higgyfan

That is what I've read about Hronek's defensive game improvements since his draft. I hadn't seen anything about his puck moving skills. He was displaced on the 1st pairing by Seider, but it appears (stats wise) that he has had his best season so far. Seems like a good partner for Quinn. His wicked shot will help on the Canucks pp as well.

Hronek will get Myers salary; Pete will get Boeser + Pears(UFA) + Poolman buyout $2mx2; Kuze will get Mikyev UFA + Garland trade. The cap will increase over the next 2-3 yrs. At some point they will deal with OEL as well. The management have said time and again that they are retooling not rebuilding. They believe that the core is good to go and that they will add the supporting cast over the next couple of years. Like it or not, the fans have no control over the decisions made. I think they have some smart people on that management team, that can figure out the salary cap issues. There are lots of moving parts and other options that they can utilize. They are the pros. Whatever the fans are seeing, you can be sure they have already seen it and are in the problem-solving mode.

Imo, coming into GDT (live) and cheering for a tank job is a form of trolling. On the other hand, creating posts that are geared to antagonize others is trolling as well. These behaviours are making the GDT threads unpleasant. Tankers should express themselves in the tanking thread. You're not going to convince anyone by constantly repeating yourselves and mocking the people cheering for the team. All you are doing is making the game less enjoyable for others. Non tankers should cheer for the team during the games and leave it at that.

Tocchet has stated that he believes in Brock's skill level and thinks he can return to the player he was. If Boeser continues to play like he has, I suspect we will see him in the top 6 next season. They will trade Garland instead; probably with some retention. On the other hand, management might be motivated to trade Brock, if the interest and offers are high.

The Islander 1st was always going to be dicey as to where it would end up. Right now, it's sitting at 17th, but their remaining schedule is pretty lame. I can see them moving up to 20th and (although they didn't make the playoffs last year), they were in the conference final the previous 2 years. Who knows where that 1st will end up? Besides, the Canucks would not be finding a 1st round RD as good as Hronik. After all, they were very clear that they would be re-tooling; not rebuilding, so that is why they picked Hronik over draft picks that may take several years before they see their 1st NHL game. Absolutely...but the team was never going to end up with a higher pick. Their schedule is laden with easy games, super Demko is back and Miller is playing like last season. The coaches/management have stated that they want to utilize the remaining games to develop structures, better work habits and team identity. You can't fight city hall, dougie. It's what it is.

Yeah, maybe. It's been an awful long time that he's played any consistent hockey.

He'll either stay on LTIR or be bought (which has a pretty good term).

Who's taking Kravtsov's spot?

The Canucks top 2 dmen are undeniably Hughes + Hronek. I know people want to spread the talent to other lines, but it would be a waste putting Hr with OEL. Oli would do far better with a defensive dman who can cover him in the defensive zone. This would allow OEL to apply his top skill, which is making offensive plays. Quinn has proven that he is very good defensively. Hronek has a bad wrap on CDC, suggesting that he doesn't play defense well, but it is utter bs. Peeps have been reading scouting reports for when he was 18yrs. He's certainly good enough to support a player like Hughes and is the only dman on the roster that can keep up with Quinn's offensive IQ. Both these players are puck movers, so I don't expect a lot of in time in the d-zone when those two are on the ice. Bear, Schenn, Juulson, etc are 3rd pairing dmen, trying to fulfill roles that are above their play. This is not how one builds a playoff team. I think PA will find a defensive player that can offset OEL's weaknesses while playing big minutes, before the next season begins. *Pease...come to Papa, Jake!!!!

And just turned 18yrs. It would be very unusual for an 18yr boy to be the same weight at 22yrs. He may add a couple of inches to his height as well.

