Dan Hamhuis News & Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

October 20

Vancouver Province

columnist Tony Gallagher

"With many members of the Vancouver Canucks not playing well early this season there is no shortage of targets to fault for the team's traditional dismal start under this coaching staff. Roberto Luongo could be playing better and certainly so could Mikael Samuelsson, Marco Sturm, Jannik Hansen and Manny Malhotra, all seemingly struggling to get anywhere near their traditional form. But by and large, while some are struggling for very good tangible medical reasons, most of these guys admit there's some slack which needs to be picked up ASAP."

In Bieksa and Hamhuis, Canucks lock up one of the best pairings in NHL

July 13

Vancouver Province

"No one this side of Roberto Luongo is a more divisive figure on the Vancouver Canucks than Kevin Bieksa. Fans often want his head. Local reporters and club supporters, those are the friendly critics. Around the league he's despised by many opponents. Remember Ben Eager calling Bieksa a phoney? John Scott saying: "Somebody has to tell him he's not a good hockey player." The Blackhawks, after being eliminated in overtime in Game 7 of the opening round, talked about many disappointments, but several brought up Bieksa's name, bitterly noting he'd probably hit a contract home run as a free agent this summer. But that fact is, paired with Dan Hamhuis Bieksa is part of one of the most consistent"

Canucks able to keep Bieksa, Hamhuis together

June 28

Vancouver Province

"For the Canucks, this is what really matters: When Kevin Bieksa is with Dan Hamhuis and they're crackling along the boards, rigid around the net and sailing the puck out of trouble, they are the best all-purpose pairing the Canucks have had in a long time. As much as possible, the Canucks need these two together. They're going to get it. Bieksa agreed to a five-year, $23-million extension that pays him $4.6 million a year, and has a no-trade clause which will finally take him off the trade block he was so often rumoured to be on. His salary is slightly north of Hamhuis' s hit of $4.5 million. Not bad, if you consider the Canucks will be lopping off a reasonable cut of $9.1 million off"

Canucks' Dan Hamhuis goes under knife for sports hernia surgery

June 25

Vancouver Sun

"Vancouver Canucks defenceman Dan Hamhuis underwent sports hernia surgery today, the NHL team announced. The 28-year-old Hamhuis was injured while hip checking Boston Bruins winger Milan Lucic in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final at Rogers Arena on June 1. Hamhuis was sidelined for the rest of the series, which the Bruins won in seven games."

Off-season surgery for Dan Hamhuis

June 19

Vancouver Province

"It's difficult to say what's more surprising, the amount of damage to Dan Hamhuis's mid-section or the fact it all happened on one hit. Hamhuis will have surgery next week to repair a sports hernia and several soft tissue tears which go up and down his core. It's possible, he may not be ready to start the regular season. When asked if his season will start late, Hamhuis said: "I hope not. We'll find out more when they do the procedure. Once they get in there, they'll figure out what needs to be repaired and what doesn't. That will determine how long I'm out for. "There is quite a bit of damage in that area." Hamhuis said he was "totally healthy" when he lined up Milan Lucic for a hip check"

Canucks' Hamhuis hurts 'middle-body,' but coach Vigneault claims he'll be fine

June 2

Vancouver Sun

"There seems no end to the gamesmanship when it comes to playoff injuries, so Vancouver CanuckS coach Alain Vigneault went in a new direction Wednesday night. Everything is announced as day-to-day, whether it really is or not. It can be upper body when it's really lower, and vice versa. Vigneault figured he would give neither when prodded for an answer on defenceman Dan Hamhuis's second-period injury. "Middle body, let's say that tonight," Vigneault finally replied after wondering why anyone would bother to ask. We ask because Hamhuis is an integral part of the Canucks defence, the left side to Kevin Bieksa's right side in Vigneault's shutdown pairing. Hamhuis was injured at the four-minute"

