New penalty kill coach, new players but the same old challenge. Can the Canucks overcome player exits and find a way to prop up penalty kill?
Newcomer Kiefer Sherwood, 29, is up for the challenge. And so is Langley native Danton Heinen, also 29.
There was an impressive 10-game spurt from mid-December where the Canucks went 22-for-25 after starting the month ranked ninth overall. There was finishing the regular-season with 13-straight kills over four games and then holding the Nashville Predators to just two power-play goals on 21 chances through six games in opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Under the guidance of assistant coach Mike Yeo, the Canucks finished 17th overall with a credible 79.1 per cent rating and were at 81 per cent in the post-season. However, the departure of Yeo has put assistant coach Adam Foote in the penalty kill crosshairs.
It’s why the addition of a few good men could make his life less stressful this season.
“I saw the puck was coming up and just tried to get a stick on it and tried to use my speed,” said Sherwood. “I knew the D was on me and I tried to shield the puck and probably shouldn’t have gone one-handed because it’s not in my arsenal. Probably better off shooting next time.”
The effort didn’t go unnoticed by Tocchet.
“With the way he forechecks, he’s a pest out there and he had the puck a lot,” said Tocchet. “He’s got a good stick and speed and he’s not scared. They are pretty good attributes as a penalty killer.”
Sherwood had his PK moments with the Nashville Predators last season and wants to build on the 22:54 he logged. And with a two-year, US$3 million contact here, it’s a good way to make a bigger impact.
“It’s something I’ve tried to earn my way on to,” he said. “Second half of last year, I got in there a bit, maybe the last 20 or 30 seconds when guys start to get tired and we could use a spark. Try to change momentum and give us a boost by finishing it (PK) off.
“It’s part of my game that I want to grow and make it part of my identity. Help the team feed off a big kill. And here, I want to be on the PK.
Same story for Heinen last season with the Boston Bruins.
“Last year was big to get some trust on the PK, and I take pride in having a good stick and trying to be in the right spots,” said Heinen, who logged 91:35, averaged 1:14 per outing on the kill and had a short-handed goal. “It’s something I would look to be a part of.”
“He’s one of our best penalty killers,” said Tocchet. “An organization has good depth when your seventh defenceman is one of your best PK guys. He’s a great shot blocker and physical, and at 5-on-5, one of our best hitters.”
Juulsen, 27, knows there’s nothing pretty about blocking shots, but he found a way to ease into it before the bruises piled up.
He was taught in the WHL by Everett Silvertips coach Kevin Constantine. Instead of absorbing frozen pucks, it was softer rubber variety that ensured he could turn and concentrate on technique, instead of wincing.
“You just get out there and it was stop and drop,” recalled Juulsen. “A lot of guys, especially whey they’re younger, might be a little timid to block. With the rubber pucks, you’re there and in position.
“And if it hits you in the wrong spot, it’s OK.”