VANCOUVER — Mason Raymond is as fast as a pit crew, and as tireless, too.
He's fearless enough and patient enough to rally and return to the National Hockey League from a broken back. He's a good penalty killer, in part because of those speed-skating wheels, and in part because of the work ethic derived from growing up on a cattle farm.
He's still young. He's 26 years old and a former 25-goal scorer. He's mature and well-liked, not only in the Vancouver Canucks locker-room but in the management offices at Rogers Arena, where the "speed kills" motto is so deeply entrenched it shouldn't surprise anyone if it was said every time someone shook GM Mike Gillis' hand.
What Mason Raymond is not, is producing. And that could mean his days in Vancouver are numbered. http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Expect+Canucks+anybody+loves+Raymond/6052103/story.html#ixzz1kZsPhxoo
Shacks' Take: Botchford's right he might just be first in line when Gillis decides which assets are expendable. I think Raymond would probably produce a little more if he's on a team where he gets relied on more a la Michael Grabner. The Canucks need some size and toughness in their top 9 badly if they want to beat the Chicago's and Boston's this year, so honestly only the Sedin's & Kesler should feel safe on the front end. Anyone else could be traded, it would just depend on the size and skill of who's coming back. If its more size but less skill, Raymond will likely be first candidate because he is redundant but if they want a game changer it's likely going to take more than Mason Raymond.
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