Two Points For Canucks' Raymond As Playoff Run Ends
News:Mason Raymond scored a goal and dished out an assist in Tuesday's loss to the Sharks.
Analysis: Unfortunately Mason Raymond's two points weren't enough to help the Canucks stave off elimination.
News:Mason Raymond, who had missed the previous two games with a shoulder injury, saw nearly 15 minutes of ice time in his return Saturday against the Flames.
Analysis:Mason Raymond didn't manage to tally a point in his return, but he did finish plus-1 with a shot on goal while skating primarily with the third line. The speedy winger is safe to deploy if you're using him in deeper formats.
News:Mason Raymond (shoulder) is expected to play Saturday against the Flames, The Province reports.
Analysis:Mason Raymond missed both Monday and Thursday's games with a shoulder injury. Raymond practiced Friday alongside Zack Kassian and Andrew Ebbett. Raymond will look to pick up where he left off prior to being injured, as he had tallied five points in six games before he was nicked up.
News:Mason Raymond (shoulder) will not play Thursday against the Oilers, the Vancouver Sun reports.
Analysis:Mason Raymond skated with some of his fellow injured teammates on Thursday morning, but he remains day-to-day. His next chance to return to the ice will be Saturday against the Flames.
News:Mason Raymond (shoulder) sat out the Canucks' morning skate Monday because he's "a little banged up," TSN's Bob McKenzie reports. Raymond will not play Monday night against the Sharks.
Analysis:Mason Raymond's name has been tossed around in trade rumors recently as the deadline approaches, but his absence from the morning skate is unrelated.
News:Mason Raymond's goal Saturday not only stood up as the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over the Kings, but also extended his point streak to three games (one goal, two assists).
Analysis: He has five points in his last six games and the goal is his eighth in 31 games -- he had just 10 in 55 last season. Don't mistake this for a breakout, though -- his shooting percentage is dramatically higher than in any other season.
News:Mason Raymond netted a goal and dished out an assist in Thursday's win over the Predators.
Analysis: Thursday's two-point effort snaps a three-game pointless streak for Mason Raymond. The speedy winger has 14 points (7 G, 7 A) in 26 games.
News:Mason Raymond picked up a goal and an assist in Saturday's win over the Kings.
Analysis: The two-point effort snaps a five-game scoreless drought for Mason Raymond. On the season, Raymond has 11 points (6 G, 5 A) in 20 games.
News:Mason Raymond netted his fifth goal of the season in Sunday's loss to the Blues.
Analysis:Mason Raymond has nine points (5 G, 4 A) through 14 games. He's racking up points at the same rate he did during his 53-point campaign in 2009-10. If Raymond keeps up his current pace over the long haul, he'll have some value in deeper formats.
News:Mason Raymond (face) returned to the ice late in the first period of Saturday's game. He had taken a puck to the face earlier in the period.
Analysis: His face will likely be one that only a mother can love when he wakes up Sunday, but his return will help the Canucks and fantasy owners this night.
News:Mason Raymond retreated to the Canucks' dressing room in the first period of Saturday's game after taking a puck in the face, according to an in-game report on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada. He was cut badly.
Analysis: He left a trail of blood across the ice as he took off toward the dressing room. He will require stitches for sure and might even need dental work after that.
News:Mason Raymond picked up a goal and an assist in Thursday's win over Minnesota.
Analysis: Thursday's two-point effort gives Mason Raymond six points (4G, 2A) through the first 10 games of the season. He hasn't quite returned to his career-best form of 2009-10, but Raymond didn't look this good all of last season. Don't expect big point totals, but Raymond could be productive enough to help in deeper formats.
News:Mason Raymond scored twice in Friday's win over Anaheim, giving him three goals in the last two games.
Analysis: The veteran winger was quiet the season's first two games, but has been a factor in each of Vancouver's last two contests, both victories. Don't expect Mason Raymond to put up goals at this rate consistenly, but he has been seeing over three minutes of power-play time per contest this season, including 6:16 in Friday's win.
News:Mason Raymond scored his first goal of the season in Wednesday's win over the Flames.
Analysis:Mason Raymond saw just over 15 minutes of ice time while skating on the third line. The speedy winger is looking to bounce back after struggling each of the past two seasons.
News:Mason Raymond is expected to open the season on the Canucks' second line, the Vancouver Sun reports.
Analysis:Mason Raymond has had success on the second line in the past (53 points in 2009-10), but he has struggled to score with consistency the past two seasons. Despite those struggles, Canucks coach Alain Vigneault will likely slot Mason alongside David Booth and either Andrew Ebbett or Jordan Schroeder on the second line to open the season. If Raymond can rediscover his scoring touch from 2009-10, he'll be worth a late-round look in deeper formats.
News:Mason Raymond has signed a contract with Orebro of the Hockey Allsvenskan in the second tier of Swedish pro hockey, reports TSN.ca.
Analysis: The deal is for one month which means he'll get into 11 games. "In Mason, we get a global player to the squad. One of the NHL's best skaters and a forward of a very high class," the club said in a statement. He is coming off a disappointing season, but that was likely the function of his recovery from two broken vertebrae.
News: The Canucks re-signed Mason Raymond on Monday, Canucks.NHL.com reports.
Analysis:Mason Raymond had just 20 points (10 goals) in 55 appearances last year, so he's unlikely to make a fantasy impact in most leagues in 2012.
News: Vancouver has filed the rarely used cut-down arbitration on Mason Raymond, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis:Mason Raymond, who accrued just 20 points in 55 games this season, could see his salary cut down by as much as 15 percent next season. He did not return to the lineup until December after sustaining a back injury in the Stanley Cup Finals in 2011.
News:Mason Raymond was demoted to the team's fourth line at practice Friday and it appears he will be staying there for Game 5. "I know the young man is trying hard but, obviously, the way he is playing right now he doesn't deserve to be on one of the top three lines," coach Alain Vigneault told the Vancouver Sun. "We expect more from him. I'm sure he expects more from himself."
Analysis:Mason Raymond has just one assist in this series, and given that he's not even averaging 14 minutes of ice time and just got removed from a scoring line, you should consider other options until he re-proves himself to his coach. For now, it looks like he'll skate with Manny Malhotra and Dale Weise.
News:Mason Raymond missed Saturday's game against the Oilers to be with his wife, who's expecting a baby, TSN.ca reports.
Analysis: Congrats to the Mason Raymond family, and good timing too, as he should have plenty of time to get back to the team for Game 1 of the playoffs. He also picked a game to miss where the team played the lowly Oilers.
News:Mason Raymond netted his 10th goal of the season in Saturday's 3-2 overtime win against the Avalanche.
Analysis: After going nine games without a point, Mason Raymond has totaled three over his past two games. He has taken on a bigger role since Daniel Sedin went down with a concussion, so the increase in scoring opportunities should stick for at least the next week or so.
News:Mason Raymond, who was a healthy scratch Monday, will return to the lineup Wednesday against the Blackhawks, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: He'll skate on the second line with Ryan Kesler and David Booth. Mason Raymond hasn't notched a point in his past eight games, so hopefully the new line assignment will get him going.
News:Mason Raymond will be a healthy scratch against Minnesota on Monday, Canucks.NHL.com Reports.
