The Big Luongo

I think it's been very clear that although there's a few Canucks that can play with EP and bring some talent to the table that works with him nobody is on his level. I think the same could be true for Dahlen in Utica and possibly why his production there isn' tas high as we'd like ot fo be. I haven't seen Dahlen play lately but from what I'd seen in the past he does have some of the over the top skills that EP possesses. Right now I assume they're teaching him like they did with Goldobin and Virtanen to do some of the little things better so he doesn't hurt the team on the defensive side and so they can give him a chance soon see what they can do together and I'd love to see that. Obviously there's a huge benefit of they're paired together and they have that chemistry we all know EP needs to play at his highest level but there's also some great fallout if that happened also. Personally I'd like to see a Horvat, Boeser and Baertschi reunion when healthy and a Pettersson, Dahlen with MacEwen, Virtanen or even Rousell line in the future because I feel like also having a big strong body with skill could really pay dividends on the boards, net front making space and as protection against the extracurricular physicality teams would surely use to stop their skill. Seems like the team is reluctant to bring in some kids and I understand their reasoning to a point but really I'm not sure why they can't get at least a small taste at the right time and see what they've got and at worse show them what they need to go back down to work on. It's not like the guys they'd be replacing are doing a whole lot to help the team anyway and in Goldobin and Leipsic they're both turning the puck over more than any coach would like to see but are still given the chance over and over again. If I'm Green after this roadtrip or not too long from now I try MacEwen, Dahlen, Guance and Sautner/Chatfield/Brisbois and sit Pouliot, Archibald and Schaller 3 guys not bringing enough to the team and possibly Goldobin and Leipsic at some point as well. I personally think at this point it's better to address the clearly weaker links on the team and see if those spots could be improved now or in the future with some very capable young players in Utica who could very well come in and make a strong positive impact immediately and also have these players like Archibald, Schaller, Pouliot, MDZ, Leipsic and Goldobin doing all they can to earn a spot on the team. Anyway I feel like moving some Utica players in could give the team some much needed life and really see no reason to at least try a few kids out and if things worked out like I think they would I could really see MacEwen, Dahlen and Chatfield, Brisbois or Sautner getting this team to another level!

Green has been watching him very closely during games and the tapes and knows he's got a future Stecher/Tanev type with a stronger physical edge. I really like how Green works with the young players and closely with them at times making sure they know what they have to do and showing them encouragement at what they do well he's a perfect hire by Benning imo.

This is obviously coach Green laying out a challenge to Chatfield hoping he grows to what is already a very strong game. I have no doubt Chatfield will come up and do great things when he gets the call due to injury and that one day he'll be a top 4 defenseman hopefully it's for us.

We'll definitely be seeing Chatfield again soon from all I've seen he could play at the NHL level now his game is that strong enough all around. I've been saying this for a while that he is a cross between Tanev and Stecher 2 dmen I think are hands down our best and if there's any difference it's that he plays a bit more nasty and stronger physically which I consider a huge bonus. I'm completely sold that this kid has the skill, intelligence, work ethic and attitude to be a top 4 defenseman for us and I'm really looking forward to young Chatfield really helping our team win with that strong game of his! This kid was an absolute steal by JB.

Flames got fleeced here no doubt.. Girly boy Gaudreau is still probably crying in his mom's arms after this deal. Ferland kept the little weasel and Monohan pretty safe but now it'll be open season but other than protecting their top 2 forwards Ferland also fit in very well opening things up and an underrated power forward with good skill and very valuable . Hamilton has obvious great offensive tools leading league in goals finished the season red hot and his defensive game has came around and finally become rock solid. Fox from all accounts could be a very great dman soon just as good or better than Hanofin. Not to mention you trade 3 NA players for soft Euros definitely no bonus. Heard Hanofin had holes in his defensive game prone to gaffes which is exactly what the Flames do a lot and need less of lol. Burke is glad he is out and probably laughing at this stupidity. Flames screwed up again and are going to be worse than last season love it!

Flames got a bit fleeced here. These ex Canes better step up or they'll be pissed at what's happened over these last couple seasons.

Lol you're wrong about that . There's a huge difference because those 2 goons can't play on the top line and hold their own plus protect their best 2 assets in Gaudreau like Ferland can seeing how hes on the ice when they are. It could be open season on little girly boy Gaudreau now lol I live in Calgary follow the Flames and hated the fact Hamilton's game has really turned around to be rock solid and late season he was on fire offensively and the fact that Ferland is a very good underrated player and he's much better and more important than given credit for.

