Enigmatic Canuck Cody Hodgson's universe could unfold Wednesday night
By Jason Botchford, The ProvinceSeptember 22, 2009
You've watched Cody Hodgson play this preseason, and maybe, in a rush to judgment, you've concluded he's not ready. Maybe, Hodgson hasn't looked fast enough. He hasn't been offensive enough. Some have questioned his defence. You wonder how long this back injury will linger. You see the depth the Canucks have up front. It's significantly better than last September. Even without Pavol Demitra.It means a player who once seemed a lock, has become a question mark: Is Hodgson ready?
But when you consider Hodgson, it has to be about more than what he is on the ice right now. It has to be about the big picture, his development and his honest assessment that there is little-to-nothing for him to gain from another year in the OHL. "I think I've done everything I can in junior," Hodgson said. "I don't think I'd develop much at all. This is where I need to be for more development. This is where I think I fit." When it comes to Hodgson, it has to be about his talent, so rare and so explosive.
It has to be about the player he can be in the next couple of months, when nerve damage in his back isn't limiting quickness. Although the team has said his back is fully recovered, the nerve damage left behind has affected him. "The best part of my game has always been those first two steps and it hasn't been the same," Hodgson said. "I'm working on that quick muscle twitch stuff to build it back up. "I would have been a lot faster (if not for the injury). But I can't worry about that now. All I can worry about is what I can do on the ice and try to improve that."It will take some time for that nerve to re-grow, the doctors are saying. I'm not making excuses. It's just what I need to do. Keep working on it, keep stretching it. I have to make sure it's loosened and it won't happen again."
Given how far the injury set him back, will he get some slack? Head coach Alain Vigneault says yes. He gave a nod to Hodgson's talent Tuesday, basically saying it's the 19-year-old's trump card if he isn't among the best 13 forwards come Monday when the final cuts are made."Because his skill set is better than another player, he might become, near Christmas, a better player than what we have here," Vigneault said. "We have to consider that in the equation."
When it comes to Hodgson, it's a murky equation made much more complex because of a bizarre, arbitrary rule which could impact his development. As a 19-year-old CHL player, Hodgson can either play in the NHL this year or he must go back to junior.The next logical step in Hodgson's rise should include some time to learn the pro game in Manitoba, where he could make up for all the time he lost this summer. It's not an option as the rule prevents Hodgson from being assigned to the AHL."In most cases, it's what is best for the player," GM Mike Gillis reasoned. "There are unique situations where it's not."This is one. About the last thing, it could be argued, Hodgson needs is another year like last season when he played 120 games split between the OHL, the world junior team and Manitoba (where he can only play once his CHL season ends). There remains plenty of time to see if Hodgson fits in Vancouver. And, as we head into the five last preseason games, know this: You haven't seen his best.
"All I'm thinking about is how to get better every day," Hodgson said. "I'm doing extra skating and trying to get in better shape."Wednesday night is his most intriguing opportunity yet. He will centre a line tonight between Alex Burrows and Ryan Kesler. There is a chance this is a group that could be together when the season starts."I think I'm getting more comfortable every game, I know I can play better than (Monday's game)," Hodgson said. "I felt better skating wise. Mentally, I still need to get up to that level."
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