I really hope Benning is paying attention to these playoffs and considers them when drafting and making changes this off-season.
#nomoresofties
- Reubenkincade

In what sense? How do you measure a softy? Austin Matthews? Big body, huge pu$$y

Maybe by the number of hits, fights? by those #'s Nashville, Calgary, Carolina, Dallas, Colorado and Washington would be the softest and The Pens, Vegas, NYI and SJ would be the toughest. Weird because I wouldn't consider any of those teams that tough, other than a few standout players, Reeves, Carrier, Kane, Dillon, Clutterbuck, Martin.

In the regular season players will take shifts or even nights off ...they will pass up chances to hit a player ...less back checking ...less attention to detail

In the playoffs you better have your man, finish every check ...and if your not giving it 100% your butt sits on the bench
- Redmile247

No fly byes in the playoffs.

In what sense? How do you measure a softy? Austin Matthews? Big body, huge pu$$y

Maybe by the number of hits, fights? by those #'s Nashville, Calgary, Carolina, Dallas, Colorado and Washington would be the softest and The Pens, Vegas, NYI and SJ would be the toughest. Weird because I wouldn't consider any of those teams that tough, other than a few standout players, Reeves, Carrier, Kane, Dillon, Clutterbuck, Martin.
- Brooks_Light

I measure softness by a players willingness to go to the hard areas and battle, whether it be for the puck or positioning.
Providing some effective hìts and being involved in scrums and not turning away from them or throwing snow when going into the corner against the opposition.
I can count on 1 hand, how many players that the Canucks have, in the forward group, that are capable of that.
Until that changes, this team may make the playoffs, within a couple seasons, but they won't last long.
Skill only gets you so far, if you aren't willing/incapable of playing with some aggression, you become the Tampa Bay Lightning.

I measure softness by a players willingness to go to the hard areas and battle, whether it be for the puck or positioning.
Providing some effective hìts and being involved in scrums and not turning away from them or throwing snow when going into the corner against the opposition.
I can count on 1 hand, how many players that the Canucks have, in the forward group, that are capable of that.
Until that changes, this team may make the playoffs, within a couple seasons, but they won't last long.
Skill only gets you so far, if you aren't willing/incapable of playing with some aggression, you become the Tampa Bay Lightning.
- Reubenkincade

to play devils advocate, there are some "soft" regular season players who are playing a completely different brand of physical hockey that maybe they wouldn't be playing in the regular season. Its what makes the playoffs so exciting, everyone is throwing their weight, fighting for the puck, trying to create space. I won't argue that the Canucks aren't exactly what you said above, but the difference between these teams in the playoffs and the Canucks, to me, isn't a comparison of soft vs strong, but talented vs lack there of. Canucks weren't the most talented team when they faced the flames in the last time they made the playoffs, but there was a bunch of nastiness in that series as well.

Haven't been to a game this year but locally Sutter has said that:

“He’s an elite level player, a stud,” said Sutter of the six-foot-one, 185-pound dazzler. “Right now he’s the best Russian centre iceman in his age group.

Pretty bold take.
- LordHumungous

He dropped from 38 to 66 in the final NA draft rankings.

Hits? It’s about systems plays and coverage. Hits will wear the other team down but eliminating their top players abilities to score will frustrate them.
- Pacificgem

Malkin and Crosby are super pissed right now

to play devils advocate, there are some "soft" regular season players who are playing a completely different brand of physical hockey that maybe they wouldn't be playing in the regular season. Its what makes the playoffs so exciting, everyone is throwing their weight, fighting for the puck, trying to create space. I won't argue that the Canucks aren't exactly what you said above, but the difference between these teams in the playoffs and the Canucks, to me, isn't a comparison of soft vs strong, but talented vs lack there of. Canucks weren't the most talented team when they faced the flames in the last time they made the playoffs, but there was a bunch of nastiness in that series as well.
- Codes1087

That's why you have to have a junkyard dog who can also play.

