Stackin'ThePads Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 First time poster, Rip on me if this post is useless though because how else am I gonna learn? I wanted to start a discussion on how the make up of this team will fare if we make it to the playoffs and how it would compare to teams in the past. How does our depth and four line versatility affect a playoff series compared to previous years? The Sedins would obviously benefit from rolling four lines, but will fresher Sedins make enough of an impact? Does Vrbata bring something different to the table that will prevent our top line from being shutdown? I'm under the impression that the Sedin's style requires less energy but is most heavily deflated by fatigue. Imo, the reason the Twins have been shutdown in the playoffs is from too heavy of a work load, causing lack of mental focus. Will the shared work load be enough for Sedin playoff success? How do you think our other three lines would do when the games get tighter and more physical? Do you think the growth of Horvat, Vey, and Kassian could propel them into key roles come playoff time? Or will there youth and inexperience be too much? One thing that I never agreed with was that the Canucks are too small for playoff hockey. I think what is needed is the right system and the right chemistry. Can Willie Desjardins' system be successful come playoff time? I'll be honest, I'm an optimist when it comes to this subject. But I truly believe there have been glimpses of something special this year, and that this team can really turn it on when it matters most. In short, I think this team is built and ran more suitably for playoff hockey. These are just a few of my thoughts and opinions, if people find this thread worth discussing I would encourage anyone to share bring up thoughts and raise questions for this topic. I plan to stay active with this thread if it causes any discussion! Go Canucks Go And on a side note: Every goalie in the league playing the Canucks will get... a shutout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lychees Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Honestly I don't even start thinking about playoffs until March, we've shown that we can hang with the "big teams" like Chicago, Anaheim, etc. But we've also shown that we can shoot ourselves in the foot and shut down and produce nothing like Phoenix, Dallas, Tampa, Colorado and LA. Playoffs is about consistency and health issues and players stepping up. Honestly with the whole new freshness of mentality, system, coach, secondary scoring etc. it's still too early to say anything definitive, although I'd say we're one more top 6 forward away from a solid CUP run, not just playoff run (just like previous years) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuck nit Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Little to no secondary scoring coming from the D corps. That will have to change and how that comes to be is the playoff contender question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfstonker Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Little to no secondary scoring coming from the D corps. That will have to change and how that comes to be is the playoff contender question. We have a D corp who can score though. It's not like these guys are all rookies. So I don't think that is a worry. Personally I am not worried as I think the team is ahead of expectations. If CDC had been told we would be sitting top 5 in the league at this time of the year most would have said "Don't be silly" Even in last night's game I felt we were unlucky to lose and definitely finished stronger. Detroit will be a playoff team, I have no doubt about that and I think the team showed they are starting to find their feet under Willie's system. A bad start cost us dearly but they came back well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spook007 Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 We have a D corp who can score though. It's not like these guys are all rookies. So I don't think that is a worry. Personally I am not worried as I think the team is ahead of expectations. If CDC had been told we would be sitting top 5 in the league at this time of the year most would have said "Don't be silly" Even in last night's game I felt we were unlucky to lose and definitely finished stronger. Detroit will be a playoff team, I have no doubt about that and I think the team showed their are starting to find their feet under Willie's system. A bad start cost us dearly but they came back well.agree... This team is well ahead of all expectations. Which is why, they should let the ship sail, where the winds may take it, take stock in the off season and build a team for a proper push next season or the season after... Don't see a small change to the D winning us the cup. With regards to the question, who knows, I'd say only a small percentage chance of cup success. In saying that, how great it is to see us competing again.