Samuelsson shines
Chris Nichols Sportsnet.ca March 17, 2010
After two straight 40-point campaigns in what was generally a third line role with the Detroit Red Wings, it was thought that Mikael Samuelsson would be able to raise his offensive output after signing with the Vancouver Canucks in the off-season and moving into the top six forwards. 69 starts for the Swedish veteran later and he's certainly making the three-year, $7.5M investment by the organization look smart.
Samuelsson is currently riding a seven-game point streak that includes nine goals in that stretch with 13 straight games registering at least two shots. He's been a great roster addition for poolies in standard leagues this year and his 10 points last week earned him first star honours from the NHL.
He's already set a new career high for goals (30, which beats his '05-6 total of 23) and points (53, which tops the 45 he had that same season). He also has a new career best in PIM (52 now compared with 50 last season) and if he can manage another seven assists before season's end then he'll have a new mark there as well.
The Vancouver Province notes that he has also made his teammates more accountable.
"In the organization before here, the best players worked the hardest and there was really no secret to it," said Samuelsson, who has nine goals in his past seven games and 20 in 30 games since the Olympic slight. "They weren't the most skilled, but it was will over skill and that really set the bar for other players.
Additional Reading: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/fantasy/2010/03/16/samuelsson-shines/
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
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