Katie Maximick

1. An unverified story handed down from earlier times, especially one popularly believed to be historical.
2. A romanticized or popularized myth of modern times.
3. One that inspires legends or achieves legendary fame.

As you can read for yourself, there are a few definitions for the term “legend.” It can be an old story, a myth or an incredible person who earns the status of being, well, “legendary.”

Hell, The Province even has a “legendary” 24/7 sports chat (shameless plug alert!)

So far this fall, which Canucks are on pace to have a legendary season?

Legend or Laughing Stock?

On the Canucks, Aaron Rome is as hot as Steve Jobs’ new biography at Chapters. Meanwhile, most non-Vancouverites are wondering, “Who’s Aaron Rome?”

People can’t seem to get enough of this guy. Is it because he used to be the butt of everyone’s jokes, at times even a scapegoat, and then he surprised the hell out of everyone by coming out of the gates like a man possessed?

Probably. I mean, there’s no bigger crowd pleaser than an underdog knocking people’s socks off. From the media buzz surrounding him, you’d think the guy has 22 points like Daniel has racked up already. In reality, Rome’s has 5.

But more importantly, he’s has 5 in only 4 games.  Not to mention one of his goals was waived off (unfairly) so he would actually be at 6 points right now.

To show just how surprising Rome’s start is to Canucks fans, let’s look at his stats last year. It took him FIFTY SIX GAMES to get the same amount of points. 56.

I know, right? And you wonder why he was the goat…

So now Rome has 5 in 4. Couldn’t this mean he’s statistically on track for a 60+ point season? Watch out, Christian Ehrhoff! Apparently you weren’t the only d-man in Vancouver who could rack up points.

(Now this is starting to sound more like the mythical legend than legendary, but hey, anything could happen).

Will Rome continue scoring or will his offensive performance fizzle out much like Raffi Torres’ streak last year? I guess we just have to watch, but at least we’ll be highly amused while we do.

The Making of a Legend.

Another Canuck who has been impressive this fall is one who, despite high expectations, gave us a couple disappointing seasons.

Cody Hodgson.

After battling injuries and negative criticism for a couple years, it would appear that Hodgson is finally growing into the role of the incredible rookie we always knew he could be.

The first-round draft pick has 9 points so far (4 goals and 5 assists) and is fourth in rookie scoring in the NHL, but it’s not the amount of points he has that makes Hodgson a valuable, and now permanent, member of the Canucks. It’s his flexibility. Hodgson has no problem adjusting to whatever line he’s put on, and he’s one of a few players who can comfortably play a winger when he’s a natural centre. And no matter where he’s put he doesn’t complain, and it doesn’t affect his performance either.

“I love playing the game and when I couldn't, it wasn't a very good feeling,” Hodgson told the media Sunday night. “Right now, it doesn't matter how much I'm playing or whom I'm playing with or where I'm playing, I'm just concentrating on trying to learn from the older guys in this room and trying to get better.”

See? What a good Canadian kid! Don Cherry must love him.

Look how far Hodgson has come with the Canucks organization. He’s matured, he’s improved as a player and he’s become a go-to guy in the offensive zone who skates fast, has great passing skills and doesn’t quit the entire time he’s on the ice. He’s exactly what the Canucks need if they’re to chase the Cup again.

So, despite what the humble Hodgson says, maybe it’s some of the older guys who should be learning a little from the rookie.

The Legend from Lapland

And speaking of “older guys,” we have Sami Salo. One of my favourites who, as I write this, is preparing to do a signing at the Team Store on Robson.

No matter how often people can joke about Salo and his constant injuries, the thing is when he’s not injured, Salo’s one of the most reliable defencemen on the ice (also, don’t you think he kind of makes up for his injuries by taking out other players with that beast of a slap shot? Just saying).

So far this fall, Salo’s fourth in scoring on the roster, with 10 points in 15 games and one of the best plus-minus ratings on the team. He also has some of the fewest penalty minutes racked up.

Last season he only had 7 points in 27 games.

And that slapshot? I’m sorry, but I don’t think many fans get as excited for any player about to shoot as they do when Salo gets that puck on the blueline. You know his hard shot, and you know there aren’t many out there with one harder, despite Salo’s age.

And that’s really what this “legendary” segment is about.

