Toronto supports two AHL teams , The Leafs and the Marlies , I am sure Vancouver could support one.
- VANTEL

savage.

Toronto supports two AHL teams , The Leafs and the Marlies , I am sure Vancouver could support one.
- VANTEL

I couldn't go without acknowledging that one...nice dig!

Its mind blowing man, I know there are not many other choices, but really how could it be any worse? I'd consider giving Archibald or Valk a fu&*ing try at this point, even Labate!!! Zalewski is having a brutal year, don't know whats going on there.
- Brooks_Light

As long as they are trying to win, I dont think we will ever see these little try-outs.

I used to think Willie and Green were on the same page, and that the intent was to play similarly so guys could be up and down, but it hasnt played out quite that way it appears

Oh, well im thinking because JB wouldnt owe them any sort of loyalty (look at Jensen/Shinkaruk) one could argue Gaunce is very similar to those 2 (overrated in junior, went up in the draft and can barely make the league now). Just seems odd that Gaunce has been in the line up all year, considering he only plays 4th line
- Crazybagoham

Not a Gaunce fan, but he is a decent penalty killer.

I am surprised he is still around though as Gillis definitely drafted him for size, whereas JB seems to go after guys with speed, a good shot, or both

I couldn't go without acknowledging that one...nice dig!
- LeftCoaster

Not a Gaunce fan, but he is a decent penalty killer.

I am surprised he is still around though as Gillis definitely drafted him for size, whereas JB seems to go after guys with speed, a good shot, or both
- WhiteLie

Brad Marchand

Oh, well im thinking because JB wouldnt owe them any sort of loyalty (look at Jensen/Shinkaruk) one could argue Gaunce is very similar to those 2 (overrated in junior, went up in the draft and can barely make the league now). Just seems odd that Gaunce has been in the line up all year, considering he only plays 4th line
- Crazybagoham

I'm not so sure that JB wouldn't trade Gaunce for a Granlund type player. Shink would still be in the system if no one wanted to give us a NHL player.

I honestly don't think loyalty or lack of makes a difference. I consider JB a professional.

Not a Gaunce fan, but he is a decent penalty killer.

I am surprised he is still around though as Gillis definitely drafted him for size, whereas JB seems to go after guys with speed, a good shot, or both
- WhiteLie

I think Jim Benning should concentrate on kids with a greater hockey IQ, seems to have been locking in his first few pics.

And Gaunce and Chaput are any better? They've played 150 games between them with a whopping 4 goals to show!!!

So the 6 games Grenier has had isn't really fair to make that kinda assessment, if anything give him a chance and see if he can make adjustments to the NHL game.
- Brooks_Light

Chaput has been better at the AHL level. I don't like Gaunce or Chaput but I don't believe Grenier is a better option. If that Labate had been healthy he would be my preference as at least he is physical.

Not a Gaunce fan, but he is a decent penalty killer.

I am surprised he is still around though as Gillis definitely drafted him for size, whereas JB seems to go after guys with speed, a good shot, or both
- WhiteLie

It really is a shame, he seems to have all the tools for to be a decent, all round, hockey player ( he was always the forgotten canucks first rounder in the Gillis era), he just seems tremendously lazy sometimes

he should be growing his resume in Utica with Virtanen imo, they seem similar (have a lot of the skills, but are not ready for the NHL) and needs to be playing 20 minutes a night to make any sort of strides in his game

I get the illusion that Rodin and Boucher are offensively talented, but lots of guys dont translate OHL or Swedish success to NHL.

See Dane Fox, Curtis Valk, Stefan Legein, or for a fun flashback Angelo Esposito
- WhiteLie

Yes. Add Vey and Etem to that list. Though they got their due and them some. But we won't know until any of these other players get a fair shot including JV. The preference for the so called safe player is what seems to be the issue. At some point vision is needed to to develop more offense.

I think Jim Benning should concentrate on kids with a greater hockey IQ, seems to have been lacking in his first few pics.
- LeftCoaster

Totally agree, hockey IQ has been missing on a few of his pickups, but outside of Virtanen, it appears he has done well in that department for his draft picks (so far).

Skill and talent is all great, but smarts is definitely needed

good job Carol going to the game and hopefully get a Canucks kick ass performance!!!!

It really is a shame, he seems to have all the tools for to be a decent, all round, hockey player ( he was always the forgotten canucks first rounder in the Gillis era), he just seems tremendously lazy sometimes

he should be growing his resume in Utica with Virtanen imo, they seem similar (have a lot of the skills, but are not ready for the NHL) and needs to be playing 20 minutes a night to make any sort of strides in his game
- Crazybagoham

I dont really think he is lazy, but I really think he is inefficient with how he uses his energy. He chases the play a lot, big circles, a whole lot of wasted energy with little results. I am not sure he will ever been more than what he is now, but maybe honing his offensive skills might get him to 3L player someday

Because they asked Jim who should go not Willie
- VANTEL

Sometimes it is okay to call your kids ugly
- VANTEL

Toronto supports two AHL teams , The Leafs and the Marlies , I am sure Vancouver could support one.
- VANTEL

Bringing it hard today

I get the illusion that Rodin and Boucher are offensively talented, but lots of guys dont translate OHL or Swedish success to NHL.

