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Everything posted by kloubek
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[Signing] Canucks re-sign Thatcher Demko
kloubek replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
I think it's accepted that goalies are a... "different" group, who may have higher than average instances of doing great for a bit, then falling off a cliff. I'm not saying we will experience that with Demko, but besides being lights out last playoffs as well as excellent for the second portion of the season so far, his stats have otherwise been quite average. He's had his ups and downs, so the sample size is really still reasonably smaller than I would prefer for a long term, mid-priced contract. I also haven't forgotten his propensity to getting concussions. With that said, I don't have all the information the Canucks do. I don't have Ian Clark, who I'm sure had something to say in his expert opinion. I don't have a lot of things, so I leave it in their hands to make a proper, educated decision. And they have. I imagine this has a far better chance of looking like a great signing in 3 years than it might a poor one. -
Hard shot, sure. (Though I don't remember it being much of a factor.) Great playmaking? Can't say I recall that very much. Make no mistake about it, peeps. Nik would be an addition to dramatically increase our size, intimidation and hitting. He will be expected to be defensively responsible, use his reach and clear the net. Anything extra he brings is gravy, and not an expectation. I don't think. He is very much a complimentary player, but I believe a very important one.
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what did we gain by not re-signing any of Markstrom/Tanev/Toffoli?
kloubek replied to grouse747's topic in Canucks Talk
Tanev: Has been injury prone. Not going to get any better. Doesn't put up a lot of offense. I can see why we didn't want to sign him long term - though he has been a big loss, as expected. Markstrom: Similar to Tanev. Starting to get bitten by the injury bug. Isn't going to get better and will likely start a decline soon. I get this one too. Benning banked on Demko, and it looks like he made the right choice. We were never going to keep both anyway. Stecher: I really do like Stecher, but he's always going to be limited in his physical ability to match his rather limited skillset. Bless his heart, but I was ok with this one too. TT: This guy I really did want to keep. Most of us wanted Benning to lose some salary even before Covid was a thing, and he Benning refused to pay the price to do so. It makes the price paid for him seem pretty steep - even if the move almost certainly did allow the team to play meaningful playoff hockey last season. Benning couldn't have known the bad salaries would go from hard to impossible to move - I just wish he did what he needed to do sooner... even IF Covid never messed everything up. I think too many key guys were moved out (regardless of whether it was necessary) and the team struggled to find it's identity as a result. And now we're (not quite?) out of the playoffs. But I believe with expiring salary in the next couple of seasons, once you melt that fat off, we really do have a good looking team... and should have a bit of salary available to add another impact player or two. -
Myers is alright. He just isn't particularly *good* at anything other than tying up guys on the boards. He has decent defense and obviously a great reach. The things he DOES bring we don't currently have a replacement for, and we need that. Thing is, we DO still have the rights to Tryamkin, who would provide most of the same benefits on the ice, better hitting and intimidation, and at maybe... a third (?) the cost. As it sits though, Myers' is hardly at the top of my list of contracts I wish we could make disappear. And who knows - if we are lucky, Seattle makes it a moot point.
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[Discussion] Acquiring Tyler Bertuzzi?
kloubek replied to apollo's topic in Proposals and Armchair GM'ing
Yeah, the OP's offer doesn't even get a laugh. Just a hangup. With our recent waiver pickups I don't think we're starved for bodies, but I think Bertuzzi would fit in well on the 2nd line. He's starting to heat up offensively, and I see potential in his game to be nearly a point a game guy when put with the right linemates. He would basically replace Roussel's agitating qualities after he's gone, but provide us with that same gritty style in our top 6 while putting up what I believe would be good points. Ultimately replaces Pearson's spot in the lineup unless he's willing to re-sign for cheap for the 3rd line. -
[Report] Canucks claim Travis Boyd off waivers
kloubek replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
The only reason I like to rag on the Leafs is because all the media (especially TSN) is so pro Toronto it makes me sick. I also think Matthews, despite being an excellent player, still has a lot of growing up to do, and his mustache looks horrible. As for Boyd, I think he is a good depth pickup... though I'm not and where he fits on this team... -
Doesn't fit our team, but a good depth player for a contender with a little extra cap. Guess Toronto is in bad cap issues of their own, as they are considered a contender themselves...
