Benning's old school. He'll make it work.
- YeOldTimer

Well played

I don't care what Nucker says Gaunce is running out of time and room
- VANTEL

Time for what? Time to be the player you thought he was going to be? There's nothing wrong with a young quality defensive player who plays physical. The Canucks are not going to focus on the lack of goals in the past especially when he was getting a large number of scoring chances with no support from the 4rth line. There is more to this player if he can stay healthy. The coaches know it... you keep talking about him like he's a failed top 6 project.

He gets poop for not liking the youth, but he was right about those 2 being overrated last year, now everyone is realizing it this year.
- Nucker101

Yup. Two recent examples of players who needed more time developing on the farm. One is shattered and the other might prevail with a stronger defensive core around him. But I realize it is taboo to criticize the new shiny toys.

Time for what? Time to be the player you thought he was going to be? There's nothing wrong with a young quality defensive player who plays physical. The Canucks are not going to focus on the lack of goals in the past especially when he was getting a large number of scoring chances with no support from the 4rth line. There is more to this player if he can stay healthy. The coaches know it... you keep talking about him like he's a failed top 6 project.

- boonerbuck

Physical

12 pts in three years is not going to cut it

So why do people dislike Hughes but like Bouchard?

Bouchard is apparently the one with the most question marks defensively out of all the top dmen in this draft. Some people who watch him even go as far to say that he’s not even a good enough defender by CHL standards yet.

Haven’t seen enough of him yet to comment myself but I don’t want to draft the next Pouliot.
- Nucker101

Did you see my post yesterday on Bouchard? I cooled off on him as well. Hughes is now my #3 and Bouchards point totals are not going to change that.

Other negatives mentioned by scouts besides defensive awareness on Bouchard is skating and lack of compete.

Three things we don't want in a D prospect with this high pick... Lack of defensive awareness, lack foot speed and lack compete.

If you want that type of Dman then go for Boqvist
- VANTEL

We need a top 3 or 4 for that.

Physical

12 pts in three years is not going to cut it
- VANTEL

He's not on the team to get points, he's on the team to stop the other team from getting points. Teams needs players like that. I have no problem with Gaunce.

We need a top 3 or 4 for that.
- boonerbuck

I think he will go 6-8 spot

Did you see my post yesterday on Bouchard? I cooled off on him as well. Hughes is now my #3 and Bouchards point totals are not going to change that.

Other negatives mentioned by scouts besides defensive awareness on Bouchard is skating and lack of compete.

Three things we don't want in a D prospect with this high pick... Lack of defensive awareness, lack foot speed and lack compete.

- boonerbuck

Yeah, I’ve read similar things but his point totals compared to his teammates are great + some scouting reports say he’s a fluid skater and a good 2-way dman so it’s bizarre

He’s the one top 10 guy I’m really curious to see more of since his scouting reports are all over the map

He's not on the team to get points, he's on the team to stop the other team from getting points. Teams needs players like that. I have no problem with Gaunce.
- Marwood

You don't like Sutter and he stops the other teams top lines and gets points

Bochard is 6'2 is a good skater as well . Good set up man , good shot and is not bad defensively like Nucker said he is a plus 23 not minus 23

Dobson is 6'3 and a solid 2 way Dman and that is why Canucks have growing interest
- VANTEL

Go watch a couple hours of Bouchard.

He is not a very good skater. He's not very good defensively. His ability to rack up points tilts his +/-.

You suffer size tunnel vision.

i think bouchard would be a good pick for you guys.
- Tumbleweed

I bet you would,,,,

Go watch a couple hours of Bouchard.

He is not a very good skater. He's not very good defensively. His ability to rack up points tilts his +/-.

You suffer size tunnel vision.

- boonerbuck

I have seen him actually play on TV not just highlight packs on Youtube I stand by my opinion

I want two things:

- Upgrade some of the surplus quantity for higher quality.

Baertschi, Dahlen, Gagner, Goldobin, Granlund, Leipsic, Motte, etc. are all versions of the same type of player and you really only need one of those guys (until he's broken). Do two for one trades on four of them to get two better players who are still under 25.


- Get a second pick in the top half of each of the first two rounds this year.

Buy a pet dinosaur or two if you have to.
- YeOldTimer

I used to feel the same way, but watching how important speed is this year and in the playoffs, i'm rethinking this.

Of those mentioned, i'd happily move on from Gagner and probably Granlund.
i'd put Dahlen in the AHL.
I'd like to make room for Baer, goldy, Leipsic.
Motte i'm on the fence with.