Hamhuis can't disguise the fun he's having

May 31

Vancouver Sun

"Dan Hamhuis doesn't like the spotlight, which is great except for the Vancouver Canuck part. Probably he doesn't like rain, lattes or bike lanes, either, but here he is playing for a Stanley Cup in his home province. In Nashville, the defenceman played behind Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. In Vancouver, he gets less attention than Christian Ehrhoff, Alex Edler and Hamhuis' suddenly-high-scoring defence partner Kevin Bieksa – someone clearly comfortable in the spotlight since he was voted one of the 10 most beautiful people in British Columbia. To his great relief, Hamhuis failed to make that list. Sunday, when he attended his wife Sarah's running race on the North Shore, Hamhuis tried to hide"

Skating core to Hamhuis' success

May 26

Vancouver Province

"A reserved demeanour suggests Dan Hamhuis seldom gets excited. He is now. Really. Honestly. The Vancouver Canucks defenceman prefers anonymity and allows others to command the spotlight. That's the way the Smithers native is wired. If you want to know why Kevin Bieksa is hogging headlines by becoming the first blueliner to score four goals in a conference final or NHL championship since Brian Leetch, take a closer look at his responsible partner. Strong and efficient skating combined with smart positioning and a head for the game is why the Canucks called on the first day of free agency and beat nine other suitors with a six-year, $27 million US contract. However, it was more than just"

Canucks' blueline corps may never again be this good

May 15

Vancouver Province

"If you're so inclined, you can question Vancouver GM Mike Gillis when he says earnestly he would do the Keith Ballard trade again — in a heartbeat. But you can't question the defence he's constructed, the one many see as a potential scales-tipper in the Western Conference final. Gillis said Saturday he has no regrets. He shouldn't. It took the same go-for-broke mentality to sign off on the Ballard deal as it did to author a blueline that now has a starting six Ballard can't seem to crack. And the reality is this: It may never again be this good. Unless, of course, a Shea Weber trade exists somewhere other than fans' dreams. Without size or Chris Pronger, Vancouver's blueline isn't perfect."

Bieksa and Hamhuis lead Preds shutdown

May 10

Vancouver Province

"Led, as usual, by the pairing of Kevin Bieksa and Dan Hamhuis, the Canucks defence shut down the Predators one final time here on Monday night busted open the door to the third round of the NHL playoffs. The defence partnership of Bieksa and Hamhuis, as they have all season long, played against Nashville's top offensive line and kept them – whether it was Mike Fisher's unit or that of David Legwand -- quiet enough for the Canucks to eke out a hard-fought 2-1 win and end the series in six games. It was a big rebound from two nights earlier in Game 5 in Vancouver, when two defensive errors in the third period cost the Canucks the game and forced the return trip to Tennessee. "We put in"

Kevin Bieksa-Dan Hamhuis duo make Canucks case for the defence

May 10

Vancouver Sun

"If Ryan Kesler was the Vancouver Canucks' Superman in their playoff series win over the Nashville Predators, then Kevin Bieksa and Dan Hamhuis were their Dynamic Duo. Much was made before and during the series about the Predators' shutdown defensive pairing of Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. But when you get beyond Kesler, another of the keys to Vancouver's six-game series win was the play of the Canucks' shutdown duo of Bieksa and Hamhuis. They helped take Nashville's top offensive players out of the series. Granted, the Predators don't have the same calibre of offensive weapons as do the Canucks, but the guys they rely on to provide their offence were largely shut down by Bieksa and Hamhuis."

Dan Hamhuis lists Nashville's strengths

April 28

Vancouver Province

"They aren't the Chicago Blackhawks. They don't touch psychological and competitive nerves quite like the dethroned Stanley Cup champions, who sparked a war of words off the ice and a war of wits on it with the Vancouver Canucks, while providing bulletin-board material during an epic seven-game first-round playoff struggle. They are the Nashville Predators. They take their cue from resilient coach Barry Trotz. They are budget-conscious and businesslike in their approach, ferocious on the forecheck and offensively opportunistic to rank second in postseason scoring. They dispatched the Anahiem Ducks in six games to advance to the Western Conference semifinals for the first time in franchise"

