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mpt

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Posts posted by mpt

    [Report] Nucks to name new head coach following GM hire - Barry Trotz leading candidate

    in Canucks Talk

    Posted

    Yeah, there seems to be two camps of opinions on Edler:

    (1) Those of us who chart his performance against his deployment/usage and conclude that he requires a mobile, puck handling, PMD as his partner for him to be successful.

    (2) Those who chart Edler's "decline" against that of the team and conclude that he's lost his game, can't be fixed (or it requires too much effort), is dragging the whole roster down, and probably should be tossed in the trash like a broken toy.

    Unfortunately, the organization has made several mistakes over the past couple years that tend to reinforce the second view. When you look at how Gillis handled the D extensions and new signings, post-2011, you can see that the Canucks believed (or hoped) that Edler could become a #1 defenseman with the offensive puck moving ability to drive the offense. He's been a huge disappointment in that role. And it seems like the more he's pushed in that direction, the more his game suffers.

    It turns out (IMHO) that Edler is actually a very good complimentary #2 defenseman who can elevate his game (to a de facto #1 level) when he has the right partner beside him and is given the right kind of icetime and role.

    Some people hate hearing this but I'm convinced that it's the truth.

    We just haven't seen that version of Edler (at least not consistently) for a couple years now because he hasn't had a regular D partner who matches well with him since Salo left (and Ehrhoff previously). The Canucks failed to replace their best PMDs.

    They brought in Garrison (who's a good player) but he's not a Salo/Ehrhoff replacement (other than his shot). Garrison is actually very similar to Edler. They can move the puck well in their own zone and can generally skate their way out of trouble, but they are not comfortable handling the puck on the rush and they prefer to pass it off to someone with better puck handling skills. In the offensive zone, neither are PPQBs or offensive dynamos. They both work well when they are the secondary partner, in terms of creativity and puck movement, and they're paired with a guy who attacks the zone and creates space and lanes.

    The best evidence of this can be seen if you review video of 2013-14 PP units where Edler was paired alongside Garrison. The amount of "hot potato" they played with the puck and the sheer confusion that took place at the points is really something that hammers home this team's desperate need for a creative, dynamic, offensive PMD with high level mobility and great puck handling skills.

    Of course, Torts only made things worse (should anyone be surprised?) by continuing to use the wrong type of pairing with Edler (not that Gillis gave him better options) and then pushing Edler's usage and playing style even further out of his comfort zone (and really pushing him in all kinds of different directions until he looked utterly discombobulated). At least AV controlled and managed Edler's deployment (although he still struggled with his effectiveness in 2012-13 without a suitable partner).

    I really hope that the Canucks' new management and coaches will have this stuff figured out and will do what the previous regime couldn't: find a capable partner for Edler and play them to their strengths.

    Do that correctly and you'll get Edler back to 45-50 points/season (and a positive +/-), you'll improve the team's overall transition game, and you'll have a more effective offensive attack and power play.

    There's a blueprint for fixing Edler. It's right there for everyone to see (although it's taken the past couple seasons for it to really become obvious).

    EDIT: typos

    I completely agree. Please get Edler a proper partner, much the same for the Sedins who played their whole career with 2/3rds of a top line

    • Upvote 1

    Why the Canucks should draft Jake Virtanen

    in Canucks Talk

    Posted

    If that scenario happens and Calgary goes off the board and grabs Ritchie, then the Isles will take Dal Colle since they need winger prospects, leaving us with Draisaitl.

    The Islanders are likely going to be giving their 5th to Buffalo as I doubt they take themselves out of the McDavid sweepstakes

    ISS/CS Draft Rankings - 2014 NHL Entry Draft

    in Canucks Talk

    Posted

    We don't have a guy who can be our 2nd line centre right now if Kesler gets moved. Horvat should probably be on the 3rd line to start his career.

    Draisaitl probably fits the bill the best, Nylander is a little smaller and doesn't help us match up against the California teams as well.

    Sedin-Sedin-_____

    _____-Draisaitl-Kassian

    Higgins-Matthias-Horvat

    Richardson-Lain-Santorelli

    Sestito

    That is a very different looking forward roster and the return for the veteran pieces going out (or the ones that don't move) can fill in the blanks as well as beef up the defence and give us more prospects/picks.

    Youth injection with a solid bunch of veterans to teach them how to play.... probably a lower end playoff team but on the upswing rather than downswing.

    These guys aren't going to be NHL ready

    [Speculation] Kesler to remain a Canuck

    in Canucks Talk

    Posted

    Don't read into that he also said he'd prefer to keep those talks within the team. Secondly Linden also said that he never talked to the Canucks 24 hours prior to being hired. Thirdly Linden saying he has to chat with Ryan and see where his head is at obviously shows smoke for this situation; if it wasn't an issue Trevor would've said, there's nothing going in there. Finally you could tell from the exit interview that Kesler is out of it, he's given up.

    Nikolaj Ehlers

    in Canucks Talk

    Posted

    I agree with you mostly, but my thinking on the reason they passed on Nichushkin was mainly because hes Russian. I think the only knock on Virtanen, is he is an up and down power forward and not a play maker. He has a TON of raw potential though and hes young for his draft class.

    Also remember we are under new management. We likely won't just be acquiring TWFs anymore

    Nikolaj Ehlers

    in Canucks Talk

    Posted · Edited by mpt

    Unless someone drops from the top 5, Linden will be picking a power forward with size, not another small forward. Best player available doesn't mean the most talented.

    Best thing that could happen is to win the lottery and draft Ekblad, enough said.

    Nikolaj Ehlers

    in Canucks Talk

    Posted · Edited by mpt

    Central scouting isn't always right. I have watched Virtanen play and he just seems less skilled compared to a guy like Ritchie or Ehlers. But I don't know why we would take Virtanen that high. If we want another pick in the 1st round, then we could trade our 2nd plus a roster player to get into the top 15 and pick Virtanen. I still go with the guys I ranked higher than Virtanen.

    I've seen Virtanen play, I haven't seen the other two since they are in a completely different league without much access.

    Ehlers was rated 22 at the mid term point, no way can you take that kind of gamble at 6th. Ritchie on paper looks good but that's all I can go off on.

    Nikolaj Ehlers

    in Canucks Talk

    Posted

    Rather pick Ritchie or Ehlers than Virtanen. They are more of a safe pick compared to Virtanen who seems to be really hyped in this forum just because he is a "local" kid.

    Or because central scouting has him rated higher than Ritchie and Ehlers

    • Upvote 3

    Nikolaj Ehlers

    in Canucks Talk

    Posted · Edited by mpt

    Maybe if we had the 14th pick... Definitely not at 6th overall.

    He's rated as the 6th best North American skater, he isn't falling out of the top 10 since Nylander and Kapanen could be the only euros to fight for a top 10 pick. He isn't going to slide that's for sure.

    (Rumour) torts almost removed updated botch

    in Trades, Rumours, Signings

    Posted

    We couldn't score in 2011 playoffs, we can't score now, nothing has changed. The problem with this team is the players and that's up to MG.

    3 years after the 94 run we imploded and rebuilt and 3 years after 2011 we are doing the same.

    The team and fans can't handle losing and they start to turn on each other and the team.

    Time to rebuild guys and try again only to come up short and blow up that team.

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