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Boudrias

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Everything posted by Boudrias

  1. No way this is a 'demise or turning point' season for Virtanen. I will judge him at 24 years old.
  2. I want him back to Side but I do not see the KHL being a finishing school for defencemen. I base that on NHL vets who come back and say the d-zone side was lackadaisical.
  3. Labelling a young prospect one way or the other is a mugs game in most instances. Dale Hunter made no bones about how he was using OJ last year. He lost his offensive stars on London and had to revamp his coaching to accommodate that loss. OJ was his star d-man he put him where he thought he could most benefit the team. In the Mem Cup Hunter used OJ on the PK and PP as his #1D. I thought Joulevi came through as a star. Again, this is why I want OJ back in London again this year. The London offence is a year older and the team will be a Mem Cup contender again this year. I expect a more offensive season from OJ as a result. Dale Hunter is one of the best coaches in hockey outside of the NHL. I have the utmost confidence in his ability to coach OJ to a NHL standard. I see OJ coming to the Canucks as mentally well prepared prospect as Bo Horvat was. I do not hold OJ responsible for what happened with a disaster of a Finland team last year.
  4. He had a solid season last year. As you pointed out he performed well on most any line he was on. Can handle the heavy going. Without injury could have had 50 points.
  5. Like last year all hopes rested on the goal tending and the defense. Goal tending was better than expected but the defense struggled as usual with injuries. I do expect a better d-core this year even with Tryamkin gone. I also think Markstrom shines. My concern still rests on the offense which could be even worse. All aside I can see more reason for your optimism over last year. I want a bottom five finish in any event. Canucks cannot come out of this faze of their rebuild without a #1D . IMHO they do not have that as yet. OJ might be but I have not seen enough out of him as yet.
  6. Jebbers Jim sign this guy up. Can he skate?
  7. Exactly! How many times do we have to hear NHL vets extoll the virtue of their time in the AHL. The NHL is more than a hockey skill set, as important as that is. It is also about the mental approach to the game. If the Canucks were contenders and looking for a 'wildcard' that might help then the risk might be worth it. That is not the case. I see Utica playing a huge role towards a future Canuck CUP contending team. The shared experiences by our prospects in Utica over the next 2 - 3 seasons will be huge.
  8. I am assuming that Gradin had much to do with this draft pick. If Linden was truthful about wanting him all along then Gradin had to have been very sold.
  9. How many of his goals last year were crafty moves out of the corners to the net? He is gritty. Baer came a long way last year and his increased compete level had a lot to do with that. While either might be dealt I prefer that older vets are moved as these two and Horvat cement their NHL cred.
  10. Still think the '94 team was the best the Canucks have ever iced. Linden the best player the team has ever had.
  11. i have confidence that Gaunce has a strong 2nd season. If he had converted half his posts and cross bars from last year he would have put up 5 - 6 goals. Fans would have been singing a different tune. He appears to be a student of the game so I suspect he returns after a summer of review and training. If he adds a touch more physicality and his scoring rebounds he should stick. Gaunce is a sentimental favorite for me as he is the first graduate of a system being rebuilt to produce players for the Canucks. His success will confirm the process.
  12. It is a big weight change and that is why I am excited about what Hutton can show us. Hutton's challenge on size goes make to minor hockey. Always was smaller. My guess he is pretty attuned with what he has to do to succeed using his body. His weight gain from rookie to 2nd year is likely very calculated. IMHO fans should take a positive read on his progress.
  13. The temptation to play this kid will be immense. Hoping they put him in Utica for at least a month as well. If he does well in camp that might not happen.
