KingFelix Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 20 hours ago, Mr.53 said: Why I think we will make the playoffs... Major improvements to the team Erik Gudbranson: Gudbranson brings a lot to this team. Playing on the second pairing with Hutton, he elevates a lot of players. Our second pairing can now defend much better against other quality lines, so Edler and Tanev don't have to carry all the load. Gives them a line to bounce of off, also more importantly, gives Tanev another guy who can defend against bigger stronger guys like a Milan Lucic. Depending on the matchup we have options, taking massive pressure off Edler and Tanev. He also gives a special teams option for first PK. Giving Tanev a break in minutes. (I also think Tryamkin can do the same with Edler, to give our top pairing a break in minutes. Gudbranson is also huge because he will be here for a long time. As of next year, Markstrom will be our goalie. Idk if he would be considered a rookie, but in his first year starting, he's going to need help down low, and in the crease as well. Gudbranson, and Tryamkin give Markstrom and for that matter Demko a a real helping hand in helping them keep pucks out of the net. We saw how even an experienced goalie like Ryan Miller can go from TEAM MVP candidate to straight up exposed in 1 season without a stable D core that can actually defend. Nikita Tryamkin: As I touched on up top, he gives Edler, or someone, a little break in the game as he can take on special on PK. He is a valuable third pairing guy as he can still take pressure of the top guys in the lineup, as well as be a solid defensman in his own right. We need bottom pairing guys that can defend and keep pucks out of the net. Great pick.... Loui Eriksson: Linemate for the Sedin's to get the most out of them. Not just offensively, but defensively as well, which is some of the problem Vrbata brought. Offensive one way package without the defensive. Loui brings about the same amount of offense with better defense and more versitility in his game, such as being willing to go to the dirty areas. Sould also help with special teams. (Although that's what Vrbata was supposed to do as well.) Anton Rodin: A wildcard "rookie". I put rookie in quotes as he's so old, but the thing about Rodin is that will work to his advantage. I gaurantee you people are going to describe Rodin in his first few weeks here as surprisingly poised, and that's because he's been playing with men for a long time. He's a late bloomer, but he's had the experience of playing with, and against fully grown men. If he is able to play the same game he did overseas, and translate it to the North American game, I think he can score 40 points give or take, which would be fantastic. I'm hopinh Rodin can surprise at camp, and be the second line LW we need. Daniel, Rodin, Baertschi down left, Henrik, Sutter, Horvat down the center, and Eriksson, Hansen, Virtanen down the right. Rodin is the wildcard and key. If he can produce like a top 6 worthy player, or at least close, this team will be deep. Brandon Sutter: Brandon Sutter showed for us last season that although he played only for a few games, he was one of our most valuable players. In fact, maybe because he played so little, he showed his true value. Extremely versitile, can play anywhere in the top 9, and provide a impact two way presence. Provides some scoring, some passing, some hitting, some speed, some forechecking, some backchecking, some leadership, some everything. Having a healthy Sutter will be huge. Alex Edler: Edler went down in the backend of the season during the home stretch. He has shown to be our top impact defensman. We all knew he needed two things to be effective. He needed a good D partner that connects with him, which he found in Tanev and both have seen improvements in their respective play. (Although Edler hasn't regained the pre-back injury all star form.) And he needed some pressure taken off of him from depth throughout the lineup, namely the second pairing. Well, now with Gudbranson and Hutton, he has that. Not to mention Tryamkin Larsen, or Sbisa. Adam Larsen: Possibly our best powerplay specialist on the team. We have been in great need of a right handed PP specialist on this team for a long time. Larsen can log third pairing minutes with Tryamkin, and similar to how Tryamkin comes out and plays PK, Larsen will come out and play PP. With Eriksson, Larsen, and Doug Jarvis, our first unit PP should be much better. Bo Horvat: Showed to get his footing and shake the sophmore slump the second half of the season, as well as being a two way force. Well with Sutter playing 2c, and taking half, if not more of the load against top defenders, Bo and his line can be used against weaker competition overload other teams with depth, while still being able to play PK and 2nd PP minutes, and not be overloaded like he was at the beginning of the season. If he can play better, his linemates will play better and guys like Baertschi and Virtanen will perform well. Hutton, Baertchi and Virtanen will also have a year more experience. We are not in bad shape people. I think Benning has done a lot for this team, and we will be in the playoffs. Our PP is better. Our PK is better. Our first line is better. Our second line is better. (I think Rodin will make it better) Our third line is better. Our 4th line is better. Our 2nd defensive pairing is better. Our third defensive pairing is better. Our young guys are more experienced and ready to make more of a contribution. Our team is more well built than it was before, with more supporting pieces to help others. Our team will make the playoffs. Adam Larsson is on the Oilers Philip Larsen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 19 minutes ago, DontMessMe said: They will lose in 4 games To whom? Having a complete line-up, adding Errikson, Rodin, and the young guys having more experience spells Cup Run!