Besides the first two games of the year, this team is extremely fun to watch again! Loving Hughes on the PP and Pettersson starting to look like himself again!

Watching OJ last night you can see the Comets are grooming him. He has improved his play in each of the last three games.

They are putting him out on the PK and PP . He is a very smart passer . He is starting to engage a little more with the body.

He is starting to get more confident and he is starting to climb the charts. Comets have a very good D group , better than I thought. OJ is starting to look like a number 5 pick finally.

He has also gone from -3 to +1 in the last three games.
- VANTEL

you're right he is definitely improving game to game - I've been noticing how many shots he blocks lately(Tanev-esque) - his positioning to break up plays along the boards and crossing the blue line are improving drastically as well. His stretch passes are quite good as well. I think Raffety, Brisebois and OJ are all capable of playing NHL games this year. Fantanberg looked great last night too.

I think it depends on how long Ferland and Motte are out for. Another week, sure, bring up a fill in. But a few or a month, the Canucks will need a body that they know can play at this level.

And Utica has a ton of players, they’re cycling in vets, so losing one player isn’t going to kill that momentum.
- NewYorkNuck

The more I think about it - Bailey seems to tick all the boxes. Fast, big body, smart, skill, has some NHL experience and is less likely to get claimed when sent back down.

BTW Graovac & Gadjovich are both injured

you're right he is definitely improving game to game - I've been noticing how many shots he blocks lately(Tanev-esque) - his positioning to break up plays along the boards and crossing the blue line are improving drastically as well. His stretch passes are quite good as well. I think Raffety, Brisebois and OJ are all capable of playing NHL games this year. Fantanberg looked great last night too.
- Brooks_Light

Bang on

Teves is a very good puck mover creates chances. His downfall id he is paired with Chatfield

The more I think about it - Bailey seems to tick all the boxes. Fast, big body, smart, skill, has some NHL experience and is less likely to get claimed when sent back down.

BTW Graovac & Gadjovich are both injured
- Brooks_Light

Graovac is skating today same with Zack. But you are right.

https://twitter.com/Chart...89521343936696321/photo/1

Some analytics of all NHL teams through the first part of the season.

It probably goes without saying for anyone watching all the games, but the Canucks have been almost an equal share lucky and good through their first 12. Their shooting % is sky high right now, so it will be interesting to see how they hold up when their goals/game go down.

Based on the way the share of opportunities in their games have gone, as well as the quality of the goaltending, even if they regress to NHL averages they should still be winning more than they're losing. That said, if they want to make the playoffs they definitely need to keep racking up the points now.

https://twitter.com/ChartingHockey/status/1189521343936696321/photo/1

Some analytics of all NHL teams through the first part of the season.

It probably goes without saying for anyone watching all the games, but the Canucks have been almost an equal share lucky and good through their first 12. Their shooting % is sky high right now, so it will be interesting to see how they hold up when their goals/game go down.

Based on the way the share of opportunities in their games have gone, as well as the quality of the goaltending, even if they regress to NHL averages they should still be winning more than they're losing. That said, if they want to make the playoffs they definitely need to keep racking up the points now.
- NorthNuck

The more games I see this group I wonder if Benning built a better team that most people expected? Most thought it would be a bubble team 18-14 but just perhaps it is even better.

A lot of opinions around the league still think Canucks Suck. They automatically assume Leafs and Bolts will be top 5.

Salary cap and old age kicked the crap out of a few of the expected teams that were penciled in as Cup contenders.

It is a strange year so far and I don't think Canucks have played their best hockey yet. This could be a fun year.

https://twitter.com/ChartingHockey/status/1189521343936696321/photo/1

Some analytics of all NHL teams through the first part of the season.

It probably goes without saying for anyone watching all the games, but the Canucks have been almost an equal share lucky and good through their first 12. Their shooting % is sky high right now, so it will be interesting to see how they hold up when their goals/game go down.