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Demko has been the clear better goalie, and this game is very important. With that said, you start Holtby. No point in having a recent Vezina winner sitting and getting paid that kind of money. Benning went after a capable backup for a reason, and we can't expect him to get back to form or even he remotely reliable in that role riding the pine the entire season. And as others have said, we can't risk burning out Demko. He can only be expected to do so much.
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Point is, I don't think being moved or going from team to team phases him. He doesn't get the message to play like he *should* be able to.
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I bet Buffalo and Toronto also thought they were getting a motivated guy.
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It's been a great March - that's for sure. What else is for sure: If we bring the same game we brought against Ottawa the last 2 games, the streak isn't going to last much longer. Demko can only carry the team so far.
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...and I don't disagree with him. By my eye test he has a tendency to try low percentage passes, or flubs the pass altogether. I do love his game though. He brings the crushing forecheck we should be getting out of Virtanen.
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These two paragraphs are dead on. Though in order to get those assists, he will need to be put with good players and I'm still wary of pegging him as a top 6 player at this point. With that said, I feel he will be elite level 3rd line material at worst and he does have the raw tools to be more... in a Burrowesque manner.
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That has always, of course, been the knock on him. I believe he has the heart to do what it takes. He already looks greatly improved this season. I liked him as a Benning pick, and I too had the same question. If he makes it, I think he will be a good cost controlled Rousell replacement for the bottom 6. So far this season he has shown unexpectedly adept ability to put the puck in the net. I don't at all expect it to continue at this rate, but if it actually did...
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Oops. Reported this by accident. Nothing wrong with this at all! I think we all have to remember the team that is playing in front of these guys. Given the scoring chances, since Demko found his footing this season he's been spectacular.... moreso than I think Luongo would be under the constant barrage, if I'm being honest. For most of the time with Luongo in net, we had a high scoring, high possession team. Can Demko always play like this? Still premature to say I think, but he's at least clearly capable of doing so. He's also proven he has the potential to elevate his game in the playoffs, which is a big plus.
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I appreciate your optimism, and I'm hopeful as well - though none too confident. I wouldn't say Green stifles the team, though I can't help but believe our coaching overall my be the reason we can't seem to assemble an adequate defensive game, and must rely on lights-out goaltending. Until we fix that, it will be hard to ice a consistently successful team. If you look at our team on paper, it should be able to be competitive. It should at least be good enough for an Ottawa game not to be a nail biter. Changes must be made.
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On IR now.
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Laying down on the Job. Myers reverting to his Buffalo +- days
kloubek replied to Primal Optimist's topic in Canucks Talk
I have preferred his play this season over last. His ability to lean on other guys is unmatched by any other defender we have. He's also a good guy and really buys into the team. But Myers is Myers and you get whatever you get. He won't really wow you in any way, and isn't particularly talented. My ideal scenario: Taken by Seattle in the ED. Bring in Tryamkin who adds far more effective hitting and intimidation at a third or less of the price. -
[Speculation] Teams Calling on Schmidt and Motte
kloubek replied to CRAZY_4_NAZZY's topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
I guess it shouldn't be a big surprise that other teams are going after our talent. Doesn't mean we have to bite. I imagine a case MAY be made to move Schmidt - if perhaps his strong personality isn't meshing (no reason to believe it isn't) or if Benning believes that he won't be the strong contributor we believed AND the return would have to be fantastic. As others are saying, we keep Motte too. It is hard to find a player who fits a certain role so perfectly. He isn't flashy and won't put up big points, but we all know what he brings and I want to keep that in the lineup. What Benning REALLY means by "be patient" is "wait for my mistake contracts to expire". And I do believe that the refresh with new blood in the bottom six and maybe another top 6 winger will put this team over the top. -
This. Imo, the players on this team are really quite a decent group. At least on paper. Yet, for some reason we continue to cough up giveaways and play a poor defensive game. I don't really know why this is, but until we figure out why that's happening and fix it, we will continue to struggle as a team regardless of whether prospects like Podz develop nicely.