http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/nhl-team-preview-2015-16-vancouver-canucks/

team profile
- hillbillydeluxe

I was expecting a picture from the side.

Gaunce - McCan - virtanen

First line at practice
- Codes1087

I can see that but McCann was invisible too

I was expecting a picture from the side.
- A_SteamingLombardi

sometimes it takes a while until it hits and then it's

I can see that but McCann was invisible too
- VANTEL

Hoping everyone has a better game on Sunday.

It would be nice to see some chemistry among the lines deployed just so if one guy can make it, maybe whoever he played well with, at this youngstars or camp, might get an extra look.

My mistake.

gaunce McCan virtanen
Labate cassels abols
Shinkaruk zhukenov fox
Pettit stewart Martin

Sautner hutton
Brisbois subban
Cedarholm Neill
Olson mceneny

My mistake.

gaunce McCan virtanen
Shinkaruk zhukenov fox
Labate cassels abols
Pettit stewart Martin

Sautner hutton
Brisbois subban
Cedarholm Neill
Olson mceneny
- Codes1087

Had to switch 2nd and third lines. Would have been eaten alive on these boards if you post something incorrect =)

Had to switch 2nd and third lines. Would have been eaten alive on these boards if you post something incorrect =)
- Codes1087

no worries, wd doesn't know which lines are which either.

'I worry a bit that Jake Virtanen's fearless playing style could come back to bite him once he starts playing against NHL regulars'

I hear you on this Carol but unlike Burrows and even the tool Kesler to some extent from what I've seen of Virtanen so far, he will be able to back up his antics on the ice.

I like Vantels' previous analogy where he said Virtanen has a touch of Burrows and Lucic to his game...a fair assessment.
- LordHumungous

good assessment. canucks need a bit of both of those in their line up nowadays

no worries, wd doesn't know which lines are which either.
- hillbillydeluxe

Well played sir. Well played.

#wiserhoodslowclap

Well played sir. Well played.

#wiserhoodslowclap
- Codes1087

Did you get to go to the game and practices?

I can see that but McCann was invisible too
- VANTEL

is centre the weaker area in the prospects for the canucks most likely?

seems with shink/virt/baertschi they have possibilities on the wing stepping up.

I like horvat, but not sure if i'd peg him as a 1st line centre (unless like morrison was in the nats/bertuzzi days)

That was a super clean hit.

The blasphemy of the NHL is that suspensions are given out on the basis of injury and not the cleanliness of the play.

Even though his hit is as clean as they come - if McDavid got injured the sissy NHL would've came back and threw down a suspension for boarding. Why boarding? Because it's the easiest infraction to BS. He was like a half foot away from the boards they would've said.

My mistake.

gaunce McCan virtanen
Labate cassels abols
Shinkaruk zhukenov fox
Pettit stewart Martin

Sautner hutton
Brisbois subban
Cedarholm Neill
Olson mceneny
- Codes1087

Stewart 4 th line centre

is centre the weaker area in the prospects for the canucks most likely?

seems with shink/virt/baertschi they have possibilities on the wing stepping up.

I like horvat, but not sure if i'd peg him as a 1st line centre (unless like morrison was in the nats/bertuzzi days)
- numbear

I think the next two years we will be drafting high. hopefully that is on our list

Just had a chance to watch the game in it's entirety.

Here are a few of my observations.

Subban was the best player by far for the Canucks, his skating and stick-handling are no surprise but he did very well positionally and was pretty successful against McDavid and Co. all night.
He was physically very impressive against many of the oilers, particularly Draisatl who looked butter soft considering his size. Needs to hit the net with his shots.

I was disappointed in McCann's skating, I would of thought he was more dynamic, perhaps he is not yet in game shape considering he has been injured all summer. A couple of good shots and nice passes.

Zhukenov was very impressive and I think he has a good future, the best skating forward for the Canucks by a large margin and very good hands. Did not shy away from the front of the net, board work or physical play. Nice to see the coaching staff reward him with better players as the game went on.

Sautner and Brisbois were brutal and I'm pretty sure there was an error as I thought I counted them on the ice for 5 of the 8 goals. Not surprised Brisbois looked overwhelmed as he is very young.

Witt played pretty well considering it was 8 goals against. The 5th goal was the only stinker I noticed and I thought he had some impressive saves.

Hutton played well and I was surprised to see he is a very good passer, he had a couple of nice breakout passes.

Virtanen was as advertised, very physical, nice offensive skills, especially the one move cutting in-front of the net. Definitely needs to learn to play with his teammates if he is going to be more than an 3rd liner.

Gaunce as many noted played well, I was impressed with his puck pursuit, his skating didn't look bad at all and had some nice offensive moments either cutting to the net or passing. Very involved along the boards and behind the net.

Stewart again as advertised, lots of physicality but very little hockey sense. Saw the puck die a lot on his stick, Petit in particular set him up a few times only to see Stewart flail at the puck.

Abols had some moments but was invisible otherwise, not sure his -3 is indicative of his play or just unlucky.

Cassels looked slow and I wonder if he is still recovering from his injury.