Based on the way the share of opportunities in their games have gone, as well as the quality of the goaltending, even if they regress to NHL averages they should still be winning more than they're losing. That said, if they want to make the playoffs they definitely need to keep racking up the points now.
- NorthNuck

It's always interesting to see how our team wins, last night the passing was excellent, that breakout pass by Pettersson was phenomenal.. The way the PP threw the puck around to open lanes was awesome and really effective against the Kings.

I take a different stance . I leave Sven down there and keep other GMs guessing his value instead of coming here doing nothing and sending his value to zero again.

I would also let Lind continue to grow . I would bring up Bailey or Perron seeing Zack is sick.
- VANTEL

Bailey sounds right. He's kind of a nothing prospect that you can sit in the press box and won't care and not waste his days up with the club.

https://twitter.com/ChartingHockey/status/1189521343936696321/photo/1

Some analytics of all NHL teams through the first part of the season.

It probably goes without saying for anyone watching all the games, but the Canucks have been almost an equal share lucky and good through their first 12. Their shooting % is sky high right now, so it will be interesting to see how they hold up when their goals/game go down.

Based on the way the share of opportunities in their games have gone, as well as the quality of the goaltending, even if they regress to NHL averages they should still be winning more than they're losing. That said, if they want to make the playoffs they definitely need to keep racking up the points now.
- NorthNuck

I think it could be the eye test showing that this team hasn't been "lucky". They are working for and earning a lot of these goals.

Watching OJ last night you can see the Comets are grooming him. He has improved his play in each of the last three games.

They are putting him out on the PK and PP . He is a very smart passer . He is starting to engage a little more with the body.

He is starting to get more confident and he is starting to climb the charts. Comets have a very good D group , better than I thought. OJ is starting to look like a number 5 pick finally.

He has also gone from -3 to +1 in the last three games.
- VANTEL

Ray Ferraro says Canucks don't have the depth when injuries happen.

Marky looks shakey since his leave of absence, ride demko and ian clark can work with him.

I think it could be the eye test showing that this team hasn't been "lucky". They are working for and earning a lot of these goals.
- manvanfan

If you look in that thread he mentions average shooting % accross the NHL will settle at around 8.5%. The Canucks are shooting over 11%, which is unsustainable. That doesn't necessarily equate to losses, it just means they will score fewer goals. When I say they've been lucky it's more that the sheer volume of goals indicates luck, not their W/L record.

Ray Ferraro says Canucks don't have the depth when injuries happen.
- manvanfan

Does anyone? as long as the top guys stay healthy we will be okay.

It's always interesting to see how our team wins, last night the passing was excellent, that breakout pass by Pettersson was phenomenal.. The way the PP threw the puck around to open lanes was awesome and really effective against the Kings.
- Makita

Last night was definitely a deserved victory, they were firing on all cylinders. I just hope Marky can get refocused before our average goals for drops

The more games I see this group I wonder if Benning built a better team that most people expected? Most thought it would be a bubble team 18-14 but just perhaps it is even better.

A lot of opinions around the league still think Canucks Suck. They automatically assume Leafs and Bolts will be top 5.

Salary cap and old age kicked the crap out of a few of the expected teams that were penciled in as Cup contenders.

It is a strange year so far and I don't think Canucks have played their best hockey yet. This could be a fun year.
- VANTEL

Too early to say. Imo there isn't a lot you can tell about how the season will go based on the games they've played so far other than that we are going to score more than last year.

I agree though, I think it's going to be the most entertaining year to be a Nucks fan in a long time.

The more games I see this group I wonder if Benning built a better team that most people expected? Most thought it would be a bubble team 18-14 but just perhaps it is even better.

A lot of opinions around the league still think Canucks Suck. They automatically assume Leafs and Bolts will be top 5.

Salary cap and old age kicked the crap out of a few of the expected teams that were penciled in as Cup contenders.

It is a strange year so far and I don't think Canucks have played their best hockey yet. This could be a fun year.
- VANTEL

The big test is coming. Injuries. We have 'more' depth this season but is it enough to get us through and still contend? Questions. I'll be happy if we finish 17-19 even this is a damn exciting team to watch when all is clicking.

