The-Impersonator Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 It's Mason Raymond, you're only as strong as your weakest link and Raymond is a pretty weak link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The-Impersonator Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 Coach AV is the team's achilles heel. He wasn't sharp enough to make the "big" call in the SC FInal to play Cory Schneider infront of his home crowd in Game 4 to help diminish the hate-factor...after the Rome-hit of the previous Game. He wasn't decisive enough to declare his intention of playing the hotter of the 2 Canucks goalies to start or open-up with in the play-offs last year. That talk definitely needed to take place with both netminders goin'-in. AV mismanages situations with his injured players. He generally expresses little or NO empathy during their recoveries & has failed to prepare replacement players on the roster. He chose to play musical-chairs with his roster for ONE full month...rather than hone some real-continuity on a decisive Plan B line-up. AV admitted that he did NOT prepare his club for Daniel's absense from the 1st round of the play-offs. Leaked info says the Canucks were inadequately prepared to face the steam-roling Kings. AV's team floundering without its' natural chemistry during the last 10 games of the season - even tho' they managed to collect points. They were either unaware of...or mismanaged Kes' injury... & on AV's recommendation traded-away his potential interim replacement & the team's best secondary scoring in Hodgson. IF players can't be honest 'bout their goals & wishes...OR the full nature of their injuries...ya gotta ask WHY? AV's made some pretty crass comments 'bout both Ballard & Hodgson as they nursed their injuries...& this obviously has pressured team leader's like Kes & Daniel into putting their own health at RISK. My fave D-man injury-prone but veteran-savy Sami Salo...who had a solid year... got nothin' but a kick in the pants instead of a respectable-offer from the Canucks. He had ALL of this in mind...when he bolted for Tampa - mark my words! Coach AV then played newbies Kassian, Pahlsson & Gragnani to distraction when they 1st arrived. He rarely knew which line they were on...from one shift to the next...let alone their "defensive" assignments & they all had their heads on adreneyline-jacked swivels. Burned-out from over-load...they got NO respect when the inevitably mistakes were made. Chris Tanev wass the ONLY Canuck player to survived that kind of initiation....& he wasn't playin' with 2 other newbies at the same time...on the same shift! Whatever happened to EASIN' the new players into the line-up? SO - as far as AV's play-off preparations went..he FAILED! We expected him to tinker with the line-up...NOT nuclear-bomb-it! The achilles-heel of this team has been Coach AV's decisions in many of the team's biggest moments. Until he ADMITS to makin' thoses mistakes...his lackadaisical ways & smug "ego" will still be a signifigant part of the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watermelons Posted September 22, 2012 Share Posted September 22, 2012 We are missing Aaron Rome On a serious note, I think that the Canucks need to develop a pack mentality (much like Boston) and stick up for our players whenever they get attacked and abused. Once other teams take note of this, they will realize that we are not a team that you can mess with, without receiving any payback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Surfer Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 Secondary scoring? We finished 5th and 1st the last two years in scoring goals. Naysayers say secondary scoring has let us down in the play off's... But as much as there is an element of fact in that last statement statement; the achilles heel was the contributing factors. The achilles heel was injuries; most significantly to Ryan Kesler (in relation to secondary scoring)! And maybe more significant; our lines had weaknesses which left us subject to match up problems. But there is a solution to all these contributing factors; 1) Our 1st line is small, and very predictable as to when they will play > therefore plan match ups that can physically overwhelm them. 2) Our 2knd line is big, fast and physical and our only 2 way line, but lacks a play maker. 3) Our 3rd line has routinely (except with CoHo) been a defensive only line, effective at that, but also lacks play making. The solution is to mix and match our best players to craft lines that both have a play maker, and still all compete physically. I suggest Danny/Kess/Booth and Burr/Hank/Kassian. Both top lines would now have speed, size, great goal scoring potential and have world class guys to control the play and distribute. THEN break out (double shift) Danny and Hank with Burr for key offensive situations > the PP, send them over the boards after every icing against opponents. I reckon the extra play then also gets Danny and Hank on in more situations, which will rejuvenate them. And the team, as our best players will be on the ice in more situations. It's also pretty easy to predict that Kess/Booth would get more goals, and Kassian's development would get a serious boost taking passes from the world's current best passer. Fans would also see that the Twins compete more than they are given credit for! Defs secondary scoring. Sedins will be getting shutdown all day long its boys like booth higgy kes ray lappy that gotta come through in those situation. and speaking of achilles i don't know if you guys have heard but Samuel Pahlsson has severed his achilles tendon while playing in Sweden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baggins Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 Yet another thread to help kill the lockout time... After this offseason I'm not fully convinced the Canucks are true Cup contenders or the team to the beat this season whenever the NHL And PA agree on millions... What do you think is the teams current Achilles heel? For me it's secondary scoring. Good ol don cherry canadian playoff vet(s) a close 2nd... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldnews Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 Untimely key injuries have been our Achilles heel. Anybody that doesn't see this team as a contender is rather unrealistic. Being a contender doesn't guarantee a cup. There's 6 to 8 legitimate contenders every season. Then add in variables such as injuries, hot streaks, and cold streaks. Being a contender isn't enough to win the cup. The stars have to align as well. But this team is indeed a contender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucklehead44 Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 I think we are almost there in terms of speed, skill, size physicality, especially after acquiring Kassian and swapping out Salo for Garrison. Picking up Doan would have been gravy. The weakest part of this team is inconsistency in bottom 9 scoring and the "mental" part of the game. I really wish Owen Nolan made our team last year, even though he wouldn't have made too much of a difference. Gritty guy who has a lot of experience and can still pot 10-15 goals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virt 'n Kass Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 Lack of a true second line playmaker. Also Raymond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kesler's Nose Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 Current achilles heel: The fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TACIC Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 CDC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rypien37 Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 TOUGHNESS. Has been for years, will continue to be when ever the season starts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beeekz Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 This team needs another Bertuzzi-esque power forward to bring the intensity and toughness game in and game out. Someone to strike fear into other players to gain the respect this team needs to stop being steamrolled. It's one thing to have a tough guy (RYP) to take on the other teams tough guy, but it's a whole other level when your teammates actually stand up for you (unlike our current team). Kassian "could" be that player also adding some offense, but as viking mama already pointed out, Vigneault's ways will probabaly destroy this kid before he actually develops into what we hope he will be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Bo7 Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 This team needs another Bertuzzi-esque power forward to bring the intensity and toughness game in and game out. Someone to strike fear into other players to gain the respect this team needs to stop being steamrolled. It's one thing to have a tough guy (RYP) to take on the other teams tough guy, but it's a whole other level when your teammates actually stand up for you (unlike our current team). Kassian "could" be that player also adding some offense, but as viking mama already pointed out, Vigneault's ways will probabaly destroy this kid before he actually develops into what we hope he will be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TowelPower12 Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 Inability to step it up a notch come playoff time. Sedins. Lunogo etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogbyte Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 Too much depth and too little top end talent (top 6) for a cap spending team. Not only the top 6 but also the entire defence is lacking. Besides Hamhuis we're average at best. Hopefully Garrison can help that out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Common sense Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 Let's wait till there's a game first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesman60 Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 During the last 2 seasons injuries have been our achilles heel. Other than that, the Canucks have to quit diving and trying to win with the PP. During the playoffs, the ref puts the whistle deep in his pocket and doesn't make all those calls that you want. When we did get a PP, the PP was a fail. You cannot turn the other cheek and expect to other team to play nice, if they get in you or a teammates face, you have to push back. Adding Garrison on defence will add some grit but we really need the forwards to stop yapping and step up when needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VanCityScout Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 winning a ton of games with awesome plays keeps the wins coming in but to win a game by physically demanding the win need more physical demand and yeah.. secondary scoring.. need more of that as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogbyte Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 Secondary scoring? We finished 5th and 1st the last two years in scoring goals. Naysayers say secondary scoring has let us down in the play off's... But as much as there is an element of fact in that last statement statement; the achilles heel was the contributing factors. The achilles heel was injuries; most significantly to Ryan Kesler (in relation to secondary scoring)! And maybe more significant; our lines had weaknesses which left us subject to match up problems. But there is a solution to all these contributing factors; 1) Our 1st line is small, and very predictable as to when they will play > therefore plan match ups that can physically overwhelm them. 2) Our 2knd line is big, fast and physical and our only 2 way line, but lacks a play maker. 3) Our 3rd line has routinely (except with CoHo) been a defensive only line, effective at that, but also lacks play making. The solution is to mix and match our best players to craft lines that both have a play maker, and still all compete physically. I suggest Danny/Kess/Booth and Burr/Hank/Kassian. Both top lines would now have speed, size, great goal scoring potential and have world class guys to control the play and distribute. THEN break out (double shift) Danny and Hank with Burr for key offensive situations > the PP, send them over the boards after every icing against opponents. I reckon the extra play then also gets Danny and Hank on in more situations, which will rejuvenate them. And the team, as our best players will be on the ice in more situations. It's also pretty easy to predict that Kess/Booth would get more goals, and Kassian's development would get a serious boost taking passes from the world's current best passer. Fans would also see that the Twins compete more than they are given credit for! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riviera82 Posted September 23, 2012 Share Posted September 23, 2012 Current achilles heel: The fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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