Overall, i want more speed.
move on from the dino's.

You don't like Sutter and he stops the other teams top lines and gets points
- VANTEL

I’m fine with both players. I don’t understand how people love 1 but hate the other. Gaunce is the 4th line/cheap version of Sutter. Not as good of a player, but both free up easier minutes of young offensive forwards. Both are inefficient if given offensive roles.

I hated Sutter when he was on PP1, getting neutral/easy ozone starts and not producing enough offense.

Green is using him effectively. He’s using Gaunce effectively as well.

I have seen him actually play on TV not just highlight packs on Youtube I stand by my opinion
- VANTEL

The “highlight” packs are as good or even better than watching the games on TV IMO.

They show every shift by the player and allow you to focus on him specifically. During the games, we’re all distracted by who has the puck.

You don't like Sutter and he stops the other teams top lines and gets points
- VANTEL

I never said I don't like Sutter. I don't think he's 'foundational' and he's paid too much but he does his job for the most part.

I’m fine with both players. I don’t understand how people love 1 but hate the other. Gaunce is the 4th line/cheap version of Sutter. Not as good of a player, but both free up easier minutes of young offensive forwards. Both are inefficient if given offensive roles.
- Nucker101

I don't hate Gaunce but if you talk about rolling four lines and attacking with speed on all four then you don't have room a player that has an average of four points a year.

Secondly Sutter has speed and is very good at shutting down the other teams top line and the big plus is he puts up very good third line numbers .

Gaunce does not put up numbers against other teams third and fourth lines

Fair enough. Again, I’m looking forward to seeing some of his full game shift by shift videos. I’m wondering why he isn’t being ranked top 3 or top 4 unanimously with his stats, especially as a dman. Not like he’s lacking in exposure playing for the London Knights
- Nucker101

I know right. If his points over shadow the warts that much.... why isnt he considered the next Dahlen. Truth is the scouts that have him in the top 10 are getting looked at by many as controversial in a small way. To me, that means higher gamble taking him in the top 7 over much better Dmen who are still high end on the offense. Hughes can skate and do it all... Boqvist has one of the best shots in the draft class. Both can do it in the O end or join the rush with their speed. Both are very defensive aware as well. Bouchards lack of speed will be glarinbg once he leaves junior.

I’m fine with both players. I don’t understand how people love 1 but hate the other. Gaunce is the 4th line/cheap version of Sutter. Not as good of a player, but both free up easier minutes of young offensive forwards. Both are inefficient if given offensive roles.

I hated Sutter when he was on PP1, getting neutral/easy ozone starts and not producing enough offense.

Green is using him effectively. He’s using Gaunce effectively as well.
- Nucker101

Sutter is a much better player than Gaunce.
Sutter is a shutdown guy that can actually score.
If Gaunce ever scores 15g in one season i'd be blown away.
I don't dislike Gaunce, i think he's a decent 4th liner, but poor comparison imo.

I never said I don't like Sutter. I don't think he's 'foundational' and he's paid too much but he does his job for the most part.
- Marwood

Fair . I agree about the overpaid but who on Canucks isn't, that is not named Brock

The “highlight” packs are as good or even better than watching the games on TV IMO.

They show every shift by the player and allow you to focus on him specifically. During the games, we’re all distracted by who has the puck.
- Nucker101

Same arguements every year OJ Chychrun Sergachev

Pattersson Glass Mittlestadt

Dahlin, yes.

But a potential 6’2” top pairing dman who puts up goals, assists and apparently is a good skater that plays well at both ends of the ice and handles 30 mins per night...

Why is that guy ranked below potential 25-30 goal wingers?
- Nucker101

It's obvious. His points are covering up his warts.... but not enough to get him in the top 5... or top 10 by many scouts still for that matter. People are all over the place on him to be honest.

I simply believe that Hughes size is not as much as a limitation as Bouchard's foot speed and defensive awareness. What Bouchard lacks, Hughes has in spades along with all that offense but at a fast game controlling pace that Bouchard will never do. Bouchard will shine on the PP big time... but so will Hughes.

I think someone is going to draft a one trick pony in Bouchard. Still a good pick 8 or lower though.

He's not on the team to get points, he's on the team to stop the other team from getting points. Teams needs players like that. I have no problem with Gaunce.
- Marwood

Tunnel Vision.

Tunnel Vision.
- boonerbuck

Yes you certainly do .