Analysis:Mason Raymond last posted a point Feb. 26, so the Canucks will look elsewhere in hopes of finding a boost Monday.
News:Mason Raymond skated on the Canucks' top line during practice Tuesday, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: With the Sedin Twins slumping, Canucks coach Alain Vigneault opted to give his stars a new right winger. Vigneault is notorious for tweaking his lines on a regular basis and even admitted the changes made during Tuesday's practice won't necessarily be used in Wednesday's tilt against the Coyotes. Still, if Mason Raymond is able to stick with the Sedins on the Canucks' top line, he would see a nice boost in value.
News:Mason Raymond will be demoted to the fourth line for Tuesday's game against the Stars, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: He'll be replaced on the second line by recently acquired Zack Kassian. Mason Raymond is still expecting to see time on the second power-play unit, but this demotion will make it tough for him to rack up many points at even strength. The 26-year-old winger has 16 points (8 G, 8 A) in 41 games.
News:Mason Raymond bagged the game-winning goal in Friday's win over New Jersey, his first point in five games.
Analysis:Mason Raymond has some paltry numbers this season with 15 points in 37 games. It's odd to think that two seasons ago he posted 53 games. Raymond won't find his name on the scoresheet too often as Vancouver gets enough scoring from their top two lines.
News:Mason Raymond dished out two assists in Saturday's win over the Sharks.
Analysis: He now has 12 points (5 G, 7 A) in 23 games. Mason Raymond is currently skating with the third line, so it will be hard for him to score with much more frequency than his current rate.
News:Mason Raymond has eight points (4 G, 4 A) in 15 games since returning from a back injury.
Analysis:Mason Raymond has just one point in the past six games, but he's skating with the second line and seeing significant time on the power play, so don't be surprised when his scoring picks up.
News: Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said Mason Raymond was fine after the speedy winger took a clearing pass to the face in Monday's game, the Vancouver Sun reports.
Analysis:Mason Raymond left the game midway through the third period, but he was fine after getting stitched up. All indications are he'll be ready for Wednesday's tilt against Red Wings.
News:Mason Raymond left Monday's game midway through the third period after he took teammate Kevin Bieksa's clearing attempt in the face, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis:Mason Raymond did have six points in his last seven games entering Monday's play, so hopefully the team was just taking the cautionary route in a game that was well under control. Raymond skated 15:05 in the contest, but didn't register a point.
News:Mason Raymond netted his third goal of the season in Saturday's 5-3 win over Toronto.
Analysis: The speedy winger has come on strong since returning from a back injury, totaling six points in seven games. While he's never racked up points at this rate in the past, he has hinted at this type of upside. The point-per-game pace might not continue, but Mason Raymond will be productive enough to warrant a look in most formats.
News:Mason Raymond posted his first goal of the season in Thursday's shootout win over Montreal, giving him two points in three games this season.
Analysis:Mason Raymond recently debuted following a back injury and has a steady stat line after a mere three games. He will see scoring chances for the Canucks, but don't expect two points every three games from the winger.
News:Mason Raymond dished out an assist in his season debut Sunday.
Analysis: Sunday marked Mason Raymond's first action since suffering a vertebrae compression fracture in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final last year. He saw 14:35 minutes of ice time while skating on the third line. Raymond has totaled 82 points (40 G, 42 A) over the past two seasons and could skate with the Canucks' top six later this season, making him worth a look in mid-sized leagues.
News: The Canucks filed the necessary paperwork to activate Mason Raymond from the IR on Friday, the Vancouver Sun reports.
Analysis: The original plan was to activate Mason Raymond on Thursday, but the Canucks didn't get the paperwork in to the league offices on time. There won't be any clerical errors this time around, so look for Raymond to make his season debut Sunday against the Flames.
News:Mason Raymond, who was expected to return to the lineup Thursday night, had his season debut delayed after the Canucks missed the deadline to file paperwork needed to re-activate the speedy winger, the Vancouver Sun reports.
Analysis:Mason Raymond was looking to make his first appearance since suffering a back injury in the Stanley Cup Final last season, but the Canucks clerical snafu will push his debut to Sunday. The 26-year-old winger is a solid speculative add in mid-sized leagues, but don't be surprised if he's a bit rusty in his first few games.
News:Mason Raymond will make his return to NHL action Thursday, Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis:Mason Raymond says he'll never be at 100% effectiveness again due to the horrific back injury he sustained in last year's Stanley Cup. Still, the winger has provided 82 points for the Canucks in the past two seasons, and even a partial amount of that production will be most welcome.
News:Mason Raymond (back) remained out of the lineup Tuesday against the Blue Jackets.
Analysis: With his team on a winning streak, Canucks coach Alain Vigneault didn't want to mess with his lineup. Mason Raymond is ready to return, but it looks like he'll have to wait for one of his teammates to start playing bad or suffer an injury before cracking the lineup.
News:Mason Raymond (back) told the Canucks' coaching staff he's ready to return to the lineup after Monday's practice, the team's official site reports.
Analysis:Mason Raymond was reportedly ready for Saturday's game, but the team erred on the side of caution and held him out. Canucks coach Alain Vigneault still hasn't made a final decision on Raymond's return, but there's a chance the speedy winger will be in the lineup Tuesday against Columbus.
News:Mason Raymond (back) didn't play in Saturday's win over the Sharks.
Analysis: The Canucks were hopeful Mason Raymond would return over the weekend, but the team decided to err on the side of caution and kept him in street clothes. The 26-year-old winger's return is right around the corner, though, so look for him to lace up his skates for some game action as soon as Tuesday's tilt against the Blue Jackets.
News:Mason Raymond (back) is expected to return during the Canucks' current road trip, the Vancouver Sun reports.
Analysis: The Canucks play Friday and Saturday to wrap up the road trip. A return on Friday appears unlikely, but the 26-year-old winger could be back on the ice Saturday against the Sharks. He should eventually skate in the top six, making him worth a speculative add.
News:Mason Raymond (back) isn't expected to suit up for Wednesday's tilt against the Avalanche, the Vancouver Sun reports.
Analysis:Mason Raymond has been cleared for contact, but the Canucks want him to log some more practice time before seeing game action. His return should be in short order.
News:Mason Raymond (back) skated with the second line during Monday's practice, the Canucks' official site reports.
Analysis: Monday's practice was a 60-minute skate at full speed with contact. He still needs another couple practices before seeing game action, but he's nearing a return.
News:Mason Raymond (back) has been cleared for contact, the Canucks official Twitter feed reports.
Analysis:Mason Raymond suffered a vertebrae compression in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals against Boston, which should give an idea of the severity of the injury. The end of November appears to be the target date for Raymond's return to game action. The Canucks will certainly welcome his presence -- he has 82 points and is a plus-8 over the past two seasons.
News:Mason Raymond (back) is on the ice for Sunday's morning skate, the Canucks' official Twitter feed reports.
Analysis: Although the team hasn't updated the timetable for his return, it appears as though he'll be out until late November with the injury.
News:Mason Raymond (back) participated in his first practice Wednesday, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: Despite making a return to practice, Mason Raymond still doesn't know when he'll return to game action. "One thing is a practice and a game is another thing," said Raymond. "I can't put a timeline on when I feel I can come back and frankly I feel like I've got a long ways to go. To get into game shape, to get in to mental shape and being cleared for contact, I've got a lot of hurdles to clear. But as far as Day 1 goes, I was pleased." Raymond was limited to light contact Wednesday, but his rehab should ramp up as he gets closer to game shape. A late-November return remains a possibility.
