SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME

Northeastern has a perfect record in the shootout this season, and McDonough has been a big part of that success. Here’s another one of his shootout winners, from earlier in the season: He’s so calm and smooth, and just cold blooded, when he’s on the shootout and one on one with the goalie.

McDonough shows off his hands as he scores the shootout winner, with this slick forehand-backhand move.

The threat of offer sheets actually being tendered is very low, and often overstated, however the possibility of one does strengthen a player and his agent’s negotiating position, which probably is more relevant, as to why it’s beneficial to avoid them, when it comes to burning contract years.

JPat beat me to the comment I’d add:

I think we’re all looking forward to the day we finally get to see those two young Ds inserted into the Canucks’ back end.

I was gonna say, his game definitely isn’t just about the points, but still good to see him contributing solid numbers, along with all the other good things he’s doing all over the ice. He’s really making his case this year, and it seems like all his hard work, and the coaches’ longterm development plan, is starting to really come together. Hard for the Canucks brass to ignore, and I hope this season leads into an extension for Jasek, and an NHL debut next season. I’m sure you’re seeing more of his than me this year, as I’ve scaled back my game viewings (life gets in the way, sometimes). Was wondering though, do you think he’s getting close? Seems like this year he’s really stepping away from the pack, and establishing himself as a top AHL player, and the Canucks’ top centre prospect. Not many holes left in his game, and he’s bringing a lot of value on the ice that seems tailor made for an NHL 4th line or bottom-six role. #1 PK and defensive zone centre option, key role on the 2nd unit PP, main guy for key faceoffs, main matchup/shutdown centre, and one of the top point getters on the Comets. And just maintaining his work ethic, energy and determination on pucks, and, from all accounts, highly coachable and just a coach’s joy to work with. I’m thinking he becomes our Beagle replacement, and possibly more, if he maintains this trajectory. Nice to see him doing so well. Makes all those Czech games I watched over the years seem like maybe they weren’t just me being crazy and wasting my time boostering a fringe prospect. In a similar vein, I’m enjoying Rathbone hitting the ground running and looking like the guy I thought he’d be. Hopefully both of them become future Canucks, and key players for our team. I’ve been wrong on a few prospects over the years, but Jasek and Rathbone are doing me proud, and making all those crappy feeds I watched prove to have maybe been worth my time, back in the day.

Two apples earlier today brings him back to a point per game (1G 6A 7GP) on the season.

Got third star today in a 2-1 losing effort. And yeah, was his first AHL start, so a pretty successful outing, although I’m sure he’d have preferred to get the win.

If Jasek takes the next step (which remains a big IF), then yes, I could see those two guys becoming an effective PK forward pair for the Canucks. I think they would compliment each other quite well, as both bring a lot of dogged determination on puck recoveries. And Jasek has really worked on his faceoff efficiency, and defensive zone play, so he could become a main unit PK centre in the NHL one day. Of course, he’ll need to beat out other guys, like Michaelis and Focht, have one of our veteran C’s vacate a spot, and hope that the organization doesn’t decide to fill that spot with another veteran free agent, but if we end up using a young, homegrown player as our future 4C, then Jasek has as good a chance as anyone in the system to be that player. And if he makes the Canucks, I’d expect he’d be used in a checking role and on the PK.

Just to add to the above quote from Cull, that “consistency” aspect to Jasek’s game is huge, when it comes to his chances to catch on in an NHL bottom-six. Bottom of the lineup players need to have that game in game out, shift to shift, consistency. Good role players, in limited minutes, need to always be ready for their opportunities, and able to show something, whenever they hit the ice. Jasek has that work ethic and drive, to make the most of his icetime, and bring the kind of complete game that coaches want from their bottom-six guys. Of course, all the other stuff he’s doing this year is money in the bank, as far as getting noticed, and building a profile that gets him considered for callups and a future role. Like Cull notes, he’s become the Comets’ highest TOI forward, by virtue of being an all situations player, first unit PK, second unit PP, primary matchup centre, and the faceoff ace in Utica, while contributing nearly a point per game on the scorecard. But it’s probably going to be that consistency of effort, his coach’s trust, versatility, and ability to make others better, that eventually earns Jasek his chance. Nice to hear so many people saying he’s the Canucks’ most NHL ready centre prospect. That’s pretty amazing stuff for a converted centre, only three years out from being considered a natural winger. His transition hasn’t just been a success, but a triumph for both Jasek and the Comets staff. He’s remade himself into the top C in our system, and a guy who may very well get penciled in as our future Beagle replacement.

Jack’s boxscore sure is a thing of beauty. Jersey#3 with 3 assists, 3 points, +3, and 3 shots on goal.

Nice article from Faber (Canucks Army) on Jasek’s evolution in Utica: https://canucksarmy.com/2021/02/26/lukas-jasek-checked-box-player-coach-utica-means-canucks/ Includes some high praise from his coach: “Most nights Lukas is leading our team in ice time as a forward,” said Cull. “He plays both special teams, and I just had a chat with Lukas on Tuesday and we talked about a small thing about some PK. I just said ‘Lukas, I think you’re doing a great job.’ He’s become a checked box for me. He’s a skilled player who plays at a high pace, and he makes other guys around him better. The thing is, his game is quiet, you have to watch Lukas play. He’s not going to overwhelm you or be over flashy but I’ve just liked his evolution. I like how his consistency has become one of his greatest assets game in and game out.“

He does kinda look like an emo kid in his EP profile pic:

The NHL, in general, is really behind the times, and not following the science, when it comes to using player rotation in sport to better manage rest and preparation, workload, injury risk, and potential for burnout. This year’s compressed schedule would have been a great opportunity try some innovative techniques. A full roster rotation, splitting the practises and skates into game prep/warmups, for the active roster, and more traditional practices (skills and systems development), for the taxi squad and spares, might have allowed the Canucks to manage any fatigue, while also improving habits and working through any performance issues. Personally, I’d have gone into this season with a larger coaching staff, split into two separate units. Have the main unit handle the games, and have a full second unit working with the guys who aren’t playing. Have pretty much every player getting healthy scratches, scheduled ahead, and written into a rotation, so that they’re getting chances for time off, or time to work on their individual performance, and also just so they get a break from the physical and mental load of having to play so many games in such a short period. (And especially with the team struggling, and with so many individual players struggling to find their games this season.)