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 2 minutes ago, KingFelix said: Adam Larsson is on the Oilers Philip Larsen Good point. Adam Larson is the guy the Oilers gave up Hall to get. I still can't believe that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.53 Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 1 hour ago, KingFelix said: Adam Larsson is on the Oilers Philip Larsen Lol... Well played Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aqua59 Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 There so many variables to really predict at this point. 30 games in we'll know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salacious Crumb Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Can Jason Botchford become playoff level journalist? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boudrias Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 19 hours ago, Crabcakes said: 19 hours ago, Crabcakes said: I see the twins as place holders and culture carriers at this point in their careers. It's a very important role. They had their shot at a cup already. The way Benning has constructed this team, his primary goal should be to assemble a first line and replace the Sedins in that role. I see the twins as place holders and culture carriers at this point in their careers. It's a very important role. They had their shot at a cup already. The way Benning has constructed this team, his primary goal should be to assemble a first line and replace the Sedins in that role. Totally agree with your point about the Twins and the absolute need of a point producing 2nd line. A 2nd line! How many seasons now since 2011 when the last 2nd line existed. There is experience in Hanson and Sutter and potential in Horvat and Baer. With the usual off season hype the big question this year is the d-core. It has to be the backbone of the club and yet there are so many questions. IMHO the Canucks do not have a CUP contending 1st pairing. Both Tanev and Edler are 2nd pairing quality. Edler has top pairing ability in a healthy season but he remains a question. 2nd pairing is pencilled as Gudbranson and Hutton. Gudbranson as per usual is earmarked as the savior and yet most fans have not seen him play much. Hutton had a nice rookie season and we all hope he continues his upward climb. The 3rd pairing with Sbisa and whoever shines in the pre-season is the biggest question mark. It should be as the Canucks look for a young d-man to break in. The most solid aspect of this club is their goaltenders. As bad as the team defence was last year, it was bad, the tenders made them look better than they were. Hamhuis is gone which in my mind is a good thing as his TOI was needed for developing the younger d-men. Hammer was being beaten regularly to the outside. The biggest team question for me is whether Gudbranson is as good as most expect and does a young d-man break in to the 3rd pairing with offensive upside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeye Fruit Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 I think we will make the playoffs. Team is better. Just need to stay healthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crabcakes Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 3 hours ago, Boudrias said: Totally agree with your point about the Twins and the absolute need of a point producing 2nd line. A 2nd line! How many seasons now since 2011 when the last 2nd line existed. There is experience in Hanson and Sutter and potential in Horvat and Baer. With the usual off season hype the big question this year is the d-core. It has to be the backbone of the club and yet there are so many questions. IMHO the Canucks do not have a CUP contending 1st pairing. Both Tanev and Edler are 2nd pairing quality. Edler has top pairing ability in a healthy season but he remains a question. 2nd pairing is pencilled as Gudbranson and Hutton. Gudbranson as per usual is earmarked as the savior and yet most fans have not seen him play much. Hutton had a nice rookie season and we all hope he continues his upward climb. The 3rd pairing with Sbisa and whoever shines in the pre-season is the biggest question mark. It should be as the Canucks look for a young d-man to break in. The most solid aspect of this club is their goaltenders. As bad as the team defence was last year, it was bad, the tenders made them look better than they were. Hamhuis is gone which in my mind is a good thing as his TOI was needed for developing the younger d-men. Hammer was being beaten regularly to the outside. The biggest team question for me is whether Gudbranson is as good as most expect and does a young d-man break in to the 3rd pairing with offensive upside. On paper, the D corps are much better, and I am comfortable saying that they will be the backbone that the team needs. Gudbranson for me isn't so much a savior as the final piece in a pretty good top 4. They're still minus an offensive threat from the back end but you couldn't call it a liability like last season when they were lacking a right side player for the 2nd pair. Depth is fine as well. As for the 2nd line, I think that