I don’t mean that like he faked it by any means, but it seems to me the Canucks medical staff might have handled that one a little better… a lot better… what the hell were you guys thinking anyway?

What I intimated is that it bothered me. Mason Raymond is not a diver despite the fact that he plays for the Canucks (and it is evidently now a law of nature that all Canucks are cheaters, divers, biters and whiners) and when he crumpled like he did it was obvious he was hurt badly.

(And yeah.. it was very strange no stretcher was used.. I’m no medical professional but you’d think any back injury would be treated with more caution.)

Anyway we clearly remember different versions of what transpired so there’s no point going around and around over it.

Second, wasn’t remotely dirty or supplemental discipline worthy, sorry Van fans.

and as for the Bruins Fan’s reaction? Really? You’re questioning this? A) the Van team had made their way through the playoffs diving and trying (unsuccessfully in the finals) to draw penalties, while raising questions about their toughness, B) The trainers and Drs didn’t even take him off on a stretcher..so especially for those in attendance it was impossible to gauge the resultant seriousness of the injury, once it was known, the main reaction after the fact was “Whoa hope he’s okay, didn’t think something so harmless looking could cause such an injury”.

Raymond will be a Canuck for several months at least – long enough for him and the team to figure out what he’s got to offer at this point – and probably through the end of the year.

As for where he fits into the lineup, he’s played all over the lineup (including RW if I’m not mistaken) in the past so he may bounce around while AV tries to find a bottom six configuration he likes. It’s a good problem to have.

I suppose the thought that comes to mind is this – what about trading him? I’ve heard some interest shown by a couple of GMs, particularly Jay Feaster, and it’s understandable – at his best he’s a solid two-way second-liner who can play the wing or the centre as needed. What doesn’t seem to have set in for anyone is that he’s likely not going to play like he used to. He’s not going to be that good anymore, so the question is – will he struggle to find a place on an extremely deep roster? If so, one wonders if they might be best off trying to sell him high.

Of course, there’s a chance he’ll bounce back to his old form, and if he does, so much the better – but it isn’t likely. He can talk about being “fully recovered” as long as he wants, but the man broke his back. Nobody fully bounces back from something like that.

Frankly the non-penalty didn’t bother me at all. What got me was the reaction from Bruins fans who booed Raymond.

But I guess given the attitude that team has on the ice, that sort of thing isn’t too surprising.