[Troy Stecher | #51 | D]

Stecher has taken the role of edler on the pp and hes doing a good job there.

[Erik Gudbranson | #44 | D]

Tanev is definetly one of the better we have, but he doesnt have that gritty physical side that guddy has. Come playoff time i would stil prefer guddy at the backend, while tanev is definetly more allround type of player, the most crucial point in front of the own net needs some physique unless ur extremely well positioned as well as amazing stickhandling. i know its kinda difficult, but with edler out, i say we need that kind of physical prowess there. 

[Elias Pettersson | #40 | C]

Its always hard to make a comparrison when the sport has changed a lot during those decades that has passed. I think u can only compare with others that are closer to this last decade or so. Not with Gretzky, Lemieux or Orr and etcetra. I think its more sufficient to say that Pettersson is closer to Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin and Mcdavids capacity and let the statistics do the talking for how good he is in the history of rookies. No one will ever be able to erase the memories of The great one or of Lemieux. But the players of Crosbys and Ovechkins capacity is where we can see that Pettersson is at the same level. And he still has SO much potential purely by getting bigger physically. The things he will be able to do....considering what he already does today... o wow. And thats just such a beautiful thought, because with purely hard work and nothing more, he WILL achieve it. That is definetly an amazing thing on its own. 

[Erik Gudbranson | #44 | D]

Heres the thing: Gudbranson is the best defensive Dman nucks have. In front of the own net i cant think of anyone other then edler to match his capacity there. Thats why he is there. I only wish there was some Offensively minded Dman to be by his side. Someone that goes up and down like a squirrel on Coffeine. I think that would work out well. 

[Thatcher Demko | #35 | G]

I think Demkos play is what made the test of Dipietro possible. Hope he gets back soon. I know pretty much nothing about the Czech though. We will see....

[Elias Pettersson | #40 | C]

i would say the more younger players are gettng higher points since the speed in the sport has increased a lot. its faster and with the harsher rules against destructive defensive plays (hooking etc.) the speed increases further. when u reach ur 30s ur not as speedy anymore and therefore u wont get to as many chances in the crucial moments of the game. The dangers of the speed is also that the force gets higher, so impacts and plays where u get tangled up will most likely be more dangerous for the body to withstand. most players will be at their prime in their mid 20s say 25-30. Not a shock really, but i also think severe injuries due to the speed will most likely end manycareers pematurely. U have to be as smart as EP40 to be able to play a long time in the leage. I can only imagine how good he will be in 5 years time from now.....a bit more muscles...a bit more experience....O M G. 

[Elias Pettersson | #40 | C]

Dahlin being bad as a rookie? How many points should a rookie Dman get before hes considered solid NHL material? Its always harder for a D to make it in the NHL since u cant rack up points like a forward. Im impressed by dahlins stats and hes got loads of potential. Hes only 18 y old so....in two years when hes same age as petey, how good will he be by then? Completely redundant to do rant down  on him in any case. This years calder is EP40 by miles. Sure Dahlin can get better and better but Petey is so far ahead in the race for the calder its ridiculous. We can always compare Dahlins stats with hughes stats as he becomes a canuck and starts racking up the points, and then notice how good are these players that are considered top D Rookies.  For now im just looking forward to every game when EP40 plays, way more then Dahlin or any other rookie. Its like waiting to see something that will wow u every time. Just enjoy the ride...i know i am anyway.

[Jacob Markstrom | #25 | G]

Markstrom is playing the hockey of his life. Hes on fire and we can only hope he stays that way nd doesnt drop in level in his play. 

[Elias Pettersson | #40 | C]

Its also interesting that they mentioned that on elias last turn he didnt crossover so he missed out on the final acceleration  which meant he most likely would have gotten a better time had he done that crossover in the last turn. 

[Elias Pettersson | #40 | C]

Not sure how many say he is awkward when hes only 20 y old and still learning the language. He will get more and more adjusted and mature both on and off the ice. Hes a natural on the ice since he grew up skating every day (dad having the key to the rink and all). With the right guidance he will only improve since hes stubborn and eager to improve. What hes doing on the ice and how he has performed is only the tip of the iceberg of his capabilities. 

 

I think hes also very much like most swedes are when growing up, they follow the progress of the swedes playing in the NHL. Swedish media focuses very hard on the top players. Thats why he doesnt know much about other NHL players unless its the very top ranked ones. Those are the ones media write about while other players often hardly are mentioned. That and focusing on the SHL and swedish national team does take away a lot of attention from the NHL. So dont be surprised if he doesnt know a lot of the players that has played in both vancouver and other teams. Hes part of a new generation and thats not strange or awkward at all.  

[Elias Pettersson | #40 | C]

6 hours ago, AlwaysACanuckFan said:

 

6 hours ago, AlwaysACanuckFan said:

 

Nice pic.... Makes me wonder what a "team sweden" would look like today. Id like to see Elias together with Arvidsson and Forsberg from the preds. 

Arvidsson-Pettersson-Forsberg

Landeskog-Backstrom-Lindholm

Rakell-Zibanejad-Hornqvist

Steen-Backlund-Fast

extra forwards, William Karlsson, Nyquist

 

Defense

Ekholm - Karlsson

Hedman - Stralman

Ekman Larsson - Klingberg

Extra D, Edler, Dahlin

 

Hm...maybe switch with Backstrom? 

[Elias Pettersson | #40 | C]

Would have loved to have Bieksa in the Lineup after the Matheson incident...

[Bo Horvat | #53 | C]

I am really impressed with Bo this season. His faceoffs are impressive but his 2way play even more so. if i fear anyone getting injured its Bo, Edler and Markstrom. Those players importance are HUGE. 

[Nikolay Goldobin | LW/RW]

I dont think goldobin is much for defense. However if he wants to be in the NHL he needs to work hard on the ice with skating and positioning, marking and stickhandling. Hes not a gritty player but he needs to work as hard as a gritty player. without the puck. Just to get an Effort into the things he needs to improve, and he needs to do this as aggresively as he can without making it dirty. If he pushes those efforts he will get his chances and can improve. Thats why he is like a diamond in the rough. But the needs to improve a lot, and that will take time, beside that effort he needs to put in the play without him having the puck. I really enjoyed some of the passing plays he did, so if he can put in that effort i think he will be back in the lineup. Just a matter of time. 

[Elias Pettersson | #40 | C]

5 hours ago, HerrDrFunk said:

Hmm, between this and Domi's taunts, has Matheson lost the respect of other players for not answering the bell in Vancouver?

imo, this hit from kane with the stick doesnt feel as bad as mathesons hit on petterson. he hits petterson from behind to get him off balance and then deliberately pushes his upper body towards the ice. Its not strange at all that the head hits the ice hard on a play like that. i still say matheson should pay for it. 

 

[Elias Pettersson | #40 | C]

So, my 2nd post on the forum. Ive followed EP40 in the SHL and its exciting to see the things he did there works exactly the same in the NHL. The way he has developed these last 2 years is astounding and i wouldnt be surprised if he gets 80-90 points this year as a 20 y old rookie.  He looked a bit static at times (off timing just a bit) and did some bad turnovers but also some amazing plays as well. The thing is, he is constantly trying to improve himself and people are already amazed of what he is capable of today. This is what will make him a superstar. My guess is he will be even better the 2nd half of the season and omg how good he will be in a few years. EP and Boeser has all the potential in the world to be an all-star duo for many years to come. incredibly exciting.