DownUndaCanuck Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 I'll admit I used to hate on Bieksa the last 3 seasons for some of his really stupid defensive plays. Sure he's always been a clutch scorer and big-time performer, but that never made up for his brain-farts in his own zone. This season though, Kevin is playing a much more physical, solid defensive brand of hockey while putting up career offensive numbers at the same time. He's really become a leader on this defence. I just wanted to highlight the effect his absence has on this team, particularly the defence that quite frankly looks lost without its only right-handed shooter. In the last 5 games without Bieksa playing, the Canucks are a perfect 0-3-2. No wins. Of course he came back for the L.A match, a game against a team that had won 5 straight, had the two hottest scorers in Carter (6 game goal streak on the line) and Kopitar (almost 2 points per game in his last 5 games) and Bieksa and co. throttled the Champs 5-2. Now in those last 5 games here's how our defence fared. We were outscored 10-20 and here were our defender's +/- ratings: Edler: -4 Tanev: -2 Hamhuis: even Garrison: even Alberts: -1 Ballard: -4 This team shouldn't depend on one guy so badly. If we can't deal with injuries right now, we won't deal with them well in the playoffs. Hopefully it's nothing worse, like the fact that the other defenders NEED a right handed defenceman for the lefties to be comfortable, or MG will have to go find one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-DLC- Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 I said this in the PGT and fully support it. People don't always see Bieksa for what he is - which is a big part of the backbone of this team. He's a bit of a conductor and, without him, the supporting cast lacks direction. Bieksa has made a conscientious effort in his career to develop in playing to his strengths. He likes to jump up into the play but doesn't just do so - he tries to choose exactly when by only attempting to get involved offensively if he believes he'll get to the puck without it creating a defensive problem. It's taken some work to do that. His balance in that does make him pretty valuable...I honestly think the guy could be a forward. Is he the be all to end all and savior of the team? No. But I do think that he's a missing piece to making this puzzle complete and when he's missing, the team doesn't function as well as a whole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zissou Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Bieksa is like Salo a few years ago - he (sometimes quietly) does his thing on the back end, but the winning percentage with him in the lineup is way higher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogbyte Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Wow, our defence is pathetic. Best top 6 in the league. What a joke. The worst top 4 defensively in the league, now that I buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xbox Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 I've never hated Bieksa. Always one of my favorites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang Bang Boogie Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 I'm a not a Bieksa fan by any means, but these last two games have showed me how important he is to the defense. They have looked lost without him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeNiro Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 The Canucks are missing alot of things. Leadership seems to be one of them. I think Bieksa is a huge part of that on the ice. This team needs a serious injection of talent though. Only question is does MG have the balls to do it? Or is he going to go shopping in the bargain bin come trade deadline? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuretoMogilny Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 I'll admit I used to hate on Bieksa the last 3 seasons for some of his really stupid defensive plays. Sure he's always been a clutch scorer and big-time performer, but that never made up for his brain-farts in his own zone. This season though, Kevin is playing a much more physical, solid defensive brand of hockey while putting up career offensive numbers at the same time. He's really become a leader on this defence. I just wanted to highlight the effect his absence has on this team, particularly the defence that quite frankly looks lost without its only right-handed shooter. In the last 5 games without Bieksa playing, the Canucks are a perfect 0-3-2. No wins. Of course he came back for the L.A match, a game against a team that had won 5 straight, had the two hottest scorers in Carter (6 game goal streak on the line) and Kopitar (almost 2 points per game in his last 5 games) and Bieksa and co. throttled the Champs 5-2. Now in those last 5 games here's how our defence fared. We were outscored 10-20 and here were our defender's +/- ratings: Edler: -4 Tanev: -2 Hamhuis: even Garrison: even Alberts: -1 Ballard: -4 This team shouldn't depend on one guy so badly. If we can't deal with injuries right now, we won't deal with them well in the playoffs. Hopefully it's nothing worse, like the fact that the other defenders NEED a right handed defenceman for the lefties to be comfortable, or MG will have to go find one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sergei Shirokov Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Bieksa's definitely a big part. Edler has been playing two many minutes....28 against SJ and 26 against CLB. The good news is Tanev is developing into a quality top-four defensemen. Once Bieksa is back, we'll have 5 top-four calibre d men which should get everyone's ice time down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apollo Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 I said this in the PGT and fully support it. People don't always see Bieksa for what he is - which is a big part of the backbone of this team. He's a bit of a conductor and, without him, the supporting cast lacks direction. Bieksa has made a conscientious effort in his career to develop in playing to his strengths. He likes to jump up into the play but doesn't just do so - he tries to choose exactly when by only attempting to get involved offensively if he believes he'll get to the puck without it creating a defensive problem. It's taken some work to do that. His balance in that does make him pretty valuable...I honestly think the guy could be a forward. Is he the be all to end all and savior of the team? No. But I do think that he's a missing piece to making this puzzle complete and when he's missing, the team doesn't function as well as a whole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisbanks Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 bieska in the lineup we are better ,but its not going to help edler stay on his feet or getting beat wide 10 times a game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sieve Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Bench Edler! Yes, we need Bieksa's experience and toughness on the back end. Keeping Edler for his big pp shot is stupid. He can't hit the net. Isn't fast enough to readjust at the blue line and find a shooting lane. He either gets his shots blocked (most of the time) or he misses the net by 5 feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin77 Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Bieksa is a huge part of this team and has been for a long time. There is a reason why he is one of Don Cherrys favorites and mine as well. He plays a physical all around in your face game and brings it every night. Yes he is prone to some bad plays, but has really seemed to put that behind this year. The guy brings a never quit, work your ass off attitude and holds the other team accountable. He can hit, play defence, add offense, fight when needed and provide leadership by example. You can tell he has a good sense of humour and is really liked by his teammates for what he brings and how he does it. He is a no BS kind of guy and has the respect of his teammates and it shows. While Im not bashing Henrik, Bieksa could easily be the Captain of this team and rightfully so. Hopefully his injury isnt too serious and we get him back soon. Look at our record without him. What this team needs is a few more players like Bieksa who give it there all night in and night out and leave nothing on the table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coastal1 Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 The Canucks are missing alot of things. Leadership seems to be one of them. I think Bieksa is a huge part of that on the ice. This team needs a serious injection of talent though. Only question is does MG have the balls to do it? Or is he going to go shopping in the bargain bin come trade deadline? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronning4center Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Imagine what an Edler Schneider package would bring us in return. Would a nine million dollar 50 goal scorer have a greater impact than those two? IMO Edler has been the weak link on D for a long time. Bieksa is definatly our D leader. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar baby watermelon Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 So how long is Bieska out for???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesman60 Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 I have always been a Bieksa supporter. He is the heart and soul of this team and when he is out, this team looks lost. You should be able to have other players step in and cover while he is out but for whatever reason, our so called 'top notch defense that is one of the best' is proving to be inept. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoneypuckOverlord Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 You know how I miss? Christian Ehrhoff. The teams offence has never been the same since he left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronning4center Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 The Canucks are missing alot of things. Leadership seems to be one of them. I think Bieksa is a huge part of that on the ice. This team needs a serious injection of talent though. Only question is does MG have the balls to do it? Or is he going to go shopping in the bargain bin come trade deadline? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombieksa Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 You know how I miss? Christian Ehrhoff. The teams offence has never been the same since he left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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