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timberz21

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Everything posted by timberz21

  1.     Jordan Staal was traded for the 8th overall and B.Sutter. We all know goalies have less value on the trade market than big forwards or defenseman. So yes, Gillis could of gotten more, but he wasn't dealing in a position of power and he wasn't going to move Schneider to Edmonton either and help a rising (what we thought), rival franchise, just to get marginal players or picks along with the high 1st pick.
  2. Seriously, he's years ahead of Vey in faceoff and defensive awareness/reliability. Vey as 17 pts (6 on the powerplay) compare to Horvat's 11pts (no PPP) in 11 more games and 3 minutes more of ice-time per game. I still don't get why Horvat is sheltered like a baby and hasn't passed Vey on the depth chart yet. Skillwise, Vey might be better, but offensively speaking, Horvat is at least on par with Vey (and imo ahead).
  3.     Yes he earned it, yes he's amazing, and i'm not asking Bo to be a 1st liner either. Ekblad, started the season playing 20 minutes a night, so at first (yes there was preseason) but still the kid was allowed to play and when he performed they just continue playing him. So, yes he was given a chance to play big minutes and when he succeeded and earned it, they continued playing him. Yet, i'm not even asking Bo to be a permanent 3C. I just wished he would have been given at least 5-10 games out of 50 with at least 14-16 minutes of ice-time. Is that really too much to asked. With Bo, we actually don't know what his limits are, but they were never tested. I,m not saying give him 3C blindly for the rest of the season. But he wasn't even given a taste of a top 9 role, which is ridiculous. Filip Forsberg, didn't just miraculously started producing point on the fourth and then move on to 3rd, 2nd and 1st. He was put in a top 9 role from the start. Bo has never seen top 9 minutes, except in blow-out games.
  4. What a beauty. Kind of reminds me of Eberle's first NHL goal ( I think)
  5. Looks more like 3 third lines so far....and I think that a problem. I get that their philosophy is to roll 4 lines and keep everyone fresh. But at some point, you need to have 1-2-3-4th line. Right now it seems that the Bottom 9, rather than pushing themselves to win a top 6 role, they play to keep their top 9 role or not to end up on the fourth. Competition is good when 2-3 players fight for a spot, but right now it seems like the whole bottom 9 is fighting each other. At one point they'll need to get into a groove, understand their role, and roll that way until the end (with minor tweaks here and there).
  6. When you play an avg of 10 minutes per night....7-8minutes in tight games and 12-13 in blowouts....and regardless of how well or bad you play, thats enough to kill confidence in anybody. I get the process WD is trying to establish, the learning curve, but if Horvat is not tested, pushed a little bit, how is he suppose to grow, develop. Even though, personnally I would like Horvat to be our permanent 3C, I don't understand why he hasn't been given 15-16 minutes as a 3C for at least 3-5 games this season. I mean, I know we are in a battle, the standing is tight, but that same core proved time and time again that they will fail in crunch time. Why not try him out, get some fresh blood once in a while. All he's learning is not making a mistake, be safe, thinking too much instead of letting his talent and instinct speak for itself. He's learning to be Chris Higgins 2.0. I mean Higgins is a great depth guy, but Horvat has so much more potential. I don't want to compare Horvat to any of them, but look at Ekblad, he was giving a chance and impressed. Or Gaudreau with the Flames, I mean he has a completely different role than Horvat, but if he can play 16minutes a night without being a liability, why can't Horvat do it. We could say the same about Burakovsky, Kuznetsov.
  7. If Virtanen plays 8min per game on the fourth line and is not loan to WJC next year, i'll be piss. It's ok for Horvat because his game is better suited for bottom 6 but not Virtanen. For Virtanen next year it's top 6 or junior. Any bottom six minutes with the Canucks will be a waste, much more than Horvat, that I thought would've gotten more responsibility by now when the decision was made not to send him to WJC.
  8. Ovechkin's IQ is not that high. He has unbelievable skills, one of the best shot in hockey, great skater, but he's much more an instinctive player that rely on his talent rather than being a smart player.
  9. ^^ They were also saying during the WJC that KHL superstar's salary is pretty much guaranteed like Kovalchuk, Radulov, etc. Also i'm pretty sure salaries for Russian players are more protected than Europeens and NA playing in the KHL. Also yes, now there is a crisis with the Ruble, but will this last 3,5, 10 years? I doubt it...it is bound to pick up sometimes, so it is more of a short-time problem rather than a long one. Also the best Russian youngster probably would make more in the KHL (regardless of the Rubles' value) than they would in the AHL or on ELC.
  10. he played well, but you cannot say he outperformed Virtanen. As good as he was for his age, size, I think Virtanen has a higher ceiling than Crouse. I would classify Crouse in the same category as Kassian and Ritchie, more skilled, less mean. But compared to Nichuskin at 17, who went 10th overall (yes, there was the Russian factor), I'd say Nichuskin is much more talented than Crouse, but still not ripping the NHL.