Dan Hamhuis to put friendship on back burner in facing ex-teammates

April 28

Vancouver Sun

"Vancouver Canucks defenceman Dan Hamhuis is soft-spoken, thoughtful and — sorry about this, Dan — not very animated in his sessions with the media. So despite much poking and prodding Wednesday, Hamhuis wasn't going to give us much on meeting his old team, the Nashville Predators, in the Stanley Cup playoffs second round that opens Thursday at Rogers Arena (6 p.m., CBC, Team 1040). There were no fire-breathing declarations, nor was any smoke billowing off his forehead. Dan The Quiet Man would not bite. "Sure it's emotional," he said unemotionally. "It's exciting. There are a lot of good friends over there but I'll certainly put that on the back burner and it will be all business. I'm not"

This year, Canucks have enviable depth on the blueline

April 12

Vancouver Province

"When the curtain came crashing down last spring, Sami Salo was struggling to find his stride with searing testicle pain after being struck by a puck, Alex Edler was lost to an ankle injury and Willie Mitchell was sidelined by post-concussion syndrome. Kevin Bieksa and Andrew Alberts couldn't plug the gaping holes and, in the end, the Vancouver Canucks drew one conclusion. In another six-game, second-round playoff series setback to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, they were overmatched and overworked. And they vowed that would not be the case this NHL season. The Canucks would get better and deeper, landing Dan Hamhuis in free agency and Keith Ballard in a trade. It"

Gillis expects Hamhuis back for playoffs

April 7

Vancouver Province

"With Dan Hamhuis skating on his own, the second step in the protocol regarding concussions, Mike Gillis hopes the defenceman will be ready for Game 1 of the playoffs, if not Saturday's final regular-season game. "Dan Hamhuis is doing very well," the Canucks general manager said on Wednesday during an NHL teleconference. "As you know, when you have concussion situations it's day-to-day and there's always an opportunity for things to change, but so far he's doing very well. "We hope to see him back for a game before the playoffs begin." Alex Edler is expected to play tonight, after missing 31 games following back surgery. The final regular-season game is on Saturday at Calgary. Playoffs"

Dan Hamhuis returns to ice, may be back for start of playoffs

April 5

Vancouver Sun

"Just in time for the playoffs, injured Vancouver Canuck defenceman Dan Hamhuis is back on the ice this morning eight days after suffering his second concussion of the National Hockey League season. Hamhuis is working out on his own with Canucks skills coach Glen Carnegie, but his appearance on skates is a significant milepost in his recovery and an indication the key blueliner could be ready to start the playoffs next week. The Canucks also expect back defenceman Alex Edler, who is scheduled to practise fully today with teammates, for the final game or two of the regular season. Edler underwent back surgery in January."

Hamhuis waves to Nashville fans, says he's feeling fine

March 30

Vancouver Province

"Dan Hamhuis was introduced to the crowd here early in the first period and he waved amicably to his many fans. And it turns out he had reason to be feeling chipper. Hamhuis said Tuesday night he feels "fine," has no particular symptoms and is not in the least bit sensitive to light. "I feel fine, and I'm hoping for a quick recovery," he said before taking his seat to watch his teammates play the Predators for the fourth time this season."

Hamhuis could be out a week, or longer

March 29

Vancouver Province

"Dan Hamhuis was seen but not heard Monday. The Vancouver defenceman suffered his second concussion in seven weeks Sunday when his head struck the ice following a first-period collision with Rick Nash and Canucks teammate Kevin Bieksa. Although Hamhuis didn't return in a 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, he flew to Nashville, which could indicate he's only suffering slight or no head pressure. He also watched practice Monday, which could mean he doesn't have a sensitivity to light. And he planned to have dinner with former Predators teammates, which means he may not be experiencing mood swings common with post-concussion syndrome. "He's in good spirits and I know he said some"

