Canucks defenceman Erik Gudrbranso is a hard nosed defenceman, and during Tuesday night’s game against the Ducks, that hard nose of his was put to the test when cameras caught him inhaling a packet of smelling salts. Gudbranson was spotted on the bench calling for the crushed ammonia capsules in a very unusual manner that required the help from one of his teammates.
The 25-year-old Ottawa product – without making eye contact or calling for them – literally stuck his nose out in the air, which apparently is code for “grab the smelling salts and stick them right under my nose RIGHT NOW!"
Now that’s one of the best gifs you’ll ever come across.
The stay-at-home defenceman will become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he isn’t signed to an extension by the team. Gudbranson’s name has been talked about at length amongst Vancouver fans as a player to be dealt around the trade deadline, as he’ll likely command a long-term contract from a Canucks club that might be betting off trading him for younger assets considering where the team is at.
Although the Canucks won’t yield the return that the Panthers got when they traded Gudbranson to Vancouver for Jared McCann, and a 2nd and 4th round draft pick, the team should get a decent piece that should help their rebuild.
Come playoff time, when the defence tighten ups and the physicality ramps up, Gudbranson would be a useful addition to a contending team looking to add some depth to their blue line.
Smelling salts, by the way, are used to give a little jolt of alterness and help players get into game mode. They were first used during the Victorian days as a way to combat fainting, and have become prevalent in several sports, including boxing, where dazed combatants use them to help regain their senses.
(h/t Wyatt Arndt)
