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Everything posted by Rob_Zepp
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About as dark horse a prospect you can find. Who doesn’t pull for a kid like this!
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I am a fan of Glass but why do you say wingers will get more points than centres? I don’t believe there has been a single NHL season when the average points per positions showed centres get the most points. Just do an Art Ross back as many years as you wish.
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I think there is more schedule separation than that.
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Nice to see how Dahlen does in Utica for remainder of this season and playoffs.
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I actually agreed with most of your post but as you wrote most of war & peace I cut out some key parts. First, I could not agree more with the bolded. I have said the very thing....in this thread....in the last 48 hours. Second, I do not agree with all moves ANY team makes. As far as the Canucks, same - not all their moves have been brilliant. I was not keen on the Canucks taking EP at first....go back, I was a firm proponent of Cody Glass. You just never seem to see when others are critical. I was not a big fan of LE signing. I am was not a fan of signing Del Zotto. All on the "record". I was fine with the Vey trade - it made sense at the time as cupboards were bare. I liked the Baer and Granlund trades but got raked by many (you included) for being too positive. I also liked the Guddy trade and re-signing but know you don't agree. Fair enough. In all, each move has pros and cons and not all are going to work out. However, unlike you, once a move is made it cannot be unmade so I look for how the move can be used in the most positive way to support the team. I don't go on about the spilled milk. If I am over a woman, I am over a woman - I don't pine away wondering what could have been as that is in the past. That isn't the same as not disagreeing with management (if you are even close to getting the analogy). Someone on some thread posted all the trades and picks that Benning has made since being in his chair - it is decent. Not perfect but easily in top 1/2 of the GMs in the league. Easily. Moreover, why would I keep posting that I wasn't keen on Del Zotto being signed now that he IS a Canuck? Why not simply get over that fact and then look to critique or applaud how he is playing. The only difference between some posters and others is that they get on with things and don't let the past keep coming back. You cannot do the 2014 draft again - why keep bringing it up? I know there are some real trolls on this site but you are not one of them. I have said a number of times I think you are an incredibly passionate person. I am guessing you are an older guy who simply wants a team to cheer for that wins and can challenge for a cup. I am admittedly a newer Canuck fan and am not burdened by the past failures of your franchise and I apologize if that taints my perspective but even if I was your age, I would let the past be what it is and concentrate on today. Again, I liked your post. I gave it a positive. I don't agree with your assessment of me but that is really up to you (and, no offense intended, I could give a rat's rear as to what you think about me personally). I do care that this remain a positive atmosphere to discuss this franchise and to that end, just ask that you stop trying to bring the past into every single discussion. Clearly your call to do so but I believe (and I could be wrong), you are missing on some really positive things including Jake. You know I have been a Jake supporter and I have a long history with this kid so I am biased BUT I also know the game and know the package he has is very unique. He WILL be a force in the NHL and sooner than later. Having him do that for your franchise would be nicer than otherwise. Now go watch the game. There is a battle for first pick overall going on.
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Picture above is from Stockholm. You want more Timrå?
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Leipsic is a small feisty player. He isn’t a dirty player like a MT but he seems to push buttons in the way Brendan Gallagher or Leo Komarov do. His AHL scoring ability came from skating and puck control talents that few in the AHL could keep up with. He was yet another "small" forward grabbed by the Leafs organization and simply didn't fit in the numbers when Vegas picking was involved last year. Vegas had him in some good roles but his shooting percentage was abysmal to the point where league average would have had him having about three times the number of goals. Probably tops out at a middle six and not sure he would be part of a strong playoff team but for now, a nice piece to work with.
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Good time if you were going to do it though - very few teams have roster space at this point in the season. I think he has looked better when he has had chances lately but he needs to regroup mentally this summer and recommit to being one type of player first - he isn't sure if he is a shut down type or a push the play type and it seems he is thinking about that so much he become neither. He is such a naturally gifted skater that he should really just try pushing the play more and letting the chips fall. If he does get benched for missing D assignments he is still benched but chances are by pushing the play, good things will happen and the risk-reward will win over the coaches.
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Movement clauses?
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Boeser had a very strong rookie season but he was getting more and more tired/banged up and it may be a blessing for his entire career having a truncated season though by injury was certainly not the right way to do it. Having him "shut down" now and having some time to clear his head and take in all the great things he accomplished and have time to really be fresh for 2018-19 season may be just what he needs. Hats off to one of the best rookie years of any Canuck in their history and certainly to being one of the best story lines in the entire NHL this year. The all-star weekend alone was fairy tale stuff for him. Sure will be nice to see the other young prospects starting to come in over the next season or three to work with Boeser, Horvat, Guddy and such to bring this team back into the serious discussion around playoffs and making noise once there.
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Where is Brady on that list?
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No problem, just seen a wave of people lately complaining when a pick isn't coming back from a move. I like picks - picks are great. They are not everything though. Ask Edmonton!