  11. and almost a whole year younger than Reinhart, but were drafted the same year. Reinhart is in his fourth year of CHL, while this is Jake's third (full year). That makes a difference.
  12. Can't read too much into Virtanen performance at WJC to say what his potential is or what he'll become at the NHL level. I spend the week at the 2009 WJC in Ottawa watching them play live. Jamie Benn pretty much had the same role as Virtanen that year, playing on the 4th line with Tyler Ennis and Brett Sonne. Benn ended the tournament with 4G and 1A (that includes a hat trick + 1A in a 15-0 rout of Kazakhstan and the other goal coming against Germany). Benn was also a physical presence like Virtanen, although much slower. That year, Esposito and Didominico were for the major part of the Tournament Tavares' winger on the first line (or 1A) while the other 1st line (1B) was Eberle-Hodgson-Boychuk and third line being Della Rovere-Cormier-Kane. Remember that Virtanen was basically the youngest player after McDavid and Crouse and was bumped up by two NHLer on the right wing. Only a handful of 17-18 years old dominates this tournament, usually reserve for 19 yrs old player. Take the returnees (Lazar, McDavid, Reinhart, Morrisey, Petan), they were good last year, but dominated this year (add Domi which i'm pretty sure wouldn't have been the same player last year, had he made the team). So Virtanen is no Reinhart or McDavid to dominate this team at 17-18 years old. Also look at the young american prodigy (Hanifin, Eichel, Matthews,), they didn't look much better than older player, even though they probably will have a better NHL career than most of them. Unless Virtanen pulls an O'Reilly, Duclair (more because of injuries), I highly doubt he makes the Canucks next year and his performance at WJC next year will be a better reference for his NHL potential.
  13. I agree, I also notice more than a few times, where he was actually behind his own net to try and recuperate the puck. Also sometimes he ended covering his opposite wings. So i completely disagree with buzzsaw saying he only waits to break out of the zone and not helping....if we can pick on him for his defensive play, would be that he was all over the place trying to do the others' job instead of being positionnally sound. That's fairly easy to learn, comes with maturity and experience.
  14. Not saying I would pick Virtanen just based on this week. I just meant that after seeing them all play full games, my opinion has not changed. Before my opinion was based more on scouting reports more than actually seeing them play. Of course Bo was drafted early because of his playoff/memorial cup. But the difference is I think had been ranked 10-20 all year long, if I remember correctly, so not that much of a jump. IMO Fabbri was closer to a 2nd/3rd rounder early in the year and really improve his draft position more than Bo.
  15. Also I would add, Ehlers and Nylander were arguably one of their team's most important offensive player. Jake has seen no PP time and played a 3rd/4th line role, except for his short time playing on his off-wing with McDavid. If Duclair and Lazar would not have been there, Jake would have likely played with Reinhart or McDavid's RW and probably would have comparable numbers.
  16. At last year's draft, my choice with the 6th overall was Jake Virtanen. However, I have to admit, that my choice was made by looking at few glimpse of each player available with that pick and mostly reading the scouting reports from CBS, ISS, McKenzie, Button and others. Now after seeing Ritchie, Ehlers, Nylander, Vrana, Fiala, Tuch, Fabbri, Larkin, for a full week with the best of the best of their age, I would still pick Virtanen. Virtanen - He reminds me a lot of Corey Perry in junior. Both very good shot, skilled, fast, gritty, physical. Perry is a little bit better at stickhandling/playmaking, while Jake might be faster/more physical. I really like how Virtanen is always in the opponent face and standing up for himself. Unlike Burrows or Kesler he's not only yapping, he's actually backing it up. Ritchie - I was impressed with Ritchie, with his size and physicality, but I think he still went too early. His offensive talent is limited against a tougher opposition and like Kassian his junior numbers might not translate to the NHL, although he's almost a lock in an NHL bottom 6. Ehlers - Talented yes, but big fish in a small pond and yet was still outplayed by Bjorkstrand IMO. Not sure will be able to bring his game to the NHL. Nylander - Very talented, you can tell he's been playing with men. His vision of the game way above many junior players, however in the NHL, his time and space will be reduced significantly. IMO Toronto drafted Kadri 2.0. He'll only be as good as the player around him, put him with Ovechkin and he'll look like Backstrom, put him with Lupul and he'll look like Kadri. Larkin - very impressive, looked like he should have been a top 10 pick. Fabbri - I thought he might have been overrated because of his exceptionnal OHL playoff/ Memorial Cup, but doesn't seem to have slowed down. If anyone has a chance to be the next Marty St-Louis, I'd bet on him, but still a long shot. Tough break on that injury. Fiala - Talented, but again big fish in a small pond. IMO he should have been a late 1st, not 11th overall. On a side note, looking forward to next year with Virtanen as a returning player, possibly playing on the 1st line with Sam Bennett (doubt he's physically ready for the NHL) and Dal Colle. I doubt Virtanen makes the Canucks next year, he has size, but unlike Horvat his frame still need to develop/bulk up (he doesn't look like a 208lbs guy as per hockeydb). Throwing his body around like he does against almost exlcusively 200+ pounders is risky and I don't think gaining 15lbs this summer is the way to go either.
