Podkolzin and Zlodeyev called up to the national team for 1st stage of the Euro tour.
- boonerbuck

What position is he playing? Left-right-out?

We should have a decent chance this season with the AHL D we have on the team!
- VanHockeyGuy

Top four should be fine, Tanev for Schmidt is probably a slight improvement, it’s the depth that’s the issue. With no money to spend they’re going to have to rely on young players or depth players.

I can see Alex Edler having to play 25 to 30 minutes a night again, which leads to fatigue and several mistakes from it.

Which AHL players made the team? I seem to have missed the Canucks camp and preseason....

- boonerbuck

Maybe the forgotten Lockwood will surprise a few people. He can at least skate well enough for the show.

Top four should be fine, Tanev for Schmidt is probably a slight improvement, it’s the depth that’s the issue. With no money to spend they’re going to have to rely on young players or depth players.

I can see Alex Edler having to play 25 to 30 minutes a night again, which leads to fatigue and several mistakes from it.
- Pacificgem

We have Hughes, Schmidt, Edler, Myers, Benn. The rest are AHL players. One injury and there's trouble.

Top four should be fine, Tanev for Schmidt is probably a slight improvement, it’s the depth that’s the issue. With no money to spend they’re going to have to rely on young players or depth players.

I can see Alex Edler having to play 25 to 30 minutes a night again, which leads to fatigue and several mistakes from it.
- Pacificgem

I think Schmidt in for Tanev is a big improvement. I also think OJ in for Stetcher is an improvement, and Hughes in his second year will be a big improvement on Hughes in his first year. Our defense at the start of this season is better than last year, forward group is about the same, goaltending took a small dip but likely to be negligible since Holtby is a fine goalie and Demko has the confidence from destroying Vegas to know he can do it.

I think Schmidt in for Tanev is a big improvement. I also think OJ in for Stetcher is an improvement, and Hughes in his second year will be a big improvement on Hughes in his first year. Our defense at the start of this season is better than last year, forward group is about the same, goaltending took a small dip but likely to be negligible since Holtby is a fine goalie and Demko has the confidence from destroying Vegas to know he can do it.
- Retinalz

I didn't get a chance to formulate an opinion in his 6 minutes of NHL ice time.

I think Schmidt in for Tanev is a big improvement. I also think OJ in for Stetcher is an improvement, and Hughes in his second year will be a big improvement on Hughes in his first year. Our defense at the start of this season is better than last year, forward group is about the same, goaltending took a small dip but likely to be negligible since Holtby is a fine goalie and Demko has the confidence from destroying Vegas to know he can do it.
- Retinalz

Ok...this is just ridiculous, Stecher may not be an all-star but he’s a serviceable NHL dman with almost 300 games of NHL experience. Which Juolevi hasn’t proven he can be yet. Nice reach though.

As for Tanev and Schmidt, they play a totally different style of game so I don’t think it’s a huge improvement, but an improvement nonetheless.

I didn't get a chance to formulate an opinion in his 6 minutes of NHL ice time.
- VanHockeyGuy

Realistically, I doubt OJ is an immediate improvement on Stetcher overall but the zone entries should improve. Not sure he gets PP time. Schmidt and Myers are ahead of him on PP depth but he may eventually bump Myers if they play 2 D on 2nd PP unit. Zone exits are a mixed bag. Capable of great passes out but also gets hemmed in. You are right though, it's all theory with only 6 min NHL playing time.

Realistically, I doubt OJ is an immediate improvement on Stetcher overall but the zone entries should improve. Not sure he gets PP time. Schmidt and Myers are ahead of him on PP depth but he may eventually bump Myers if they play 2 D on 2nd PP unit. Zone exits are a mixed bag. Capable of great passes out but also gets hemmed in. You are right though, it's all theory with only 6 min NHL playing time.
- boonerbuck

The point i'm trying to get across, as it stands today. One significant injury to the top 4 D, this team will be in big trouble.

The point i'm trying to get across, as it stands today. One significant injury to the top 4 D, this team will be in big trouble.
- VanHockeyGuy

For the Canucks an injury to a defenceman it’s just a matter of time, not if it happens, it always happens.

The point i'm trying to get across, as it stands today. One significant injury to the top 4 D, this team will be in big trouble.
- VanHockeyGuy

Most teams are like this. Very few teams have ELC guys in the AHL that can 100% step in and play those minutes(they usually make the team if they can) and AHL depth players are often the best option after your 7th dman.

