TEAM TOUGHNESS......... there is none and other teams know it! Yes, Dorsett has the heart and soul but he is NOT feared or a heavy weight by any means. We have no defenseman that have that edge and want to clear the front of the net and in fact most of them look like they are very intimidated.... IE: EDLER. Other teams players know they can just park themselves in front of our net and with no repercussions and in fact its embarrassing to watch.
I think Edler is the worst, and that guy has to go. He appears to actually get out of the way of opposing players or, stand right in front of our goalie and screen the heck out of him all the time. Defenseman are supposed to clear the front of the net and cover their man and hopefully move the puck out their end and play tough and make it a miserable place to be when the opposing players get in their kitchen.All our defenseman are too polite and not punishing the opposing players plain and simple.
I am not advocating goonery, just a some defense with a purpose and passion, and a willingness to play it tough both physically, and mentally. It must be a nightmare playing goal for our goalies with a defense core like we have.
Our defense is way too soft and we will continue to be in trouble if its not addressed.Would loved to have a guy like big buff from the Jets but oh well. I personally believe none of our players will play to their potential until the Canucks management wise up and balance this team with players with size, and an edge, which in turn make some of are more skilled players play bigger and more comfortable. We need guys like a Lucic, Ferland, yes, Kassian etc... to balance the team out out. Hell, I would even prefer Marchand at this point(as much as I can't stand him), but I got to say that even though he is not the biggest player, the guy plays big, with heart and passion, and willing to get into the dirty areas.He doesn't shy away is more than I can say for a lot of our forwards. So, until we balance this team of ours with skill, and team toughness it will always be the same old excuses, and bull$&!# end results .I think Linden, and Benning is also to be held accountable for this un balanced sorry ass state we are in. Fire Linden and Benning, bring in Crawford to coach and light a fire and instill passion, and get rid Edler and some of our soft forwards (and we have many), and bring in some toughness!!!!