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Everything posted by kloubek
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Good news. I know neither have been lights out on the scoresheet this year but I feel we still miss them both. What Ferland brings is obvious, and when he finds his scoring game again he is a real asset to have on the ice. Sutter played generally well imo, and I do feel we need to bolster our 4th line. Motte Beagle Sutter looks like a good (though expensive) 4th to me. Schaller has been nearly unnoticeable since his hot start to the season and I think it is time for another wakeup call.
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[Discussion] - Value of Michael Dipietro
kloubek replied to laddie's topic in Proposals and Armchair GM'ing
Little. Very little. His value isn't much, either. -
I am glad Benning saw the value in Pearson. To be honest, when the trade first happened I figured we were losing a horrible defenceman for a once-good-but-lost-it physical, 3rd line forward at best. Which really would have been a win regardless. But for Pearson to now be on pace for a career year is simply outstanding. It is becoming increasingly difficult for Benning nay-sayers to have any kind of leg to stand on.
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[Poll] Do you think Canucks need new coaching staff?
kloubek replied to Roberts's topic in Canucks Talk
I think our coaching staff is just fine. Like any team, we have our low points and right now we are on a 6 game winning streak. For a team that most predicted to miss the playoffs at the start of the season, I think we are doing just fine. Most nights, I feel our team looks energized and physical. It usually looks like we are trying out there. I believe that with the maturity of our young players combined with good prospects that this WILL be a contender in short order. -
Biggest Positive and Negative Surprises at the Halfway Point
kloubek replied to JamesB's topic in Canucks Talk
I felt the Canucks were going to make the playoffs. But generally, when this team is on I believe it is a team that can hang with any other. I don't think we are far off from being a contender, and I don't think many experts (or even our own fans) expected that. Marky has been excellent, and Miller has done far better than anyone expected. Jake has finally found his game it seems, and Hughes has been absolutely fantastic. (Though many of us knew he would be). I do, however, feel he is better defensively than I expected, and is better at avoiding crushing hits that I was previously worried about given his size. I think many of us are also surprised Tanev has remained relatively injury-free. Negatives: Not many. I wish Sutter could remain healthy but that was always a question mark. I expected more from Ferland when he was playing, and how we have another concussion situation on our hands that I hope gets resolved. Myers to me has been a BIG disappointment; the guy has around the same points as Tanev but isn't nearly as good defensively and doesn't use his size nearly as much as he should. I also expected Horvat to be performing better than he has been, but he is still on pace for another career year so I probably shouldn't complain - especially given his usage in light of injury. Going forward, we just need to be consistent and play the game we can. I still feed we will make the playoffs and think that we may surprise some teams with our overall abilities. -
I was worried about Hughes, but he has such elite edgework and smarts that he usually gets himself out of such situations. Still, he will need to keep his head on a swivel to avoid getting crushed. Brock is not a small guy. I think he will be fine. As for Petey, I actually would expect he will be subject to such pressure and in our first playoff run would not be surprised to see him struggle with playoff intensity. But he has a big enough frame and when he gets to 190-195 I think he will be ok. He also already plays far more heavy than a guy like Nylander imo. I do think, however, that we need to maintain our overall size to help offset playoff intensity and potential size of other teams. Benning knows this, and has tried to get bigger guys to withstand such. That's where guys like Ferland, Virtanen, Myers, Edler, Pearson, Miller and Horvat will need to go all-out. We have already seen how heavier teams like Vegas can be a handful when we let them dictate the play. We need to be the aggressors imo, and I believe we have enough heavy guys to do it. So in short, no - I think we will he ok thanks mainly to the mix Benning has put together. But I also think a team like Toronto is a prime example of what happens when you build a team on skill without considering how the team as a whole will perform in such situations. Their series with Boston was really no contest last year and I feel they will continue to struggle unless they make some changes to better handle the rigors of playoff hockey.
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That is exactly it. While you might (ok... you will) get more points out of a guy like Nylander during the season, I feel when the going gets tough, it is guys like JV who you need to win playoff games. Guys like Nylander get checked off their game, while guys like Jake are both focused on less by the opposition, are tougher, and dole out the damage rather than absorbing it. All this, plus the fact that Jake comes cheap and Nylander is (imo) overvalued thanks to his flash and point totals. Yeah it would have been great to have drafted a higher scoring guy in the #6 position, but at the end of the day I think we did ok. I think it should also be considered where would we be right now in cap land if we were paying another 6-7 million in salary.
