Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks Game Day: March 10 vs. New York Islanders, Scary Stats The Vancouver Canucks will be trying for two straight wins as they face the New York Islanders on Monday night at Rogers Arena.

"I'm surprised not to see Elliotte Friedman's name in this mix."

Huge mistake, if you ask me. Friedman is the only one on the panel with any credibility. What does Nick Papageorgio, or whatever his name is, know about Hockey? That's like getting Dennis Miller to be a NFL Commentator.

"I'm surprised not to see Elliotte Friedman's name in this mix."

Huge mistake, if you ask me. Friedman is the only one on the panel with any credibility. What does Nick Papageorgio, or whatever his name is, know about Hockey? That's like getting Dennis Miller to be a NFL Commentator.

- Chest Rockwell

Agreed. Friedman is the only one on the entire show worth listening to.

Does Burrows get a single goal this season?

I smell a four goal breakout tonight, finally something good will happen for Burr...if he plays

"I'm surprised not to see Elliotte Friedman's name in this mix."

Huge mistake, if you ask me. Friedman is the only one on the panel with any credibility. What does Nick Papageorgio, or whatever his name is, know about Hockey? That's like getting Dennis Miller to be a NFL Commentator.

- Chest Rockwell

Absolutely nothing but he is the most popular guy with the liberal youth in this country and working for the most liberal propaganda pushing station in the country. Maybe they figure he will get more ratings. Sad. I hate CBC. Most of all I hate that we are paying them and they won't even show us what or how much we are payingw them.

"I'm surprised not to see Elliotte Friedman's name in this mix."

Huge mistake, if you ask me. Friedman is the only one on the panel with any credibility. What does Nick Papageorgio, or whatever his name is, know about Hockey? That's like getting Dennis Miller to be a NFL Commentator.

- Chest Rockwell

Papageorgio
Dennis Miller is the smart mans douchebag.

Absolutely nothing but he is the most popular guy with the liberal youth in this country and working for the most liberal propaganda pushing station in the country. Maybe they figure he will get more ratings. Sad. I hate CBC. Most of all I hate that we are paying them and they won't even show us what or how much we are payingw them.
- thundachunk

If this means the end of PJ Stock I'm all for it.

Sobering look at Horvat from CanucksArmy, for anyone dreaming of him as a cornerstone franchise player:

http://canucksarmy.com/20...re-is-bo-horvat-a-top-6-c

In Conclusion:
"Bo Horvat will, by all accounts, be an NHL player. He's a very good CHL'er and possesses a skill set that is fawned over by NHL GMs. When prognosticating these sorts of things, though, we need to evaluate what the most likely outcome is moving forward. For Horvat, the most likely route his career takes sees him topping out as a decent 3rd line C, scoring in the mid-40s in points just once or twice, and finishing his career having played for 4 or 5 different teams. Even then, he probably won't be ready to step into that 3rd line role and be effective for another 3-4 years after this one. Nothing he's done in junior screams "I'm ready" for full-time NHL duty, and most players spend significant time apprenticing in the AHL anyways.

There isn't really a reason to conclude that Horvat is better than "most players," so thrusting him into the spotlight and asking him to anchor the 3rd line on a team that wants to be going places isn't really a reasonable expectation at this point in his career.

All in all, Bo Horvat simply is not a player you build your future around, and is certainly not a player you draft with the 9th overall pick when there are players available that are clearly better bets to become impact pros - players like Valeri Nichushkin and Max Domi, and to a lesser extent guys like Josh Morrissey, Alex Wennberg, Nic Petan and Hunter Shinkaruk (thank god he fell to 24th). He's a guy you should feel comfortable taking in the 2nd or 3rd round, as coaches will always give him a second look since he does the defensive stuff well. He more than likely won't make an impact in the next few seasons though.

The Hockey News ranked Vancouver's prospects 28th out of 30 teams, and I tend to agree. Outside of Shinkaruk, there isn't really anyone who projects as an above-average offensive player at the NHL level in the system. Of course, this could change with another top-10 pick in this summer's entry draft, and could really change depending on what the return is for Ryan Kesler if he still wants to be moved in the increasingly probable event that John Tortorella is fired. It's a good idea to take a sober look at this though, and temper our expectations for the kids."

Papageorgio
Dennis Miller is the smart mans douchebag.
- A_SteamingLombardi

If this means the end of PJ Stock I'm all for it.
- fiveandagame

First after hours guest is gonna be David Susuki. Face palm.

First after hours guest is gonna be David Susuki. Face palm.
- thundachunk

I hope Rick the Temp makes the panel.

