Canuck fans got a taste of Dan Hamhuis’s skillset last season, as he smoothly transitioned into the team’s top defense pairing, providing a steadying presence for Kevin Bieksa and, with him, establishing one of the league’s most effective shutdown duos.

But have we seen all Dan Hamhuis has to offer? No, and I’m not talking about the promising offensive flourishes he’s shown through two games this season. I’m talking about the karate.

With Maxim Lapierre retained and Manny Malhotra back to full health this season, the Canucks will now be four-deep at centre for the next two years. But they may actually be five-deep, because Cody Hodgson is beginning to prove that he’s not too bad in the circle either.