Hindustan Smyl

Later on in that thread, I responded, "Alex Biega should be working at BC Ferries." He then responded to me with this: Perhaps he thinks "killing his role" means biting boners on Detroit's farm, but I might be wrong?

“Alex Biega is a better hockey player than Tyler Myers right now,” - MS on HF Canucks during this past Summer. https://hfboards.mandatory.com/threads/around-the-league-2019-offseason.2655627/page-18#post-162594627

“Brendan Gaunce is better than Tim Schaller,” HF Canucks summer of 2018. Gold Jerry. Gold!

I re-read the OP’s post and finally understand his point. The OP is actually supporting Virtanen, not criticizing him. The OP believes that Virtanen should be given the same amount of rope that Ferland is getting (in terms of trust from the coach and being given as many opportunities to succeed). It’s actually a good and fair point from the OP. I think Green has been extra hard on Jake all of this time since Green knows what Virtanen’s potential is. Green wanted to instill the proper values in JV, and hone in the point that nothing is gifted and everything is earned. After all these years, it appears that Virtanen has FINALLY earned his keep. I expect Virtanen to play on that 2nd line for a long time now. By contrast, even though Ferland has struggled for much of the time this year, It has more to do with his injuries and sickness this summer (which hampered his training) as opposed to a lack of effort. Ultimately, that’s what Green wants. He wants guys in the line-up that....... 1) want to be here. 2) will give a full 100% effort each and every time. 3) Can play a smart two way game if they aren’t world class elite talents like Petey and Brock.

Exactly. Eriksson stepped in tonight, and did what was expected of him. Eriksson won an important physical battle using his smarts, and helped set up Schaller’s goal. Yes - his contract sucks, but Eriksson’s presence on the team still gives us excellent short term insurance against the injury bug. For this year atleast, I don’t mind Eriksson being here at all if he has more games like he did tonight.

Virtanen has 3 goals in his last 3 games. This thread exists.........why?

I’m VERY happy with this team right now. I wanted to see how this team would react after blowing such a big lead last game. A mentally weak team, or an “noob” team, would have come out flat tonight with their thoughts still on the missed opportunity for last game. Not these guys. These guys came out ripping off their shirts ready to hurt. Honestly, I was expecting the former and not the latter.

Just like what some others said - if the Canucks do end up being buyers at the deadline, it will likely be for very small deals. The Canucks will likely be a wildcard contender at the deadline and so they likely won’t be in a position to be “buying big.”

That’s a very good point. You are absolutely correct that we aren’t privy to all of the information and facts that the coaches have. I could definitely see that Eriksson scenario that you painted above being a possibility.

@Psycho_Path - care to explain yourself son? You don’t agree with my comments about Petey and Boeser........why?

Despite being grossly overpaid, Eriksson is still a decent NHL’er that plays very good responsible hockey. For this year atleast, he’s a good option to have as a 13th forward when injuries hit. Playing mind games with Eriksson and using him as a Team Mascot / human toilet doesn’t do anyone any good. Eriksson should be the one in the line-up right now, not Gaudette. Gaudette should be in Utica leading the charge.

In all seriousness though, I’m not sure if I agree with this decision. It would be better for Gaudette to get a ton of ice time in Utica would it not? (unless management is banking on the fact that being sent down to Utica served as a wake up call for Gaudette and that he’ll come back to the team looking to prove a point). But still Gaudette - will likely be on the 4th line rubbing balls with Beagle and Schaller. I don’t know.....I just think it would have been better to play Gaudette down in Utica and give him big top 6 minutes. I’m also not a fan of how Eriksson is being treated here. Eriksson is the 13th forward and should be drawing in when others are hurt.......especially when the injured player (Motte) is a winger. If Eriksson is going to provide the team with insurance when the injury bug hits, then he’ll need to get some games in.......and be treated with respect. I’m not sure if I agree with this move.

Now THAT is funny. nicely done.

HF Canucks says hello. :-)

Which will pay its dividends down the road. Last year for instance - Petey, Boeser, and Bo were over-exerted and then significantly wore down after the all-star break.

I’m not seeing it to be honest. Petey and Boeser’s lack of dominance has far more to do with top defenders and shut down centers taking more notice of them. That’s it. Atleast from my perspective. Despite all that, both guys are still close to PPG players. People need to realize a few things about Petey and Boeser. 1) These guys aren’t Crosby, McDavid, or Ovechkin. 2) They are still only 20-22 years old. Petey and Boeser are completely fine and will only get better. It has nothing to do with the way Green is deploying them.