If the rumour that OEL has been playing with a nagging injury this season, then it's best to leave any trade/buyout ideas until next offseason. I he returns to how he played last season, they will keep him. Myers will be traded at some point in the offseason or during the 23/24 season (TDL) I see that the Sharks really need a top 6 RW. Their best RW is Lebanc, who isn't very good. He will be a ufa after next season. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Brock Boeser + ? ............................Nico Sturm C ($2mx2) + Mukhamadulin 21yrs LD (KHL) Brock is clearly showing more value in the past month, so I'm unsure about adding to this trade. The Ducks received Muk in the Meier trade so may demand a sweetener to let go of him. Brock is certainly worth more then Sturm alone.

I don't know about playing like Fleury, but he's outscored all other Russian players; including Ovi, by quite a large margin (during draft year). Kids quite the phenomenon.

To be fair, Bo's contract doesn't start until next season, so the Islanders are getting what they are paying for.

Yes, so far the trade is looking very good for the Nucks. I like what Raty brings to the C position, although I am unsure as to how good he will be. If he finds a way to put his skills all together and improve his skating, he could end up as a 2C, but for now, I think he has another season in Abby and then onward and upward with the Canucks.

The progression of change is never a straight, upward line. The old saying is '3 steps forward, 2 steps back,' is the usual process. We can expect many puzzling, even mortifying loses during the remainder of games and well into the next season until the players become the natural habits. It will be sink or swim; embrace the change or be trade (or let go).

I was hoping to get an update on Raty and all I find is 3 pages on how good/bad Bo Horvat is Looks like Raty has settled into Abby well and is starting to show his skill level. Looking good for the Canucks future 3C.

I can't see either the Oilers or Leafs getting past the Bruins or Rangers.

Dane Fox was a forward, so is bound to score more points. He only played at the ECHL level in NA and then moved over to Europe. Livingstone has been consistent with his stats during his 3yrs of college hockey. It's not just his stats; scouts describe him as having solid offensive and defensive skills. I'm not saying he's another Adam Fox, but he might become a proficient 2nd pairing RD. Works better than overpaying an UFA or making a trade and losing picks/prospects.

Great interview here. Really helps to understand what's going on with Brock. There's a really fine line between grief and depression. Duke was a huge loss for this young man. https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/canucks-qa-brock-boesers-revealing-journey-of-pain-healing-hope#Echobox=1678725184 https://theathletic.com/3580104/2022/09/12/canucks-brock-boeser-fathers-death/ He's been working hard at his game and has shown a lot of improvement since Tocchet took charge. I don't know if his shot will come back, but he's certainly adding to his value the way he has been playing lately. Wrist injuries can be difficult to recover from; especially for a player that has such a heavy shot. He seems to be playing with more confidence and is obviously working on his game away from the puck and appears to be developing into more of a playmaker these days. His offensive numbers are good and his +/- is getting better. I think Brock is feeling a lot better now. Tocchet has a lot of faith in Brock's progression, but due to the pressing salary cap, there will be a timeline on it. Also, the team has a number of RW's that are eying the top 6. Even if he continues to improve for the rest of the season, I still think the management will trade him in the offseason; mostly due to having less costly replacements. In the meantime, the best thing any of us can do for Brock, is to offer kindness instead of criticism.

"A big, skilled winger that can play up and down the lineup and provide scoring in a number of roles. He brings grit and physical size, but could be more assertive in throwing his weight around more. Displays excellent speed on the rush and in zone entry, but could backcheck quicker. Plays well in his own end and takes away lanes. Very good hands and awareness. Kravtsov has the potential to develop into a staple top six forward that can produce at the next level." Elite Prospects Pretty much as described but (so far) not seeing much offence, but I think it will come. I think the matchup of Podz and Kravs will turn out very well for the Canucks in time.

Yikes...Bedard...

Yeah, reminds me when I was young. Everything so fresh and new, with an undercurrent of excitement. Still awes me.

That Joshua has got some of that offensive upside going on.

It's kind of funny.

He has no airs about himself and doesn't take his good fortune for granted. He's on a wonderful ride and is going to appreciate every minute of it.