"There was something to that injury theory because Vancouver Canucks winger Alex Burrows has had shoulder surgery to correct an ailment he had been enduring since February.

"At the conclusion of our season and after further consultation with our medical staff it was determined that surgery was the required procedure for Alex," said Canucks general manager Mike Gillis.

After leading the team with a career-high 35 goals in the regular season, Burrows went cold in the postseason with three markers in a dozen games and two of them into an empty net. He did get to the net and set screens and fish for rebounds, but there was no finish. Which, for course, begs the question: Why didn't he get the shoulder checked out, sit out to stay fresh for the playoffs?"