Carol Schram: Vancouver Canucks WJC Summer Showcase updates & more schedule notes The Vancouver Canucks will have four players participating in the upcoming World Junior Summer Showcase, and a look at the second half of the team's 2017-18 schedule.

Thanks Carol,

I certainly hope Juolevi is ready and has a great camp but I have a hard time seeing him on the Canucks roster this unless we someone gets hurt.

Even if he outplays a guy like Hutton I think it would silly to bring him in and jettison Hutton's development.

I would much prefer seeing Juolevi loaned out in Europe than sitting on the bench in the NHL/playing bottom pair minutes if mgmt really hates the idea of him returning to London.

Thanks Carol,

I certainly hope Juolevi is ready and has a great camp but I have a hard time seeing him on the Canucks roster this unless we someone gets hurt.

Even if he outplays a guy like Hutton I think it would silly to bring him in and jettison Hutton's development.

I would much prefer seeing Juolevi loaned out in Europe than sitting on the bench in the NHL/playing bottom pair minutes if mgmt really hates the idea of him returning to London.
- belcherbd

I was just thinking something similar. If they think he is close but not quite good enough, European leagues end early and he could potentially get a few games in to close out the season

I know i'm slightly off topic but from that Horvat article...

"It’s also worth noting that Horvat had more primary assists (5) than Henrik Sedin (4) despite playing 77 minutes less than Henrik on the power play" - this just further solidifies how stubborn of a coach WD really was.

Without looking at fancy stats, it always seemed like by the time the Sedins got off the ice on the PP, Horvat was left with about 40-45 seconds in the man advantage. And there's no need to waste his energy on the PK anymore, that's just nonsense.

I don't get why people get bent out of shape with someone like juolevi playing bottom pair minutes.

1) The kid has never played anywhere near a 82 game season. It is a marathon and takes major learning curve.
2) He's never matched up against this level of skill, better to ease him in (just like Tree last year)
3) Look what happened to Hutton playing top4, we should not want that for any young player. It may have ruined his confidence. Don't rush the kid in over his head.

Thanks Carol

I have an idea...would Gaunce be closer to scoring and actual goal if he were to receive a series of drop-passes from Edler?

I have an idea...would Gaunce be closer to scoring and actual goal if he were to receive a series of drop-passes from Edler?
- LordHumungous

Fun fact: The drop pass breakout is used by the stanley cup champion pittsburgh penguins regularly. Think you just need to drop it to someone who can actually skate.

I don't get why people get bent out of shape with someone like juolevi playing bottom pair minutes.

1) The kid has never played anywhere near a 82 game season. It is a marathon and takes major learning curve.
2) He's never matched up against this level of skill, better to ease him in (just like Tree last year)
3) Look what happened to Hutton playing top4, we should not want that for any young player. It may have ruined his confidence. Don't rush the kid in over his head.
- neem55

I think it stems from most people being so uncertain as to how well he'll do at the NHL level, which he really hasnt faced yet. So to think that he'll come in and beat out Stecher, Hutton, MDZ is a stretch. Then guys like Weircoich, Holm, Biega throw a little wrench into the process as well. Obviously, we'll know once camp and pre-season starts then we can better judge what level his development is at. However, I think sending him back to London is useless, sending him off to play with Dahlin and Pettersson would be awesome!

I have an idea...would Gaunce be closer to scoring and actual goal if he were to receive a series of drop-passes from Edler?
- LordHumungous

in this scenario, Is Gaunce using Edler's sticks as well?

I think it stems from most people being so uncertain as to how well he'll do at the NHL level, which he really hasnt faced yet. So to think that he'll come in and beat out Stecher, Hutton, MDZ is a stretch. Then guys like Weircoich, Holm, Biega throw a little wrench into the process as well. Obviously, we'll know once camp and pre-season starts then we can better judge what level his development is at. However, I think sending him back to London is useless, sending him off to play with Dahlin and Pettersson would be awesome!
- Brooks_Light

London has produced so many NHLer's... I don't really get the hate at all, seems really uninformed. Wiercoch, Holm and Biega are all AHL calibre d-men IMO (although, Holm I admittedly know a lot less about).

• the January road trip kicks off with back-to-back games in Toronto and Montreal, followed by Washington, Columbus and Minnesota; after the break, they'll reconvene for a back-to-back in Edmonton and Winnipeg before finally heading home

I think this will be where they drastically fall off in the standings. Usually the Canucks can stick around the playoff "race" but this trip seems like it has a good chance for a 0-5 before the break

London has produced so many NHLer's... I don't really get the hate at all, seems really uninformed. Wiercoch, Holm and Biega are all AHL calibre d-men IMO (although, Holm I admittedly know a lot less about).
- neem55

I dont have a problem with him being bottom pairing at all. I just dont think him being somewhere between #6/7D is best for his development. If he is definitely the #6 D and will be in the lineup every game playing 10-15 minutes a game, thats great, let him work his way in. But if he is going to get the JV/McCann Plan, hard pass

They will be on the cusp of a pump and dump by the TDL.

I dont have a problem with him being bottom pairing at all. I just dont think him being somewhere between #6/7D is best for his development. If he is definitely the #6 D and will be in the lineup every game playing 10-15 minutes a game, thats great, let him work his way in. But if he is going to get the JV/McCann Plan, hard pass
- WhiteLie

Tree sat a bunch of games. kids need rest. Fatigue at the NHL level is huge, I don't see it as a negative unless he's missing a long stretch of games.