The Bo Horvat era - two weaknesses that need to be addressed. I’ve been a Canucks fan since 1987. Although my memory of the latter stages of the Smyl era is fuzzy, here are my thoughts with regards to the era’s that followed......and some of the weaknesses that I saw. 1) The 80’s Smyl era: I don’t know much about the 80’s unfortunately, but my vague memories of the Smyl lead teams was that whatever they lacked in talent, they made up for in heart and work ethic. A lot of these teams were garbage, but we still loved these guys because they showed up with their lunch buckets each and every night. 2) Early 90’s Linden era (1990-1996) A skilled and physical team that had a tendency to let the emotions get the better of them which would lead to bad penalties and/or dumb plays. 3) The Messier “dark” era (1997-2000) Team chemistry and a lack of talent during the latter stages of the Messier era (when the Canucks were rebuilding) were the main issues here. 4) The Markus Naslund + WCE era (2001-2007) - A skilled, fast, and physical team that was all about offense. However - teams during this era (mainly the WCE era) has a tendency to get outworked when it mattered most and would often take bad penalities. 5) The Sedin / Gillis era (2008-2013): Our most successful era in franchise history. The team was always extremely talented and almost had no on-ice weaknesses. Their only real weakness was between the ears. As talented as this era was, they were a mentally fragile bunch that had a tendency to completely unravel when pushed. 6) The “head” era (2014-2018): This era had more to do with what was going on off the ice rather than what was going on it. The Canucks started their rebuild with the Luongo deal, but many fans and media members could not understand what the Canucks were doing and so pointless debates emerged as to whether this was a rebuild, retool, or rewhatever. 7) The Horvat era (2019 - ???): Finally - we have entered the Bo Horvat era. It’s still in its infancy, but here is what I think we will see in terms of strengths and potential weaknesses. I think this team will be similar to the early 90’s Linden core, in that, team chemistry and standing up for one another will sky high. I also think we’ll see a lot of that 80’s “lunch bucket” hard working style thanks to Horvat being captain, and thanks to a guy like Benning being in the organization (and being a part of that 80’s core). Some weaknesses that I’m seeing right now however are as follows: 1) Playing against these trap. I’m not sure what it is, but the current Canucks clearly have difficulties playing against ultra defensive teams. New Jersey and Arizona have continued to destroy the Canucks in their own boring way these past few years. Canucks will need to find a way to overcome this. 2) Playing with the lead. Green will need to remedy this very fast. “Protecting the lead” by focusing on defense is clearly a style that doesn’t suit our players. Whatever we’re doing now, we need to change.

I hope people take notice of Schaller, and keep him in mind before they make judgements about Michael Ferland. Often times, it takes a player awhile to acclimate to a new system. Furthermore, if a player was sick during the Summer and couldn’t train as efficiently as normal, then of course his play will be affected. Fans and media need to be more careful in terms of not bringing out the pitchforks too soon.

I agree that Marky wasn’t his usual brilliant self today but we don’t necessarily know if it was related to his family situation. All goalies, even the elite ones, have stinkers now and then. The team playing in front of Markstrom fell asleep as well. This game reminded me of the type of game you’d see Vancouver play against Chicago circa 2009/2010ish. Onwards and upwards.

Tough loss for the boys, but it's losses like this that bring humility and battle scars to a young and developing team looking to grow. Chin up, and on to the next one. We still walk out with a point.

Baertschi is a very respectable point producer until he breaks his fingernail and gets sidelined for 12 weeks.

@10pavelbure96 - this team also reminds me more of the early 90’s/94 Canucks than the 2008-2013 Gillis era Canucks.

I love your post and love your enthusiasm, but comparing our depth to the 2010-2011 team right now is loco.........although I re-iterate, I LOVE where this team is headed. Although The 2011 team would spank the the current version of the Canucks, I will say this. That 2010-2012 team could be bullied and could be driven to have self doubts. Our current core? Not so much. No one is going to push these current Canucks around. This team will be a pleasant surprise this season. I predict a first round playoff loss this year, but we’ll be well on our way.

Agreed. If the Canucks sign Markstrom this off-season (which they should do, and which is almost inevitable), then Demko will likely be the one to be moved (my thinking is at the 2021 trade deadline, or shortly before the lottery draft).

This times 1000. Gaudette needs to play and he needs top line minutes. Let him, Baertschi, Juolevi, and Goldobin tear up Utica.