See Dane Fox, Curtis Valk, Stefan Legein, or for a fun flashback Angelo Esposito
- WhiteLie

To be fair Boucher scored 0.5 ppg when he played at the NHL level last year, 19 points in 39 games. That's fine production for a 3rd liner...

Yes. Add Vey and Etem to that list. Though they got their due and them some. But we won't know until any of these other players get a fair shot including JV. The preference for the so called safe player is what seems to be the issue. At some point vision is needed to to develop more offense.
- Nuck4U

Same can be said about any player though. We wouldnt have Burrows if we never gave him a shot as his numbers in Jr, AHL and early NHL days were nothing spectacular. Giving someone a chance based on what he did years ago over what he shows today in practice is not how I want my team run

I dont really think he is lazy, but I really think he is inefficient with how he uses his energy. He chases the play a lot, big circles, a whole lot of wasted energy with little results. I am not sure he will ever been more than what he is now, but maybe honing his offensive skills might get him to 3L player someday
- WhiteLie

Good point, other than the odd mistake (and that's any rookie in the league) he definitely understands the canucks defensive systems.... and that's the hard part. Maybe after gutting through this season, he can pull a Bo horvat, and just get a skating/ shooting coach to improve the offense

To be fair Boucher scored 0.5 ppg when he played at the NHL level last year, 19 points in 39 games. That's fine production for a 3rd liner...
- NorthNuck

Ive never been sold on Rodin, because it's all theoretical till you actually make the league. Bouchard on the other hand has proven (in small samples,yes) that he can produce in the league. My mind always goes to the difference between the average European starting goalie.... to an NHL goalie.... absolutely no comparison. Bouchard has also proven to be a solid AHLer, so is probably ready for the jump.

Though chances are we will just wait on Rodin's flimsy knee all year without seeing Bouchard. Just so we can see Rodin gifted powerplay time he didnt earn

To be fair Boucher scored 0.5 ppg when he played at the NHL level last year, 19 points in 39 games. That's fine production for a 3rd liner...
- NorthNuck

For sure, I expect him to get a shot soon enough. But he arrived during a hot streak (6-1-3 in last 10 while running 4L's in a row ), and needs some time to figure out the systems. I, and I am sure the team, isnt in any rush to get him in the lineup for those reasons

To be fair Boucher scored 0.5 ppg when he played at the NHL level last year, 19 points in 39 games. That's fine production for a 3rd liner...
- NorthNuck

good point.

my guess is it comes down to what WD wants from a 4th line, which seems to be defensively responsible.

our 4th line doesn't light it up, or smash em up, but they don't seem to be out of position much or take bad penalties.

in saying that, i'd like to see Boucher get a couple games, to see if he can bring a spark.

It really is a shame, he seems to have all the tools for to be a decent, all round, hockey player ( he was always the forgotten canucks first rounder in the Gillis era), he just seems tremendously lazy sometimes

he should be growing his resume in Utica with Virtanen imo, they seem similar (have a lot of the skills, but are not ready for the NHL) and needs to be playing 20 minutes a night to make any sort of strides in his game
- Crazybagoham

Green isn't exactly known to pile the minutes onto his young players. I think Willy D was more known for that.

good point.

my guess is it comes down to what WD wants from a 4th line, which seems to be defensively responsible.

our 4th line doesn't light it up, or smash em up, but they don't seem to be out of position much or take bad penalties.

in saying that, i'd like to see Boucher get a couple games, to see if he can bring a spark.
- dbot

seems like Willie really like his 4th line simple.... dumping the puck, getting a good forecheck, killing time in the offensive zone. I'd label them as an energy line? is that the right term?

For sure, I expect him to get a shot soon enough. But he arrived during a hot streak (6-1-3 in last 10 while running 4L's in a row ), and needs some time to figure out the systems. I, and I am sure the team, isnt in any rush to get him in the lineup for those reasons
- WhiteLie

I actually miss Dorsett.
Say what you will, be he was great on the forecheck and always seemed to get a couple shots per game.

When he was on a 4th line, there was at least a possibility of some offence eventuating.
Right now? Not so much.

Good point, other than the odd mistake (and that's any rookie in the league) he definitely understands the canucks defensive systems.... and that's the hard part. Maybe after gutting through this season, he can pull a Bo horvat, and just get a skating/ shooting coach to improve the offense
- Crazybagoham

That was my hope with Virtanen. I was hoping he would learn the speed and defensive game before taking more offensive chances. I would be pleasantly surprised if Gaunce did that, but frankly he looks so unnatural to me that I cant see him producing