Canucks clinch franchise record, but lose Hamhuis to concussion

March 28

Vancouver Province

"They found a way to win, but lost another key player. Already playing musical centres with the loss of Manny Malhotra to a season-ending eye injury, the Vancouver Canucks suffered another blow Sunday when defenceman Dan Hamhuis suffered his second concussion since Feb. 9 — and the fourth of his career — in the first period of a 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. In an often listless afternoon performance, the Canucks established a franchise record for wins (50) and equalled another for consecutive road victories (8), but also established a level of injury concern in their quest for the President's Trophy because Hamhuis has said he would consider retirement if he felt he was"

Canucks lose Dan Hamhuis to another concussion, no timetable for return

March 28

Vancouver Sun

"In his first season as a Vancouver Canuck, Dan Hamhuis has often received the ultimate compliment for a defenceman, with teammates and coaches marvelling that they just don't notice him out on the ice. Well, the Canucks and their fans are going to notice him now because Hamhuis is gone, having suffered his second concussion in less than two months early in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. It is potentially a significant blow to a team that now has just six games remaining before the playoffs start. Who knows if Hamhuis will be ready after suffering what is the fourth concussion of his career. "He's been one of our best defencemen of the year with his"

Hamhuis points finger at Kings' forward for dangerous hit

March 6

Vancouver Sun

"Vancouver Canuck defenceman Dan Hamhuis, who missed five games in February because of a concussion suffered on an end-boards hit, escaped with just a scare Saturday afternoon when he was checked from behind by Los Angeles King Alexei Ponikarovsky. Ponikarovsky shoved the back of Hamhuis's head, propelling the Canuck into the boards late in the second period of Vancouver's 3-1 National Hockey League win. Ponikarovsky was assessed only a minor penalty for boarding. "It was dangerous," Hamhuis said. "My head didn't take any of the blow; I was able to kind of tuck it down."

Dan Hamhuis, Keith Ballard back to lead Canucks cavalry charge

February 22

Vancouver Sun

columnist Iain MacIntyre

""We're sitting here talking about practice. Not a game, not a game, not a game. But we're talking about practice, man. How silly is that?" Basketball star Allen Iverson's greatest failure is he played the wrong sport. The Vancouver Canucks would have been perfect for the guard who famously groused about practising. But he would not have been perfect for the Canucks. Iverson was all about himself, the Canucks are all about the team. Sure, they practise about as often as they lose, which is not very. Monday's workout at Rogers Arena was the Canucks' first full practice in 10 days. Rest is more important than practice for the best team in the National Hockey League. But Dan Hamhuis and Keith"

Hamhuis returns Tuesday against Habs, Ballard won't be far behind

February 22

Vancouver Province

"The last time the Canucks met the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver defenceman Dan Hamhuis was dealing with a bone bruise in his right foot that had sidelined him for eight games. And Keith Ballard was dealing with being a healthy scratch for the first time in 405 career NHL outings. Collectively, the Canucks had a hard time dealing with a 2-0 no-show setback at the Bell Centre on Nov. 9. Tuesday night, Hamhuis returns to the lineup after missing five games with a concussion and Ballard could also play — but is expected to return Thursday against the St. Louis Blues — after sitting out seven games with a knee strain. Most importantly, the Canucks are slowly getting back to resembling one of"

Hamhuis returns to shore up battered Canucks defence

February 21

Vancouver Province

"What made Dan Hamhuis so attractive on the first day of NHL free agency was the good head on his shoulders, a good first pass and a good overall grip on the game. Don't expect any of that to change Tuesday when the Vancouver Canucks defenceman is expected to return after missing five games following his third career concussion Feb. 9 against Anaheim. Despite being unconscious for 20 to 30 seconds following a heavy end-boards check by Ryan Getzlaf, in which his head struck the glass and the Smithers native crumpled to the ice, he knows what's at play. One way to negate the Canucks' quick transition game is to target blueliners. Chip pucks in and chip away at their resolve to be first on"

