forward in the Canucks attacking system despite the fact the defence-first forward and former Selke Trophy finalist averaged 15 goals over his first six seasons with Ottawa.
?I want to be a top-six forward, but it?s tough to teach an old dog to sit,? Arvedson, who played with Tyler Bouck and Nathan Smith in the Blue-Silver Game, said. ?I?ve tried lots of times to be a scorer, but I can?t change my style.?
Crawford quickly echoed those sentiments.
?He has been in this league a fair number of years and he has been fairly consistent in what he gives you,? said Crawford, adding Arvedson can provide a defensively conscious compliment to high-end skill players like Todd Bertuzzi and Markus Naslund. ?I think he?ll help us on penalty killing for sure, defensive situations for sure.?
As for offence, the Canucks aren?t sounding so sure as they did just five days ago.
ICECHIPS: After being sent back to his hotel room by coach Marc Crawford for missing his first ice time Friday morning, Fedor Fedorov was back on the ice for practice Saturday and played on a line with Trevor Linden and former Kelowna Rocket Jesse Schultz. ?Just a bad mistake,? Fedorov, who didn?t double check his skating schedule and thought he was playing in the late session, said Saturday. ? A standing-room-only crowd of more than 3,500 packed the Multi- Use Facility in Vernon today to watch the intra-squad Blue-Silver game. In addition to Langdon?s surprising pair of goals, which earned the pugilist a rare first- star selection, Brandon Reid and Brandon Nolan also scored for Team Silver. Naslund had a goal and an assist for Team Blue, and Ryan Ready, Mats Lindgren, Tyler Bouck, Marc-Andre Bernier, Ryan Kesler also scored for the winners.
Cheers,
Aquaman