Pettersson plays with a lot of heart and brings a very good defensive game to the table and strong effort on defense tends to go unnoticed due to his great offensive abilities but won't go unnoticed by coach Green. I really credit this young kids overall effort at being a great team player playing very hard all over the ice and going into traffic risking physical contact. To me it's all these attributes that make this kid unreal not just his dynamic offensive abilities.

We all can clearly see this great kid Pettersson is as good as it gets offensively but 1 thing I always notice while watching him is he always applies relentless pressure on the forecheck, has a great stick and knack for getting in passing lanes and intercepting passes as well. Another good thing I noticed Pettersson skates just as hard if not harder on the backcheck than offensively to do his best to break up opposing team's offense which is obviously another great trait to have and both these great attributes will get his line much more puck possesson and offensive chances. This great ability he has defensively to go with the crazy offensive fire power is really going to go a long way at making him an all around great hockey player and go a long way in helping the Canucks play winning hockey.

Anyone got a link to watch this game?

I completely agree. I've been following Big Mac closely since the prospects tournament where he really caught my eye along with Chatfield as 2 kids who maybe aren't as appreciated as much as our bigger name prospects but 2 guys imo who will be just as good as our best kids and play a very important role in a winning team. I thought Big Mac really really stood out showed me he has some real special talents to go with his size. We really need some of our bigger prospects to shine to offset the slighter skilled players and I really think we're going to have and that group with size and physical potential in Virtanen, Big Mac, Lind, Gadjovich, Guance and Lockwood. I think many of these kids really will have what it takes to bring their heavy physical style of game to create a very much needed balanced lineup and again lots of credit to our GM on some solid under the radar key future signings.

I completely agree. I've been following Big Mac closely since the prospects tournament where he really caught my eye along with Chatfield as 2 kids who maybe aren't as appreciated as much as our bigger name prospects but 2 guys imo who will be just as good as our best kids and play a very important role in a winning team. I thought Big Mac really really stood out showed me he has some real special talents to go with his size. We really need some of our bigger prospects to shine to offset the slighter skilled players and I really think we're going to have and that group with size and physical potential in Virtanen, Big Mac, Lind, Gadjovich, Guance and Lockwood. I think many of these kids really will have what it takes to bring their different style game to create a very much needed balanced lineup and again lots of credit to our GM on some solid under the radar key future signings.

Very exciting and then also Chatfield a kid I've been very high on and even more after watching him develop so rapidly this season in Utica and then at goaltending where Demko and Dipietro have all been on the biggest stages and dominated. The extremely high amount of character and big game players we have right now completely blows my mind! The list just seems to go on and on wow. There's extremely skilled players out there but extremely skilled players who will their team to win is a very special thing and it wins championships.

Columbus is hot and just lit up the Flames top prospect goalie who reminds me of Demko. The way Pouliot, MDZ, Sedins, Gagner and quite a few other bad defending players have been leaving Markstrom to make several and far too many huge saves nightly so I'm a bit concerned Demko is being thrown to the wolves here today. The big guy has obviously had plenty games where he's had to stand on his head in the past but not against NHL shooters so damn I'm really hoping the team plays much better defensively than usual today. Would be great to see Demko play rock solid and get the win here will go a long way as to showing everyone and confirming we also have a great young goalie to match all the future prospect talent we have moving forward and possible elite team in general.

Thanks for clarifying that for me I'd just seen the game summary they apparently had wrong. Good you followed up with all the happenings though clearly a lot went on during this game. Hopefully the big guy is ok they could really use and really need that big body and skill in the playoffs. Good on his teammates having his back as they should although hard to really tell from that small clip but looks to me like Williams might have left his feet and contact was to the head.

Looks like Big Mac had himself a scrap tonight! Anybody get to see it and see how he faired?

I agree and what really surprised and stood out for me is his great vision and passing. This kid will surprise and impress a lot of fans with some Grade A passes he's very good at making spotting all our great young players who have wicked shots. This kid has a real knack at finding his fellow teammates in wide open shooting areas even through heavy traffic I was extremely impressed! Another thing to keep in mind is that Lind is very physical and is a real pain in the ass to play against but in the prospects game type situation he's obviously going to hold back on that type of intense style of play but there will be no holds barred when he gets comfortable at the AHL then NHL level. I expect great things in the future from Lind and am just as excited about him as any of our other highly regarded prospects because of the fact that he brings tonnes of intensity, physicality, can really produce offense and will be very hard on other team's top forwards some very very important things that tend to get overlooked too often but imo go a long long way to win hockey games especially big playoff style games or just intense close games that happen quite often these days. Players like Lind, Virtanen, Gadjovich, MacEwen, Lockwood, Guance and Gudbranson will really grind down the opposition and open up the ice for all our numerous basically skill only forwards and will really let them excell at their game, get them more emotionally involved and be protecters.