Hamhuis targets Tuesday as his return from injury

February 20

Vancouver Sun

"Help is on the way for the Vancouver Canucks' injury-riddled defence, but it won't be arriving in time for tonight's game against the Dallas Stars. Defenceman Dan Hamhuis, out since Feb. 9 with a concussion, participated in this morning's game-day skate at Rogers Arena, but will not play tonight. Hamhuis is, however, likely to return to the lineup on Tuesday night, when the Montreal Canadiens pay a visit. "Basically, I am just waiting for clearance from the doctors, when they feel that I am ready to go," Hamhuis said. "I am hoping for Tuesday. I just have to wait and see what they say." So the Canucks will go again tonight with three youngsters -- Evan Oberg, Yann Sauve and Chris Tanev --"

Hamhuis, Ballard improving but Alberts needs surgery

February 17

Vancouver Province

"While defenceman Yann Sauve became the eighth Canuck this season to play his first NHL game, there is hope that blueline reinforcements are on the way. Canucks assistant general manager Lorne Henning said in Minnesota Tuesday that the progress of both injured defencemen Dan Hamhuis and Keith Ballard is encouraging. Both were lost in back to back games last week. Hamhuis, who suffered a concussion a week ago against Anaheim, is back to doing light workouts. Ballard, meanwhile, suffered a knee sprain two days earlier against Ottawa but has progressed to the point where it's expected he'll get back skating next week."

Canucks' Dan Hamhuis out indefinitely with concussion

February 12

Vancouver Sun

"As the Vancouver Canucks learned last season with Willie Mitchell and the Pittsburgh Penguins are discovering this season with Sidney Crosby, the only predictable thing about concussions is their unpredictability. No two are alike and every player who gets one seems to react differently. So Canucks coach Alain Vigneault was not about to hazard a guess Friday as to how long defenceman Dan Hamhuis is going to be out of the Vancouver lineup. "He is out until further notice," Vigneault said after the team practised at Rogers Arena and he gave reporters the official confirmation of Hamhuis's injury. "A concussion is a concussion," he said. "With Crosby, everybody said it was a mild concussion"

Hamhuis still being assessed

February 11

Vancouver Province

"Dan Hamhuis didn't make it to the Canucks' Dice & Ice Benefit fundraiser on Thursday night and you can bet the NHL club won't be gambling on his health, either. Hamhuis was hit in what some Canucks players were calling a reckless hit by Anaheim captain Ryan Getzlaf during the third period of Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Ducks. Hamhuis had just passed the puck and was in a vulnerable position when Getzlaf hit him on the back of his left shoulder and spun him face-first into the end plexi-glass. The Canucks defenceman, appearing dazed, lay on the ice for about two minutes before skating slowly to the bench with the team's training staff. He went straight to the dressing room and didn't"

Big hit on Hamhuis a huge concern

February 11

Vancouver Province

"An unusually bad start for the Canucks was eclipsed by what many believe was a bad hit. With time to let up, Ryan Getzlaf chose instead to drill Dan Hamhuis into the boards with a third-period hit which blotted out the Canucks' first home regulation loss in nearly two months like an eclipse. The 4-3 final score seemed meaningless for fans panicking after watching Hamhuis lying motionless on the ice for more than a couple minutes. Another game and yet another downed Canucks defenceman. They are falling like trees under pine beetle attack. Forget a blueline that goes 10 deep; the Canucks could probably use 20. But they may have Hamhuis back soon enough. Early indication from the Canucks"

No response to Hamhuis hit by Canucks

February 11

Vancouver Sun

"No one went after Ryan Getzlaf when his third-period hit left Vancouver defenceman Dan Hamhuis laying flat on the ice. And coach Alain Vigneault didn't seem to have a problem with that. "This is a physical game," Vigneault said after Wednesday night's 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. "When we dump the puck in and forecheck we try and hit (their defencemen). That's a big man hitting a defenceman, it's part of the game." When Ottawa forward Chris Neil flattened Canuck captain Henrik Sedin on Monday night at centre ice, on what was a clean hit, defenceman Aaron Rome immediately went after Neil. But Wednesday night, Getzlaf wasn't challenged by any of the Canucks for a hit that appeared to be"

