The Vancouver Sun details how with Ryan Kesler sidelined by injury, the Canucks coaching staff has had to deploy Jannik Hansen in more situations; most recently on the first-unit power play with the Sedin twins. He's still an integral member of the penalty kill and used in a shutdown role. His ice time is up more than two minutes a game from last season when he averaged 14:53.
He's been one of the most consistent Canucks in a most inconsistent season.
"It's nice to get the opportunity to be in those situations," said Hansen, who turned 27 last Friday. "I've had an opportunity in the past to play in key defensive situations late in games but, offensively, it's a little different for me this year. It's not as much grinding and checking.
"It's nice to play a different role and expand your hockey maybe a little bit from what you've been used to," he continued. "Sometimes I would get the last 5-10 seconds on the power play with the third group. Now, getting a chance to play with the twins, you know you're getting a lot of quality time and a chance to see if it's something you can take on and run with."
Heading into Thursday's game with Phoenix, Hansen sits third in team scoring with 17 points and is tied for second in goals with eight.
Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault offered this: "I've had Jannik for the seven years I've been here and every year he's gotten a little bit better and a little bit more efficient on the ice. He's always been a very hard worker, very committed, smart, and that's why he can kill penalties and play a solid 5-on-5 game. Now, because he's a good net presence, we can use him on the power play a little bit. He's obviously coming into his own as far as his overall game."
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