*Buzzsaw* Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 I have been fairly impressed with the learning curve I'm seeing from Adam Cracknell. When he first played, it was very much a case of playing his position, shoot it in, use the body, and not do anything original. But he has definitely learned from his time with the Canucks, he is showing improved skill in using his wingers and moving to the empty ice. He still tends to take a few too many shots from low productivity angles, but is starting to make more creative plays and passes. He is definitely a good fit with Prust, although his timing with Dorsett doesn't seem as good. Overall I would say he was a good utility player pickup by Benning, he has a filled a gap in the depth chart which would have been exposed when Sutter went down... still nowhere near Sutter's skill level, but has kept the 4th line from falling apart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derp... Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 I think it has to do with Willie's system being a fairly simple one. Some guys just need the right coach and the right system to function well. That's an issue with drafting players as well. Sometimes they shine in one system but can't adapt to another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatedkid666 Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 He has definitley been very underrated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BanTSN Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 Cracker's been doing about as well as I figured, and has always played this way. It's all about the sporting entertainment experiences that the fans can expect to receive anyway, but what are these new tricks the old dog is using? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xereau Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 I like Richardson's game over Cracknell's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maniwaki Canuck Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 21 minutes ago, xereau said: I like Richardson's game over Cracknell's. Me too but at 2 mil vs. league minimum, Cracknell is better value. This was a great money ball signing by Benning and I agree that he should stay on as 4C just to give that line a consistent identity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edlerberry Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 34 minutes ago, BanTSN said: Cracker's been doing about as well as I figured, and has always played this way. It's all about the sporting entertainment experiences that the fans can expect to receive anyway, but what are these new tricks the old dog is using? deadpan long play is epic. you are my sports experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl's Jn Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 who was it in another topic that said Cracknell deserves to be in the press box?? not me... good post op! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB5 Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 43 minutes ago, Maniwaki Canuck said: Me too but at 2 mil vs. league minimum, Cracknell is better value. This was a great money ball signing by Benning and I agree that he should stay on as 4C just to give that line a consistent identity. Not to mention that Richardson seems to have a tendency to often get injured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DownUndaCanuck Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 With the absolute mess our centers have been this season, Cracknell has really saved our bacon. Obviously Henrik's fine at 1C and Sutter was a brilliant surprise, far better than Bonino, but after he was injured we had a very unprepeared Horvat at 2C and McCann who's play has trailed off a bit at 3C. Cracknell has been consistent so far in terms of effort, skill and even scoring. He's got some amazing hands in tight for a big guy and is showing he can translate AHL success to the NHL which is a huge thing - not many older guys can do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coconuts Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 I don't know about new tricks so much, but he's certainly been good out there for us. Hell, the entire fourth line has been. I love having a fourth line that's actually reliable and that brings something to the table. He's been a good player for us so far, good value for what he's being paid too. I don't know enough about him to say how he has or hasn't improved, but he definitely looks comfortable out there and he's playing well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crabcakes Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 3 hours ago, Maniwaki Canuck said: Me too but at 2 mil vs. league minimum, Cracknell is better value. This was a great money ball signing by Benning and I agree that he should stay on as 4C just to give that line a consistent identity. This is what I wanted to say as well but I would like to add that Ritchie also wanted term and Benning was trying to sign everybody who wasn't core to only 1 year. He got 3 @ $2.0 per in Arizona. Benning wanted him back but on his own terms. Cracknell is just a great fit in Van and the price is right signing for 1 @ $0.575. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Kneel Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 Holy crap this guy is underrated..He plays with an NHL toughness we need...notice when he's standing in the crease after the whistle guys just skate away from him..because they respect his toughness. Not to discount Baers skill but I really believe Cracknell compliments McCann and Virt better. Add Prust and Sutter and there's the right balance of grit and skill. I've been a fan since those early couple goals he got but more a fan of his net presence and forecheck. We cannot afford to be any softer with this National Hacking League. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gforce31 Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 He drew two penalties last night by powering towards the net which was great. The team really needs to improve their PP to make the other team pay for taking penalties... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhillipBlunt Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 18 hours ago, Hairy Kneel said: Holy crap this guy is underrated..He plays with an NHL toughness we need...notice when he's standing in the crease after the whistle guys just skate away from him..because they respect his toughness. Not to discount Baers skill but I really believe Cracknell compliments McCann and Virt better. Add Prust and Sutter and there's the right balance of grit and skill. I've been a fan since those early couple goals he got but more a fan of his net presence and forecheck. We cannot afford to be any softer with this National Hacking League. Ideal forward depth. The Cracken!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snucks Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 4 hours ago, gforce31 said: He drew two penalties last night by powering towards the net which was great. The team really needs to improve their PP to make the other team pay for taking penalties... Yeah he is just what they need. They will probably trade him for a softer player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrashNBash Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 He plays with a gritty edge but keeps it clean. Has that fierceness like Hansen has and like you say his play steadily improves, a nice pickup for sure. I thought Grenier showed a same style but maybe a bit more offensive look. They could be a good pairing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maniwaki Canuck Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 1 hour ago, CrashNBash said: He plays with a gritty edge but keeps it clean. Has that fierceness like Hansen has and like you say his play steadily improves, a nice pickup for sure. I thought Grenier showed a same style but maybe a bit more offensive look. They could be a good pairing. Good thought, but it might lead WD to move Dorsett up to the second line so on second thought ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gforce31 Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 4 hours ago, snucks said: Yeah he is just what they need. They will probably trade him for a softer player. Lol!! Stay positive!! ;p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Buzzsaw* Posted November 24, 2015 Author Share Posted November 24, 2015 Cracknell is a tough customer, and it is something which is needed by the Canucks. The good thing though, he doesn't take stupid penalties and doesn't go out of his way to fight. I don't think he is by any definition an 'Enforcer'. But he is definitely a strong guy who won't back down, watch how he throws around his minor league opponent in this fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_YIp2RIn9w Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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