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I think I am in same territory (perhaps more if you count WJC) and I agree, he didn't look "on" but, then again, no one else on his team did either.
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....and Leipsic is an example when flipping a free asset for a prospect makes just as much sense. It takes a mix - just having picks will not lead to success. Having a good balance will.
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Including EP from what I saw. He did battle through some hard checks but the entire team played like they stopped in Colorado for brownies on the way to the game.
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yup, flew over my head like a jet actually....
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Was that the worst attempt at a pun this year? If unintentional, you sir deserve an award.
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They don't a stretcher unless one is indicated. The doctor/trainer has likely seen lots of tailbone injuries and without other issues of concern with on-ice testing, why use a stretcher? Calling a professional incompetent when you don't know the facts is pretty interesting.
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You trying to be Switzerland here?
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I could not agree more with this bolded part. I think if Jake figures that out, and I confident he will by 23-24 (like many bigger guys do), he will be far more than a bottom six energy guy but it will be fun to see which if us is right. I think the fact he is a bonafide NHL player making an impact is something that was hard to say about him until this year so I doubt anyone would argue the kid hasn't made strides. If he can bottle the past few weeks where he looks like a 20 plus goal scorer with elite disruptive speed and a willingness to use his body (his hits per game is moving upward, and his hits per 60 is heading elite direction) then he will more than meet the expectations of a 6th pick. If he cannot find that consistency, that would be a disappointment and even the most negative I am sure don't hope for that. Marchessault is an example - but I am still thinking (forget raw stats, just in terms of relative career progression) that Bertuzzi remains an intriguing compare. I know Bert was more successful in terms of points early on but had waaaay more ice time and was given better players/roles to play in BUT he was also likely more inconsistent than Jake too. I am NOT saying Jake will ever be best player in the game (which Bertuzzi arguably was for a few seasons) but he really didn't "emerge" until his draft year plus 7 and in his draft plus 5 season got a whopping 13 goals in 74 games and few would have predicted he would have been on the verge of averaging 31 goals/82 games pace over a dominant six season stretch. I like how Bertuzzi seems to have taken an interest in Virtanen. I hope the Canucks formalize that relationship. Todd is a good guy and has a lot to offer.
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I thought so too. He looks "bigger" recently in terms of how he is using his body to shield the puck and ride people off. I was surprised he didn't get two secondary assists today. I was also surprised he was only credited with 5 shots as I counted 7. I also wondered why he didn't rifle it a few times but he seems keen on getting deflections or re-directs (and perhaps his coaches have said guys in front are tired of getting hit as OJ tends to shoot high).
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The people who pay me. What about you?
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EP's team lost 2-1 today and Frolunda did a great job tying up EP. Mattsson made some good saves but Lakers didn't look as dangerous as they usually do and this was probably the least impactful game I have seen EP play this year.
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I watch a lot of hockey - luckily I also get paid to do so or else I would be on the streets . I am not bragging, I am stating facts about a kid that I first saw film on when he was in Abbotsford Minor (I think that is how it is spelled) and he was dominant. In the WHL when he applied himself, he was dominant. I also saw a kid who needed to be with other players who "got it" as he was easily frustrated and clearly lacked some refinement coaching. I was worried for him when he was put into the NHL as a very young 18 year old versus allowing him the chance to get the nurturing he got with Travis Green in Utica last year. IF you had cared to read any of my posts of watching him play last year in Utica, it was apparently after about Christmas that he had found his game, his love of the game again and though it didn't speak up on the stat sheet, his overall game (and underlying numbers for anyone who likes those) was and were outstanding most nights. This year, even when people continued to poo on him, he was very responsible away from the puck and even though having nearly the bottom of the barrel for regulars in terms of ice time still manages to lead the forwards in hits per game in terms of hits per 60 mins is up with league leaders for forwards. Not sure why you insist on making this about bragging or whatever it is you seemingly need to make is personal. It always seems to become personal with some of you. Calling a player (another human) things you would never say to another person's face. Saying things about a legal child (not yet and adult) in Virtanen when he started his Canuck journey. Yes, I supported him and I will tend to support most players as I get what they have gone through to get where they are. I also recognize elite talent and this kid has that - few do - this kid does. Go ahead and laugh at that. Call me whatever it is that makes you feel better but it won't change the facts that this kid is one heck of a hockey player and will continue to develop and somewhere soon the entire league will know it. Oh, I don't think it was a lack of fitness as much as a misguided attempt to bulk up thinking he needed it for next level. I have not a clue as to what professional fitness coach you refer to (name? - I was not aware there was such a person identified), but if that is factual then the person should be avoided like the plague. A kid got some bad advice and probably expected the next level to be as easy as each step along the way was for him - rude awakening and he has responded with hard work versus running and hiding like a lot do. Hate on!