News:Mason Raymond (back) joined the Canucks in Los Angeles on Monday, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: This is the first time Mason Raymond has joined his teammates on the road this season. The team wouldn't confirm whether or not Raymond is nearing a return, but Canucks assistant general manager Laurence Gillman said the injured winger continues to show progress. Raymond did bring his hockey gear with him on the trip, so he could be making a return to practice shortly. If he's able to log some time on the ice over the next couple of weeks, Raymond might be able to return to game action close to the original late-November timetable he set during training camp.
News:Mason Raymond (back) is hopeful he can make a return in late November, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis:Mason Raymond is on the mend, but he's still dealing with "soft tissue" problems. The 26-year-old winger has been cleared to do cardio, but he's not skating or weight training yet. While it's nice to hear Raymond's optimistic for a late November return, the Canucks still haven't released a concrete timetable, and a return that early would likely be the best-case scenario.
News: Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said Mason Raymond (back) remains out indefinitely, Vancouver's official site reports.
Analysis: While the Canucks don't have a concrete timetable for Mason Raymond's return, he's expected to miss at least the first month of the season. Marco Sturm, Cody Hodgson and others will get a chance at top-six duty while Raymond is out.
Canucks' Raymond (Back) Still On Target For November Return
News: Canucks assistant GM Laurence Gilman said Mason Raymond (back) is already doing cardio work, but he will still likely miss the first month of the season, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: No surprise here, as Mason Raymond has been expected to be sidelined until November since suffering a vertebrae compression fracture in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. Continue to monitor his rehab over the coming weeks.
News: Raymond (back) is expected to be out until at least November, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: Raymond suffered a vertebrae compression fracture during the Stanley Cup Final. The original time line for a recovery was listed at 3-to-4 months, but it looks like he might need some extra time to recover. Continue to monitor his progress this offseason before committing to him on draft day.
News: Raymond, who suffered a vertebrae compression fracture in Game 6, was released from the hospital in time to attend Game 7, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: Raymond was shown on the jumbo tron cheering on his teammates while sporting a large plastic corset to support his back. The timeline for Raymond's recovery remains 3-to-4 months. Monitor his rehab closely over the offseason.
News: Raymond, who sustained a vertebrae compression fracture in his back during Monday's Game 6 loss to the Bruins, remains hospitalized and is expected to be out for 3-to-4 months, ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Canucks GM Mike Gillis shed more light on Raymond's injury saying, "...it wasn't a chipped vertebrae or cracked vertebrae. It's broken through the belly of his vertebrae, so it's a very serious injury. You never want to see any player on any team have an injury like that." It's probably too early to tell if Raymond will be ready for the start of next season, but Jeff Tambellini is expected to assume Raymond's spot on the second line Wednesday for the season's most important game.
News: GM Mike Gillis has announced that Raymond sustained a vertebrae compression fracture in Monday's loss to the Bruins, James Mirtle of The Globe and Mail reports.
Analysis: The report suggests that Raymond is expected to be out three-to-four months, which is a major blow to the Canucks in the short term as they head into Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, but such a timetable hints that Raymond has a shot to be ready for the start of next season, though we suspect that's no lock. Look for Jeff Tambellini to take Raymond's spot on the Canucks' second line Wednesday night.
News: There is speculation that Raymond may have suffered a fractured vertebra in Monday's loss to the Bruins, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: We'll await further details -- and hope for a better outcome that what has been speculated -- but the awkward looking hit/landing that injured Raymond on Monday will almost assuredly keep him out of Wednesday's Game 7. Look for Jeff Tambellini to take Raymond's spot on the Canucks' second line come Wednesday.
News: Raymond sustained an undisclosed injury in Monday's game and has been taken to a hospital to be examined further, according to the Canucks' official Twitter page.
Analysis: Raymond was taken off the ice after just 20 seconds of ice time. We'll update his injury status and what it means for the Canucks as more details emerge.
News: Raymond lost several teeth during Tuesday's Game 5 after being clipped in the mouth by a stick, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: "It's playoffs, it happens," Raymond said. Though his regular season numbers dwindled to 15 goals and 54 points, Raymond has tallied five points in the Canucks' last seven games. He's not expected to miss any time as a result of the injury.
News: Raymond netted two goals in Thursday's 5-0 win over the Wild.
Analysis: With 15 goals and 24 assists, Raymond has failed to live up to the hype generated from last season's 53-point effort, but he still racks up enough points to hold value in some deeper formats.
News: With Manny Malhotra (eye) out indefinitely, Raymond could see time centering the Canucks' third line, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: Raymond has able to focus primarily on scoring goals while skating with the Canucks' second line. He would be more of a playmaker with the third line, so a boost in assists could be on the horizon.
News: Raymond celebrated his return from a one-game absence due to a shoulder injury by scoring his 21th goal of the season.
Analysis: A 25-goal, 53-point scorer last year, Raymond has fallen off the pace this season, but his long-term outlook is still bright.
News: Raymond (shoulder) is expected to play Thursday against the Sharks, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: The Canucks sent Raymond's replacement, Victor Oreskovich, back down to Manitoba of the AHL on Wednesday, so it looks like the speedy winger will be making a return after missing Tuesday's tilt with a minor shoulder injury. Raymond should rejoin the Canucks' second line if he's able to play.
News: Raymond (shoulder) said he will not play Tuesday at Phoenix, The Province's Jason Botchford reports.
Analysis: Raymond said he's been battling shoulder issues all season, but fortunately this most recent injury isn't considered to be serious. He hopes to play Thursday against the Sharks.
News: Raymond (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's game against the Coyotes, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: Raymond's injury isn't considered too serious, but the Canucks will wait to make a final decision on his status until closer to game time. Jeff Tambellini is expected to take Raymond's place on the second line if he can't go.
News: Raymond hurt his shoulder during Sunday's win over Anaheim, but coach Alain Vigneault said he doesn't "think it's anything serious," the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Raymond only played 8:23 in the contest, so your decision to use him next week will have some uncertainty attached to it. The Canucks play Tuesday, so hopefully the team will release more news before weekly lineups are due.
News: Raymond collected two assists Saturday against Calgary, bringing him to 30 points (10G, 20A) on the season.
Analysis: Injuries and a steep drop in his shooting percentage will cause him to fall far short of last year's signal campaign. But you can't avoid racking up points at a decent clip when you wear a Canucks sweater.
News: Raymond picked up three assists against the Senators on Monday.
Analysis: Raymond hasn't been all that impressive this season (10 goals and 28 points in 43 games) but he's playing on a great team with a lot of help around him. In a deep league, he's definitely worth owning.
News: Raymond was dropped to the fourth line for Tuesday's tilt against the Avalanche, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: Canucks coach Alain Vigneault was happy with the way Raymond responded to the demotion, but fantasy owners probably aren't too thrilled about the zero-point effort or 12 minutes of ice time. Raymond will have a tough time repeating last year's 25-goal breakout if he sticks on the fourth line long term.