Salo’s 37, and it’s quite possible that this will be his last year with the Canucks. Imagine the hole he’ll be leaving on both the ice and in the heart of the team? Salo’s an invaluable veteran, one who quietly gives his advice to those who ask for it in the locker room, while leading by example when he’s on the ice. He’s always been strong in community involvement and charity work, which is why his significance in this organization cannot simply be judged by his performance.

Soon Salo will become the kind of legend that we fans will look back on fondly, alongside the likes of his colleagues Naslund and Linden. We’ll watch future d-men shoot from the blue line and say, “Man, remember Salo’s slapshot? He was the best.” Yes, I know that Salo doesn’t have the points Naslund did, or the leadership Trevor had, but Salo is unique and has his own strengths that made the Canucks the successful team they are today.

Aside from his injuries, I don’t think anyone could have anything negative to say about Sami Salo, and that in itself tells you what kind of legacy Salo will be leaving behind when he goes.

And he will be greatly missed when he does.

With quite a few controversies this week, the NHL is quickly turning into its own version of a bad soap opera. I mean, sure we’re used to them every once in a while, but these controversies are coming at us so fast that we can’t decide which one to furiously argue over while hiding behind computer screens and anonymous login names.

So where do we start with all the drama? Let’s do this in chronological order.

1) Controversy #1: Luongo vs. Schneider. This one is clearly ongoing and neverending. Despite stopping 28 of 29 shots against Calgary last night, Luongo allowed one goal with 30 seconds to go in the game, which had some fans saying, “Schneider would’ve got the shut out!” It’s like Luongo haters were just sitting there, waiting for the guy to screw up so they could carry their Crusade banners around with their “I told you so” battle cries.

For most of us, it’s getting annoying and embarrassing, and really, it’s only a huge controversy here because it’s Vancouver. I bet most of the fans in this city don’t remember how in the 2009/2010 season, Tim Thomas was benched in favour of backup goalie Tuukka Rask going into the playoffs. Vezina-winning Thomas wasn’t playing at his best, so the Bruins were leaning on Rask down the stretch. That March in a game against Buffalo, Thomas was pulled for allowing 3 goals in 14 shots, and threw a tantrum worse than Luongo’s, shattering his goalie stick down the hallway to the locker room.

Tell me, did a goalie controversy continue in Boston?

More importantly, how did Thomas play the following season?

Goalies are some of the most unpredictable performers in hockey. Had Schneider been in net against Calgary last night, who knows, he might’ve actually let a couple in. Or he could've shut the door. That's the thing; no one can guarantee a goalie’s performance. 

So in the meantime, Canucks fans, why don’t you support whoever happens to be on the ice (like the whole team) and enjoy the game? It is November, after all, and we all know what that means.

2) Controversy #2: The Raffi Torres Costume Scandal. I said I wasn’t going to touch this with a 10-foot pole, aaaaaaand I’m still not going to, so I'll just leave it open.

Was it racist, or just a bit of Halloween fun?

3) Controversy # 3: Sean Avery’s return to the Rangers. I was surprised to see him released from the Rangers during the preaseason, and I'm even more surprised to see him called back now. Obviously Tortorella saw some mistake sending the agitator packing to the AHL since he’s coached more than a couple frustrating games so far this season.

But what I can’t help wonder is what the relationship between Torts and Avery will be from now on? Knowing both men are often volatile, I’d predict strained, and I’m not sure how either of them are going to keep their mouths shut about it in the long run.

"This is the same situation as any other player being brought up and we want to conduct it that way," Tortorella said this morning. "That's what is fair to Sean -- let's just conduct our business."

The thing is, Avery isn't just "any other player."

Sure, Avery was on his best behaviour in a press conference this morning, saying (over and over) how much he loves playing for the Rangers, but when all the smoke and mirrors are gone and Avery inevitably returns to his normal self, something’s got to give. It has to.

Torts and Avery are both ticking time bombs, often lacking the discipline to prevent their own explosions to the media. That might mean things are going to get good. Oh, the anticipation!

But you’ll have to wait a little longer for Avery’s “debut” since he will not be playing Thursday night.

4) Controversy #4: Ovechkin’s “fat” mouth. Apparently last night, when Caps coach Boudreau decided to bench a lacklustre Ovechkin late in the game, Ovechkin’s displeasure was caught on tape.

