Off_The_Schneid! Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 With a team that is swamped with AHL players the only one that stands out to me is Maxime Lappierre. Why is it that no one is mentioning him in there posts. He is the most difficult player to watch on tge canucks line up right now. He doesn't score, doesn't create any opportunities for his line mates , doesn't play physical, doesn't draw penalties. The other game against Phoenix he had difficulties getting the pick out of his own end. He looks extremely slow out there and at a time where we need him the most he's been the most invisible player out there. He is the reason we need to pick up another center because if he would have been able to step into that third line center role and contribute we would have been fine. We need to pick up a young center at the deadline and not bother resigning him next year. I know everyone is going to say that he's a beast in the playoffs, but the way he's playing now it seems highly unlikely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanucksSayEh Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Hes slower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry Goose Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 He has had a rough go lately and I'm sure he knows it. But like you say he is a known playoff performer, and I'll take a lack lustre regular season if he can push it in the playoffs. He has been doing alright save for some of the unnecessary penalties he has taken. He is good on faceoffs and when he is playing well sound defensively. We need that from him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riffraff Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 He's been pretty useless all year...fourth line C at best....not sure if there is any upgrades available....if MG could find one that actually intimidates and can fight, we'd be better off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off_The_Schneid! Posted March 25, 2013 Author Share Posted March 25, 2013 Yes, I believe he has the highest face off winning percentage on the team , so ill give him that much, I used to really like the guy he's just really difficult to watch these days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang Bang Boogie Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Isn't he playing with a groin injury? Those can really slow you down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Sieve Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 He plays better when he plays on edge, yapping and getting in the faces of his opponents. Hope he picks it up for the playoffs. The penalties he is taking (or causing) is because of mental mistakes. Make the game simple and bang the puck off the boards instead of trying to pretend you are Crosby and can stick handle through the opposition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixteen W's Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 He's built for the playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanucksFanMike Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Lappy is our 4th line center..... He isn't supposed to produce. I think he is doing fine playing physical and on the PK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winthecup Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 another thing to consider is that he bulked up in the off season....lost some of his speed but i think his extra strength with pay off in the playoffs. for whatever reason Lapierre always steps up his play in the playoffs....I remember a few years ago when Montreal made it to the conference finals, Lapierre was a beast- blocking shots and sacrificing his body and doing all the little things to help his team win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoneypuckOverlord Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 I thought he was a machine against L.A. He was pretty much the player we need when facing teams like Los Angeles because all he does is hit. That's what he did, thats what he is expected to do. Your typical 4th line centerman. Not sure why everyone is complaining. It seems like Canucks fans are clueless and think, everyone on your line up should be a point producing machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VicNuckleHead09 Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 He has barely had time to adjust to all the line switching and crazy things that have been swirling around this team. Plus I hear he has a bad groin. There have been shifts where he has been the best Canuck on the ice. I don't think much is wrong with him that can't be fixed with stabilized lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 He's built for the playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUPERTKBD Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 One of the few things that I'm not concerned about on the Canucks is the 4th line center position... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldnews Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Lapierre does have the occasional brain cramp. He also added 20lbs in the offseason, which imo wasn't the greatest idea - I personally prefer quickness over bulk. But let's be fair here - Lapierre is a shutdown center and he's performing that role in the absence of another shutdown center in the lineup. He's also changing his game - which will involve some growing pains. He's being asked to avoid the extra-curricular and doing so may take a bit of edge out of his game in the short term, but it will probably also make him a better player. As things stand, the Canucks, without Malhotra, cannot afford to have Lapierre playing an agitating role - he has to stay on the ice. And as mentioned above - he steps up when it really counts. He's also getting merely 21.8% offensive zone starts and creating 45.4% finishes. He wins the balance of his faceoffs. He may not be scoring points, which is not his role, particularly in this context, but he is creating possession and territory that then goes to advantage players like the twins. He is having his ups and downs, but he's playing a difficult role quite well imo (it may not be obvious, but his role has changed). With another depth center who can win faceoffs, I think some pressure and load will come off him - but regardless, I think he's an important guy who wil be re-signed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raiun Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 The only times I really notice Lapierre out there these days is when he makes a bad play, which isn't often enough for me to be worried. He's playing a solid game, doing his job, he's been great on the PK, and he has had a chance or two. Great in the faceoff circle like others have mentioned, and that's something we really need right now. With Manny out, I think Lappy has been trying to step into his role a bit, faceoff guy, team leader instead of yappy agitator. He played the agitator role really well, but I think now he's trying something new. So far it hasn't been terrible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down by the River Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 I don't have a problem with him and how he has been playing. He is fine in a fourth line role. As others have mentioned, his game elevates in the playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 ... He is having his ups and downs, but he's playing a difficult role quite well imo (it may not be obvious, but his role has changed). With another depth center who can win faceoffs, I think some pressure and load will come off him - but regardless, I think he's an important guy who wil be re-signed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Biestra Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Bring back the yapping. It doesn't hurt the team like the old Kesler / Burrows diving. Refs don't care as much if you yap at other players. It doesn't make them think you weren't tripped if you fall down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombieksa Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 He's played well up to this point and hasn't shown any signs of frustration with his role. He wil be re-signed I am sure, now I hope higgy can get on a roll. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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