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Plus, it wasn’t all bad.

He made some really good defensive plays.

And he nearly scored:

Boeser was good. Uh, really good.

He set up plays, won puck battles, back checked, lit up the cross bar on a 2-on-1 and showed off some elite moves in the final seconds of the first period, turning a 1-on-2 into a great scoring chance.

The Bridge Deal was real gawddammit

Benning revealed Friday the Canucks actually agreed with Horvat’s camp on a number for a two-year bridge deal in the past two weeks before switching gears, deciding at that number the six-year deal made more sense.

People have been guessing the number was $5, but that seems crazy high on a two year deal.

Boeser may not be fully recovered from that wrist procedure. Wait, what?

Do not freak the eff out out. Brock Boeser’s wrist is fine. It just may not be 100 per cent recovered quite yet from last season’s surgery.

“Over the summer, I never had it wrapped and my shot is feeling like my shot again,” Boeser said. “If it’s not 100 per cent, it’s really close.”

When he joined the Canucks in March, Boeser still had it wrapped and there were rumours that he may need another procedure.

“The past couple of months, there’s been no pain so I think I’m in the clear and it should be good for the whole season,” he said.

Ya, his wrist looked aces on the ridiculous release he had in this one.

The goalie didn’t even bite on the 2-on-1 and never got close to gloving this puck.

Ryan Johnson vs Canucks Army

The Canucks Army remains one of big reasons Vancouver is such a great sports media market, something I was reminded of when I dived into the blog’s takedown of the Zack MacEwen signing this week.

From the headline:

To this “you got me” tag line:

“Put bluntly, this a complete waste of a contract. Read on to find out why!”

OK, I’m in.

Jeremy Davis had me invested. And he delivered with a really strong, well researched and documented take.

Now, not everyone is going to agree. Clearly many of those who don’t are currently working for the Canucks.

A year ago, director of player dev’t Ryan Johnson was quietly predicting Troy Stecher was going to be make a huge impact, and change minds, before he played his first game in Penticton.

This year’s pick to surprise some by RJ?

Zack MacEwen.

“I don’t know if there’s anyone I’m that sure of as I was (Stecher) in that he’s going to blow people away,” Johnson said.

“There are guys who are maybe further along than people think. Zack MacEwen is a guy like that. People aren’t sure what to expect from him. But he’s a big bodied guy who likes to compete.

“He’s had an incredible offseason, committed himself to getting better. He has a special skillset. He loves to battle. He loves to compete and he can shoot the puck. He has a very well rounded game.

“I think people will be excited about him.”

How did it go?