That's why you have to have a junkyard dog who can also play.
- VanHockeyGuy

Ferland was a thorn in the side of the Canucks that entire series. The impact he had on the 3rd or 4th line was incredible. Guy was diggin in and creating havoc all over the nice.

to play devils advocate, there are some "soft" regular season players who are playing a completely different brand of physical hockey that maybe they wouldn't be playing in the regular season. Its what makes the playoffs so exciting, everyone is throwing their weight, fighting for the puck, trying to create space. I won't argue that the Canucks aren't exactly what you said above, but the difference between these teams in the playoffs and the Canucks, to me, isn't a comparison of soft vs strong, but talented vs lack there of. Canucks weren't the most talented team when they faced the flames in the last time they made the playoffs, but there was a bunch of nastiness in that series as well.
- Codes1087

Some fair points.
Maybe I just believe some of your star players, also need to be a bit more aggressive, than the ones we have.
Boston, who arguably has the best line in hockey, has all 3 players that play assertive and are extremely talented.
Winnipeg has Schieffle and Wheeler.
Flames have Monahan and Tkachuk, even Gaudreau plays somewhat aggressive.
Colorado has McKinnon Landeskog and Rantanen that play physical.
Basically, what I am wanting, is some talented top 6 players that can also play with something other than the softness that the Canucks currently have.

Also some bottom 6 guys that can also provide some aggressiveness.😁

Wouldn't it be awesome if NYI make the 2nd round, while TML get knocked out in the 1st?

Some fair points.
Maybe I just believe some of your star players, also need to be a bit more aggressive, than the ones we have.
Boston, who arguably has the best line in hockey, has all 3 players that play assertive and are extremely talented.
Winnipeg has Schieffle and Wheeler.
Flames have Monahan and Tkachuk, even Gaudreau plays somewhat aggressive.
Colorado has McKinnon Landeskog and Rantanen that play physical.
Basically, what I am wanting, is some talented top 6 players that can also play with something other than the softness that the Canucks currently have.

Also some bottom 6 guys that can also provide some aggressiveness.😁
- Reubenkincade

I don't think its in Brock or Petey's to play that over-physical style of hockey, playoffs or not, but guess we won't know till we see them in it. Sedin's were the same way in the playoffs, I can't remember them doing much of anything physical when playoffs were happening.

Ferland was a thorn in the side of the Canucks that entire series. The impact he had on the 3rd or 4th line was incredible. Guy was diggin in and creating havoc all over the nice.
- Codes1087

If VAN wants to have a chance in the playoffs they need someone like that. Look how Tampa's getting manhandled.

If VAN wants to have a chance in the playoffs they need someone like that. Look how Tampa's getting manhandled.
- VanHockeyGuy

PIT the same. They have absolutely no answer to NYI's 4th line, and Gudbranson (im assuming the penguins toughest guy), is getting hit every opportunity, even injured in game 2, and the pens have no response.

I don't think its in Brock or Petey's to play that over-physical style of hockey, playoffs or not, but guess we won't know till we see them in it. Sedin's were the same way in the playoffs, I can't remember them doing much of anything physical when playoffs were happening.
- Codes1087

2012 LA put a bad hit on Daniel, brown I think it was. Hank later broke Brown's nose. I remember that play as hanks finest canuck captain moment.

PIT the same. They have absolutely no answer to NYI's 4th line, and Gudbranson (im assuming the penguins toughest guy), is getting hit every opportunity, even injured in game 2, and the pens have no response.
- Codes1087

No protection for the skill players, teams will take liberties. Maybe Gad's is someone who might fill that role down the road.

Malkin and Crosby are super pissed right now
- NorthNuck

Crosby -3 yesterday

2012 LA put a bad hit on Daniel, brown I think it was. Hank later broke Brown's nose. I remember that play as hanks finest canuck captain moment.
- SMBDragon

Really? Don't remember that...

Wouldn't it be awesome if NYI make the 2nd round, while TML get knocked out in the 1st?
- Retinalz

Dare to dream, I hope Boston pulverizes the Leafs, the melt down will be epic.

If VAN wants to have a chance in the playoffs they need someone like that. Look how Tampa's getting manhandled.
- VanHockeyGuy

Rousell 'could' be that guy but not to the extent of Ferland IMO.

Dare to dream, I hope Boston pulverizes the Leafs, the melt down will be epic.
- Makita

It's going 7.

It's going 7.
- LordHumungous

We'll see, they have no answer (other than whining) for Bostons rough play, really hoping Kadri is gone for 6.

Crosby -3 yesterday


- LordHumungous

I hope their days as contenders are done and they fade into obscurity for the remainder of their careers

I hope their days as contenders are done and they fade into obscurity for the remainder of their careers
- NorthNuck

Harsh

Rousell 'could' be that guy but not to the extent of Ferland IMO.
- LordHumungous

yup, I forgot about him, but that kind of player

We'll see, they have no answer (other than whining) for Bostons rough play, really hoping Kadri is gone for 6.
- Makita

what a POS