Who is Fabian Brunnstrom?

Vancouver fans may come to know this name in the near future. He's now being hyped as a potential Saviour to the stagnant Canuck offense. Hmmm... another Swede eh? Seems to be the only region we know how to draft from.

The Canucks are reportedly close to signing the 23-year-old unrestricted free agent winger to a multi-year contract.

The undrafted Brunnstrom had 37 points [9-28] this season with Farjestads BK Karlstad of the Swedish Elite League and the promise of top-six ice time - plus an opportunity to perhaps play alongside countrymen Henrik and Daniel Sedin - helped woo the winger to the West Coast.

Nobody really knows who he is. I did a little bit of digging and this is what I was able to find.

Elite Prospects had the following:

An offensively gifted forward with a decent scoring touch. Brunnström is a speedy skater with soft hands and good technical skills. Combines speed and stickhandling in an impressive way. Hockey sense is pretty good and he is also strong physically with a good attitude.

The Hockey News ran an article on him. Fabian Brunnstrom, the next Daniel Alfredsson?

Brunnstrom, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound forward, is a classic late bloomer. Last season he was playing First Division in Sweden, which is two steps under the Elite League and was a star at that level, which prompted Farjestad to sign him this season. He skates very well and his three goals and 13 points in 21 games are probably not a clear indication of how good he is offensively.

One scout said it's doubtful Brunnstrom could step in and play on an NHL team's top two lines right now, but he is seen as a good prospect with a lot of upside. And remember, there are a number of hockey executives who still wake up in a cold sweat over not paying more attention to Alfredsson, who was drafted 133rd overall by the Ottawa Senators as a 21-year-old in 1994.

"He's coming pretty much from nowhere," said Farjestad GM Hakan Loob. "Mentally, he has grown strong in the past year, but he has the potential to become mentally stronger. He looks like he has been in the Elite League for a couple of years the way he moves the puck and skates and everything like that."

Oooooohhh... a Hakan Loob quote. Here's a piece of Hockey trivia for you... Loob was the last Swedish player to score 50 goals in the NHL.

So word is he wants to play on as a top-six forward and only on a select few teams. Seems like we have the spot available at top-six and well with half the team being Swedish it might be a good fit. If he's got skill he could play with the Sedin's or maybe even start another scoring line with Mason Raymond and somebody who can play between the two of them.

Well time will tell if this is a diamond in the rough or a flop. At least Nonis is trying. Maybe we'll change the cheer from GO-CANUCKS-GO to LETS GO SWEDEN! Maybe we can get Mats too...

Comeback Win Gives Flames the Series Lead

What a game! The Flames looked down and out in the early in the first period with a 3-0 deficit and Kipper pulled. Just so happens that Cujo gets thrown into the fire and backstops the Flames to a 4 unanswered goal comeback win. That's playoff hockey for ya.

The turning point must have been Sarich's hit on Marleau as he smoked him into the boards. It's too early to find the hit on youtube but it was one of the hardest clean checks I've ever seen.
I'm extremely entertained. So I can't really ask for more...

This now gives the Flames a 2-1 series lead and home ice advantage. They've played well at home this entire season and just need to outwork, outhustle and outhit the Sharks and they could upset the team everyone seemed to be picking as this year's Stanley Cup winner. I like upsets.

UPDATE:

here's the hit everyone's talking about:

Ironhead Clothing

Thought this was a good chance to plug a great Canadian clothing company. I was meaning to buy a new hoodie and I usually get out to this great store called Ironhead once a year. They make great limited run clothing with edgy designs around boxing and hockey. They've only got one retail store and they're located at 1952 West 4th Ave. in Vancouver. They've got super friendly staff and great designs if you're looking for something unique.

Everything is limited print, which makes all your clothing unique. They also make wicked jersey's as well. The only advertising they do is word of mouth and are worn by mostly hockey and boxing athletes. It's a great story and a great company, so if you're looking for a neat gift for someone go check it out...