Bur14Kes17 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Can we possibly say that this year for the very first time, we have a line up that does not have any holes in it??? From top to bottom we have each and every role filled??? First Line: Option A- Sedin Sedin Burrows Option B- Sedin Sedin Kassian We have one of the top 1st lines in the NHL of Sedin Sedin Burrows. In the past, we have complained about the sedins getting pushed around and beaten on and we've wanted a big tough guy that is able to play with them. Now we have Zack Kassian who in his short time with the Sedins demonstrated both his ability to score goals and step up and fight when he needs to. We are now able to rotate between these two line mates. Burrows is the better option for the Sedins when we need scoring at this point because Zack just hasn't learned how to do all of the little things that Burrows can. At this point, Zack seems to feed off of the chances that the Sedins create and hasn't figured out how to create things for them as well. This is something that he will eventually learn, but in the mean time, he is our second option for when the line needs toughness. Second Line: Option A- Booth Kesler Kassian/Burrows Option B- Higgins Kesler Kassian/Burrows The make up of the second line on the RW depends on whats going on with the first line as far as whether or not the other team is taking liberties with the Sedins. However, whether its Kassian or Burrows on the second line, both have shown their ability to great passers. Last year we were griping because after Kesler's 40 goal season, he seemed to think he was the next Stamkos and didn't need to pass anymore. This doesn't help anything when we already know that Booth isn't a great passer either. Last year this was Raymonds place (again with the passing problems), however, enter either Kassian or Burrows and we now have a play making winger who can both score, but more importantly has the ability to pass and make up for kesler's puck hogging. Booth and Higgins are a 1A 1B option in my opinion. Higgins has showed he can score when he's put in that roll, but Booth has a higher ceiling and practiced with Kesler through the summer so he should be our 1A option. Third Line: Raymond Schroeder Hansen This has to be one of the fastest lines in the NHL. Since being placed together they have shown exceptional chemistry, defensive responsibility, and the ability to make the opposition chase them around in the offensive zone and wear them down. Schroeder has been a very pleasant surprise with his defensive awareness, face off prowess, and has shown himself to be a two was center. Both Raymond and Hansen are two of the safest guys to have in our own zone. The big question mark going in to the start of the season was, "what are we going to do for a second line?!", but with the resurgence of Raymond and the surprise that is Schroeder, these guys have stepped and produced like a second line. Fourth Line: Higgins Lappy Volpatti Anytime you have Higgins and Lappy as 2/3 of your 4th line, things are going well. Both of these two are entirely capable of being 3rd liners and higgins of being a 2nd liner. Volpatti brings the punch to this line. Literally. The man is a human wrecking ball flying around the ice and Chuck Norris was a mentor to his right fist. Ask Brad Winchester. The trickle down effect of having Booth and Kesler back in the lineup is what turns this team from a playoff team, to a contender. 1st D Pairing: Bieksa Hamhuis Rocky start to the season, but with each passing game we are seeing them return to last years form and a legit shut down pairing that can contribute offensively. Bieksa brings the juice, Hammer brings the safety. 2nd D Pairing: Garrison Edler If there is a question mark on this team, it is this pairing. Funny how the pairing that has the MOST potential to be absolutly BEAST like, is the one question mark on the whole team. As the season moves on and with more games, im sure that these two will settle in with each other and play safer more fluid hockey and Garrison will begin to fill the net. Honestly though, if this is the biggest question mark on our team... why are we griping? 3rd Pairing: Ballard Tanev Cheers to Ballard and Tanev for forming the most reliable D pairing of the season and an even bigger cheers to Ballard for showing all the haters what he's capable of!! Ballard is probably not worth his 4 million dollar contract, but him and Tanev have been rock solid together and im willing to overpay one defender, to have a pairing that is rock solid. Goalies: Bobby Lou of Schneiderman Who cares whos in net. They will win the Jennings trophy again this year. Best tandem in the NHL. IF by chance either one gets traded at the deadline, we will be getting one hell of a return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkeeterHansen Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 You can never have "too much depth", but with Kesler and Booth coming back, dare I say thats what we've got? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NightHawkSniper Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I'd like Kassian with the Sedins, but then again I'd like to see Kassian with Kesler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuck nit Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Lack of right handed D. No PP specialist,despite what the fan boys thought Garrison was to bring to the table. No face off specialist to fill Manny's departure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimberWolf Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I'd like Kassian with the Sedins, but then again I'd like to see Kassian with Kesler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucktican Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Yea! We have our secondary scoring working which I think was lacking for the past seasons! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicNuckleHead09 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Lack of right handed D. No PP specialist,despite what the fan boys thought Garrison was to bring to the table. No face off specialist to fill Manny's departure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmpunk Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 PP sucks with all that talent still. PP was a problem last playoffs, and SCF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bookie Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 That's what she said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil_314 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 @ OP: I'd switch Hansen onto the 2nd and Booth on the 3rd. Lack of right handed D. No PP specialist,despite what the fan boys thought Garrison was to bring to the table. No face off specialist to fill Manny's departure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Brahma Bull Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 The problem this year may be too many options. I don't even want to know how many different line combinations AV will try out. I just hope our team stays relatively healthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzam Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 I think we may need more depth at center. A third line center would be nice. Not sure how Schroeder would hold up in the playoffs when it gets tougher. Raymond Schroeder Hansen - Will get pushed around too easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaMacNamedDre Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 I think we may need more depth at center. A third line center would be nice. Not sure how Schroeder would hold up in the playoffs when it gets tougher. Raymond Schroeder Hansen - Will get pushed around too easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salmon Arm Canuck Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 ^^^^^ Agreed on the third line and size. That being said, if they score and our power play makes the opposition pay during the playoffs, then the size issue won't matter....but it is an issue for sure. Kassian won't be double shifting during the playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuck nit Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Face off specialist center and right handed D PP specialist are holes that need to be filled before the playoffs. This has been covered extensively in the media. The question being if Gillis is now too afraid or has changed his mind to trade Luo-who goes to fill those positions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAMBUTANS Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Hole caused by Rome's departure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dral Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 I've been saying this for the last couple of seasons - then the playoffs come around and the Canucks get injured. It's not the best team that wins the playoffs, it's the least injured team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silfverberg Snipes Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 I'm more likely than not outnumbered in my opinion, but I'm not really confident in our D-core. Both Hamhuis and Edler looked terrible last year in the playoffs and I never really did think Bieksa was good at anything other than physicality. The only pair I'm truly confident in thus far is Tanev and Ballard. I hope they prove me wrong but I guess we'll find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kj29 Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 When Booth comes back, Schroeder demoted Lapierre on 3rd line Ebbett in... 4th line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mookie Wilson Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 I'm more likely than not outnumbered in my opinion, but I'm not really confident in our D-core. Both Hamhuis and Edler looked terrible last year in the playoffs and I never really did think Bieksa was good at anything other than physicality. The only pair I'm truly confident in thus far is Tanev and Ballard. I hope they prove me wrong but I guess we'll find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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