they may actually be set at center depending upon Petersson's development. Guadette is the real deal and Horvat is young. Wing is solid, goaltending is excellent. Our D prospect pool is pretty weak
- CanuckDon

We lack a point shot threat or studs so as a Subban could be a specialist

If OJ was the most superior LHD on team Finland, would the coach make him play his off wing?
- Codes1087

Missed the sarcasm in that so will hold you to believing that his Defence partner selected 71st in poor for D 2017 draft is in your estimation the superior LHD.

"Most analysts felt skating is something that Kotkansalo needs to improve, as well as some offensive parts, such as passing and shooting the puck."

Guess it can't be OJ is the superior talent and can be tried on the right side. Which for the Canucks is a good option to have heading into camp.

Missed the sarcasm in that so will hold you to believing that his Defence partner selected 71st in poor for D 2017 draft is in your estimation the superior LHD.

"Most analysts felt skating is something that Kotkansalo needs to improve, as well as some offensive parts, such as passing and shooting the puck."

Guess it can't be OJ is the superior talent and can be tried on the right side. Which for the Canucks is a good option to have heading into camp.
- Nuck4U

OJ was a second pairing D man for the better half of the whole season in London last year though...

they may actually be set at center depending upon Petersson's development. Guadette is the real deal and Horvat is young. Wing is solid, goaltending is excellent. Our D prospect pool is pretty weak
- CanuckDon

Then again, they may not turn out, thus I'd like to see Benning get another couple center prospects when we finish near the bottom this year....that's all I'm saying.

OJ was a second pairing D man for the better half of the whole season in London last year though...
- Codes1087

Atta boy Jim

Then again, they may not turn out, thus I'd like to see Benning get another couple center prospects when we finish near the bottom this year....that's all I'm saying.
- LeftCoaster

As a sophomore.

Its understandable to sleep on Senior classmen, but to perform among the best in your second year is very impressive. Hopefully he continues to see success this coming year
- WhiteLie

Gaudette looks to be a very good 3C or 2C if he fills out & takes it to another level. So far he is trending great & will be more mature than CHL players. The kid has very high potential & when he arrives the C position will be open for competition.

If you rely on Draft and Develop 6 years away from being six years away
- VANTEL

You have to rely on it, that's the one true way to build before you add the UFA's and trades to supplement them. Long gone are the days of old when teams like the Flyers were perennial contenders because they could afford the best UFA's and didn't care if they traded away their picks and prospect before they developed them.

OJ was a second pairing D man for the better half of the whole season in London last year though...
- Codes1087

2nd pairing is a misnomer on very strong London team. His role was much more than what appeared. Mete is not an all around D man & was a LHD on the 1st pairing. It created a balance for a strong 1 2 punch on D pairings. Reading too much into who is on what pairing.

Atta boy Jim
- VANTEL

Victor Mete, drafted by MTL 95 picks behind Juolevi, surpassed him last season in LDN as the first pairing LHD.

Adding to my master stroke putting JV on D it could be when the game is lost & let him run wild. Wtf not😂 Can hammer point shots & Ops. Ferland?
- Nighthawk

JV's hockey IQ is limited. It's hard enough for him to learn to be a power forward. Asking him to learn gap control and positioning skating backwards has disaster written all over it.

2nd pairing is a misnomer on very strong London team. His role was much more than what appeared. Mete is not an all around D man & was a LHD on the 1st pairing. It created a balance for a strong 1 2 punch on D pairings. Reading too much into who is on what pairing.
- Nighthawk

People can make whatever excuse they want for Juolevi, he didn't have a great year last year. He had a decent year, but not a great one.

Then again, they may not turn out, thus I'd like to see Benning get another couple center prospects when we finish near the bottom this year....that's all I'm saying.
- LeftCoaster

Teams don't pass on top C's unless a stud D is available or an obvious super Winger ala Laine but that is rare & why a Tippet Vilardi Kostin etc always fall down in the draft.

Gaudette looks to be a very good 3C or 2C if he fills out & takes it to another level. So far he is trending great & will be more mature than CHL players. The kid has very high potential & when he arrives the C position will be open for competition.
- Nighthawk

I wont speculate what his ceiling is, but I am enjoying tracking his progress which is very impressive from his draft position

JV's hockey IQ is limited. It's hard enough for him to learn to be a power forward. Asking him to learn gap control and positioning skating backwards has disaster written all over it.
- Nuck4U

Spitballing silly stuff only bro lol

You have to rely on it, that's the one true way to build before you add the UFA's and trades to supplement them. Long gone are the days of old when teams like the Flyers were perennial contenders because they could afford the best UFA's and didn't care if they traded away their picks and prospect before they developed them.
- LeftCoaster

You have to be active in all 3 departments. Trades Draft UFA

People can make whatever excuse they want for Juolevi, he didn't have a great year last year. He had a decent year, but not a great one.
- Codes1087

U base that on what? Don't say 2nd pairing either.

Victor Mete, drafted by MTL 95 picks behind Juolevi, surpassed him last season in LDN as the first pairing LHD.
- Codes1087

Meaningless...

What would Mete or OJ fetch in a trade?
No contest IMO

Spitballing silly stuff only bro lol
- Nighthawk

I know why I only balled and didn't spit back

As a sophomore.

Its understandable to sleep on Senior classmen, but to perform among the best in your second year is very impressive. Hopefully he continues to see success this coming year
- WhiteLie

yes, a truly outstanding season. Kid just doesn't get the coverage because he was an unheralded 5th round pick

You have to be active in all 3 departments. Trades Draft UFA
- VANTEL

Agree 100%

JB has drafting & trading down pretty good now its UFA'a to improve on.
UFA's drying up faster each season its less important but still needed.

You have to be active in all 3 departments. Trades Draft UFA
- VANTEL

No, I don't believe that to be true at all. In 2017. It entirely depends on where you're at as a franchise. What's the point in signing a large ticket UFA worth the money if you're not in a position to compete? Benning signed a 30 goal scorer in Eriksson who helped the poop team they have to a second last finish.

Also, trades take assets to get a return, when you don't have any assets what exactly are you trading with. What do you think teams are going to give up for your first round pick if Benning is stupid enough to trade it? What about your second round pick, you get Sven Baertschi who again helped the team finish third and second last in consecutive years.

You've gotta build through the draft first IMO.

yes, a truly outstanding season. Kid just doesn't get the coverage because he was an unheralded 5th round pick
- CanuckDon

U can bet 30 other GM's r watching him & kick the tires with JB

Victor Mete, drafted by MTL 95 picks behind Juolevi, surpassed him last season in LDN as the first pairing LHD.
- Codes1087

that's not entirely accurate. Mete is more of an offensive specialist while Juolevi logged the tough assignements.

U base that on what? Don't say 2nd pairing either.
- Nighthawk

Juolevi regressed his draft +1 season, where you would expect most high end prolific prospects to either stay on par, or progress in some/all aspects of their game. You can say all you want that Juolevi not being a 1st pairing D-man on a "stacked" London team is insignificant, but it is significant. You have the top rated/top selected D man from the 2016 draft class, it should be expected he plays the most minutes, in the most crucial times, on the top d pairing in Junior. It was posted on many occasions that Victor Mete had surpassed Juolevi on the depth chart, and was more relied on than Juolevi.