News: Raymond returned to the second line for Monday's win over the Sharks, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: There was some doubt that Canucks coach Alain Vigneault would want to tweak his lineup so quickly, but Raymond forced the coach's hand by scoring a goal in his return to the ice Sunday. Now that Raymond is back with Ryan Kesler on the second line, he's safe to deploy in all formats.
News: Raymond scored a goal in his return from a broken thumb Sunday night against the Avalanche.
Analysis: Raymond only saw nine minutes of ice time while skating with the fourth line, but he was able to tickle the twine in his return from a 10-game absence. His ice time may be limited in the short term, but we expect Raymond to eventually skate with one of the top three lines and see some time on the man advantage. Feel free to activate him.
News: Raymond (thumb) will return to the ice Sunday against the Avalanche, Dan Murphy of SportsNet.ca reports.
Analysis: Raymond is expected to begin the game skating on the fourth line. Canucks coach Alain Vigneault doesn't want to upset the chemistry on his top three lines, but it's unlikely Raymond will skate with the grinders for long. Feel free to activate the speedy winger.
News: Raymond (thumb) has been cleared to play on the team's upcoming road trip, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: Raymond, who has taken part in practice the last two days, will likely take the ice sometime this weekend for the first time since December 8. Raymond scored 18 points in 25 games before the injury, so his return should provide a further boost to an already hot Vancouver squad.
News: Raymond (thumb) took part in Tuesday's practice, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: Raymond expects to practice again Wednesday, but he is not sure if he will travel with the team on its upcoming three-game road trip that starts Friday. The team will likely have a better idea regarding Raymond's status following Wednesday's practice session.
News: Raymond (broken thumb) is expected to return to practice in the next two days, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: Raymond has been able to skate while sidelined with his broken thumb, so he should be able to make a quick return to game action after returning to full-contact practice. It would be a surprise to see Raymond back on the ice for Tuesday's tilt against the Flyers, but barring a setback, there's a good chance he'll be back in the lineup Friday against the Stars.
News: Raymond is close to returning from his broken thumb, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Raymond missed his eighth game in a row with the injury Sunday night against the Oilers.
News: Raymond (broken thumb) is still a week or two away from returning, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: Raymond has been able to stay in shape by skating, but he's still having trouble handling a stick. The one plus for owners is the injury hasn't kept Raymond off the ice, so he should be able to jump right back into the lineup once his thumb heals. Continue to consider him week-to-week.
News: The Canucks expect to get a clearer timetable for Raymond's (broken thumb) return in the next couple days, the Vancouver Sun reports.
Analysis: The Canucks are hoping to have more information on Raymond's return before Friday's Holiday Roster Freeze. Expect an update on Raymond's condition before the weekend.
News: Although the Canucks will continue to consider Raymond (broken thumb) as "week-to-week," the speedy winger is expected to miss at least three to four weeks, the Vancouver Sun reports.
Analysis: While this isn't exactly good news for owners, at least we now have some sort of timetable to work with. Look for players like Jeff Tambellini and Mikael Samuelsson to step up while Raymond is on the shelf.
News: Raymond has been diagnosed with a broken thumb, Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: Raymond is considered "week to week," so don't be surprised if he winds up on injured reserve for a while. Expect Jeff Tambellini to continue seeing increased ice time in Raymond's absence.
News: Raymond missed practice Friday and may have re-injured his hand, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: The exact nature of the injury is undisclosed, but Raymond should be considered questionable for Saturday's game. If he can't play, Mikael Samuelsson - who is ready to come back from a concussion - could take Raymond's spot on the second line.
News: Raymond (flu) returned to practice Monday, the Vancouver Sun reports.
Analysis: Raymond missed Sunday's loss to the Blues after coming down with the flu. His quick return indicates he'll be in the lineup Wednesday against the Ducks.
News: Raymond missed Sunday's game against the Blues with the flu, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Jannik Hansen moved up to Raymond's spot on the second line and tallied a goal in his spot.
News: Raymond is "highly doubtful" for Sunday's game due to an illness, reports the Canucks' official site.
Analysis: For all intents and purposes, consider him out. The report says defenseman Aaron Rome will dress as a forward on the fourth line in Raymond's stead.
News: Raymond notched his second career hat trick in Wednesday's 7-2 win over the host Flames. His first was scored at even strength, followed by a shorthanded tally and then tickled the twine on the power play. He also added an assist for good measure.
Analysis: Entering the game, Raymond was having a bad season with only four goals in 22 games, but now that the final whistle has blown, his seven goals in 23 games doesn't look so bad. It should be noted that both of Raymond's three-goal games came in Calgary, making that his favorite arena away from home - make sure to have him on your starting roster when the Flames host Vancouver in early March.
News: Raymond (hand) picked up a goal and an assist in Saturday's win over the Maple Leafs.
Analysis: The goal is Raymond's first since Oct. 26. Raymond has been nursing a hand injury the past couple weeks, so it's good to see him finally net a goal. The 25-year-old winger has 11 points (4 G, 7 A) in 16 games this season.
News: Raymond (hand) dished out an assist in Monday's 3-0 win over the Devils.
Analysis: Raymond has been nursing a hand injury for the past week, but it hasn't caused him to miss any game action. Keep on plugging the breakout candidate into your lineup.
News: Raymond (hand) resumed skating Sunday, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: Raymond sat out for five straight days, but he was able to at least do some work Sunday. Consider Raymond a game-time decision for Monday's game against the Devils.
News: Raymond (hand) sat out his third consecutive practice Thursday, the Canucks' official site reports.
Analysis: Raymond was able to play through the injury Tuesday, netting the game-winning goal in overtime against Colorado. The Canucks will continue to give him maintenance days to keep him fresh for the games, so unless he suffers a setback during play, Raymond shouldn't miss any game action.
News: Raymond, who was dealing with a minor hand injury prior to Tuesday's game, scored the game-winning overtime goal in a 4-3 victory over the Avalanche.
Analysis: That should quell any worries about Raymond's hand injury. The speedy winger has three goals and two assists through nine games while skating primarily on the second line.
News: Raymond missed practice Monday with a sore hand, but will play Tuesday against the Avalanche, TSN.ca reports.
Analysis: Raymond isn't off to that great of a start this season, with a modest four points in eight games. We're not worried about the hand injury, but with just one game on Vancouver's schedule for the entire week, you might want to look for a better option.
News: Raymond is expected to stick with Daniel and Henrik Sedin on the Canucks' top line for Tuesday's game against the Wild, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: Raymond lit the lamp twice and dished out a helper in his debut with the Sedins on Sunday, so he definitely earned another look on the top line. If he continues to succeed on the first line, there's even a chance Raymond could stick there after Alex Burrows (shoulder) returns next month. The 25-year-old winger is coming off a career-best 25 goals last season and could easily challenge that while skating with talented playmakers like the Sedins. Make sure he's in your lineup.
News: Raymond scored two goals and added an assist in the Canucks' thumping of Carolina on Sunday night.
Analysis: This was Raymond's first game on the first line with the Sedin twins. While he might not stay there all season long, he certainly earned another game in the coveted spot.
Promotion to Canucks' First Line Expected for Raymond
News: Raymond is expected to be bumped to the Canucks' top line alongside Daniel and Heneik Sedin on Sunday, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: With just seven goals through four games, Canucks coach Alain Vigneault is juggling his lines to try and spark some offense. Raymond isn't likely to skate with the Sedin twins all season, but this will give him at least a temporary boost in value. Get him in your lineups.
