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Odd man out: Hordichuk

Mozy

Entry posted by Mozy

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I'm not Hordichuk's biggest fan but one thing that's been noticeable is how his presence, or lack thereof I should say, hasn't been missed in the Canucks lineup. In fact the addition of Alberts has proven that the Canucks really don't need Hordichuk's skillset in order to get by. There was a time when the Canucks all around grit was lacking and there was the need for an enforcer. However as the team has evolved, Kesler's grit factor has gone through the roof, Burrows retained his super pest attributes even though he skates on the top line, and anything Rypien can't handle Glass will gladly take a stab at. Add to all that the recent acquisition of big boy Andrew Alberts and Hordichuk's role becomes redundant.

When you look at the Canucks lineup you see a roster developed around Gillis' MO of youth and speed. Gillis doesn't go after players that are one dimensional and to that effect when he acquired Hordichuk it made sense. That being said on a team that has enforcers (and I use this term loosely as it's referring to two guys who don't physically fit the mould of an enforcer) that are smaller and can do the job they do the way Rypien and Glass do, that opens up a spot for another player who's potentially more offensively inclined.

To that end, with the forwards log jam the Canucks have since Demitra's return, Hordichuk's sitting out has freed up a spot for Hansen. Hansen's case actually amplifies my reasoning that Hordichuk's taking up valuable bottom six space when he's playing a role that's not needed. On a bottom six that's struggled Hansen's made the most of his ice time making defensively sound plays and making the most of his offensive chances. Hordichuk wouldn't have scored the back to back game winners Hansen scored. Hordichuk also has as many points as Matt Pettinger does, but he's played six times as many games.

With Glass and Rypien taking care of the rough stuff, Kesler and Burrows getting in on a dance or two of their own, and Alberts' size added to the Canucks lineup, going into the playoffs I really only see Hordichuk's role being a limited reactionary one. The Canucks have finally found a way to play hockey that doesn't require an enforcer. They've found an equilibrium of finesse and grit and taken the unnecessarily physical element out of the game. Unless the Canucks absolutely need an enforcer because they're playing a team like Philadelphia, I wouldn't give up a spot that a scorer could take for him. With Pettinger on a two-way contract I'd even go as far as to say if there was a further injury to the bottom six he deserves a call up over Hordichuk slotting in. Hordichuk's game is a good one, and he can skate amongst the best Canucks, but when you've got other players that can skate as well and provide more offense, it becomes a no brainer.

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CRAZY_4_NAZZY

I actually disagree with you on this one. I rather see Rick Rypien out of the lineup simply because Hordichuk protects his teammates as Rypien doesn't fight for others but mainly to settle a score for himself. Rypien hasn't been very noticable as of late and has taken quite a few unreasonable penalties. Hordichuk use to do that but has learned when to back off.

We brought him in for a reason was to be physical and fight. We didn't ask him to score or put much production at all. He has more composure than Rypien and Glass would when it comes to playoff time. If we were to waive Glass and Hordichuk, I gurantee you a lot of the teams would go for Hordichuk than Glass.

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Opmac
I actually disagree with you on this one. I rather see Rick Rypien out of the lineup simply because Hordichuk protects his teammates as Rypien doesn't fight for others but mainly to settle a score for himself. Rypien hasn't been very noticable as of late and has taken quite a few unreasonable penalties. Hordichuk use to do that but has learned when to back off.

We brought him in for a reason was to be physical and fight. We didn't ask him to score or put much production at all. He has more composure than Rypien and Glass would when it comes to playoff time. If we were to waive Glass and Hordichuk, I gurantee you a lot of the teams would go for Hordichuk than Glass.

Pretty much my thoughts right here.

Hordichuk acts a deterrent on the ice. All the cheapshots this year have happened on teams that lack a heavyweight enforcer, with the exception of Cooke on Savard.

Look at all the crap the Capitals have taken this year without Donald Brashear. Cam Janssen blindsiding Matt Bradley. Alex Ovechkin almost having to fight Steve Downie. Mike Green getting decked by Colton Orr and David Koci respectively.

Look at the Chicago game, Daniel Sedin gets cross checked in the back of the head.

These extra curricular activities, I have never seen happen when Hordichuk is in the lineup because opposing players know if they try something, somebody on their team will play. Steve Ott or somebody ran over someone the Canucks. Hordichuk skates over to the other side of the rink and nails Marty Turco.

