CANUCK TIDBITS

BURNABY/CKNW(AM980) - Ryan Kesler appears ready to strap on the skates and end his threat of a holdout with the Vancouver Canucks. The restricted free agent plans to skate informally with the veterans today at Burnaby's 8-Rinks. Kesler arrives amid some tough talk from G-M Dave Nonis, who declared he's through negotiating.

It's about time. I can't believe Kesler thought he had any ammo to fight with.

Defenceman Sami Salo is assuring Vancouver hockey fans that his booming slapshot is back. The Canucks blueliner has spent months rehabilitating his partially-torn right pectoral muscle. Salo acknowledges the emotional and physical turmoil resulting from the injury but says he thinks the shot is now as hard as ever. His club-leading slapper was clocked last year at more than 100 miles per hour.

I wanna see him play a whole year, wishful thinking I know. I don't wanna see Sven Butenschon ever again.