  14. Would not be surprised to see him make the WJC squad.
  15. It is a huge loss for sure. I thought he had a pretty decent season and showed improvement until the whole team kinda packed it in. IMHO his biggest challenge was reacting to the speed of the NHL in the d-zone. He was doing a fair amount of guessing and puck chasing. Most rookies go through this as they get more experience. We never really saw enough of his offensive potential but we could all see it was there. His d-zone shot blocking and ability to seperate players from the puck was impressive. His willingness to engage physically was more reactive than proactive and that likely frustrated Desjardin. That said it was his rookie season and I was expecting a big jump forward from him this year. On a pure hockey development basis Tryamkin returning to the KHL was a big mistake. KHL defensive play is not something that builds NHL defensemen. No one seems to know whether Tryamkin's KHL contract has a early out clause that would allow him to return before the 3year term expires.
  16. Who comes to a NHL camp not fit? Tryamkin had already played what, 3 seasons of KHL? That whole scenario never made sense to me. Did Tryamkin think he was in KHL shape and thusly in NHL shape? By all reports he shed the weight quickly which implys he knew he was not in shape.
  17. No doubt there are players who might make the NHL but decide to stay home. All I can do is look at relative numbers. I also go by what players who have played in the NHL say about the Euro leagues. Even something as simple as the Spengler Cup says something as Team Canada with essentially washed out NHLer's and wannabees dominate most years.
  18. My thoughts Joe but I am leery about showing any weakness or lack of conviction. Me thinks many of the more argumentative posters are wanna be lawyers honing their skills.
  19. Nice summary. I consider the AHL as the #2 league based on graduates to the best league in hockey, the NHL. The simplist yardstick is measuring the number of players in a league and how many have gone on to play games in the NHL. The Euro leagues are not that great. To a degree I downgrade the KHL below the AHL for that reason but also based on testimonials from former NHL players who have played in the KHL. They are pretty uniform in their comments that the KHL's physical play is muted, defensive play is poor and effort can be questioned. Comments are also made that the majority of KHL franchises would find AHL teams strong competition.
  20. I have never heard whether Tryamkin has a 'opt out' clause in his KHL contract for a possible return to the NHL before his 3 year contract expires. Many such clauses in KHL contracts. His agent would have been a fool not to have insisted on that option. He will always be an attractive prospect because of his size but his position on the depth chart for Vancouver very likely deteriorates over time. Tryamkin's NHL rights could become a chip for Benning to deal in the future.
  21. Wishful thinking at this time of year can be entertaining. Any chance for Dahlin would require a lottery win IMO. He does look good. The USA also has a great looking d-prospect on their WJC team. Cannot remember the name or if he is already claimed.
  22. Chara might have been Tryamkin's model but you have to wonder how closely he watched Chara's game. Chara has been a physical force for decades. Mitchell wanting a physical game in response to an opposing team taking liberties is not out of line. What I saw in Tryamkin was a d-man who played a tough game but usually in response to other players. The Gudbranson injury probably hurt Tryamkin's development as Guddy could have helped his game. This is not about fighting. If Tryamkin is not emotionally invested in being in the NHL then the Canucks are lucky to have that known now. The Canucks will likely be drafting in the high picks for a couple of more years. Time to find that d prospect that can play. I thought Tryamkin made a lot of progress this past season and that he could have challenged for a top 4 spot. He will get another look when he decides to come back but the depth might by-pass him in the mean time. The KHL is not close to the NHL and he will have to be very focused to continue his development.
  23. Same time frame as yours but I would put McDavid in the pending file as he does not have enough games yet. Who I add is Bobby Hull. His speed was every bit as good but his shot dominated and would likely do so in today's game as well.
  24. You knew Bure was special on his very first shift. Almost a ppg player at 20 years old. What little I have seen of EP he does not have Bure's speed. What stands out for me about EP to date is his vision and ability to throw a pass. Very good.
  25. If Stecher can battle thru the inevitable physical play and in so doing put up points then physical forwards will have to back off in fear of getting caught. Either that or Canuck heavies will have to retaliate against opposing smaller players to get a message across. This type of thing can hold the wolves off but come playoffs all that is forgotten and everyone is fair game. I admire small d-men like Ellis and Russell who have done that.
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