It’s being speculated that Ovie called Boudreau a “fat f*ck.”  See for yourself:

Boudreau was in the right to bench Ovechkin. Ovie was practically invisible for most of that game, and Boudreau was trying to send a message that those who deserve to play will play. Clearly, the Russian Superstar had an issue with that decision which led to his disrespectful behaviour.

Did Ovechkin have a momentary lapse of judgment and forget that cameras are constantly on the bench? Hello!

Personally I’m proud of Boudreau for sticking to his values and standing up to a star player we all know can be a little, let’s say, pouty.

Sidenote: Ovechkin did not address the media following last night’s controversy.

In other news, imagine Keith Ballard said something like that to Alain Vigneault? Yikes. #benchedforlife

That just about wraps it up for this week's episode of "NHL Drama." What will happen next week?

Stay tuned.

I woke up this morning, stretching in my bed and thought to myself, “I wonder how full the Canucks bandwagon is this morning?”

(Actually, that’s a lie. As usual, the first thing on my mind on any given morning is, “Coffee.”)

So after my coffee(s), I couldn’t help but gloat a little, as I’m sure most fans who never left the bandwagon this early on were also doing. We knew it was too soon to give up on this team; after all, it’s October. And that’s all we need to say.

But on their eleventh game of the season, the last of the dreaded month, the Canucks finally gave their doubtful, fearful fans something to cheer about and, at least until Tuesday, the pitchforks were put away in Vancouver.

It was as if the Canucks were fed up with it all; fed up with their fans' lack of faith and with their own lack of scoring, defending and “Great save, Luongos!”

And last night they got it all back.

On Friday, Henrik Sedin had said that playing Washington would either bring out their best, or humiliate them. Yes, there were moments (like that awkward penalty shot on Luongo), but the Canucks were far from embarrassed about their performance by the end of the night.

They left the ice with a 7-4 victory to the cheers, not jeers, of a packed Rogers Arena.

It was a night of redemption when it comes down to it.

Alex Edler dragged down Mike Knuble five minutes into the second period, which led to a penalty shot (admit it, we were all nervous) and a goal (which explains our nervousness) as the puck hit Luongo’s glove and bobbled over into the net. Edler would make up for it less than three minutes later, scoring his second goal of the game and giving the Canucks a 4-3 lead.

Edler walked away with three points last night.

Although Luongo didn't have a fantastic night, you could maybe say that he redeemed himself a little as well. Sure, he allowed four, but when you review most of those goals, it’s hard to lynch him for them all, like the first goal. It literally jumped over everyone’s heads in the crease, out of sight, and dribbled in off Luongo’s back into the net.

But it was that highlight-reel glovesave on Ovechkin that everyone's still talking about today. You know the one. That was a classic Roberto Luongo right there, even winning excited praise from Lu’s biggest critics (as I witnessed on my Twitter feed). And what a difference it made in our goalie; it gave him the confidence he needed to stay solid for the rest of the game and shut the door.

Will his confidence carry over? Too soon to say, we all know that. But it gave most Canucks fans hope that November will bring out the best in Luongo, as it has in the past.

It was clear by the third that the Caps lost their cool and the Canucks got theirs back. Ovechkin began to throw a bit of a tantrum and took it out on Kevin Bieksa, which sent him to the box and earned deafening “Ovie” taunts from the jubilant crowd (I think partly because the crowd didn’t know how exactly to chant the name Neuvirth). Lapierre managed to get his second goal halfway through the third, giving the Canucks their seventh and sealing the deal.

For me, the biggest form of redemption last night was the entire team’s.

They knew, as a unit, they had been performing poorly. They had a team meeting Saturday morning to discuss their issues and formulate a game plan, knowing their hotheaded fans would be watching closely. The Canucks were suffering from their Stanley Cup Hangover, one that clearly lasts longer than the infamous Roxy Effect. Just look at Boston.

So to beat a red-hot team like the Caps, who walked into that game with a wicked powerplay and only one loss this season, was a big statement to make.

And they made it loud.

Is the Hangover gone? I’m not sure yet, but what I do know is Toronto and Edmonton are first in their divisions, so really, it wouldn’t be too farfetched to believe that October has been just a bad dream after all.