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Wednesday, September 6
Updated: September 7, 2:10 PM ET
 
Turning to future stars now

By Charles Avellino
Special to ESPN.com

 
CAMP AT A GLANCE
 Felix Potvin
The Canucks hope Felix Potvin continues to play well.
  Coach: Marc Crawford
'99-00 record: 30-37-15
Camp location: The Globe (Stockholm, Sweden)
Report date: Sept. 6

Preseason schedule:
Sept. 13: MoDo (Stockholm, Sweden)
Sept. 15: TBA (Stockholm, Sweden)
Sept. 19: at Toronto
Sept. 20: at Montreal
Sept. 22: at Ottawa
Sept. 23: Minnesota (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
Sept. 24: Toronto
Sept. 26: Minnesota
Sept. 27: Ottawa
Sept. 28: Montreal

Here's a nickel's worth of free analysis: The Canucks are going with a youth movement. Mark Messier, Alexander Mogilny, Brad May and goaltender Garth Snow. Gone. Also leaving town during the offseason: Darby Hendrickson, Harry York and Chris O'Sullivan.

And in comes the future, namely Daniel and Henrik Sedin, the second and third overall picks in '99.

Here's a look at the rest of Vancouver's training camp.

Question: Will anyone score?
Messier and Mogilny played on the first line with Markus Naslund last season. Combined, the trio scored 65 goals, accounting for nearly one-third of Vancouver's total offense. Todd Bertuzzi and Andrew Cassels need to show in camp that they can replace that duo on the first line -- those two aren't exactly scoring machines.

To provide an idea of just how bad Vancouver's offense might be, consider that of all the forwards remaining after the potential first line of Naslund, Bertuzzi and Cassels, only three -- Peter Schaefer (16), Donald Brashear (11) and Trent Klatt (10) -- scored 10 or more goals last season. Brendan Morrison and Denis Pederson should assume some scoring responsibility. Aside from the Sedin twins, look for rookie forwards Harold Druken and Josh Holden to earn spots out of camp.

Biggest position battle: Defense, No. 2 goalie
The first four spots on defense have been solidified with Mattias Ohlund, Adrian Aucoin, Ed Jovanovski and Murray Baron on board. That leaves a good fight for the three remaining slots. Scott Lachance was brought in to test veteran Greg Hawgood, youngsters Jason Strudwick, Bryan Helmer and rookie Bryan Allen. On the outside looking in are rookies Rene Vydareny and Darrell Hay.

With Snow gone, Felix Potvin has been annointed the No. 1 goalie before camp even opens. However, who will be his backup? Veterans Bob Essensa and Corey Schwab will have the honors of dueling it out with Alfie Michaud for the backup position.

Future watch
Here, ESPN.com looks at one or two young players who could make an impact, either now or in the future.

Daniel Sedin (Left wing):
Daniel averaged 20 goals per season in each of the last two, playing for MoDo of the Swedish Elite League. Until he fills out, he'll rely on his blazing speed more than anything else.

Henrik Sedin (Center):
Henrik doesn't seem to have the offensive abilities his brother has. Interestingly, however, Henrik is a little bigger (6-foot-2, 196 pounds) than his twin.

Training camp roster
Goaltenders: Bob Essensa, Alfie Michaud, Tyson Motz, Felix Potvin, Corey Schwab, Kevin Swanson.

Defensemen: Bryan Allen, Dean Arsene, Adrian Aucoin, Murray Baron, Ryan Bonni, Tim Branham, Clint Cabana, Regan Darby, Greg Hawgood, Darrell Hay, Bryan Helmer, Ed Jovanovski, Zenith Komarniski, Steve Lingren, Scott Lachance, Kevin Mackie, Mattias Ohlund, Chris O'Sullivan, Ryan Shannon, Brent Sopel, Jason Strudwick, Jan Vodrazka, Rene Vydareny.

Left wings: Todd Bertuzzi, Mike Brown, Donald Brashear, Brent Dodginghorse, Per Fernhall, Steve Kariya, Markus Naslund, Ryan Ready, Jarkko Ruutu, Peter Schaefer, Daniel Sedin, Ryan Thorpe, Dody Wood.

Centers: Nathan Barrett, Thatcher Bell, Andrew Cassels, Artem Chubarov, Matt Cooke, Harold Druken, Josh Holden, Brendan Morrison, Denis Pederson, Brandon Reid, Jeff Scissons, Henrik Sedin, Nathan Smith, Tim Smith.

Right wings: Pat Kavanagh, Trent Klatt, Brad Leeb, Jarkko Ruutu, Larry Shapley, Vadim Sharifijanov, Jonas Soling, Sean Tallaire.

Charles Avellino is a lead NHL researcher at ESPN.





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