Not trying to be smart ass but I don't see a skill set. He has 32 goals since being drafted 2 fights and about 10 big hits.
If he was good at at least one thing I wouldn't look at him as another Hansen .
- VANTEL

True, but his goal totals have improved each year. If JV was a late 1st or even early 2nd rounder, nobody would be complaining about him or wanting to trade him. They would think he was a success for that kind of draft position, and I do not see the value in trading him away because he was a 6OA and not the 24OA. I would have him on my 3rd line before Leivo any day.

His biggest issue is consistency.
Patience could pay dividends or decide it’s not happenning & he’s moved. That is a very difficult decision to make.
- Nighthawk

Often the difference between a 3rd liner and 2nd liner is consistency.

A thought on Kapanen:

Though I would love to OS him, Toronto could probably get more than a 2nd in a trade for him. They may just trade his rights. With the need on defense, should we be spending assets on Kapapen?
- Retinalz

The honorable thing to do is to let the Leafs know they can make a trade or face an offer sheet.

Horvat turned 24 today.

Horvat turned 24 today.
- boonerbuck

S then we still have 6-12 more years before we should think about moving on from him?

How about...

Tanev/Goldy for Kap/Horton/2nd

How about...

Tanev/Goldy for Kap/Horton/2nd
- Nighthawk

I think we are paying too much here.

Goldy + 3rd for Kap/Horton

You've come to the right place seeking comfort.
- Marwood

Not trying to be smart ass but I don't see a skill set. He has 32 goals since being drafted 2 fights and about 10 big hits.
If he was good at at least one thing I wouldn't look at him as another Hansen .
- VANTEL

To date, Hansen was significantly better. That guy hustled every shift.

True, but his goal totals have improved each year. If JV was a late 1st or even early 2nd rounder, nobody would be complaining about him or wanting to trade him. They would think he was a success for that kind of draft position, and I do not see the value in trading him away because he was a 6OA and not the 24OA. I would have him on my 3rd line before Leivo any day.
- Retinalz

I think Vantel singles out JV because he’s one of the few tradeable players we have Based on potential and not actual skill set.

To date, Hansen was significantly better. That guy hustled every shift.
- micah555

Does hustle actually make the player better or just makes coaches, GMs, and fans feel better?

Horvat turned 24 today.
- boonerbuck

'C' next season?

Does hustle actually make the player better or just makes coaches, GMs, and fans feel better?
- bloatedmosquito

In Goldy’s case all of the above

Does hustle actually make the player better or just makes coaches, GMs, and fans feel better?
- bloatedmosquito

Uh... Yes? Hansen was a good player because he was a tenacious puck chaser. He didn't have the vision or skills to wait for the play to come to him.

In Goldy’s case all of the above
- Nighthawk

WD loved Vey because he hustled.

See it all the time, coaches who fall in love with guys who hustle. These players hustle their way to 13 goals a season. Hustle their team to 20th place. But hey, they should be proud... lead by example.

Uh... Yes? Hansen was a good player because he was a tenacious puck chaser. He didn't have the vision or skills to wait for the play to come to him.
- micah555

See above.

I know what you are saying it’s just that a bunch of hustle, 13 goals, and a +2 at the end of the season ain’t helping much.

WD loved Vey because he hustled.

See it all the time, coaches who fall in love with guys who hustle. These players hustle their way to 13 goals a season. Hustle their team to 20th place. But hey, they should be proud... lead by example.
- bloatedmosquito

Guys that do 'the little things'.

WD loved Vey because he hustled.

See it all the time, coaches who fall in love with guys who hustle. These players hustle their way to 13 goals a season. Hustle their team to 20th place. But hey, they should be proud... lead by example.
- bloatedmosquito

Lol, that’s a pretty myopic view.

Yes, some less skilled players hustle to make an impact. Some highly skilled players don’t hustle, and leave people pulling out their hair. Kovalev, Ovi early in his career, hell Bertuzzi was a big floater that people got annoyed with. The scoring doesn’t necessary make up for their lack of hustle: to pucks, on D, on the forecheck.. they don’t win championships.

Vey wasn’t really skilled enough to have his hustle impact that much. Hansen had more to his game, and his hustle multiplied the skill he had.

Lol, that’s a pretty myopic view.

Yes, some less skilled players hustle to make an impact. Some highly skilled players don’t hustle, and leave people pulling out their hair. Kovalev, Ovi early in his career, hell Bertuzzi was a big floater that people got annoyed with. The scoring doesn’t necessary make up for their lack of hustle: to pucks, on D, on the forecheck.. they don’t win championships.

Vey wasn’t really skilled enough to have his hustle impact that much. Hansen had more to his game, and his hustle multiplied the skill he had.
- NewYorkNuck

I don’t think it’s myopic, I just think people overvalue hustle especially in the absence of skill. I wasn’t a huge Hansen fan anyway. Just another role player in my view.

WD loved Vey because he hustled.

See it all the time, coaches who fall in love with guys who hustle. These players hustle their way to 13 goals a season. Hustle their team to 20th place. But hey, they should be proud... lead by example.
- bloatedmosquito

You're comparing Vey to Hansen!?

I don’t think it’s myopic, I just think people overvalue hustle especially in the absence of skill. I wasn’t a huge Hansen fan anyway. Just another role player in my view.
- bloatedmosquito

It seems like you’re equating hustle only to 3rd and 4th liners — maybe I’m misreading. Those players generally need to hustle more because their skills aren’t great enough to coast on. The first line players can rely more on their skill, but their hustle is what determines how far teams go.

Again, kovalev is probably one of the most skilled guys to play in the past 20 years, but had zero hustle and was a hole out there. Crosby is super skilled, but his hustle makes him the best player in the game.

Guys that do 'the little things'.
- Marwood

Intangibles.

You're comparing Vey to Hansen!?
- micah555

No, I’m talking about fans and coaches love of players who hustle but have very little else to offer. Vey is an example. Hansen is a separate example. To me both players are insignificant regardless who has more hustle.

Someone recently posted a clip a few days back of play by play guys talking how frustrating it was to watch WD play hustle over skill. I see that a lot in the NHL, and I find it frustrating. I think it’s a bit old school.

It seems like you’re equating hustle only to 3rd and 4th liners — maybe I’m misreading. Those players generally need to hustle more because their skills aren’t great enough to coast on. The first line players can rely more on their skill, but their hustle is what determines how far teams go.

Again, kovalev is probably one of the most skilled guys to play in the past 20 years, but had zero hustle and was a hole out there. Crosby is super skilled, but his hustle makes him the best player in the game.
- NewYorkNuck

Well it was in the context of JV. Fans get frustrated with his lack of hustle but I see some skill there that I’m not ready to give up on. Yet. Same goes for Goldy I guess. There just seems there’s a little more there than 3rd line talent. Just don’t know if it can be coached out of them.

I would kill a thousand Hansen’s to get one Kovalev.

Well it was in the context of JV. Fans get frustrated with his lack of hustle but I see some skill there that I’m not ready to give up on. Yet. Same goes for Goldy I guess. There just seems there’s a little more there than 3rd line talent. Just don’t know if it can be coached out of them.

I would kill a thousand Hansen’s to get one Kovalev.
- bloatedmosquito

I think Jake is the type of guy you want on your 3rd line in the Playoffs, and think within 2 seasons we can get there.