Injured Canuck Dan Hamhuis's status up in the air

February 11

Vancouver Sun

"The Vancouver Canucks won't make a full medical assessment of Dan Hamhuis until Friday, and it remains unlikely that the injured defenceman will play Saturday against the Calgary Flames. Hamhuis left Wednesday's game at Rogers Arena when he was crushed against the end boards and glass on a hit by Anaheim Duck Ryan Getzlaf. Hamhuis lay motionless on the ice for a minute, obviously dazed by the blow, but eventually skated to the bench and walked to the dressing room with 13 ? minutes remaining in the 4-3 loss. Canuck coach Alain Vigneault said after the game that Hamhuis had only a red mark on his face where he struck the glass, and otherwise seemed fine. The Canucks had a day off today, and"

Source: No Ryan Getzlaf discipline

February 10

ESPN.com

"Star center Ryan Getzlaf of the Anaheim Ducks won't face any supplemental league discipline for his hit Wednesday night on Vancouver Canucks blue-liner Dan Hamhuis, a source told ESPN.com. Hamhuis left early in the third period after his head bounced hard off the end glass following a shoulder hit by the Ducks captain. Hamhuis lay flat on the ice for several minutes before being helped to the dressing room. Hamhuis' condition should be updated further later Thursday by the Canucks. The NHL's hockey operations staff in Toronto took a look at the hit Wednesday night but a source said it deemed the hit legal so Getzlaf won't face any further discipline."

Getzlaf calls result of his hit on Hamhuis 'an unfortunate accident'

February 10

Vancouver Province

"Mike Gillis got hot under the collar describing how the NHL shouldn't tolerate the apparent slew-foot by Milan Michalek on Monday that sidelined Keith Ballard up to a month with a knee sprain. His coach didn't go one better Wednesday because he claimed not to see an endboards hit by Ryan Getzlaf that sidelined Dan Hamhuis in the third period that wasn't penalized — especially after a replay showed the Anaheim Ducks centre left his feet while drilling the defenceman from the side, which led to his head hitting the glass. No charging call. No boarding. No nothing. Once Alain Vigneault sees the replay — and if Hamhuis is sidelined for any length of time — the bench boss may change his"

Canucks lose Dan Hamhuis to 'serious-looking injury'

February 10

Vancouver Sun

"It was Dennis Kearns and Jyrki Lumme Night at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks may wish to keep their alumni around until next week. At the current rate, the National Hockey League team could be out of defencemen by then. Is this enough adversity for you? For the second straight game – and for the fifth time in the last four weeks – the Canucks lost a defenceman Wednesday with a serious-looking injury. Dan Hamhuis, who has played a key shutdown role all season and saw his status elevated by recent injuries to others, was hurt 6 ½ minutes into the third period of the 4-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks when crushed against the boards and glass on thunderous hit by Ryan Getzlaf. If anyone"

Hamhuis to face former Nashville teammates

January 26

Vancouver Sun

"The remarkable Nashville Predators are doing it again. No team in the National Hockey League seems to do more with less money annually than Tennessee's hockey team, which is fourth in the Western Conference despite possessing the 23rd-ranked payroll and a 29-point leading scorer. The Barry Trotz-coached team appears headed to the tougher side of the NHL playoffs for the sixth time in seven seasons. That streak began with Dan Hamhuis was a Nashville rookie in 2003-04. For the first time since then, the defenceman plays against the Predators Wednesday night. "It starts with scouting and draft picks; they seem to have great depth every year," Hamhuis, the Canucks' marquee free-agent"

Hamhuis trade was a shrewd move for Penguins

November 17

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Three defensemen who defined general manager Ray Shero's offseason will probably be on the ice at the same time tonight when the Penguins play the Vancouver Canucks at Consol Energy Center. One of them, Dan Hamhuis of the Canucks, represents the shrewdest trade of his tenure. The few days Hamhuis belonged to the Penguins this past summer set the course for Shero's big-splash July 1, when he paid $45 million to defensemen Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek on separate five-year deals. Each player has struggled of late, notably in overtime Monday night in the Penguins' home loss to the New York Rangers, but their track records suggest the investment will pay well for the Penguins, who were in"

