The Master vs The Apprentice

For the second year in a row the Vancouver Canucks have made it to the Gretzky Conference finals. And for the second year in a row the Canucks will be up against arguably the best team in the league.

Last season they came up against the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Dallas Stars. The Stars would go on to beat the Canucks in six games before claiming their second straight Stanley Cup. This season the Canucks will have to get through the Colorado Avalanche, arguably the deepest team in the league.

“We knew that if we were going to make it to the finals we’d have to get through Colorado,” said GM Travis Fleming during a press conference today. “They were the best team in the Gretzky Conference this season. If you want to be the best you have to beat the best. And that’s exactly what we plan to do.”

The connection between Fleming and Avalanche GM Kirklan Lycar is deeper than simply being conference rivals. Earlier this season the EHE enacted a rule whereby all new GM’s would be assigned a mentor upon entering the league. When Lycar entered the league this season it was Fleming who served as his mentor. The media has certainly ran with the story, billing it as “The Master vs the Apprentice,” but Fleming argues it’s being blown out of proportion.

“Kirklan is a great guy and a great GM,” said Fleming when asked about their relationship. “I was happy to help get him acquainted with the league. I gave him some advice when he asked for it, but to be honest he caught on real fast. He’s done a great job with the Avalanche.”

So just how much did Fleming share with Lycar?

“I taught him the basics,” said Fleming. “I made sure he knew everything he needed to know to run his team properly. The rest he’ll have to figure out on his own, and he certainly seems to have done that. That being said, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

What’s Happened to Alex Ovechkin?

When the Vancouver media hasn’t been trying to manufacture a rivalry between GM’s Fleming and Lycar, they’ve speculating about the poor play of Vancouver’s star player, Alex Ovechkin.

With just four points to go along with a -3 rating it’s certainly been a disappointing playoffs for the superstar winger. Most believe that if the Canucks are going to get past the Avalanche Ovechkin will need to raise his level of play.

“I’ve got to be better,” said Ovechkin when asked about his play so far this post season. “I’ve got to get back to the way I played during the regular season. Believe me, no one is more disappointed in my play than myself. Mark my words, I’ll be better against the Avalanche.”

It was a strong statement by the Russian, but fans have to be encouraged by his desire to be a factor in this series.

“We’re not worried,” said Fleming when asked about Ovechkin’s play. “Alex is leading the league in shots in the playoffs. He’s getting his chances, he’s just had bad puck luck. Something’s got to give eventually.”

Let’s hope he’s right. The Canucks have have managed to get goals throughout their line-up during the playoffs, but if they want to get past the Avalanche they’re going to need more from number eight.