News: Raymond (hand) logged 16:47 minutes of ice time in Monday's 2-1 win over the Panthers.
Analysis: Raymond's status for Monday's game was in question after the speedy winger took a puck to his hand in the season opener. Not only was he able to assume his regular role on the second line, but Raymond led the Canucks in shots on goal for the second straight game. He's pointless through two outings, but Raymond continues to see plenty of scoring chances. Keep him in your lineup and the production will soon follow.
News: Raymond sat out Sunday's practice with a sore hand, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: Raymond took a shot to his hand in Saturday's season-opening loss to the Kings. Canucks coach Alain Vigneault expects the speedy winger to be back in the lineup for Monday's game against Florida, so hopefully he doesn't miss any game action.
News: Raymond led the Canucks with five shots on goal in Saturday's season-opening loss to the Kings.
Analysis: Raymond skated alongside Ryan Kesler and Raffi Torres on the second line and saw nearly four minutes worth of action on the power play. The 25-year-old winger is coming off a career-high 25 goals last season and is expected to be more involved in the Canucks' offensive this season. He's worth a look if you're in need of an early-season waiver-wire grab.
Canucks' Raymond Looking to Become Top-Six Fixture
News: Raymond is expected to open the season on the Canucks' second line, the Vancouver Province reports.
Analysis: The speedy winger is coming off a career-best 25-goal campaign. He's predicting 30-plus goals for himself as a follow-up, and given his expected role in the offensive attack, he should have plenty of opportunities to reach that mark. Given his status as a mid- to late-round selection, Raymond's upside should be enough to bump him up your cheatsheets a few spots.
News: The Vancouver Canucks have avoided arbitration with Mason Raymond by signing the forward to a two-year, $5.1 million contract. Raymond will receive $2.5 million next season and $2.6 million in 2011-12.
Analysis: Raymond, originally picked in the second round by the Canucks in 2005, has 45 goals and 97 points in 203 career NHL games. Raymond set career highs with 25 goals and 53 points last season. Unfortunately, he kind of tired out late in the season, totaling just five goals and 13 points in his last 28 games. That is what we have come to expect from Raymond -- a steady diet of inconsistency. Raymond will remain a late-round Fantasy pick in 2010-11.
News: Canucks LW Mason Raymond ended an 11-game goalless skid Tuesday when he scored his first March goal in Tuesday's loss to the Oilers.
Analysis: Raymond played some great hockey November-January, but his offensive numbers have taken a dive in the last couple of months since both Sedin brothers have been back healthy. Raymond is only worth using in deeper leagues for the time being.
News: Canucks LW Mason Raymond scored a goal during Sunday's game against the Wild. Raymond got Vancouver on the board 4:02 into the third period with his 22nd goal and first score in four games.
Analysis: Raymond has finally had his breakout campaign, coming in his third NHL season. Unfortunately, Raymond has done a lot of his scoring in spurts and when Daniel Sedin was banged up earlier in the season. The good news is that Raymond managed more than 10 or more points in a month from November through January, so he is a decent No. 4 or No. 5 Fantasy forward.
News: Canucks LW Mason Raymond scored his 21st goal of the season in Saturday's shootout win over the Bruins.
Analysis: After not showing a whole lot of offense in his first two NHL seasons, Raymond has proven to be a nice contributor in 2009-10 and is worth using in deeper leagues as a low-end starting Fantasy forward.
News: Canucks LW Mason Raymond played a part in all three goals Wednesday as Vancouver edged the Blues 3-2. Raymond scored twice and added an assist on Christian Ehrhoff's game winner.
Analysis: After an awful start to the season, Raymond has really picked up the pace since and is up to a career-high 39 points. Still, he remains more of a low-end starting option in Fantasy play.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Canucks LW Mason Raymond scored his first goal in 11 games with a confident move on Thursday against the Stars. Raymond, who had five assists during his 10-game goal drought and used his speed to draw the penalty that led to the winning overtime goal Wednesday in Edmonton, skated onto a loose puck inside the Dallas blue line and around defenseman Nicklas Grossman before lifting a backhand over Alex Auld's blocker.
Analysis: Perhaps Raymond will use his Thursday score to propel his offense, but don't be surprised if we see erratic scoring from him the rest of the season. We will give Raymond credit for being more of an offensive force in 2009-10 than in the past, but he remains a low-end Fantasy start.
News: Canucks LW Mason Raymond tallied an assist and finished at minus-1 on Wednesday against the Wild. Raymond has three assists in his last eight games but hasn't scored since netting a hat trick on Dec. 27.
Analysis: Raymond is one of the more frustrating players in Fantasy. Every time he seems to get on a roll, he cools off just as quick. Raymond appears to be one of those players to start with the good times and bench with the bad. This is definitely a bad run.
News:Mason Raymond made himself right at home in the Saddledome. From nearby Cochrane, Raymond scored three times in a 14:15 span for a natural hat trick in the Vancouver Canucks' 5-1 victory over the Calgary Flames on Sunday. "It's always fun to do it in front of friends and family," Raymond said. "I grew up watching Calgary so you always remember coming to this rink and doing things here, so that's exciting. This one will be one I'll remember for sure." Raymond scored twice in a 34-second span late in the first period to give Calgary a 4-1 lead, and completed his first career hat trick on a power play at 12:31 of the second. The 24-year-old left winger has a career-high 17 goals this season.
Analysis: Raymond has eight goals and four assists in his last nine games. Raymond was a little lost after he got bumped from the top line to the second line after Daniel Sedin returned in late November. But Raymond has found his groove alongside Ryan Kesler and appears as though he will be a scoring threat for the long run. Still, Raymond remains more of a low-end Fantasy start because he has gone hot and cold plenty in his young career.
News:Mason Raymond tied it late in the second period and put Vancouver ahead with 6:04 left in the third, and the Canucks beat the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Friday. Raymond, who tied the game on a 2-on-1 rush with 2:21 left in the second, put the Canucks ahead while Capitals defenseman Tom Poti was serving a double-minor -- first for cross-checking and then unsportsmanlike conduct for complaining. Jose Theodore stopped Christian Ehrhoff's point shot and Ryan Kesler's rebound attempt, but was down as Raymond scooped up the rebound and patiently lifted the puck over the goalie for his fifth goal in the last five games.
Analysis: As soon as Raymond cooled off, he is once again starting to heat up for Vancouver. He is beginning to settle into his role on the second line alongside Kesler. Raymond already has a career-high 14 goals and can be an effective scorer for Vancouver. However, he remains more of a low-end Fantasy option.
News:Ryan Kesler opened the scoring 64 seconds in and set up Mason Raymond's insurance goal with 5:12 left, leading the Vancouver Canucks to a 3-1 victory against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night. Kesler swept in a rebound early and made a nice pass to send Raymond in alone off the left wing late. Raymond, who also had an assist, cut hard into and across the crease before tucking a backhand between Jonathan Quick's legs.
Analysis: Raymond has a goal in three straight games and five points total in that span. He is starting to heat up again after going into a bit of an offensive lull as soon as Daniel Sedin returned from a foot injury. While Raymond is having a nice run, his hot streak is bound to end. He remains just a low-end Fantasy start.