Not a moment too soon. Team needs a break in the schedule, and I think many of us need a break from this team. I’m looking forward to a healthy weekend fast from NHL hockey. Gonna watch some college and Euro games instead, and hopefully come back refreshed.

I’ve wondered the same. Was hoping he’d have gotten in for at least one game by now, and if he played well, possible earned consideration for a more regular spot in the forward rotation.

Grateful to my kids tonight. They kept me busy and I missed most of the game and only really saw part of the 3rd. What I saw was bad enough. Glad I didn’t see any more. Please tell me our power play didn’t look as bad all game as the one I saw in the 3rd? Please? Because that was straight garbage. And if that’s how this team is being coached to play the man advantage, then Newell Brown needs to be relieved of his duties as of tonight. And Green should be on thin ice. I’ve defended the coaches all season, but what I saw on my TV, when I finally tuned in, was a team that’s lost even the basics of how to work a power play in the NHL. And that has to be on the coaches.

No no no!!! I just meant the Sens letting Chlapik go would be a similar organizational move to *IF* we let Jasek go (except Chlapik is arguably a lesser asset, based on their development trajectories). But Jasek is still very much a Canucks property. My son is currently tearing up the AHL, posting some of the best numbers on the Comets, while playing a challenging shutdown/matchup role, and as a converted centreman. So proud of my boy, and he’s not leaving the organization any time soon. (Not sure how I feel about him dating @aGENT, however. )

I guess just a mutual cutting of ties, freeing Chlapik to return to Czech, and the Sens clear a contract slot. I’m seeing lots of fans on Sens twitter lamenting the loss, and saying he should have been gifted a 4th like role with the NHL club, but looking at Chlapik’s development curve, he’s really nothing special, after starting out a fairly highly touted junior and high draft pick. As far as 23 year old Czech centres go, Chlapik has comparable AHL production to our own Lukas Jasek, with inferior Czech men’s level results, and a downward development curve, versus Jasek’s upward trajectory. So basically like us parting ways with Jasek (or arguably a lesser asset). I mean, I’d be sad to see a guy like Jasek go (he is my son, after all ), but in terms of organizational depth, and “asset management,” cutting ties with Chlapik is pretty small potatoes.

First try! So, given how the Canucks’ roster/system needs square with the overall rankings, are we taking Brandt Clarke at #1 overall? (Not saying Clarke is drafting for needs. He could easily be BPA and plenty have him as #1 or #2 or their boards, and in a year without much clear separation in the top-5 or even top-10.)

If you hate to say it, maybe don’t say it? Bo Horvat with Loui Eriksson this season: 31.58 CF%, 33.33 FF%, 45.45 SF%, 0.00 GF% (2 5v5 goals surrendered and none scored), 18.29 xGF% (ugh), 21.43 SCF%, 0.00 HDCF% (4 high danger chances surrendered, none created), 0.00 HDGF% Bo Horvat without Loui Eriksson: 51.36 CF%, 51.57 FF%, 50.74 SF%, 41.38 GF% (12 for, 17 against), 47.85 xGF%, 46.50 SCF%, 43.20 HDCF%, 31.58 HDGF% Not exactly sparkling overall numbers for Horvat this season (although they’re pretty decent relative to the team, and given his usage), but when it comes to playing Eriksson on that line, Bo’s “without Eriksson” stats are clearly better than his “with Eriksson.” They have not been good together. (Not trying to pick on you. Just pointing out that the numbers for Bo’s line are just gawd awful when playing with Eriksson this season.)

And a 9.5% chance of winning the draft lottery, currently. Will be interesting to see when our lottery odds start to get better than our playoff odds.

I think BC still requires everything (even farmed) gets frozen, except for some species of tuna, when it comes to raw fish consumption in restaurants: http://www.bccdc.ca/resource-gallery/Documents/Educational Materials/EH/FPS/Fish/SushiSafety.pdf Kind of funny, since fresh farmed salmon doesn’t carry the parasitic worms (sea lice is another story) that you actually worry about with the wild fish, so it probably should be exempt from freezing requirements, while “sushi grade” tuna, at least the stuff we get served at most restaurants here, is almost always going to have been frozen, so the tuna exemption is kind of pointless, at least for most sushi places.

It’s definitely a different animal. Tends to be really mild and lacking the depth of flavour and complexity of a wild fish. Still, depending on your cookery skills and seasoning, as well as taste preferences, some of the farmed stuff can be a really nice product to work with. And definitely easier to get my kids to eat farmed salmon vs. wild, just because of the mild taste. Kinda similar to the taste of conventionally farmed poultry, versus an organic free range chicken, or a wild game bird.

Was gonna say the same. Just can feel the refs wanting to give the Oilers a PP with them down 2. And they’re calling nothing against the Oilers, with so many clear interference, holds, hooks, and trips, but nothing getting called. Oh well, at least we just scored a third goal.