D33GS Blog

At the start of the year when we had him up, I not only loved his offencive play, but his play without the puck was really impressive. I remember him picking the pockets of 2 different guys on the same shift in a game.

Grabner is going to be good, and it is kind of disheartening to see that he is not getting the respect he deserves on here, but that is typical CDC I guess lol

Great player for sure, only a matter of time until his hands catch up with his feet

kesler and grabner are completely different types of players. kesler has always been sound defensively and just had to elevate his offensive game which he has clearly done. on the other hand, grabner is pretty much lost defensively and he still has to start finishing his chances in the back of the net. this guy is playing with 2 hot forwards in kesler and raymond and grabner is getting lots of ice time so if he doesn't start putting up numbers he is as good as gone. i like his speed but his if he isn't going to score to make up for his lack of size and defensive ability then he serves no role on this team in the future with hodgon, shroeder, raymond and even hansen playing more of a role player for this team.

Grabner will be fine; his defensive game is not where it needs to be, but is improving and he looks like he belongs.. Raymond was similar and has made great progress with playing time. That young line has special speed and can cause fits with it and has leadership in Kesler. If we get Demitra and Samuelsson back and place them with Wellwood (the way he's playing) we should be able to afford to keep Grabner up (Bernier will remain out) and that could make for an excellent 3rd line up front. We may still not quite be there, but it IS coming.

I wouldn't count Grabner out just yet. This guy is still very young man, and it takes some time to learn the pro game. He hasn't demonstrated that he's out of play, and his defensive game? Well, he's not going to be a Kesler type of player. Can't see Grabner being defensively sound like Kes, but I can see him popping a lot more goals in.

Grabner needs to play in the top 6, or else he doesn't flourish. These are the lines, I'd put together for the team to succeed (my own thoughts):

Sedin-Sedin-Burrows

Raymond-Kes-Grabner

Samuelsson-Wellwood-Demitra/Hansen

Rypien-Johnson-Glass/Hordi/Bernier (if available)

To me, you have a team with THREE balanced scoring attacks. That's going to be tough for any team to match up. A 30 goal scorer on the third line - that'll give opposing teams, fits.

he is playing great hockey so far he is getting two solid chances a game, his speed other teams cant handle its only a matter of time

hongcouver you have no idea what you are talking about Grabner will develop into a star for Vancouver he needs time to hone his skills I predict 25 goals next year and 35 to 40 next.

kesler and grabner are completely different types of players. kesler has always been sound defensively and just had to elevate his offensive game which he has clearly done. on the other hand, grabner is pretty much lost defensively and he still has to start finishing his chances in the back of the net. this guy is playing with 2 hot forwards in kesler and raymond and grabner is getting lots of ice time so if he doesn't start putting up numbers he is as good as gone. i like his speed but his if he isn't going to score to make up for his lack of size and defensive ability then he serves no role on this team in the future with hodgon, shroeder, raymond and even hansen playing more of a role player for this team.

I have yet to see Grabner demonstrate himself as the defensive liability that you accuse him of. With Kesler mentoring him for the next 6 years, I think we will see Grabner develop into a solid 2 way forward.

Michael Goalpost-er.

Grabner = Future Bure(aka. The Austrian Rocket)

Da Sniper is 100% correct. He's not making a direct comparison between Kesler and Grabner, but rather, he's giving people the chance to think and reflect back to what it was like when the Kes's, Bieksa's, Burrows's first got their chances. Sniper is offering a comparison between people's attitudes then and now about the up and comers. Very relevant.

In today's NHL, nobody will ever trade their way to a championship. The cap killed that. Championships will be brought home by teams whose organization is well suited to making good decisions about player prospects followed through by comprehensive player development. Player development does take time and it does take patience. A player's true assessment does not happen in a handful of games, or even in an entire season. Think. Where would the Canucks be today had they made hasty decisions about Burr, Bieksa, Raymond, Kesler et al?

As a very long time fan, one of the things I like the most about today's Canucks is the organizational commitment to a successful future. The proof is in the dividends now being paid through the play of the guys we've hung on to. You know who they are. Players like Grabner, Raymond, Hansen, Edler are our future. I love seeing them develop, even if I have to look through my fingers some nights! And the Canuck team, the Canuck organization, the Canuck philosophy is 100% behind the successes we are enjoying today. Through their commitment, they seem perfectly capable of extracting the most and the best from anybody who laces up in the Canuck dressing room. And that is no small feat.

Like Snipe says, be patient. There will never, ever be any instant superstars jumping over our boards. Someday you might get lucky and land a Crosby or Oveckin or Taylor Hall. But do you really want to do all the losing that has to take place to acquire somebody like that? I sure don't.

Keep up the good work boys!

I wouldn't give up on him just yet. He's shown flashes of brilliance with his speed, and he's been hitting the goal post. His speed on a line with Raymond and Kesler is deadly by itself, but we are going to need some production from him if he's going to be playing with those two.

I think he'll learn the NHL level game, and I think he'll have a successful career. Hopefully he starts to pop a couple in soon, it would do wonders for his confidence. And with confidence, who knows what could happen.

As I watch Grabner play, I recount what Kesler and Raymond were like in their first year with the Canucks. Falling down, skating madly around etc.

Grabner needs ice time and he needs to play with talented players to hone his skills. He is definitely NHL talent. When I watch him wheel and cut to the net, I know it is just a matter of time for him to start to score. That line will be awesome in the playoffs and will provide secondary scoring to take some heat off the Sedins and Burrows. Welly, Sammy and Demo will give us another scoring threat and the opposition will have three great lines to focus on rather than on just one like in previous years.

I like what I see coming up. Now if the D can stay on top of it, we will do very well. Oh how badly we miss the Port McNeil kid. What an added bonus if Willie could get healthy and make it back.

What a team and next year even better IMO

Wiser words cannot be said Old Busy Body. Our prospects and young players are the successful future of the Canucks. Patience is required by all fans. It is not far off.