News: Canucks LW Mason Raymond scored a goal and finished at plus-1 on Thursday against the Thrashers. Raymond put Vancouver up 4-1 with his 10th goal on a tip-in 4:51 into the second. It was his first goal and point in six games.
Analysis: Raymond had a pretty good run in November with Daniel Sedin on injured reserve with a foot injury. However, since Sedin has returned, Raymond is no longer on the top line, has lost power-play minutes and scoring chances. Raymond is back to being a tough Fantasy start.
News: Canucks LW Mason Raymond scored a goal, tallied two assists and finished even during Saturday's game against the Oilers. Jeff Deslauriers didn't help his cause by taking a roughing penalty after Alexandre Burrows' goal in the first period for punching Tanner Glass with his glove. Raymond scored on the ensuing power play, his ninth goal of the season.
Analysis: Raymond has 13 points (five goals) in 11 November games. Even with the return of Daniel Sedin, the Canucks are finding ways to get Raymond involved on offense. Vancouver is just hoping he avoids a second-half slide like last season. Raymond remains a low-end Fantasy start, but could continue to climb the rankings.
News: Canucks LW Mason Raymond totaled three assists and finished at plus-2 during Saturday's game against the Avalanche. He has five goals and five assists in his last eight games.
Analysis: Raymond has been red hot for the Canucks the last few weeks and has increased his point total to 13 in 21 games. Vancouver is really hoping the third-year forward can sustain instead of fizzling out like he did in 2008-09. Consider Raymond a low-end Fantasy forward, but definitely a player to keep tabs on.
News: Canucks LW Mason Raymond scored for the third time in his last four games Thursday as Vancouver defeated the Wild.
Analysis: Raymond is off to a great start this season with six goals. Maybe he's in for a breakout season, so grab him deeper formats now.
News: Canucks LW Mason Raymond scored twice Saturday in a win over the Maple Leafs. He now has three tallies on the season.
Analysis: Raymond had gone five games without a point before Saturday's performance, so he hasn't exactly been on a roll lately. Continue to leave this second-line forward for just deeper leagues.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Canucks LW Mason Raymond remained on the second line Tuesday against the Flames with Mats Sundin and Ryan Kesler as $4-million-a-season veteran Pavol Demitra dropped down to the third line to take Taylor Pyatt's place after the big winger left the team overnight Thursday following news his fiancee, Carly Bragnalo, was killed in a car accident while vacationing with family and friends in Jamaica. The speedy Raymond killed penalties and scored his 11th goal in Edmonton Saturday but hasn't done much in the two games since.
Analysis: There was a point early in the season where Raymond was one of the Canucks' most efficient scorers and was starting to pick up steam in Fantasy leagues. That ended when he had no points in 10 January games and was finding himself in the press box. He has been hit hard by the recent surge of Kesler and Alexandre Burrows, whom started the season as checking-line forwards. Raymond has just four points in his last 32 games and has little Fantasy appeal at this time.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Canucks LW Mason Raymond stayed in the lineup Sunday against Chicago after being a healthy scratch for consecutive games before returning Friday at Colorado, and even earned a promotion from the fourth to the third line. That left Jannik Hansen in the press box as tough guy Darcy Hordichuk drew back in from a one-game absence after Chicago got their tough guy, Ben Eager, back from a suspension.
Analysis: There was a point early in the season where Raymond was one of the Canucks' most efficient scorers and was starting to pick up steam in Fantasy leagues. That ended when he had no points in 10 January games and was finding himself in the press box. He has been hit hard by the recent surge of Ryan Kesler and Alexandre Burrows, who started the season as checking-line forwards. Raymond has just three points in his last 29 games and has little Fantasy appeal at this time.
News: One of the biggest fish on the trade market wasn't moved Wednesday. The 3 p.m. trade deadline passed and defenseman Jay Bouwmeester is still donning a Panthers' uniform. Earlier reports had the Panthers and Canucks close to a deal that would send Bouwmeester to the Canucks for Mason Raymond and a first-round pick, but Florida wanted Kevin Bieksa to seal the deal and that appeared to be a deal breaker. "I don't think I should say the number, but there were legitimate offers," Panthers general manager Jacques Martin said. "They were offers that didn't fulfill our needs. I wanted two players in return, a defenseman who could play in our top four. Some teams thought their defense could play in our top four. Obviously, I didn't."
Analysis: Raymond likely could have benefited from a trade to Florida since he has been on the outside of the forward rotation recently in Vancouver. He started the season well with four goals and four assists in 11 October games, but has no points in his last 18 outings. For now, Raymond is a low-end Fantasy reserve.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Canucks RW Mason Raymond was the latest to go from a top-six forward spot to the fourth line to the press box, sitting out Sunday's game against Columbus after his pointless streak hit 10 games against Phoenix on Thursday. So why haven't the Canucks tried sending the slumping 23-year-old speedster down to the AHL to give him a chance to restore some of the offensive confidence displayed while scoring five goals and adding five assists through the first 13 games? Simply put, the second-year forward, who was selected to play in the YoungStars Game at the All-Star Game weekend, has played 95 NHL games and now requires waivers to be demoted to the minor leagues of anything other than a conditioning assignment. "Without a doubt he wouldn't clear waivers," said head coach Alain Vigneault. "That's just not an option anymore."
Analysis: Raymond got off to a stellar start this season and it looked as though the second-year forward was ready to take his career to the next level. Then, the dreaded sophomore slump happened and it has swallowed him like quick sand. Hopefully the benching will be a wake-up call to the 23-year-old forward. For now, Raymond is a low-end Fantasy reserve.
News:The Sports Xchange reports that Canucks RW Mason Raymond's lack of chemistry with newcomer C Mats Sundin finally cost him a spot among the top six forwards Thursday. The speedy second-year forward hasn't scored in nine games, including the first four of Sundin's Canucks career, and is pointless in seven games, landing him in a misplaced role on the fourth line against Phoenix.
Analysis: Raymond got off to a great start this season, but has since been awful. He remains just a low-end Fantasy flier in deeper leagues.
News: Canucks LW Mason Raymond scored and assisted in Monday's win over the Ducks.
Analysis: Raymond got off to a great start this season, but has since been awful. He remains just a low-end Fantasy flier in deeper leagues.
News: RW Mason Raymond moved up to center the second line in Minnesota Friday, with normal C Kyle Wellwood sliding over to the right wing alongside Taylor Pyatt. Raymond, who was showing signs of coming on with three points in five games after an eight game drought, responded by setting Pyatt alone twice in tight and adding three shots of his own. Wellwood, who has 11 goals, had his three-game goal streak snapped.
Analysis: Raymond continues to move from line to line, but he has been a top-six forward for the most part. He has had flashes, but nothing consistent yet. He's a flier in deeper leagues.
News: Canucks LW Mason Raymond scored a goal during Thursday's 6-5 loss to the Red Wings. Raymond put in a carom off the back boards for his seventh goal at 4:13 in the second period. It was his second goal in four games.
Analysis: Raymond has bounced all over the place for Vancouver this season, but he has primarily been a top-six forward. He has had some good offensive moments, but hasn't really sustained for the long haul. Raymond still remains more of a low-end Fantasy forward.
