JelloIce Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Tanev is a stud, for real. Ballard has obviously improved his play, and played well tonight, I will agree, but he still has a way to go to be earning that salary. He still makes pretty poor decisions in his own end. I like his toughness, and I would really like to see more of that physical play. He is at his best when he plays with that edge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jester13 Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Anybody see that video of the "new girl" meeting the team where she asked Ballard what it takes to get on the coach's good side and he replied (paraphrasing) "Good question! I've been trying to figure that out for three years!" I laughed pretty good, so hilarious! Anyways, Ballard has been showing that he really wants to play more minutes and I think he deserves all of it. The guy has heart, sticks up for his teammates, is such a smooth skater, and really, IMO, makes less mistakes than Hammer, Bieksa, and Edler. Tanev and him have def been our best so far. Garrison is struggling out there. His skill set with the puck is a little worrying but I'm sure with time he will get used to our system more and we will see his boomer from the point. At one point last night I saw Raymond (who is also stepping up large) with the puck at the point and Garrison beside him, and instead of moving to the right to give him someone to dish the puck over to in the open, he just stood there like a zombie and looked at Raymond. He'll get better tho. But AV is obviously loving Tanev and Ballard and rightly so. So awesome to see guys stepping it up this year. Gonna be a goodie to watch this year boys and girls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kumquats Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 As others have said, I'm glad he's finally getting his confidence back. It seems like he's finally able to play the game how he wants to and isn't injured in some way. I always liked Ballard, I remember he was drafted by Buffalo 11th overall, traded to Colorado and then to Phoenix before he even played a game. He doesn't score many goals but has great passing skills. And he is built like a tank, I wish I could find the video when he played for Phoenix and one of our guys took a run at him, bounced off him and had to limp to the bench with a broken leg. It was a younger guy a few seasons ago, I was yelling at him the whole time, don't do it! It was after he checked Pyatt into the side board, it looked really bad. So anyways, happy to see Ballard getting back into his normal rhythm, him paired with Tanev is exactly what he needed. He never had a decent partner he could rely on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
higgyfan Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 His play at the end of last season and playoffs looked much better and it appears that it is continuing into this season. He has some good skills and is a real team player. He may never play like a 4M defenceman, but a consistency in his current play will be great for the team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*vInTaGe* Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 I love how he plays and last night showed a lot of heart. Plus, him with Tanev on the PP was fun to watch, and something I'd like to see more often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang Bang Boogie Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Garry Valk said after the game, Ballard played great yesterday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RO8!! Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 lmao perry u mad bro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doobiedoodoo Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 I think a lot of Canuck fans like Ballard. But AV doesn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanuckCup1316 Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 It is very promising when your strugling/doghouse dwelling players can start to shine. People have been dishing out the hate on Ballard, Mason Raymond like crazy. But if these guys can keep up the good work and we get our two big guys back from injury, then I like our chances to go far this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeyking Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 What were Ballard and Perry yelling at each other? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cIutch Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 ballard asked perry to fight after he tried to get edler to fight and he just skated away such a bitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CookieCrumbs Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Ballard and Tanev are easily the best pairing right now. Everybody else just looks lost, that's including Hamhuis. I've always said this, Ballard is our grittiest defenseman. Doesn't EVER hesitate to stand up for his teammates. Whether it's in Vancouver or not, I hope this guy has a great career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clutesi Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 I wish that Perry didn't jump him, Ballard would have messed him up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Karlsson Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Ballard and Tanev are easily the best pairing right now. Everybody else just looks lost, that's including Hamhuis. I've always said this, Ballard is our grittiest defenseman. Doesn't EVER hesitate to stand up for his teammates. Whether it's in Vancouver or not, I hope this guy has a great career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Kneel Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 What i'm curious to see is how the refs are going to call hipchecks this year.There seemed a variation in how it was called last season.Thats my fave Ballard move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodee Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Yeah, too bad Bieksa has to see who the other guy is first before he try's to act tough, he used to be my favorite defenseman, but I've liked him a lot less every season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CookieCrumbs Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 What i'm curious to see is how the refs are going to call hipchecks this year.There seemed a variation in how it was called last season.Thats my fave Ballard move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddieVedder Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Beiksa isnt afraid of anyone. The only reason he'd have to be careful who he fights is because hes so important to the club. Hence, if hes going to fight, it has to be someone on the other team who is important to their club as well. Perry is afraid of no one either. Shorthouse really has issues with being biased Ive noticed. I liked him during his radio days, but his unwilingness to be impartial is getting to me the past few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GPCanucksFan Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 I was happy when we got Ballard, but when he first came here, he didn't really fit in. Now, he seems to be settling in nicely and mentoring Chris Tanev, which is exactly what you want, a veteran D-Man instilling his work ethic on a younger guy, It certain looks good so far, I just hope AV will give them some more PP time so Tanev will get his first NHL goal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salmonberries Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Vigneault is Ballard's biggest problem. It's a tragedy. I don't think he's ever played a shift on the pp since he's been here and he's got a better offensive touch from the blueline than Hamhuis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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