Ray Ferraro says Canucks don't have the depth when injuries happen.
- manvanfan

When has Ray ever said anything nice about the Canucks? I find it hilarious when I see some people say Canucks should hire Ferarro. First of all he is not qualified and secondly he hasn't said anything positive about the Canucks in years


I am sure Canucks are the only team that would have issues if star players went down. How did Colorado do last night? How many have TO won since John T went down?

If you look in that thread he mentions average shooting % accross the NHL will settle at around 8.5%. The Canucks are shooting over 11%, which is unsustainable. That doesn't necessarily equate to losses, it just means they will score fewer goals. When I say they've been lucky it's more that the sheer volume of goals indicates luck, not their W/L record.
- NorthNuck

Is 8.5 average or top of the league?

Does anyone? as long as the top guys stay healthy we will be okay.
- Bettmanhatesus

Some teams have much better depth than others. If Van loses a top 6 player. They have Baert or Goldy to call up.

Obviously not the same quality but better than Chaput or Megma.

Too early to say. Imo there isn't a lot you can tell about how the season will go based on the games they've played so far other than that we are going to score more than last year.

I agree though, I think it's going to be the most entertaining year to be a Nucks fan in a long time.
- NorthNuck

I usually get my idea where the team stands in the 20-25 game mark . That means Canucks have 8 games or so to change my mind that they are not that good.

I don't buy excuses for winning like that was a bad team or they played back to backs. A win is a win and a loss is a loss. There were plenty of teams that came in on back 2 backs and still beat us in previous years.

I am not expecting the carpet to be pulled out from underneath nor expecting a deep playoff. I am expecting a big improvement though. I said at the beginning of the year I expect 96 pts

When has Ray ever said anything nice about the Canucks? I find it hilarious when I see some people say Canucks should hire Ferarro. First of all he is not qualified and secondly he hasn't said anything positive about the Canucks in years


I am sure Canucks are the only team that would have issues if star players went down. How did Colorado do last night? How many have TO won since John T went down?
- VANTEL

Look how bad the leafs defence has been without McDermott. He's probably a 4 and they can't replace him.

I'd be the first to admit, I think the schedule for the Canucks so far hasn't been that hard. Haven't played many good teams. Few injuries so far, nothing major.

Should see over the next 15 games what this team is made of. A little adversity is a great thing.

The big test is coming. Injuries. We have 'more' depth this season but is it enough to get us through and still contend? Questions. I'll be happy if we finish 17-19 even this is a damn exciting team to watch when all is clicking.
- LordHumungous

I don't think they are all clicking yet. One night the 4 th line carries the game last night Peteys line the game before Bo's line.

I am waiting for them all to have a good game

When has Ray ever said anything nice about the Canucks? I find it hilarious when I see some people say Canucks should hire Ferarro. First of all he is not qualified and secondly he hasn't said anything positive about the Canucks in years


I am sure Canucks are the only team that would have issues if star players went down. How did Colorado do last night? How many have TO won since John T went down?
- VANTEL

Ferraros a fawking idiot - Its the exact opposite right now from what he's saying. The team isn't 100% dependant on the top line to win. Their success is directly linked to the balance scoring. On nights when the top 6 are quiet, the bot 6 score and vice versa. When the PP is quiet, 5v5 is working.
If a few big guys go down - Gaudette, Sven, Goldy, Zac, Bailey, Fantanberg, Rafferty, Sautner, Brisebois are more than capable of stepping in and it wont be a massive blow to the team.

Look how bad the leafs defence has been without McDermott. He's probably a 4 and they can't replace him.

I'd be the first to admit, I think the schedule for the Canucks so far hasn't been that hard. Haven't played many good teams. Few injuries so far, nothing major.

Should see over the next 15 games what this team is made of. A little adversity is a great thing.
- manvanfan

I agree, we are still in the learning stages with brock,petey and Quinn and good vets to teach.