News: Canucks LW Mason Raymond ended a nine-game goalless slide Thursday when he lit the lamp in a 4-3 loss to the Flames.
Analysis: Raymond was on the top line for a while in Calgary, but now he's back on the lower lines and should be ignored in all Fantasy formats.
News:The Sports Xchange reports that Canucks RW Mason Raymond's stock is fading as fast as his point totals. After 10 points in 10 games, Raymond is pointless in his last five contests. He spent most of the third period against Toronto on Saturday on the bench and started Monday's 2-1 shootout loss to the New York Islanders on the fourth line after struggling to fit in with Daniel and Henrik Sedin on the top unit. Raymond did work to the second line Monday, but didn't help his cause with a sloppy giveaway while manning the point on the power play. It led to him taking a penalty that led to the Islanders' only goal. D Lawrence Nycholat replaced him at the point on the final power play.
Analysis: Raymond looked like a top-six forward for a while, but now it looks like he might be worth benching for the time being in all formats.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Canucks RW Mason Raymond was back on the top line with C Henrik Sedin and LW Daniel Sedin Saturday against Minnesota, and while his pointless streak hit two games following a stretch of 10 points in 10 games, it wasn't for lack of chances. He was robbed by an amazing Ilya Bryzgalov glove save Thursday, and Minnesota's Nicklas Backstrom denied his point-blank one-time shot on Saturday.
Analysis: Raymond also remained on the second power-play unit Saturday. Raymond has emerged as a top-six forward this season for Vancouver and the team hopes to keep him there. If he can remain on a line with the Sedin twins, only good things might happen. For now, Raymond remains a low-end Fantasy forward.
News: The Province reports that Canucks LW Michel Ouellet, who was only called up from the AHL on Tuesday, will play on the top line in Vancouver with the Sedin twins on Thursday night against Phoenix. He replaces Mason Raymond.
Analysis: First it was Steve Bernier. Then it was Raymond. Now Ouellet, who was acquired via a trade with the Lightning back in early October will get thrown onto the top line in Vancouver. Maybe they'll get third time lucky, who knows. Ouellet has 116 points in three NHL seasons, so he has proved he be a semi-decent offensive contributor in the league, but he's hardly top-line talent. The experiment might work though, who knows? For now, Ouellet remains only a low-end Fantasy forward, but he might be worth keeping an eye on over the next few games. Raymond's value takes a hit with this news, so only rely on him in the deepest of leagues as a reserve forward.
News: Canucks LW Mason Raymond scored his fifth goal of the season in a win over the Predators on Tuesday night. He now has 10 points in 13 games this season after scoring 21 points in 49 games last season.
Analysis: Raymond is playing on the top line with the Sedin brothers at the moment, and any player will benefit from a situation like that. Raymond remains a low-end Fantasy option for now, but is gaining more and more Fantasy value each game.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Canucks RW Mason Raymond is showing signs of fitting in with Daniel and Henrik Sedin after three games on the top line, and continues to produce on the second power play unit. His assist -- seconds after a power play expired Sunday against Detroit -- gives the second-year forward nine points in his last nine games.
Analysis: The is the kind of success Vancouver has wanted from Mason, who was a second-round pick by the Canucks in 2005. He has had success in the minors and now the Canucks hope he can find a home in the NHL. Raymond is a low-end Fantasy option, but is gaining more and more Fantasy value each game.
News: The Province reports that Canucks LW Mason Raymond will replace Steve Bernier on the top line in Vancouver, starting with Thursday at the Kings.
Analysis: Mason was a second-round pick by the Canucks in 2005 who put up 21 points in 49 games last season. He has three goals and three assists already in nine games this campaign. He remains a low-end Fantasy forward for the time being, but keep a close eye on his stats over the next couple of weeks. Bernier's value takes a slight hit with this move, but he never put up huge numbers anyway and remains only worth using as a starter in deeper leagues.
News: Canucks LW Mason Raymond scored a pair of goals during Saturday's 6-3 win against the Oilers. Raymond, a second-year forward playing the point, scored the first of his two power-play goals 3:25 into the game on a 3-on-2 power-play rush early, and added his second on a point shot through traffic 7:39 into the second period. He now has three goals and three assists during a five-game points streak.
Analysis: Raymond has been performing well on the Canucks' second line and has earned a bit more of power-play time as well with his recent surge. This is the kind of scoring potential the Canucks always saw in Raymond and they will give him plenty of chances as long as he remains steady. For now, Raymond is a low-end Fantasy option, but definitely a player to watch.
News: Canucks LW Mason Raymond scored his first goal of the season during Thursday's 4-3 overtime win against the Red Wings. Raymond tied the score at 3 at 2:23 of the third period when put in a rebound.
Analysis: Raymond has been situated on the team's second line with Pavol Demitra and Taylor Pyatt, but has just the one point. Coach Alain Vigneault has been disappointed with his second line and has thought about breaking it up. The Canucks believe Raymond has good long-term potential, but until he starts posting consistent points, he has little to no Fantasy value.
News: Vancouver Canucks 22-year old rookie forward Mason Raymond could be out for the remainder of the regular season with an MCL sprain, TSN reports. Raymond collided knees with Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Keith Ballard in the third period of the Canucks' 3-1 victory on Monday.
Analysis: Raymond will likely be sidelined for at least four weeks. Raymond, who has nine goals and 12 assists in 49 games this season, is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy flier when up with the team from the minors.
News: Rookie LW Mason Raymond left Monday's game against the Coyotes in the third period after a knee-on-knee hit from Keith Ballard. The extent of the injury is not know at this time.
Analysis: Raymond, who has nine goals and 12 assists this season, is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy flier when up with the team from the minors.
News:Mason Raymond scored two goals, including one in a shootout, and assisted on another to help the Vancouver Canucks beat the Nashville Predators 3-2 Thursday night. Raymond, the first shooter for the Canucks, scored on a backhand shot over Predators goaltender Chris Mason, who was laying down on the ice. The Canucks got on the board first. Raymond skated, undefended, across the goal mouth beat Chris Mason from the right side with 52 seconds left in the first period.
Analysis: It was the second overtime game in a row for the Canucks. It was the third overtime game in the last four for the Predators and their fourth game in a row to be decided by one goal. Raymond, who has six goals and 12 assists, is a low-end winger in Fantasy formats.
News: The Vancouver Canucks recalled forward Mason Raymond from the Manitoba Moose of the AHL and re-asssigned forwards Mike Brown and Rick Rypien to the Moose, according to the NHL.com.
Analysis: Raymond has played 23 games with the Canucks this season recording three goals, seven assists for 10 points. Raymond scored his first career NHL goal on Dec. 12 at Anaheim and recorded his first assist as he made his NHL debut on Oct. 5 versus San Jose. He is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy flier when in the pros.
News:The Sports Xchange reports rookie LW Mason Raymond's stint on the Canucks' top line was shortlived as he was sent to Manitoba of the American Hockey League on Saturday.
Analysis: Raymond had spent three games patrolling the wing alongside Daniel and Henrik Sedin, contributing one assist. Raymond has three goals and seven assists in 23 games for the Canucks this season. He is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy flier when in the pros.
