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kloubek

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Everything posted by kloubek

  1. Jake's production has been improving every year. Players take time to develop, and he's trending in the right direction - though his playoff production wasn't acceptable. Jake's main problem is that he doesn't take his job seriously. He hasn't found the maturity necessary to start the season running, try his hardest, or hit opposing players like he can. He also doesn't position himself well which may be effort or may be lack of that hockey IQ everyone talks about. Basically, I feel we are getting 80% Jake whereas the team and Jake's career deserve 100%. IMO, time is up. If we want to contend this coming season we need guys who are all-in. Benning has the difficult task of assessing whether Jake is going to turn the corner or not. If not, we need to use his cap elsewhere... in which case I would assume it is best to use Jake as a sweetener to try to move out cap.
  2. This team was trying to get bigger and stronger, and given how we were still outmuscled and only got to game 7 with Vegas thanks to our goaltending, I think it's clear that adding another undersized guy isn't ideal. Add to this the cap space he would command after next year when we gotta re-sign our big name kids, and it really doesn't seem like the right fit. With all this said, perhaps both parties are looking for a one year deal? Maybe Hoffman wants the chance to win a cup and is willing to sign low so he can get a new, higher priced contract when covid is over and prices rise again? Despite his deficiencies, there is no denying his talent and I would expect he could continue putting up significant points on Petey's line. Still think there are better, more complete options out there likely for less salary.
  3. Interesting take in the link. Kinda gets you thinking it might not be a bad shot to take if need be.... https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/canucks-hockey/jayce-hawryluk-could-wind-up-in-the-canucks-top-six-2805773?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=VIA_PITB
  4. Isn't it a little optimistic he could slot in right away when he is getting healthy scratched on a non-NHL team?
  5. I can see both. He has that sideways Matt Damon smile. Howabout we just let the kid be himself.
  6. I don't. The game is so fast and skilled now that a player can't afford to sit there and think about what he is going to do. Quick, accurate plays from defensemen and first passes are essential in today's game. Yes, making the right plays can be learned over time, but only as well as the player can process it all at speed. The comparison to Jake is a valid one imo. But it's misleading too as Jake's inability to process the game quickly is only half his problem. I'm excited for this pick - though the kid is so raw by this point it is anyone's guess as to where he will end up. That speed is tantalizing though, and if he can put it together I see real potential upside here.
  7. I do notice that despite his lack of ice time, he hasn't complained yet. He would have every right to, but it shows maturity on his part. Seems unreal to me he was scratched. Is he really that ineffective?
  8. Magic. Agree again. Benn actually prefers the right side if I remember correctly but he has been less than stellar since joining us. Rafferty is also a consideration there, though I imagine we would rather have a defensive-minded guy there instead of an offensive one. If Benning doesn't swing real good shutdown guy for the right to join for long-term, I'd like to see a 1 year deal as you describe for a solid but cheaper defensive guy. Tryamkin can join us late in the season can he not? Then its really just a short term stop-gap until then if so. And if Tryamkin can't cut it, we can look elsewhere next season. Adding Schmidt changes quite a bit for us. It's not ideally enough, but with him added and the possibility of a Tryamkin return, combined with OJ getting a shot to show his stuff AND Rathbone waiting in the wings, I like this new direction.
  9. I agree. I don't think he will ever defend with the smarts and overall ability Tanev did for us, but he also brings some elements that Tanev didn't. As long as he's OK with limited ice time (which he SHOULD be, although he wasn't in the past), I think he could be an extremely effective 6th guy for us. And come playoff time, I think his value increases as it pertains to playing the Blues and Vegas-type teams. I also think that if he plays like he can with crushing hits, that'll make him a fan fav pretty quickly.
  10. Great price. Looks like he's banking on himself to show well this coming season.
  11. Love the signing. People say this guy is undersized, but he certainly doesn't play like it. He's really quite similar to Motte in that regard. Nice pickup. The issue with Gaudette on the 2nd is that Green often plays that line against strong opposition lines. From what I've seen so far, I wonder if Gaudette would impede that line's 2-way game. I do, however, support moving him to wing, and appreciate another year of training and experience might lessen his deficiencies. If Ferland was healthy, he would be an option there. Just saying.