Sobering look at Horvat from CanucksArmy, for anyone dreaming of him as a cornerstone franchise player:

http://canucksarmy.com/20...re-is-bo-horvat-a-top-6-c

In Conclusion:
"Bo Horvat will, by all accounts, be an NHL player. He's a very good CHL'er and possesses a skill set that is fawned over by NHL GMs. When prognosticating these sorts of things, though, we need to evaluate what the most likely outcome is moving forward. For Horvat, the most likely route his career takes sees him topping out as a decent 3rd line C, scoring in the mid-40s in points just once or twice, and finishing his career having played for 4 or 5 different teams. Even then, he probably won't be ready to step into that 3rd line role and be effective for another 3-4 years after this one. Nothing he's done in junior screams "I'm ready" for full-time NHL duty, and most players spend significant time apprenticing in the AHL anyways.

There isn't really a reason to conclude that Horvat is better than "most players," so thrusting him into the spotlight and asking him to anchor the 3rd line on a team that wants to be going places isn't really a reasonable expectation at this point in his career.

All in all, Bo Horvat simply is not a player you build your future around, and is certainly not a player you draft with the 9th overall pick when there are players available that are clearly better bets to become impact pros - players like Valeri Nichushkin and Max Domi, and to a lesser extent guys like Josh Morrissey, Alex Wennberg, Nic Petan and Hunter Shinkaruk (thank god he fell to 24th). He's a guy you should feel comfortable taking in the 2nd or 3rd round, as coaches will always give him a second look since he does the defensive stuff well. He more than likely won't make an impact in the next few seasons though.

The Hockey News ranked Vancouver's prospects 28th out of 30 teams, and I tend to agree. Outside of Shinkaruk, there isn't really anyone who projects as an above-average offensive player at the NHL level in the system. Of course, this could change with another top-10 pick in this summer's entry draft, and could really change depending on what the return is for Ryan Kesler if he still wants to be moved in the increasingly probable event that John Tortorella is fired. It's a good idea to take a sober look at this though, and temper our expectations for the kids."
- AlexF

I disagree. The only player they should have maybe taken ahead of him is Nichushkin. Horvat will likely be a 2C in the NHL. I think he's more than this article is giving him credit for. And we'll see about Shink....

I disagree. The only player they should have maybe taken ahead of him is Nichushkin. Horvat will likely be a 2C in the NHL. I think he's more than this article is giving him credit for. And we'll see about Shink....
- Iggysbff

I can kind of see where they are coming from as Horvat doesn't really have great speed, great hands, a great shot. I think the Canucks are banking on his intangibles as a leader and winner. He has drawn comparisons to Toews and Bergeron.

Damn it

Regarding Bo Horvat - these are just my thoughts; this is a kid with an NHL body number one, there's data that shows this is important, number two is, he was projected to be a good 200 foot CENTER in the NHL. Nothing I've read says he was the next Cindy Crosby or that he had end offensive skill; TSN had him ranked at 13th, central scouting had him ranked at 15th. That said, he was the highest ranked CENTER after Monahan, they (IMO) targeted a center because we absolutely have nothing to speak of in the system.

Predictions were Ryan O'Reilly, Patrice Bergeron, type of player....those are some pretty good players for their clubs.

You can't win in the NHL without depth down the middle!!!

Colorado has tons and Edmonton has non - case closed.

I can kind of see where they are coming from as Horvat doesn't really have great speed, great hands, a great shot. I think the Canucks are banking on his intangibles as a leader and winner. He has drawn comparisons to Toews and Bergeron.
- fiveandagame

The other point is that the article states multiple times that there is a clear lack of quality statistics. He comes to these conclusions based on, at best, murky numbers. Every stats professor I have talked to has always said bad data means bad results. It is an interesting writeup but this is by no means a quality prediction based on a strong history of statistical analysis. Honestly feels more like an undergraduate stats project for a first or second year course.

Don't worry. Burrows will probably have a hat trick tonight.

Don't worry. Burrows will probably have a hat trick tonight.
- PeteM

I would be shocked if the Canucks scored 3 goals as a team. If Burrows gets one I will be ecstatic.

Sobering look at Horvat from CanucksArmy, for anyone dreaming of him as a cornerstone franchise player:

http://canucksarmy.com/20...re-is-bo-horvat-a-top-6-c

In Conclusion:
"Bo Horvat will, by all accounts, be an NHL player. He's a very good CHL'er and possesses a skill set that is fawned over by NHL GMs. When prognosticating these sorts of things, though, we need to evaluate what the most likely outcome is moving forward. For Horvat, the most likely route his career takes sees him topping out as a decent 3rd line C, scoring in the mid-40s in points just once or twice, and finishing his career having played for 4 or 5 different teams. Even then, he probably won't be ready to step into that 3rd line role and be effective for another 3-4 years after this one. Nothing he's done in junior screams "I'm ready" for full-time NHL duty, and most players spend significant time apprenticing in the AHL anyways.

There isn't really a reason to conclude that Horvat is better than "most players," so thrusting him into the spotlight and asking him to anchor the 3rd line on a team that wants to be going places isn't really a reasonable expectation at this point in his career.