Canucks' Keith Ballard could be bumped with Dan Hamhuis return

November 9

Vancouver Sun

columnist Iain MacIntyre

"Suspense over. Vancouver Canucks coach Alain Vigneault named Roberto Luongo as his starting goalie for Tuesday's game against the Montreal Canadiens. But Vigneault didn't name his sixth defenceman, which will be a far more intriguing decision. Key blueliner Dan Hamhuis, out since Oct. 17 with a bruised bone in his foot, practised fully here Monday and will return to the lineup against the Canadiens if things go equally well in Tuesday morning's skate at the Bell Centre. That means Keith Ballard, one of the Canucks' marquee summer acquisitions — a player with nearly five years and $21 million US on his contract — could be a healthy scratch for the first time in his National Hockey League"

Canuck Keith Ballard, not Aaron Rome, should sit if Dan Hamhuis returns to face Canadiens

November 9

Vancouver Sun

"Until now, the only thing separating Aaron Rome and Keith Ballard was $3.45 million US in annual salary. Rome earns in a season about what Ballard makes in a month. But if defenceman Dan Hamhuis returns Tuesday to the Vancouver Canucks' lineup (4:30 p.m., Sportsnet, Team 1040), the difference should be that Rome plays against the Montreal Canadiens and Ballard does not. Acquired in a draft-day trade to play in the top four of the Canuck defence, Ballard won't be in the top six on merit once Hamhuis recovers from his bruised foot. With nearly five years and $21 million US on his contract, the 27-year-old Ballard could be a healthy scratch Tuesday for the first time in his National Hockey"

Hamhuis' return to Canucks' lineup still uncertain

November 6

Vancouver Province

"The Canucks can't be happy with the progress of injured defenceman Dan Hamhuis, who's been out with a bruised foot since he stopped a shot against visiting Carolina on Oct. 17. Head coach Alain Vigneault revealed following Thursday's morning skate here that Hamhuis – who's now been out 17 days -- skated on Wednesday in Vancouver, along with fellow injured D-man Ryan Parent (groin), but won't skate today. "I think they both tried yesterday, but it's still status quo," said Vigneault. "None of them are going to skate today." Hamhuis will miss his seventh game tonight when the Canucks play the Avs here."

Dan Hamhuis doubtful for Monday's game

October 30

Vancouver Province

"Dan Hamhuis didn't last long trying to push forward from a foot injury which has had him sidelined for two weeks. It took five minutes after he strapped on his skates Friday for a grim reality to wash over him. "Still not good enough," he said, shaking his head. Just like that the chances of him playing Monday became slim. Keith Ballard, still making his way back from a concussion is now more likely of the two to return first, assistant coach Rick Bowness said. Nothing new for the Vancouver Canucks and their fans who have become conditioned to expect the worst when it comes to injuries to the blueline."

Hamhuis family values help through down times

October 29

Vancouver Province

"Dan Hamhuis certainly knew about the hockey hotbed he was walking into when he signed last summer with the Canucks, but it was brought home during a walk he was taking with his wife, Sarah, and two young daughters a few weeks after settling into their new Westside Vancouver neighbourhood. His older daughter, Anna, who's 16 months, pointed to a man reading The Province outside a store. On the back cover was a huge head and shoulders action shot of a hockey player, with helmet and visor. "Mommy, there's daddy," she said. Yes, it was Hamhuis on the back page that sunny September day and, no, that wouldn't be too likely an occurrence in Nashville, where the Canucks' prize free-agent signing"

Hamhuis' return to Canucks' lineup delayed

October 23

Vancouver Province

"Lost amidst the Rick Rypien suspension news, was Canucks defenceman Dan Hamhuis' absence from practice again on Friday. Hamhuis was hit on the ankle by a shot in Sunday's 5-1 win over Carolina at Rogers Arena. It was expected that Hamhuis – whose ankle has undergone two X-rays and a CT scan and showed no fracture – would be available to play on Friday against Minnesota. Hamhuis, who's been the Canucks' top free agent signing this past summer – took the pregame skate in Chicago on Wednesday only to have the ankle be even more painful. "I still can't put a skate on the foot," he said."