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuck nit Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 We have a D corp who can score though. It's not like these guys are all rookies. So I don't think that is a worry. Top 4 in 2010-11 scored 128 points Ehrhoff 50 pts Edler 33 pts in 51 games Hamhuis 23 pts Bieksa 22 pts Top 5 in 2014-15 are in line to score 85 points -the top 4 are going to score 70 points Edler 26 pts Tanev 20 pts Bieksa 10 pts Hamhuis 15 pts - If he gets back within a month Sbisa 14 pts This team is not contending without more offense from the back end. LA has one mean,4-line team and their top 4 D scored 117 points last season and 59 more in 26 post season games. That 59 points is almost everything this top 4 will provide in 82 regular season games against the likes of the Coilers and Coyotes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuck nit Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 DDP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJDDawg Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Geezuz, I had them as battling for the 8th spot and possibly missing the playoffs this season so I'm just enjoying this for what it is. They're playing a good brand of hockey and winning right now. Why even think of the playoffs this early? Just enjoy the ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJDDawg Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Ooops, dp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-AJ- Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 While I'm hopeful I'm reserving my judgement til around 60 games to see how we're doing then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YEGCanuck Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 It always makes me wonder when someone says "I'll be honest". It almost makes me think, have they been BS'ing us until this point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sbriggs Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Top 4 in 2010-11 scored 128 points Ehrhoff 50 pts Edler 33 pts in 51 games Hamhuis 23 pts Bieksa 22 pts Top 5 in 2014-15 are in line to score 85 points -the top 4 are going to score 70 points Edler 26 pts Tanev 20 pts Bieksa 10 pts Hamhuis 15 pts - If he gets back within a month Sbisa 14 pts This team is not contending without more offense from the back end. LA has one mean,4-line team and their top 4 D scored 117 points last season and 59 more in 26 post season games. That 59 points is almost everything this top 4 will provide in 82 regular season games against the likes of the Coilers and Coyotes. We definitally need to add a D-man, hopefully a stud because no one wins Lord Stanley with out a stud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMapleLaughs Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 No, secondary scoring doesn't have to come from our D. Except on the power play, they shouldn't be relied on to score goals. Secondary offense should come from your depth forwards, and so far, so good. That way your defense can just focus on defense. If they have to score too, that will lead to way more odd-man rushes against. Besides, our defense isn't exactly full of Paul Coffey-types. WD has analyzed this team's strengths and weaknesses and is utilizing his assets appropiately. We can't rely on the Sedins to do all the scoring and we don't have an elite puck-carrying defender to use back there. So run 4 lines and have your D focused on D. It's a deliberate strategy, and it reflects in shots-taken. Last season virtually all our defenders had the green light to shoot, despite none of them being effective shooters. This season only Bieksa and Edler (and to a minor note, Weber) has been given the green light. Every other defender has been instructed to dish off to forwards and keep their shots low. And why not? The closer the puck is to the net, the easier it will be to score. Anyway, utilizing our team strengths appropiately will only work so far. It would be nicer to be able to rely on the Sedins for a pile of offense and have that elite puckmover back there, certainly. And WD isn't doing much more than what AV did back in the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil_314 Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Bones has been touted even by Duck fans as being a clutch playoff guy, even when he played away from Getzlaf and Perry. He and his line-mates have gelled well thus far, and they have the physicality and two-way play to do well. The bottom 6 also has improved size, grit and defensive and scoring ability. Vrbata has clicked with the Twins and given space he can be a weapon, plus he is a decent two-way guy. Also happy that we could have some potential good rookies to call up if necessary (Jensen, Shinkaruk, Gaunce, DeFazio? Grenier?) and the D-groups are decent. I think three X-factors for this team are: whether Kassian can become our Bryan Bickell-type to open space for the Twins (IF he gets bumped up with them), whether Horvat can become the playoff performer-type that he was touted to be when he was drafted, and whether Ryan Miller can keep playing well in pressure situations (didn't like what I saw when he buckled in St. Louis). Also would like it if another P.M.D. could join the team, since even two-way teams e.g. Boston have needed a Krug to create offense when things get tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewH Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 It always makes me wonder when someone says "I'll be honest". It almost makes me think, have they been BS'ing us until this point? I always think the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neversummer Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 If Canucks win one round and lose in 2nd .. it would be a great season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angry Goose Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 If the Canucks make the playoffs I will consider this season a huge success. IMO making the playoffs, and playing an entertaining, passionate style of hockey is more than enough for a fan like me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyhee Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 I wanted to start a discussion on how the make up of this team will fare if we make it to the playoffs and how it would compare to teams in the past. Stackin'ThePads, on 01 Dec 2014 - 02:22 AM, said: One thing that I never agreed with was that the Canucks are too small for playoff hockey. To the first part, my vote was Way too early and reaction