All in all, Bo Horvat simply is not a player you build your future around, and is certainly not a player you draft with the 9th overall pick when there are players available that are clearly better bets to become impact pros - players like Valeri Nichushkin and Max Domi, and to a lesser extent guys like Josh Morrissey, Alex Wennberg, Nic Petan and Hunter Shinkaruk (thank god he fell to 24th). He's a guy you should feel comfortable taking in the 2nd or 3rd round, as coaches will always give him a second look since he does the defensive stuff well. He more than likely won't make an impact in the next few seasons though.

The Hockey News ranked Vancouver's prospects 28th out of 30 teams, and I tend to agree. Outside of Shinkaruk, there isn't really anyone who projects as an above-average offensive player at the NHL level in the system. Of course, this could change with another top-10 pick in this summer's entry draft, and could really change depending on what the return is for Ryan Kesler if he still wants to be moved in the increasingly probable event that John Tortorella is fired. It's a good idea to take a sober look at this though, and temper our expectations for the kids."
- AlexF

At times like this it's important to remember that all scouting reports on guys who have never played a single game in the NHL yet are usually bang on.
Gillis should trade Boho for a 6th rounder while he can still get something for him.

The other point is that the article states multiple times that there is a clear lack of quality statistics. He comes to these conclusions based on, at best, murky numbers. Every stats professor I have talked to has always said bad data means bad results. It is an interesting writeup but this is by no means a quality prediction based on a strong history of statistical analysis. Honestly feels more like an undergraduate stats project for a first or second year course.
- 89_hockey

Also - he's tied for 25th in OHL scoring, hardly something that should concern the Canucks. Tied with Cole Cassels by the way

Sobering look at Horvat from CanucksArmy, for anyone dreaming of him as a cornerstone franchise player:

http://canucksarmy.com/20...re-is-bo-horvat-a-top-6-c

In Conclusion:
"Bo Horvat will, by all accounts, be an NHL player. He's a very good CHL'er and possesses a skill set that is fawned over by NHL GMs. When prognosticating these sorts of things, though, we need to evaluate what the most likely outcome is moving forward. For Horvat, the most likely route his career takes sees him topping out as a decent 3rd line C, scoring in the mid-40s in points just once or twice, and finishing his career having played for 4 or 5 different teams. Even then, he probably won't be ready to step into that 3rd line role and be effective for another 3-4 years after this one. Nothing he's done in junior screams "I'm ready" for full-time NHL duty, and most players spend significant time apprenticing in the AHL anyways.

There isn't really a reason to conclude that Horvat is better than "most players," so thrusting him into the spotlight and asking him to anchor the 3rd line on a team that wants to be going places isn't really a reasonable expectation at this point in his career.

All in all, Bo Horvat simply is not a player you build your future around, and is certainly not a player you draft with the 9th overall pick when there are players available that are clearly better bets to become impact pros - players like Valeri Nichushkin and Max Domi, and to a lesser extent guys like Josh Morrissey, Alex Wennberg, Nic Petan and Hunter Shinkaruk (thank god he fell to 24th). He's a guy you should feel comfortable taking in the 2nd or 3rd round, as coaches will always give him a second look since he does the defensive stuff well. He more than likely won't make an impact in the next few seasons though.

The Hockey News ranked Vancouver's prospects 28th out of 30 teams, and I tend to agree. Outside of Shinkaruk, there isn't really anyone who projects as an above-average offensive player at the NHL level in the system. Of course, this could change with another top-10 pick in this summer's entry draft, and could really change depending on what the return is for Ryan Kesler if he still wants to be moved in the increasingly probable event that John Tortorella is fired. It's a good idea to take a sober look at this though, and temper our expectations for the kids."
- AlexF

shink is my favorite. I was so upset the Casucks got him.

At times like this it's important to remember that all scouting reports on guys who have never played a single game in the NHL yet are usually bang on.
Gillis should trade Boho for a 6th rounder while he can still get something for him.
- hankthetank

Before or after the Kelser trade?

At times like this it's important to remember that all scouting reports on guys who have never played a single game in the NHL yet are usually bang on.
Gillis should trade Boho for a 6th rounder while he can still get something for him.
- hankthetank

I don't know how you got so smart, but I like your style.

Also - he's tied for 25th in OHL scoring, hardly something that should concern the Canucks. Tied with Cole Cassels by the way
- LeftCoaster

I'm really happy with the 2013 draft.

The other point is that the article states multiple times that there is a clear lack of quality statistics. He comes to these conclusions based on, at best, murky numbers. Every stats professor I have talked to has always said bad data means bad results. It is an interesting writeup but this is by no means a quality prediction based on a strong history of statistical analysis. Honestly feels more like an undergraduate stats project for a first or second year course.
- 89_hockey

That jumped out at me as well. Although the players/rankings that come out of their data crunch look about right based on their impact at the NHL level. Of course, this could always be a situation of tweaking the data to garner a desired result.

One thing I will agree with them on: Horvat will most likely not possess any elite scoring potential nor make the jump full time for another several seasons. You would hope that in a deep draft we could've gotten better at #9.