Anthony Lang, the CanucksFanz.com exclusive Minnesota Gophers insider, weighs in on Vancouver Canucks draft pick Patrick White's season thus far. Unfortunately, however, it may be an update Canucks fans would rather not hear.

By Anthony Lang

Coming into the year there were high expecations for Patrick White. With the losses of Blake Wheeler and Ben Gordon as two top line forwards, there were plenty of opputunties for White to grab a top line spot.
 
In the season's first exhibition game, White netted his first goal. In the opening weekend series against St Cloud St., White's play stood out to many Gopher fans. He was two steps quicker from last year. Where he was a step behind a player, or getting caught with a lead last season, he was now closing the gap and pulling away. In the opening series, White's passing was crisper, de had more energy and he was able to play with the puck on his stick. It seemed as though White was poised for that break through year.
 
Fast forward, and many Gopher fans are still waiting for that break through year. Until last week (White's first reglar season goal), many wondered if White was still playing a regular shift. And at one point, they were right to wonder. White was a healthy scratch for the first time in his Gopher career. Seeing time on the PP, being paired with second rounders Sacchetti and Hoeffel and seeing a regular shift, White still couldn't produce.
 
It should be noted, however, that White's play has improved compared to last season. But the NHL does take into account abilities as much as results. This is something that White is lacking. With injuries to Barriball, Matson, Carmen and Stoa, someone had to step it up. That's when White notched his first goal of the regular season. The defensemen did the bulk of the work, hitting White with a cross ice pass which he one timed into the back of the net.
 
The Gophers staff has been forced to constantly juggle the lines due to all their injuries. Commenting how they want to find the right combination to get White more involved in the offence, White has been moved to the wing in further attempts to let him find his offensive groove.

With the upcoming departures of Hoeffel and Scroeder to the World Junior Championships, coupled with the existing injury woes, White will be asked to contribute on a nightly basis. The next four weekend sets should give an accurate indication as to what type of player White really is. He will be given every oppurtunity to turn his game around.
 
White is 49-49 in the faceoff circle on the season.