CrashingTheGoalie

by Ron Spence

There are a number of reasons why Cody Hodgson was returned to the Ontario Hockey League.

Had they kept the under-achieving rookie on their roster, the Canucks would have had to expose another of their forwards on waivers – even if they planned to keep Hodgson in the NHL for only 9 games.

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courtesy of nhlnumbers.com

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Cody Hodgson might not think that he has anything to learn – back in junior – but he must work on his skating if he wants to be a successful NHLer. The Sedins and Joe Sakic did, just to name three very good players.

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courtesy of sportsnet.ca

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It made no sense to waste one of Hodgson’s three entry level – and thus relatively cheap – seasons when he wasn’t ready for the NHL.

With all of his bonuses, Hodgson would have been an expensive 4th liner – who sometimes sat in the press box:

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courtesy of thehockeygm.com

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But, most important was Mike Gillis’ ongoing subtext: you have to earn the right to play for the Vancouver Canucks.

Last season the Vancouver GM sent expensive one-way contracts to Manitoba because they didn’t measure up.

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This year, Gillis has sent down three Number One draft picks to improve their games (Schneider and Grabner to the AHL, and Hodgson to junior.).

Mike Gillis wants players to be proud of their Canucks’ uniforms.

It’s not just something that players are entitled to because they’ve been drafted in the 1st round.

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