J-P

Yeah that’s sound logic, and I agree that if Edler walks he’s an ok interim part solution for a year. Still hope we can sell high on him at the draft!

Draft is a funny thing in hindsight. Jack Hughes has been regarded as a franchise player for years, and while I believe he’ll have a good career his ceiling is pretty much unknown. When we drafted EP he was more or less unknown and lots of people were upset (we missed out on on Cody Glass damn it!). Today - not many people would consider trading EP for this year’s first...

A backup goalie can be important during regular season, but seldom has a big part of a team’s success in the long run IMO. So if we risk losing one at the ED, so be it. It’s much more important doing the right choice when committing to the future starter goalie. Hopefully it’s clearer who that is before ED.

Say what you want about LE but he's made like zero mistakes all season, always battles, is always in the right place and always helps the team any way the coach asks him to without any complaints or second thoughts. Of course he's no longer worth the dollars considering his offensive output, but it's not like he's not a good player as a second or third line winger. I think his cool personality and effortless skating/positioning rubs some fans the wrong way - although a quiet guy I think he's a lot prouder than most people think and that he's frustrated over how things have turned out. Also I find it interesting that Beagle really seems to like playing with him, the non-caring glider lots of fans describe him as wouldn't seem like a player Beagle would praise.

I don't think from this season you can conclude what AG will become. Might be a 4th line energy player in the long run, might be a 3C, we'll have to wait and see... To contribute more on offense he needs to process the game faster, be more creative and work on his skill level. There's a reason he was a 5th rounder - since he had a long way to go - but he's still young and his ceiling is a bit unclear to me. Also - like with EP I think he's a bit fatigued after his first pro season. Even EP has some trouble with puck control etc. at this point of the season due to being a little less explosive in those first steps.

That makes a lot of sense in the modern nhl. Another example is upcoming FA Stralman in Tampa. He’s a top 10 RD in the league IMO when defending a lead late in a playoff game I’d say. That doesn’t mean he’s a top pairing D on the Canucks or even a good fit.

Last few games he’s been getting around 18 mins and that’s 4-6D on the penguins who distribute ice time quite evenly on D after the top pairing. A bit curious to see how Guddy will do in the playoffs.

That’s a valid point, but my thinking is that the coaches want him to have a bit of an adjustment period, not going straight from junior to NHL crunch time. Or maybe they just felt other players deserved the ice time more. Either way it’s fine by me, Quinn’s time will come soon enough.

I find it hard getting upset that he was sheltered in the 3rd in one of Dallas most important games of the season. He’s been fine, but like EP had to, he needs to figure out how to deal with the physical stuff and also how to defend when glued in the D zone. Really happy to to see his passing and skating translate to seamlessly to the pro game anyhow.

I suppose it is and I think that’s part of him slowing down, together with being a bit worn down. He’s still playing well and getting points at 1-2C though, so it’s hard to really complain going back to what could be reasonably be expected for his first season. I’m ok with missing the playoffs if we get a valuable piece at the draft, but next season I think it’s important to start winning to avoid EP, Bo, QH and Boeser being stuck in a losing culture a la Deadmonton.

Marky’s record of 28-22-9 would translate to 90 points over 82 games. That’s 10 more than we’ll likely to end up with. Still 1-2 points short of the playoffs, but interesting anyhow, especially considering he had a bit of a weak start and all the injuries on D.

Not only is it not wrong but it's perfectly natural and reasonable.

No need to trash Guddy, and he’s clearly a fit in Pittsburgh who can shelter him to his strengths it seems, might be even more so in the playoffs. But really, I can’t see how anyone could come to any other conclusion than the one where minimum paid Schenn has been way better (in a rather short sample, granted). Also, somehow Schenn seems to do just fine in Green’s system and with DP, Sautner etc as partners.

Hm, a day without something new in the EP thread feels like a day wasted ;-)

Like others have pointed out it’s way too early to tell what Demko will become, just clear he’s not ready now. It’s worth noting however that things would look bad next season if Marky got injured for a longer period.

I think the obsession with NT - which I admit sharing - is two pretty simple facts. 1) we lack physical players, NT will stand up when needed and is intimidating even though not overly aggressive 2) lack of D depth especially on the right side, I think most people realize that this team can only go so far with Hutton and Stecher as the second pairing. QH, NT, OJ and a free agent and then we’re on our way...

I agree for the most part, but I think everybody realizes that not all of Spooner, Pearson and Leivo will work out. I do believe however that both Leivo and Pearson could be able to play up and down the lineup (2-4 line) on a really good team.

I think the Leafs have other stuff to worry about really. Besides it’s a win win move. Canucks got a needed player, leafs got a physical AHL prospect and a lot of goodwill for making good on their promise to Leivo which was classy by dubas and their organization. (I know - praising the Leafs just feels wrong, but sometimes you gotta call em like it is...)

If Goldy can keep his intensity up he might be a good option for 3rd line LW in the future. He might still make top 6, and granted he will never be a checker, but a 3rd line of Goldy - Gaudette - Leivo could be pretty well balanced and be an offensive threat as well as responsible on D.

Schaller actually showed up yesterday against NJ and really made his 6 minutes TOI count with several heavy hits and good forecheck. Don't know what got in to him, he just got in the lineup between the warmup and opening face-off as well... If he had played like this all season things would be different for him.

Sorry I just don’t see Hutton on a contending D, so if his actual worth is around 4 mil I think we should trade him and let another team sign him.

Yeah, a bit off topic but I remember EP getting asked before the season how he would feel about playing in the AHL. He answered that he would accept a stint there if needed but seemed a bit perplexed by the question and it was obvious the thought had never really occurred to him. Great stuff.

I agree and I also have a feeling that Eriksson is quite frustrated and will retire. Especially after receiving that signing bonus

Good point, but seriously I would actually take Pearson over McCann or Guddy.

On a larger and sometimes less physical ice surface, yes. Inferior, no. I guarantee that Canadas and Swedens rosters from 2018 would have no trouble embarrassing the current Canucks for example. Canada had forwards like McDavid, Barzal, O'Reilly etc. and a certain Bo Horvat on the 3rd/4th line. Anyhow - that bodes well for QH then ;-)