Most teams are like this. Very few teams have ELC guys in the AHL that can 100% step in and play those minutes(they usually make the team if they can) and AHL depth players are often the best option after your 7th dman.
- Retinalz

Okay fine, no problem.

For the Canucks an injury to a defenceman it’s just a matter of time, not if it happens, it always happens.
- Pacificgem

I know, it's a clear path to the bottom 10. You can't rely on kids with zero NHL experience.

The point i'm trying to get across, as it stands today. One significant injury to the top 4 D, this team will be in big trouble.
- VanHockeyGuy

Well, good thing the season doesn't start today then

I mean, how great was it last year? Stetcher was serviceable in the top 4, but he wasn't making it anything great. I think JB will add one more vet D man to the team, either with a small trade or sign someone like Hamonic to a cheap deal.

Well, good thing the season doesn't start today then

I mean, how great was it last year? Stetcher was serviceable in the top 4, but he wasn't making it anything great. I think JB will add one more vet D man to the team, either with a small trade or sign someone like Hamonic to a cheap deal.
- NewYorkNuck

Isn't that what I put in my post?

I know, it's a clear path to the bottom 10. You can't rely on kids with zero NHL experience.
- VanHockeyGuy

Quinn Hughes begs to differ. Cale Makar, Adam Fox... lots of players step out of the AHL or college to play reliable parts on their team.

At some point you have to rely on them – I mean, how else are they going to get experience in the NHL if you're not gonna play them in the NHL?

The point i'm trying to get across, as it stands today. One significant injury to the top 4 D, this team will be in big trouble.
- VanHockeyGuy

That's a difference of one depth player(Stetcher) from last season. There's time to address that.

The health of the top 4 has improved with Tanev's replacement. That's a little more comforting.

Quinn Hughes begs to differ. Cale Makar, Adam Fox... lots of players step out of the AHL or college to play reliable parts on their team.

At some point you have to rely on them – I mean, how else are they going to get experience in the NHL if you're not gonna play them in the NHL?
- NewYorkNuck

We'll have to let them play

Quinn Hughes begs to differ. Cale Makar, Adam Fox... lots of players step out of the AHL or college to play reliable parts on their team.

At some point you have to rely on them – I mean, how else are they going to get experience in the NHL if you're not gonna play them in the NHL?
- NewYorkNuck

Nice cherry picking.

Realistically, I doubt OJ is an immediate improvement on Stetcher overall but the zone entries should improve. Not sure he gets PP time. Schmidt and Myers are ahead of him on PP depth but he may eventually bump Myers if they play 2 D on 2nd PP unit. Zone exits are a mixed bag. Capable of great passes out but also gets hemmed in. You are right though, it's all theory with only 6 min NHL playing time.
- boonerbuck

OJ has always had an NHL IQ his body let him down because of all the injuries. Now he's fit and ready to claim the roster spot. He also has added becoming a PK specialist so PP time does not matter. That's why he's likely to take Stecher minutes and improve on that.

That's a difference of one depth player(Stetcher) from last season. There's time to address that.

The health of the top 4 has improved with Tanev's replacement. That's a little more comforting.
- boonerbuck

Canucks may add another vet D but they got capable guys ready to prove themselves. How are we so much worse because we lost Fatty and Stecher?

Seriously, if the Canuck prospects like Tryamkin, OJ, Chatfield, Rafferty, Brisbois are not ready by now to challenge for 6/7 roster spot then they should cut them loose. Sign a low cost vet and just wait on Rathbone and Woo to show it.

Quinn Hughes begs to differ. Cale Makar, Adam Fox... lots of players step out of the AHL or college to play reliable parts on their team.

At some point you have to rely on them – I mean, how else are they going to get experience in the NHL if you're not gonna play them in the NHL?
- NewYorkNuck

This is true!

Nice cherry picking.
- Marwood

You got it chief. Clearly picked the top end guys, as that's who I could remember off the top of my head.

I don't know all the teams' rookies who are playing as the 6th D man who filled in for the top 4 here and there. But assuredly there are a number of them

We'll have to let them play
- VanHockeyGuy

That's exactly my point..?

Canucks may add another vet D but they got capable guys ready to prove themselves. How are we so much worse because we lost Fatty and Stecher?

Seriously, if the Canuck prospects like Tryamkin, OJ, Chatfield, Rafferty, Brisbois are not ready by now to challenge for 6/7 roster spot then they should cut them loose. Sign a low cost vet and just wait on Rathbone and Woo to show it.
- NuckUp

I covered this already. I agree mostly.