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While I didn't see the Virtanen I wanted to earlier in the season, he really seems to he consistently bringing his game over the last few weeks. As long as he plays like this, I am happy enough. He needs to play big and pitch in with scoring. He is doing that. While I hope he continues to progress (and very well may), I personally believe we are largely seeing the best we can expect from him right now. If he hits the ground running next season there should be an improvement, but if I am right I hope fans will he satisfied with what we have seen lately. He just isn't going to he that top power forward. With that said, I feel he has an opportunity to really help a playoff series or two if we make it this season. Guys like him can he difference makers. So.... a difference maker at maybe 50 points per season? Good enough - given the draft position? I think so. Hardly the bust many have been claiming.
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So... in your world then, any time you take a big chance on something and it doesn't work out it is simply fate? Ignorance is bliss, I suppose. When the trade was made, I (and many) hated it from the beginning. Gudbranson's metrics were bad already. No, Benning couldn't have known for sure Gudbranson would get even worse, but the trade was a huge gamble from the get go that Benning lost. Then he doubled up on that loss by re-signing him for 3 years at a ridiculous salary. Mistake #2. If I am playing poker and go all in with a low pair when others are showing strong hands, that is a mistake. Sure, I might end up winning but when the odds are against you, that isn't a bet you should make. Benning made that bet. He lost. That's called a mistake in my books.
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Yeah - that's on pace for 51 points. Amazing to see a career year out of him so deep into his career. Even more amazing to remember we got rid of Gusbranson and his contract at the same time. Benning did well to make up for his mistake.
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[PGT] Pittsburgh Penguins at Vancouver Canucks | Dec. 21, 2019
kloubek replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Canucks Talk
.892 according to NHL.com. Still horrible though. This was such a weird game I let my 7 year old stay up way late for it. (I'm an hour ahead). That first was odd with the lack of shots and copious pp time. -
Leivo out 2-3 months due to a fractured kneecap - as per TSN.
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Well sure. But I am sure NJ will be able to get at least some assets from PK as opposed to simply taking on another bad contract AND retaining. Only advantage for them is lack of real money owing to LE. Wonder if something like LE plus Sutter for PK would work? At least then they get a serviceable player.
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[Signing] Canucks sign Oscar Fantenberg
kloubek replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
I really liked Biega, and knew nothing about Fantenberg so to me it was a lateral move at best... if not a potential downgrade. But yeah - OF looks solid. The thing is, I feel we need more than just "solid" players. We need guys who really bring a skillset that allows Green to deploy them accordingly. Examples: Edler: Brings a higher-than-average level of everything. Hughes: Obviously drives our play from the blueline. Extremely dynamic. Tanev: Supreme shutdown guy. Then we have guys like Benn and Myers - who aren't bad players but I personally haven't seen what I've wanted to see from them. Both should be putting up more points imo to become more rounded assets. Myers really should play bigger than he does - but we all knew that was the way he played when he was signed. Stecher: While he is a smart player, he doesn't have high end skill nor does he bring much physicality. This is why I would like to bring in Tryamkin. He simply scares guys and hurts them out there, and should be able to hold his own otherwise. I would like to see us have 1 more true scoring guy other than Hughes once Edler leaves. Edler is decent in the meantime I suppose. When he's playing. To me, a good roster is all about having role players on the team. I believe it contributes to a team identity, and gives the coach clear-cut tools to work with. But yeah... Fantenberg... -
(Proposal) Vancouver-Arizona blockbuster
kloubek replied to BrockBoester's topic in Proposals and Armchair GM'ing
We are rebuilding. We have a cache of highly skilled, young players now to move forward with. That's something we haven't had for a long time. Why would we move backward? Why would Arizona? Hard no. -
The system is broken. I'm in Calgary and got nothing on either of my phones.
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[Signing] Canucks sign Oscar Fantenberg
kloubek replied to -Vintage Canuck-'s topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
Me too. But while solid, he's hardly outstanding in any way. Has been great for our depth, no doubt. -
When I saw that he was on the block - I figured: Hey, let's see what we could give up for him. Then I remembered that contract. Nope. No thanks.
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Grew up in BC. Moved to Alberta almost 20 years ago, but I don't switch my team due to my location. Truth be known, it is challenging being a Canucks fan in Calgary. But I press on....
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All I know is in the post game interview, Green figured it looked "not good" for Josh. He has become a surprisingly important part of this team - I wish him well. (To he clear, I would even if he was NOT an important part of the team. Personal health is always most important imo)
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So unfortunate both for Ferland personally, as well as the team. Heal up, big guy.
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Fair assessment.
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Good lord - LE is injuring our guys now. (Demko with concussion). He is a liability in every way now.