Dan Hamhuis joins fellow newcomer Keith Ballard on Canucks sidelines

October 20

Vancouver Sun

"The book on Dan Hamhuis and Keith Ballard, the two big off-season acquisitions by the Vancouver Canucks, was that both players were not only dependable top-four defencemen, but durable. Ballard was coming off three seasons in which he played all 82 games, while the 78 games logged last season by Hamhuis were the fewest he's played in six full NHL seasons. These guys were virtual ironmen. Well, neither player dressed Tuesday night for the Canucks, a team that can never seem to have enough defencemen. The irony of Hamhuis and Ballard both being out so early in the season wasn't lost on coach Alain Vigneault. "Every year, it's the same thing," Vigneault said before the Canucks met the"

Hamhuis solid, easy to play with, say Canucks teammates

September 30

Vancouver Province

"What you notice about Dan Hamhuis is that you don't notice him. And for any defenceman, that's the ultimate compliment — especially when poise and proficiency translate into a sense of calm for any pairing. Just ask Kevin Bieksa and Alex Edler. In preseason patrolling of the Vancouver Canucks blueline with Hamhuis, they've been able to play without their heads on a swivel and without a sense of doubt or hesitation. it's because Hamhuis has been even better than advertised after signing a six-year, $27 million US free-agent deal on July 1. Coveted by 10 teams — including Philadelphia and Pittsburgh who couldn't get the Smithers native under contract with exclusive rights before free agency"

Hamhuis hyped to get physical

September 24

Vancouver Sun

"Dan Hamhuis made his Canucks debut against Edmonton on Wednesday and it couldn't have come a day too soon. Hamhuis signed with Vancouver early into the first day of free agency on July 1, and had been waiting patiently ever since to get rid of the first-game jitters that come with playing for a team he grew up rooting for as a youth. "I've been really looking forward to it for a couple of months," said Hamhuis, a native of Smithers who played his entire career in Nashville with the Predators. "It's definitely not the average preseason game, that's for sure. There's a lot for me to learn. In the past it's always been little tweaking of systems that I was already comfortable with. Now this"

Hamhuis to earn way onto Canucks power-play

September 8

Vancouver Province

"Dan Hamhuis has his wife and two small kids settled in a comfy west-side Vancouver neighbourhood and is ready to gear up for the next phase of his NHL career. The 27-year-old defenceman from Smithers expects it will include lots of shut-down work and penalty killing with his new Canucks team, but he's also hoping for a chance to showcase his offensive skills as well as play bigger minutes. "We haven't talked about my role yet at all," said Hamhuis, following an informal shinny session at Rogers Arena with a group of vets and prospects on Tuesday. "We didn't talk about it at all on July 1 when they were trying to convince me to come here. They didn't promise me minutes. Talking with other"

Hamhuis signing caps epic day for Vancouver Canucks

July 3

Vancouver Sun

columnist Ian MacIntyre

"Mike Gillis walked down the hallway at GM Place like a toddler towards a dentist's chair, took his position in front of the media and was wished a happy Canada Day. "Spending it with you guys is like a dream come true," he said. No arguments here. Except his dream actually came true an hour earlier when the Vancouver Canucks capped an epic day by signing free-agent defenceman Dan Hamhuis. Hamhuis was a player Gillis badly wanted. And centre Manny Malhotra, signed Thursday morning, was the player the Canucks really needed. In combination, they gave the National Hockey League team its greatest one-day talent-boost since the trade for Roberto Luongo four years ago. When he was hired, Gillis"