we'll just have to wait for the development of Horvat and Baertschi until there is a legit threat. Finding a left hander to shelter Baer is wishful thinking imo. They just don't have the assets to move without creating holes elsewhere in the line up. As long as they remain healthy, they should be ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldnews Posted July 24, 2016 Share Posted July 24, 2016 Can't be bothered to read. Undoubtedly a waste of time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Da Tigre Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 On 2016-07-22 at 1:07 PM, ForsbergTheGreat said: It's really hard to say there isn't no one. It takes opportunity for some players to step up and show that they can fill that role. When iggy left calgary, it left a massive hole in their leadership, flames didn't know what they would do, but then at the same time if gave Gio the opportunity to step up and take over, since then he's been one of the league best D when healthy. Same thing in Vancouver, After Mogilny, Bure and messier era, we didn't know what we had, but those holes created opportunity for a player like Naslund and Bert to step up a reach there potential. Training camp should be interesting. The player to watch is Virtanen cuz we need to see if he steps up or does he need a full season in Utica... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruilin96 Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 On 23/07/2016 at 5:12 PM, DontMessMe said: They will lose in 4 games The team is much more complete physically and defensively than 2 years ago (and even then it went to game 6 til we lose) and the young guys like Horvat will have much more experiences and even if we are to lose in the first round, the team who beat us will have to pay a price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronaldoescobar Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 If, and its a big if, the team can stay healthy I think they have a very good shot of making the playoffs and actually could do some damage. They are still a long way from competing for the cup of course but any playoff experience for the young guys would be great. What worries me is Sutter's ability to stay healthy which i think is one reason why Pittsburgh gave him up, with the other being $$. If he could stay healthy he is a solid player worth what he is paid. And while I like our D (will miss Hammer tho), I just hope that Willie and Lidster (an absolute train wreck last year with our D corp) dont burn out our top pairings by not trusting the younger and newer additions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xereau Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 Several things must happen. The Sedins must put up 70-80pts, and stay healthy. Sutter needs to stay healthy. Bo needs to improve on last year. Several rooks need to dominate. The Defense need to stay healthy, and start shooting the puck. A few vets need to at least partially return to form. This is a lot of ifs. I would say the chances of making the playoffs is less than 50%. Give me 20 games to reassess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salacious Crumb Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 On July 24, 2016 at 1:30 PM, oldnews said: Can't be bothered to read. Undoubtedly a waste of time. I don't read botch unless it's free and even then it's just to get ahead of the turd herd and know that pratt will parrot it and 80% of online posters will spew their garbage as fact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silky mitts Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 Jason botch has a face you just want to throw a fist into Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phat Fingers Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 On July 23, 2016 at 9:32 PM, KingFelix said: Adam Larsson is on the Oilers Philip Larsen Guy writes a huge post, with tons of detail, makes a mistake and you found it. One thing we can all count on is the CDC editing committee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustABandwagoner Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 3 hours ago, ruilin96 said: The team is much more complete physically and defensively than 2 years ago (and even then it went to game 6 til we lose) and the young guys like Horvat will have much more experiences and even if we are to lose in the first round, the team who beat us will have to pay a price. I dont think we can make playoffs. Sometimes u guys hype the team too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salacious Crumb Posted July 27, 2016 Share Posted July 27, 2016 32 minutes ago, Eastcoast meets Westcoast said: Guy writes a huge post, with tons of detail, makes a mistake and you found it. One thing we can all count on is the CDC editing committee. We cheer for the Canucks. Self esteem issues may arise from time to time. We are the spelling/grammar/editing and accuracy champions of the Universe tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuck-lifer Posted July 28, 2016 Share Posted July 28, 2016 We lost a ton of 1 goal games last year With addition of Ericsson, Rodin, heathy Burrows, Horvat, Baer, Virt and Etem with another year under their belt that should put us over the top for a playoff spot. Our D is an easy upgrade over last year. The main difference this year is depth when those injuries do come we're better equipped to handle it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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