  12. No interest in Hoffman, and I'm surprised to hear Benning had some. Hopefully just due diligence.
  13. True enough. Ferland has played right side before, so that might be the best home for him if he does come back.
  14. Miracle via superior goaltending. Roussel certainly didn't have a good year, but I wouldn't necessarily write him off for a 3rd line role quite yet. The prior year he was a point every other game, and then he dealt with that knee surgery before this last season which maybe was a factor? If, by the hand of God, Ferland returns healthy next season, that probably pushes Rooster to the 4th anyway.
  15. Hughes (by a long shot. And he's gonna get better) Schmidt Edler (Who I believe is a noticeable step up from Myers) Myers Benn We really need to move Benn. Just wasn't a good fit. Juolevi is clearly in management's plans on the left anyway, and it's time he was given the chance to play at this level. Rathbone needs some time in the A. He can take Edler's spot next year if he's ready, or we re-sign Edler for another year. At this point it looks like we are going with Rafferty in the 3R position - though I expect JB to get a more established guy in FA. I also expect (hope?) JB gets Tryamkin here as another option. I think some get hung up on TT's limited upside without appreciating what a huge guy like that can do for you in the playoffs.
  16. He can still play a reasonably heavy game, from what I've seen.
  17. Makes sense to me. The cap hit is almost nothing, and he brings some more size and grit to their lineup which they so badly need. I think he will do alright there.
  18. Koekkoek is an intriguing idea. Buy low, potential high reward. With that said, I don't feel Schmidt is an appropriate Tanev replacement, and jury is still out on OJ. We need a solid stay at home guy imo instead if we bring in another d.
  19. You have a lot of confidence in Clark. (No "e" at the end I don't think). I agree he is a fantastic goalie coach. But your suggestion is optimistic imo. Holtby has played on a dominant team which by the eye test (don't know where to get the stats on this) is a better posession and defensive team than ours has been since the rebuild started to present. And now we lost Tanev, which I doubt is going to improve matters. Yet, Holtby's numbers have been substandard for a #1 goalie for three straight years, and last year being borderline downright sad. I like Holtby's attitude towards the game and feel he will be a good mentor to Demko. I'm just far less optimistic than you on him returning to form... Clark or not. Given the contract (albeit noticeably less than Marky's) I would assume Benning shares your views. And I'm hoping I'm the one who's wrong.
  20. Wow... broad brush much? I've supported Jake since we got him. People grumbling some time ago about trading him but I (and many) were like... no, he has all the tools... he will figure it out. Then 2 camps in a row he comes in unready. He risks his playoff appearance by mingling around in a bar when he should be quarantined. Then this year the playoffs come, and he is almost nowhere to be found on the ice. I can live without him scoring much if he is a wrecking ball out there like he could be. He was neither. He is improving - yes. Same could be said of almost all NHL players as they enter their prime. But he will never be the player we need him to be until he takes his career choice seriously and grows tfu. I believe Jake will be a good player in this league. I just don't know how long we are expected to wait for it in Vancouver.
  21. Typically, I would agree. But to be fair, I don't think many would blame JB for trying to move on from LE. He has been awful from the day he put pen to green and blue paper.
  22. Didn't realize Soderberg was a UFA. He would be a great fit if we could lose one of sutter/beags.
  23. Impasse and talks broken off, then signed not 12 hours later. Guess you can't believe everything you read.
  24. I think he CAN still be that player. He obviously wants to be, and I think he understands that he isn't useful unless he plays his style of game. I believe we see him back on opening night, and I'll keep my fingers crossed for him that he finally remains healthy.
  25. Schmidt is a good player, and I'm happy to see us get a guy who can help Huggy with scoring from the blueline. He's an all-around solid defenseman who we got for a very reasonable price. He kills penalties too. We still need a shutdown guy though. And at 29, his contract is rather long and a tad pricey which is what it seemed JB was looking to avoid? At least his NTC shouldn't be TOO hard to work out, should we need to move on later.
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