There's also a different feel in the dressing room and that kind of camaraderie can carry a team that might not match up as well on paper.

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"It's been unbelievable," adds Salo. "You could see it right from the first day of training camp of what kind of mentality everybody had. There was a clear message from management to be ready to play a high-tempo game."

Gillis has used 10-game segments to critique his club and after they passed the 20-game mark, he was encouraged. But not content.

"I didn't really look at what the record was, it was more how the team was playing," he says. "We're trying to keep it up-tempo, have puck control, play physical and meet challenges. And I've been really pleased about that."

Again, the only real hiccup was that blowout loss at Washington in October. That speaks of staying relatively healthy, staying within a team structure on most nights and staying true to the master plan.

Putting a competitive team on ice while trying to also stock the prospect cupboard isn't easy. Gillis could have added a veteran -- like free agent Mark Parrish, 31, who signed with Dallas for $500,000 US after being bought out by Minnesota -- but has stayed with his pledge.

Gillis promised to play the kids, make wise and affordable trades -- hello, Shane O'Brien -- and give Kyle Wellwood, Ryan Johnson and Darcy Hordichuk new leases on NHL life.

"We were losing Trevor Linden, Markus Naslund and Brendan Morrison and in addition to there being an opportunity for young guys to step up and fill leadership roles, we also wanted to ensure we brought in guys who had the best character," stresses Gillis.

These Canucks have also piqued the curiosity of conference heavyweights.

Veteran Red Wings centre Kris Draper has marvelled at the club's shutdown line of Alex Burrows, Kesler and Jannik Hansen.

They've not only outplayed top opposition lines, they have contributed offensively and remain a staple even when Vigneault resorts to line dancing.

"That Kesler line has been playing great," says Draper. "When you believe in yourselves and you're a confident group, you can compete with the best in the league and that's what they're doing."

bkuzma@theprovince.com