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Nave

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Everything posted by Nave

  1. We took a new age defenseman with the first pick, and a throwback with the second.
  2. We got Hughes this year. I hope we get Hughes next year.
  3. Looks like a good year for EA. Madden 19 looks amazing as well.
  4. Nave

    Olli Juolevi | #48 | D

    I think it's time to welcome him into the line up. Tanev is the perfect partner for him in his rookie season.
  5. I wanted us to get Ehlers, but was very intrigued by Virtanen. When we got him, I was like, "Okay." I knew he was going to be a project, but his package was too tantalizing to not get a bit excited. A lot of that excitement gave way to disappointment. Yet, he showed flashes here and there. His speed would light up every once in awhile, but he floated too much. Too often he would look for a hit, and get caught out position. Now, he has the most hits on the Canucks for a forward, with 1.8 per game. Lately though, he's been getting 3-5 per game, since his ice time has gone up. He also leads the team in takeaways, and he doesn't even play penalty kill. He has almost 1.5X as many takeaways than giveaways with 43 vs 26. All of our defensemen who have more hits than him have significantly more giveaways than takeaways. Micheal Del Zotto leads the team in hits, but has a horrendous 52 giveaways. Virtanen is now finishing his checks, but not getting caught out of position by always looking for hits. Instead, he relies more on stick checking. Being a speed demon, he is one of our best fore checkers and back checkers, and is absolutely a terror to play against. His offense is starting to show up too. We've seen an uptick in shots per game, and he's 7th on our team in goals with 8. With experience and better luck, his 7.5% shooting percentage will increase. I can see Jake being a 20 - 20 player, and invaluable in the playoffs. It's only a matter of time he plays on both our power play and penalty kill.
  6. Losing Baertschi definitely hurts our 6th ranked power play. He's been a key cog in our second unit. Can't help but feel like we acquired Leipsic at the perfect time, giving Boeser and Horvat another guy to play with.
  7. I think it comes down to this: Do we want Pettersson to play in the AHL with Dahlen and Lind, or in the NHL with the Sedins, Boeser, and Horvat?
  8. That's a good looking stat line. I think he'll have a lot of 0's in his bank account too.
  9. Pettersson makes me feel so happy and lucky to be a Canucks fan. Love what Benning is doing.
  10. He ranked 2nd in the NCAA in blocked shots, which is crazy for a forward. Also ranked 2nd in goals that year, and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker. I think he provides depth to Utica for a playoff run, and remains waiver exempt for next year.
  11. Nave

    Olli Juolevi | #48 | D

    Good. Not great. Could be a lot more dynamic offensively, like @kloubek said.
  12. Nave

    Olli Juolevi | #48 | D

    Edler Gudbranson Juolevi Tanev looks like a good top 4.
  13. I wouldn't be surprised if McDavid went on a tear and wins the Art Ross. Had his third hat trick of the season today. Kind of hope he does, so the Oilers aren't a basement dweller again, and get Dahlin.
  14. I think he meant that Vaxjo rarely get scored on 5 on 5 with Pettersson on the ice. He's a reliable 2-way forward whose relentless pursuit of the puck is almost as impressive as his play with it.
  15. Virtanen just almost beat McDavid's score in the speed challenge wearing a cape.
  16. I'm pretty happy with how things ended up--Devils are my second favourite team; Canucks are my first favourite team. I'd take Pettersson.
  17. He's actually stringing games together now. Thought he was one of our best forwards tonight.
  18. Baertschi Horvat Boeser Dahlen Petterson Virtanen Gadjovich Gaudette Lind
  19. But having a twist and curve helps with corralling the puck for one timers. Virtanen hasn't been getting too many of chances of that sort. Maybe having a center like Pettersson would help that.
  20. Man, I just remembered that Kole Lind is a RWer. Imagine this depth down the right side: Boeser Pettersson Svechnikov Lind Virtanen Hopefully Pettersson turns into a 1st line center--and we get Dahlin--but that is scary.
  21. I know, but a lot of those goals come after a neutral zone switch. Virtanen uses his speed to cross the neutral zone, and be open to an outlet pass from one of the defensemen, before careening up the wing and using that hard shot of his. I think he is best used in this way because he covers so much ground quickly with his speed, and it's easier for a defenseman to pass to someone skating perpendicular to him. What would really help Virtanen is a center that can keep up with him. Hopefully Pettersson can be that guy.
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