News:The Sports Xchange reports RW Mason Raymond moved up to the Canucks' top line Tuesday against the Islanders alongside Henrik and Daniel Sedin, replacing Markus Naslund. Raymond has nine points in 12 games since being recalled from the AHL after the rookie only recorded one assist in his first nine NHL games. Naslund moved down to the second line with Taylor Pyatt and Jason Jaffray.
Analysis: The rookie forward is doing plenty right now to stay with the big boys, and the fact he is skating on the top line says a lot about his potential. He remains a low-end Fantasy flier at this time, but is quickly gaining steam. He is also worth a look in long-term keeper leagues.
News:The Sports Xchange reports RW Mason Raymond has seven points in nine games since being recalled from the AHL after the rookie only recorded one assist in his first nine NHL games.
Analysis: Raymond is seeing plenty of playing time in place of the injured Brendan Morrison and there is a chance he remains in the NHL since Morrison is not expected back before the playoffs. If he keeps producing as he is, he will also become a reliable Fantasy option. For now, he remains a low-end Fantasy flier.
News: With C Brendan Morrison out up to 12 weeks after wrist surgery, the Canucks need production from a new second line that is essentially made up of minor-league recalls. They got it in Thursday's 3-2 win over Dallas, with rookie RW Mason Raymond's opening goal -- a combination of great speed and individual effort with some sloppy goaltending by Marty Turco.
Analysis: Raymond's Fantasy value has taken an upturn, but he's still just someone to consider in larger leagues for now.
News: LW Mason Raymond and C Jason Jaffray made the most of their call-up from the AHL after the Canucks lost C Brendan Morrison (wrist surgery) and RW Brad Isbister (hamstring) were both injured. Playing on a second line with Taylor Pyatt, Raymond and Jaffray, who played more than 350 games in the minors, took turns setting up each other's first NHL goals in a 3-2 win over Anaheim on Wednesday night.
Analysis: "That far exceeds my expectations, to get regular shifts with Taylor Pyatt and Mason Raymond and also get a chance to play on the power play," Jaffray, 26, said after his first NHL game. "It couldn't have happened any better for me, to get a goal and an assist. It seemed like all the waiting was definitely worth it." Neither Raymond or Jaffray are worth looking at outside of larger leagues.
News:The Sports Xchange notes: RW Mason Raymond ran out of time to prove himself as a legitimate top-6 forward option. With just one assist in nine games despite playing three of them on the second line and another two with Daniel and Henrik Sedin on the top line, the 22-year-old rookie was sent back down to Manitoba of the AHL. Raymond was minus-2 with just 11 shots on goal despite averaging 11:36 of ice time, and was benched for the entire third period of Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. "He's a young man with a tremendous amount of potential," coach Alain Vigneault said of the second-round pick. "We have to make sure we develop it the right way. He wasn't quite ready for this step right now."
Analysis: RW Jannick Hansen, who actually earned a job in training camp before breaking his thumb in the preseason, was called up to replace Raymond, and started his first game back with the Sedin twins. But by the end Vigneault was playing Yahtzee with his lines again, even breaking up the twins -- a rarity in their careers. If Hansen gets more PT with the twins, he could have nice Fantasy value, otherwise, he's just a reserve Fantasy forward. Raymond is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy reserve when active in the pros.
News:The Sports Xchange reports Canucks LW Mason Raymond started the season on the top line with Daniel and Henrik Sedin after the speedy rookie had a strong training camp and preseason. He lasted only one period, however, finishing on the third line before being relegated to the press box off and on. Back in the lineup on a struggling second line the last three games, Mason was back with the Sedins to start Friday's game in Washington and spent most of the game, but not power plays, with the twins and did not record a shot.
Analysis: The 22-year-old has been told that if he is to stay among the top-six forwards, he will have to earn it, but with one assist in eight games, he may be running out of chances. Raymond will likely bounce back and forth between the AHL and NHL this season. He is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy reserve when active in the pros. He might be a serviceable stopgap Fantasy option at times.
News:The Sports Xchange notes: LW Mason Raymond has been told if he wants to stay among the top six forwards, the speedy rookie will have to earn it. With a second straight pointless game, he needs start producing.
Analysis: Raymond will likely bounce back and forth between the AHL and NHL this season. He is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy reserve when active in the pros. He might be a serviceable stopgap Fantasy option at times.
News: Vancouver rookie LW Mason Raymond was in the lineup Friday against the Kings after being sent down to Manitoba of the AHL for one game Wednesday. He did not record a point and finished with an even rating.
Analysis: Raymond will likely bounce back and forth between the AHL and NHL this season. He is nothing more than a low-end Fantasy reserve when active in the pros. He might be a serviceable stopgap Fantasy option at times.
News: Mason Raymond, who has been in and out of the Vancouver lineup during the early going, has been assigned to Manitoba of the AHL on Wednesday.
Analysis: Raymond will get a chance at regular player time with the Moose and will only be back if the Canucks have a slew of injuries. Drop him in all but the deepest of long-term keeper Fantasy leagues.
News: Mason Raymond was a healthy scratch again on Monday night against the Sharks. He has been a regular scratch after a brief stint on the top scoring line with Daniel and Henrik Sedin in the team's regular season opener.
Analysis: Raymond might be better served being assigned to Manitoba of the AHL rather than sticking around and spending time in the press box. His Fantasy value remains limited to the deepest of leagues when he actually plays. Right now, that's few and far between.
News: Forwards Mason Raymond and Trevor Linden were both back in the lineup against Philadelphia on Wednesday after being healthy scratches in Calgary on Saturday night. Byron Ritchie and Brad Isbister were both back in the press box as coach Alain Vigneault continues to use the presence of two extra forwards on the roster as a competitive whip to encourage strong performances on a nightly basis.
Analysis: Vigneault had Raymond on the top scoring line, but he was scratched from the second game. Raymond's situation is too uncertain, as he might be playing in a prominent role one night, in the press box the next and on the checking line in another. Avoid him in all but the deepest of Fantasy leagues.
News: The Vancouver Sun reports Mason Raymond was practicing with the team's third line along with Matt Cooke and Ryan Kesler, although he was competing with Brad Isbister for time on the line.
Analysis: Head coach Alain Vigneault had Raymond on the top scoring line, but he was scratched from the second game. Raymond's situation is too uncertain, as he might be playing in a prominent role one night, in the press box the next and on the checking line in another. Avoid him in all but the deepest of Fantasy leagues.
News: Vancouver opted to make two lineup changes on Saturday at Calgary, inserting LW Jeff Cowan and RW Brad Isbister in place of veteran C Trevor Linden and rookie LW Mason Raymond.
Analysis: Raymond picked up an assist and plus-1 rating in 9:37 of ice time in Friday's opener against San Jose, but apparently coach Alain Vigneault is not ready to give him a spot 100 percent of the time.
News: Mason Raymond has not only made the Vancouver roster out of training camp, but he is penciled in to skate on the team's top scoring line with the Sedin Twins, Daniel and Henrik. "Raymond was very good in prospect camp and one of the top players there," coach Alain Vigneault told the Vancouver Sun. "As main camp progressed, he had some good moments and some that were challenging but he's done more good things and that's why he's here and that's why he's going to start with the twins on Friday."
Analysis: Raymond posted two goals, three points and a plus-2 rating in six preseason games. The rookie should be a hot commodity off of the waiver wire in all Fantasy leagues, as he has the chance to produce huge numbers if he sticks with the twins.