The way the Canucks ar givng up so many Grade A scoring chances and Markstroms standing on his head I definitely wouldn't have Demko play in this situation. Demko is needed in Utica and Demko could use the stability and experience of staying there for the rest of the season and the playoffs. Really it's a no brainer as far as I'm concerned.

Anyone who says Pettersson doesn't pass this so called eye test need to have their eyes checked or watch closer. I've watched a tonne of hockey as a lot of other fans have and have to say I've been bang on about a lot of evaluating players and this kid is generational. Pettersson does very special things in all facets of the game and from all the games that I've seen him play the only thing that gets in his way when he's not producing is his teammates not being near the same overall level and that's it. Great news is from what we've seen of other Canucks youngsters strong overall games I think he'll only be stronger all around than he already is and that's going to make him shine as a generational player he is. Not easy saying such a thing as it's so rare but I'm betting on it with this kid.

Up until the recent media I believe Gaudette has been very underrated and still do. This kid brings everything to the table and is going to be a real bitch to play against for his opponents I have no doubt. His relentless work ethic and ability to make teams turnover the puck to go with all his skill is something special and a very very strong team need. Kids like this turn into great pro's and they almost always will their team to win championships or come real close! Can't wait to see this kid later this season and I'd be absolutely shocked if he doesn't really impress right away become a fan favorite with what he has to offer.

Well I've watched a few of Utica's games lately and I can tell you there's no doubt in my mind Carcone who has been bringing lots of speed, skill and tanacity to their lineup would be far better than Chaput lol. As a matter of fact I guarentee Canucks fans will be very impressed with him. Cassels has been very effective killing penalties, great at defending causing turnovers and creating offense. Even MacEwen has good size and hands and should get a look. Being happy with nobody players like Chaput over what these players I mentioned is just foolish and not helping the team win at all. I believe the Canucks are missing out on a opportunity to add some life into the lineup and players who really bring some notable talents so it's a waste not letting them have their chance of showcasing and knocking the coaches socks off.

I agree and was saying the same thing. It's clear he really brings something notable to the table unlike Chaput who just skates around accomplishing absolutely nothing. Other forwards I'd like to see the Canucks give a shot are Carcone and Cassels at some point as well and on defense Chatfield, Sautner and Brisbois to see what they can bring to the table. These players have all being doing very very well, working hard and doing what's asked of them and then some.

Kesler and Burrows were as bad if not worse than Tkachuk!? You've got to be kidding dude give your head a shake. Tkachuk has barely started his career in the NHL and has already sucker elbowed with intent to injure Doughty and had headbutted Scandella and slew footed another Kesler and Burrows have never even come close to playing that dirty! Kesler and Burrows were no doubt aggravating players and definitely no angels and did things I'm not proud of but I have far more respect for those 2 than that dirty weasel Tkachuk. In all my years watching them I've never seen them really try to intentionally hurt anyone with cowardly cheap shots like Tkachuk has done in his short career! If you think they're as bad or worse as Tkachuk man you're clueless.

You're dilusional if you think Tkachuk isn't over the edge dirty don't compare him to players who didn't try to hurt their opponents it makes no sense. The headbutt, elbow and slew footing are pathetic cowardly plays that no player respects. Tkachuk has a knack for scoring and does some things well but is a dirty punk and I'd rather have the great young prospects we have than a dirty player nobody respects. Anyway this is all I'll say on this this because it's a Pettersson thread and I couldn't be more excited than what I've seen from him overall.

I think Pettersson has looked as good as he possibly could considering how off his linemmates look and the ice time he's getting. Besides the snipe could have easily had a couple assists if teammates capitalized also had a very good shot block led to the 1 Sweden goal and before another goal took a pass off shinpads back onto his tape and made some nifty plays under pressure to keep pucks in that lead to another shortly after. Obviously very impressive seeing Pettersson make the big plays but just as important also doing all the little things right which is the recipe for successful winning hockey! We've got a real winner here!