Shink looked very out of place the first 2 periods but really picked up his play in the 3rd. He is not a dynamic enough skater to take advantage of his obvious offensive abilities. Looked really good around the net with the puck on his stick though.

LaLeggia looked really good for the Oil and Nurse was dominant.
McDavid looked good but maybe was trying to hard.
Draisatl is very unimpressive IMO, he can pass but looks like a floater for much of the game and so very weak.
Laurikainen had a good game and was impressive in the first period in particular.

Did you get to go to the game and practices?
- hillbillydeluxe

No I didn't I just streamed the game, the line combos are just twitter sources.

is centre the weaker area in the prospects for the canucks most likely?

seems with shink/virt/baertschi they have possibilities on the wing stepping up.

I like horvat, but not sure if i'd peg him as a 1st line centre (unless like morrison was in the nats/bertuzzi days)
- numbear

D is the weakest area by far and RW really only has Boeser but he is a long term prospect.

Centre has a bunch of decent but not spectacular prospects IMO. McCann, Cassels, *Gaunce* and few guys who are pretty questionable in Friesen, Fox, Zhukenov, Petit.

My mistake.

gaunce McCan virtanen
Labate cassels abols
Shinkaruk zhukenov fox
Pettit stewart Martin

Sautner hutton
Brisbois subban
Cedarholm Neill
Olson mceneny
- Codes1087

I'm sure Petit is centering that 4th line. Will be a lot of toughness there with Stewart and Martin.

I'm glad to see Zhukenov get some talented linemates.

Is Jensen expected to show up to main training camp?

Is Jensen expected to show up to main training camp?
- VANTEL

He will be there and is one of the players Green pointed out as being capable to push for an NHL spot. The others being Gaunce, Grenier, Kenin, Corrado and Shinkaruk I think.

But there is no room for him and any of the others even if they do have a good camp. Corrado is obviously the exception.

He will be there and is one of the players Green pointed out as being capable to push for an NHL spot. The others being Gaunce, Grenier, Kenin, Corrado and Shinkaruk I think.

But there is no room for him and any of the others even if they do have a good camp. Corrado is obviously the exception.
- belcherbd

I think if he doesn't make it this time , it is pretty well over

Just had a chance to watch the game in it's entirety.

Here are a few of my observations.

Subban was the best player by far for the Canucks, his skating and stick-handling are no surprise but he did very well positionally and was pretty successful against McDavid and Co. all night.
He was physically very impressive against many of the oilers, particularly Draisatl who looked butter soft considering his size. Needs to hit the net with his shots.

I was disappointed in McCann's skating, I would of thought he was more dynamic, perhaps he is not yet in game shape considering he has been injured all summer. A couple of good shots and nice passes.

Zhukenov was very impressive and I think he has a good future, the best skating forward for the Canucks by a large margin and very good hands. Did not shy away from the front of the net, board work or physical play. Nice to see the coaching staff reward him with better players as the game went on.

Sautner and Brisbois were brutal and I'm pretty sure there was an error as I thought I counted them on the ice for 5 of the 8 goals. Not surprised Brisbois looked overwhelmed as he is very young.

Witt played pretty well considering it was 8 goals against. The 5th goal was the only stinker I noticed and I thought he had some impressive saves.

Hutton played well and I was surprised to see he is a very good passer, he had a couple of nice breakout passes.

Virtanen was as advertised, very physical, nice offensive skills, especially the one move cutting in-front of the net. Definitely needs to learn to play with his teammates if he is going to be more than an 3rd liner.

Gaunce as many noted played well, I was impressed with his puck pursuit, his skating didn't look bad at all and had some nice offensive moments either cutting to the net or passing. Very involved along the boards and behind the net.

Stewart again as advertised, lots of physicality but very little hockey sense. Saw the puck die a lot on his stick, Petit in particular set him up a few times only to see Stewart flail at the puck.

Abols had some moments but was invisible otherwise, not sure his -3 is indicative of his play or just unlucky.

Cassels looked slow and I wonder if he is still recovering from his injury.

Shink looked very out of place the first 2 periods but really picked up his play in the 3rd. He is not a dynamic enough skater to take advantage of his obvious offensive abilities. Looked really good around the net with the puck on his stick though.

LaLeggia looked really good for the Oil and Nurse was dominant.
McDavid looked good but maybe was trying to hard.
Draisatl is very unimpressive IMO, he can pass but looks like a floater for much of the game and so very weak.
Laurikainen had a good game and was impressive in the first period in particular.
- belcherbd

Didn't watch the game, so this was a good read, thanks!

I think the next two years we will be drafting high. hopefully that is on our list
- VANTEL

BPA is all I want. It seems like Benning at least does follow that strategy which is a positive

Otherwise he would have gone D in the first this season.

BPA is all I want. It seems like Benning at least does follow that strategy which is a positive

Otherwise he would have gone D in the first this season.
- Nucker101

We need everything so yeah

I think if he doesn't make it this time , it is pretty well over
- VANTEL

I hope Benning is trying to move a Higgins or other behind the scenes. I wouldn't mind JV on the 4th line to start and learn the game a little more.

I wonder if Gaunce could be our 4th line centre? Or is that asking too much?