  17. Actually last game Bo and Dorsett played 12:30 while Richardson played 12:00 (although included a fight) and Matthias 13min. So basically those two line are coming up pretty even. But I would like and hope that the reason they didn't send Horvat to WHJC is because they are expecting to give him more responsibilities soon. Rather than go to WHJC and then having to come back and play 8-12 minutes for a while before taking the next step. When I saw the Canucks tweet that Desjardins juggles his line looking for more goals, I was expected more than switching Burrows and Hansen. Here what I'd like to see Sedin-Sedin-Vrbata Burrows-Bonino-Vey/Jensen/Kassian Higgins-Horvat-Hansen Matthias-Richardson/Vey-Dorsett Richardson will get his minutes with the PK. Although he's having a good offensive, he' still a -7. I know Dasein will rip me because of his Bromance with Richie, but I fail to see how this guy is seen as a defensive specialist/player. Always been a minus player everywhere he played except for a few +1, +2 seasons. He's hardworking, annoying player to play against, but I fail to see his pure defensive skills. Good on the PK, doesn't necessarily means defensive specialist, it's more about courage, hardwork and determination.
  18. Fabbri (probable linemate) is a centerman, so if McDavid isn't sharp on draws, Fabbri could take a few. As of right now Petan is the other winger, another centerman who could take draws for him. Specially in the neutral or offensive zone, McDavid doesn't have to take the draws and i'm guessing he won't be taking the most defensive zone faceoff also. Gauthier/Dickenson/Paul, will likely be designated for important def zone faceoff. On the PP Reinhart will likely take them also.
  19. That's what we've been saying for the past 2 years with Drouin, MacKinnon (2 years ago) and McDavid last year. But, they weren't the one that cost us two 4th place in a row. Specially after a few months after MacKinnon tore apart the Memorial Cup, maybe he should have been utilized more. I know Jake is no MacKinnon or McDavid....but you can't bench a player because he's risky, if he's playing well and contributing. Ok you might not send him, with 30 sec. left in a defensive zone faceoff with 1G lead and the opposing goalie pulled. But to keep him out of every key moment in the 3rd period is exagerating. If he can't be trusted, then he doesn't deserve to be on the team.
  20. Virtanen slowly making stride towards his top form, hopefully this continues until WJC camp and can help him make the team.
  21. If he's as advertised and reaches his potential and becomes our Bergeron, then he'll succeed to Henrik in 4 years. However, that is one huge MotherF@#$ING IF ! lol
  22. In no way is Mallet a 2nd rounder. Maybe, Technically yes he was drafted in the 2nd round, but i'm pretty sure if the Canucks don't take him, he would have been taken in the 3rd, 4th or even 5th round. Someone in the Canucks scouting department thought he found something in Mallet and really sold him to Gillis. Canucks probably thought they had found their Datsyuk or Zetterberg with him. I'm ok with them take a risk and going for the homerun, but now we can see that we struck out and with Shink, Horvat, McCann, Virtanen, Gaunce and even Valk and Fox are all ahead of Mallet on the depth Chart. He'll never get a chance with the Canucks, let alone with the Comets. So why not get more Dman in the prospect pool
  23. True, but at the same time, I'm not sure Dorsett would be better in 3rd line role playing 12-15 minutes. He's effective because he plays limited minutes and usually keeps him on the good side of that fine line between playing with an edge rather than being undisciplined/liability. In a perfect world, we would blend in Kassian size and grit with Vey offensive abilities to make that super Power Forward and play on the 2nd line and Burrows would drop to third line, thus making room for Horvat LOL But I think Horvat can stick around anyways, Burrows/Kassian seems banged up and might be in and out of the line-up, which opens up a spot for Vey on the 2nd/3rd line. Also i'm not sure Dorsett can keep up (or should keep up) that intensity for 82 games. Eventually he might slow down/get nagging injuries and we'll need him during the important stretch in Feb-March and Playoffs, even if he doesn't deserve it, in the long run it would be beneficial for him and us to give him a few nights off. Also with the Versatilty of Burrows (LW/RW), Matthias and Richie (LW-C) if any top 9 is injured, there will always be room for Horvat at 4C.
  24. no not really, i'm in the east. My opinion wasn't base on observation, it's just a general comment.
  25. For me I don't think it's the injury per say, but the lack of training it cause. Most high profile players like him had a summer of training to get ready for NHL camps, NHL training camps, junior camps and the start of the season. Virtanen missed all that, so while the whole league is cruising to their peak (usually teams/players gets well oiled in December/January) Virtanen is basically still in training camp mode. He had a few good performances at the starts because of the adrenaline, but now once that's gone you start to notice the difference (out of sync, cardio not optimal, team system is not as automatic as for other players). If he doesn't pick it up after Christmas, then it might be a concern but for now not really (other than a slow start might cost him a spot at the WJC).
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