truculentnuck

Based on what I have seen this year, Tanner Pearson might be the only player that consistently sticks up for his teammates. Doesn't fight but gets in there. I hate seeing the team lose but it makes it so much worse when they get pushed around. There is NOBODY on the team that opposing teams fear playing against. They really only have to worry about Motte finishing his checks...that's it.

Maybe my eyes are failing me but from the penalty box, you can see Ferland's knuckle all screwed up. My guess of the upper body injury.

I like a tough team and seeing Ferland as the only real guy that fights on the team is concerning especially since coming back from a concussion last December. Much like Roussel came off a concussion last summer and really didn't fight much which I don't blame him for doing. No other player on the Canuck averaged more than 1 fight per season. All the talk about a great skilled young core on the Canucks yet no plans to make sure they don't get pushed around on game day other than Ferland. I like seeing skilled players protected, asset protection. Some knowledgeable fight fans on this site, love seeing Peluso's name, wanted him on the Nucks for a few seasons now but no dice. Right away he would be top three in the league with Lucic and Reaves. That Johnston kid on the Islanders is a contender but not sure if he made the big squad. As much as I like seeing the Comets pick up Arseneau, he hasn't developed into a feared fighter just based on the fights i have seen on YT. Really there is nothing else other than Gadjovich and MacEwen. MacEwen wasn't signed for his fighting abilities, looks like he's trying to adopt the role being a big framed kid. Gadjovich never developed that part of the game as the OHL has muted fighting. Is there anyone else? Didn't really read up on the prospects drafted this year.

Benning should take a chance on Petan. Not making the forward groups of the Leafs and Jets doesn't mean he's not good enough to play in the NHL. I would send Gaudette down to do this. Get back the asset of Forsling?! Like Petan, making the D line of the Hurricanes isn't the easiest lineup to crack. Is he better than Fantenberg?

I'm having a little trouble with this move, Sven consistently makes the team better when he is in the lineup. I don't have stats to back me up, just from what I see from games. Just based on Benning's interview, he doesn't know where or how much Gaudette will play. If Gaudette just sits most nights, this move is just plain wrong and doesn't result in any good for either Baertschi or Gaudette. Let Gaudette have 1st-2nd line duties in Utica and play lots, it's still a pro league with good players. Offense is something the Canucks need and Baertschi has it and shown it against NHL players during the regular season, not against half a team of prospects in the pre-season like Gaudette has shown. And just to make it clear, I like Gaudette. Goldobin on the other hand, like many people, I keep hoping and wanting him to be what many people think he can be, but game after game, shift after shift, he just doesn't finish. After two years, maybe it's time for him to move on to try reaching his potential with another organization.