by Derek Roy isn’t big in stature, but the Vancouver Canucks are counting on him to fill a gaping hole at center.
Struggling to score with just two proven NHL centers on the roster, the Canucks acquired the 5-foot-8 Roy from the Dallas Stars on Tuesday in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft and defense prospect Kevin Connauton.
Roy, who said he is finally healthy after an early-season groin injury, is ready to fill that gap on a Canucks team that has scored more than two goals just four times in the last 16 games -- and one of those included two empty-net goals -- even if he wasn’t yet sure where or how much he will play.
Roy spent his first eight seasons with the Buffalo Sabres before being traded to Dallas last summer, and admitted he doesn’t know much about the Canucks or Vancouver. He hadn’t talked to coaches about how he fits in, but after being unable to agree to a contract extension with the Stars he sounded eager to join a playoff-bound team.
Struggling to score with just two proven NHL centers on the roster, the Canucks acquired the 5-foot-8 Roy from the Dallas Stars on Tuesday in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft and defense prospect Kevin Connauton.
Roy, who said he is finally healthy after an early-season groin injury, is ready to fill that gap on a Canucks team that has scored more than two goals just four times in the last 16 games -- and one of those included two empty-net goals -- even if he wasn’t yet sure where or how much he will play.
Roy spent his first eight seasons with the Buffalo Sabres before being traded to Dallas last summer, and admitted he doesn’t know much about the Canucks or Vancouver. He hadn’t talked to coaches about how he fits in, but after being unable to agree to a contract extension with the Stars he sounded eager to join a playoff-bound team.
