Beginner's Luck?

Since he has entered the NHL, David Booth has not made the playoffs with the Florida Panthers. Could his first year with a playoff contending team be a long run?

David Booth, 26 years old, still has lots of hockey left in him and now that he is with a contending team, it is only a matter of time before we see him in his 2008-2009 state (where he had 60 points in 72 games).

In practice, he has been skating on the second line with fellow Americans, Ryan Kesler, and Chris Higgins and by having Booth on the wing, it will be a perfect with for Kesler and Higgins, seeing as he has played with both of them at some point of his career (Higgins in Florida, and Kesler in the World Juniors).

One thing that Booth has is the ability to both pass and shoot the puck. He also brings more youth (compared to Samuelsson) to the Canucks, but at the same time, more experience (than Hodgson).

With both of those things in check, the Canucks' second line looks a lot better than it did the beginning of the season (granted Kesler was out in the beginning, but still, you get the idea). You would also think that there would be some patriotic pride on the second line - the three Americans proving that they are dominant.

While the season is still new and Booth hasn't played his first game as a Canuck (he will tonight against Edmonton), one can only see him being an asset for a deep playoff run with the Canucks.

He is from a blue-collar city (Detroit), and knows that hard work pays off. Hopefully his hard work and determination pays off this year and can help the Canucks get back into the Stanley Cup finals, and get them back that one win they needed.

-Brian Raiger

*David Booth will be wearing #7 for the Vancouver Canucks this year*