Fact is Rypien can't fight anybody outside of the "middleweight" class nor does he ever try to. When he doesn't fight, Rypien is absolutely brutal and useless on the ice. Does not even attempt to hit consistently, always going for the puck. Never able to come up with the puck in the corners. Constantly falling and over skating the puck. Unable to move the puck to the net because he simply does not have the strength to do so.

Glass can try, but he's going to get destroyed in seconds as well just like by Matt Carkner.

The fact that Vigneault chooses to dress Hordichuk tonight after Glass and Rypien got pummeled by Carkner and Neil respectively the previous game, says something.

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CRAZY_4_NAZZY

Pretty much my thoughts right here.

Hordichuk acts a deterrent on the ice. All the cheapshots this year have happened on teams that lack a heavyweight enforcer, with the exception of Cooke on Savard.

Look at all the crap the Capitals have taken this year without Donald Brashear. Cam Janssen blindsiding Matt Bradley. Alex Ovechkin almost having to fight Steve Downie. Mike Green getting decked by Colton Orr and David Koci respectively.

Look at the Chicago game, Daniel Sedin gets cross checked in the back of the head.

These extra curricular activities, I have never seen happen when Hordichuk is in the lineup because opposing players know if they try something, somebody on their team will play. Steve Ott or somebody ran over someone the Canucks. Hordichuk skates over to the other side of the rink and nails Marty Turco.

Fact is Rypien can't fight anybody outside of the "middleweight" class nor does he ever try to. When he doesn't fight, Rypien is absolutely brutal and useless on the ice. Does not even attempt to hit consistently, always going for the puck. Never able to come up with the puck in the corners. Constantly falling and over skating the puck. Unable to move the puck to the net because he simply does not have the strength to do so.

Glass can try, but he's going to get destroyed in seconds as well just like by Matt Carkner.

The fact that Vigneault chooses to dress Hordichuk tonight after Glass and Rypien got pummeled by Carkner and Neil respectively the previous game, says something.

Also Hordichuk is considered the "Sheriff" in Vancity because of what he does on the ice. He protects teammates. Rypien yeah He stood up to two 6'7" players but didn't really win the fight, fights Prust 4 times great, Glass yeah he is a tough guy but more of a Grinder. There are very few "TRUE" enforcers out there and Hordichuk is one of those few who really stand up for the team as Glass does sometimes but isn't any better and Rypien is all in for himself when he fights.

Hordichuk's presence in a game is a whole lot more dangerous than Glass or Rypien.

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Opmac

Also Hordichuk is considered the "Sheriff" in Vancity because of what he does on the ice. He protects teammates. Rypien yeah He stood up to two 6'7" players but didn't really win the fight, fights Prust 4 times great, Glass yeah he is a tough guy but more of a Grinder. There are very few "TRUE" enforcers out there and Hordichuk is one of those few who really stand up for the team as Glass does sometimes but isn't any better and Rypien is all in for himself when he fights.

Hordichuk's presence in a game is a whole lot more dangerous than Glass or Rypien.

Hordichuk's no super heavyweight like Derek Boogaard, probably a light heavyweight at best because of his size (6'1"), but at the very least he won't get pummeled.

Derek Boogaard drove Ryan Kesler's head into the glass. Yeah, you think Rypien or Glass are going to grab Boogaard from behind and slam him onto the ice. I don't think so. I wonder if Rypien will even reach that high or even manage to pull Boogaard at all.

Interesting that on hockeyfights.com, they called this a win for Boogaard. Hordichuk's the only one that landed any shots.

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CRAZY_4_NAZZY

Hordichuk's no super heavyweight like Derek Boogaard, probably a light heavyweight at best because of his size (6'1"), but at the very least he won't get pummeled.

Derek Boogaard drove Ryan Kesler's head into the glass. Yeah, you think Rypien or Glass are going to grab Boogaard from behind and slam him onto the ice. I don't think so. I wonder if Rypien will even reach that high or even manage to pull Boogaard at all.

Interesting that on hockeyfights.com, they called this a win for Boogaard. Hordichuk's the only one that landed any shots.

would be nice though if Hordy was like 6'2'' or 6'3'' some legit size but his speed would be lower but either way i love his character

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