is the same as: MJDDawg, on 01 Dec 2014 - 05:20 AM, said: Geezuz, I had them as battling for the 8th spot and possibly missing the playoffs this season so I'm just enjoying this for what it is. They're playing a good brand of hockey and winning right now. Why even think of the playoffs this early? Just enjoy the ride. As for the second, I do think size and strength matters more in the playoffs than in the regular season, when the referees tend to call fewer penalties. Strength helps to get through a hook, to get through being held, to overcome the various tactics used to move a player out of the area in front of the net as well as in the scrums where more leeway may be given to intimidation after the whistle than is the case in the regular season. In addition, after a preseason and long regular season, the Cup playoffs often come down to who can survive with a reasonably healthy lineup after another 16-28 games in which players are taking more liberties than during the regular season because of the whistles staying in the refs' pockets. Age, fitness level, fatigue, past injuries, strength, size and luck are all factors in that regard. The team of 2011 was a runaway (10 point margin) Presidents' Trophy winner but was only a top contender for the Stanley Cup, ultimately coming up just short. Similarly the team of 2012 was a President's Trophy winner, but lost in the 1st round of the playoffs to the Kings, who ultimately won the Cup. For the fun of it I decided to do averages of age and weight for several teams-Canucks, Kings, Ducks, Hawks and Sharks. To do so I went to hockey-reference.com and took the top 6 d-men, top 12 fwds and top goalie from each team in total time on ice so far this season. I then went to the team rosters from nhl.com to take age (in full years) and weight, listed each and calculated (on a spreadsheet in .xls format) the average defence age and weight, average forward weight and size, average age for the 18 skaters and 1 goalie, average weight for the 18 skaters, and then average age and weight for the top 6 forwards and top 4 defencemen. Results: Defencemen Canucks 27.7 200.8 Kings 27.3 216.7 Ducks 25.3 204.5 Hawks 29.8 199.2 Sharks 26.8 214.2 The three California teams are younger and bigger. Chicago isn't. Forwards Canucks 28.9 197.3 Kings 27.6 206.7 Ducks 26.7 209.0 Hawks 27.3 195.8 Sharks 26.8 203.8 All are younger, the 3 California teams bigger, Chicago slightly smaller, affected largely by having the lightest three forwards in the samples, 3 guys under 180 lb. Core Skaters Canucks 29.7 197.5 Kings 28.8 212.0 Ducks 26.1 204.3 Hawks 27.4 195.6 Sharks 27.1 210.0 Canucks are oldest. Hawks are slightly smaller but the 3 California teams defintely bigger. Team Canucks 29.8 198.5 Kings 27.5 210.0 Ducks 26.2 207.5 Hawks 28.2 196.9 Sharks 27.0 207.2 As with the core skater and forward results, Canucks are oldest, and the three California teams are heavier. Limitations: 1. Age-is stated in complete years. For example, Hamhuis will turn 32 in a few days, but is calculated as 31. 2. Choice of players-I didn't try to make adjustments to the total time on ice stats. This made a change in the Canucks core skating group-Burrows isn't in the top 6 in total time on ice because he's missed time with illness the team was worried might be a concussion. The 6th highest Canuck in total time on ice was ... wait for it. Brad Richardson. (!??#) If Burrows is used instead of Richardson, Canucks core skater averages would change to 30.1 for age and 196.6 for weight instead of 29.7 and 197.5-that is, they'd be older and lighter. Similarly, some players in other teams' top 12 forwards or top 6 defence in time on ice totals are no longer with their teams (generally because of demotion to the minors)-in those cases I substituted the players with the next highest totals. One other note-Horvat isn't in Canucks top 12 forwards in toi, either total or average per game. If his age and weight are substituted for Vey, then Canucks team averages change to 28.3/ 198.9 from 28.8/198.5 and forward average changes to 28.6/198.8 from 28.8/197.3. To me, that suggests that Canucks may have a more difficult time succeeding in the playoffs than the regular season. Obviously, it doesn't mean they will or won't succeed, and it is still really early to be guessing how good a team they will be over the course of the season and playoffs, but I think that the way the officiating changes for the playoffs will make it more difficult for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William_Clarkson Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 Depends on who the first round match-up is. If the Canucks can either win the division or drop to a wild card spot and play a Central Division team I think that would be their best chance to get past the 1st round. I'd say LA would win for sure in a 7 game series and I'd still give preference to Anaheim and SJ. If the Flames keeps this up and the Canucks play them though, Canucks would take it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronalds.Kenins41 Posted December 2, 2014 Share Posted December 2, 2014 It's way too early to be talking about playoffs, we can still miss the playoffs considering how tight the league is this year (we were first place on Friday and are now 7th place and are 4 points away from 14th in the league) If we make the playoffs playing the way they are now and play Chicago, Anaheim, or even Calgary in a seven game series thats already way more then all of us could have asked for in terms of entertainment value. If all things work out they may play in the second round. But that's the farthest I see them going (if we make the playoffs). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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