They will be on the cusp of a pump and dump by the TDL.
- Marwood

looks like something I've seen on a porn title before...

London has produced so many NHLer's... I don't really get the hate at all, seems really uninformed. Wiercoch, Holm and Biega are all AHL calibre d-men IMO (although, Holm I admittedly know a lot less about).
- neem55

The problem is that if OJ makes the team is it so play every game unless he needs a gameoff. He doesn't make the team to sit and wait for injuries. You don't develop by sitting on the bench. And a team can't afford to have their best Defensive prospect sit waiting for someone to go down. There will be injuries, but it could be 10-15 games before that happens, or it could be 1 or 2. Why risk it?

EDIT: OJ making the team would also mean one of Edler, MDZ, Hutton sit. Edler will not be sitting, MDZ did not sign as a UFA to sit, Hutton would likely be traded in this situation.

I don't get why people get bent out of shape with someone like juolevi playing bottom pair minutes.

1) The kid has never played anywhere near a 82 game season. It is a marathon and takes major learning curve.
2) He's never matched up against this level of skill, better to ease him in (just like Tree last year)
3) Look what happened to Hutton playing top4, we should not want that for any young player. It may have ruined his confidence. Don't rush the kid in over his head.
- neem55

I don't have an issue with him playing bottom 6 minutes if he plays a significant portion of the season. With Edler, Del Zotto, Hutton on the depth chart, I don't see any room penciling him in unless there is a significant injury and he is ready. Weircohch, Holm and Pedan will be fine as injury replacement bench warmers and I don't think that is the best place to develop talent.

I don't have an issue with him playing bottom 6 minutes if he plays a significant portion of the season. With Edler, Del Zotto, Hutton on the depth chart, I don't see any room penciling him in unless there is a significant injury and he is ready. Weircohch, Holm and Pedan will be fine as injury replacement bench warmers and I don't think that is the best place to develop talent.
- belcherbd

That's a fair point. I've never thought Hutton very good, so I guess I see that as less of an issue than some. I see OJ As a number 7 guy player low minutes at the start and more as the season goes on or as a London Knight. I have no problem with him going to Europe.

The problem is that if OJ makes the team is it so play every game unless he needs a gameoff. He doesn't make the team to sit and wait for injuries. You don't develop by sitting on the bench. And a team can't afford to have their best Defensive prospect sit waiting for someone to go down. There will be injuries, but it could be 10-15 games before that happens, or it could be 1 or 2. Why risk it?

EDIT: OJ making the team would also mean one of Edler, MDZ, Hutton sit. Edler will not be sitting, MDZ did not sign as a UFA to sit, Hutton would likely be traded in this situation.
- Retinalz

Which is my biggest issue, If Juolevi makes the team. This year we should get a much better idea where Hutton is at. He had a good rookie season when he was paired primarily with Tanev, followed by a worse season paired with Gudbranson for the first 30 games and either Biega or Tryamkin for the remaining 41.

I can't get behind the idea of moving him now when we don't know what he is just to get a look at the shiny new toy.

Tree sat a bunch of games. kids need rest. Fatigue at the NHL level is huge, I don't see it as a negative unless he's missing a long stretch of games.
- neem55

Tree sat because he was out of shape and had a language barrier that made grasping the concepts slower. Juolevi's biggest issue is his strength, which if it isnt up to par for regular duty wont come while trying to play NHL minutes - see McCann, Jared.

If they think he can play 60+ games, I think then you have reason to keep him. If they expect 40, then he isnt ready

The problem is that if OJ makes the team is it so play every game unless he needs a gameoff. He doesn't make the team to sit and wait for injuries. You don't develop by sitting on the bench. And a team can't afford to have their best Defensive prospect sit waiting for someone to go down. There will be injuries, but it could be 10-15 games before that happens, or it could be 1 or 2. Why risk it?

EDIT: OJ making the team would also mean one of Edler, MDZ, Hutton sit. Edler will not be sitting, MDZ did not sign as a UFA to sit, Hutton would likely be traded in this situation.
- Retinalz

The seventh spot is a thing. it means playign a lot less minutes, but it's still TOI every night. Holm is more likely to get this spot or wiercoch I guess.

That's a fair point. I've never thought Hutton very good, so I guess I see that as less of an issue than some. I see OJ As a number 7 guy player low minutes at the start and more as the season goes on or as a London Knight. I have no problem with him going to Europe.
- neem55

Fair enough, I'm in the pro-Makita, ant- pump and dump crowd.....that is to say I like Hutton and think Stecher is overrated.

Fair enough, I'm in the pro-Makita, ant- pump and dump crowd.....that is to say I like Hutton and think Stecher is overrated.
- belcherbd

I missed pump and dump as a thing on this thread, sounds erotic and kind of messy. Stecher and Hutton's numbers speak for themselves. Only one of them played top4 minutes and didn't get absolutely schooled the entire time.

I missed pump and dump as a thing on this thread, sounds erotic and kind of messy. Stecher and Hutton's numbers speak for themselves. Only one of them played top4 minutes and didn't get absolutely schooled the entire time.
- neem55

yup, Stecher > Hutton