Bobby_Lu1ngo Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 For years and years we have been waiting for a 2nd line to emerge behind the sedins. Secondary scoring has been hard to fine from our forward group. The closest we had was 2011 with Kesler and Higgins playing well together and producing. With the way sven and bo have clicked ia it safe to say we have a legitimate second line that is a threat. How important is vrbata to that line? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 Just now, Bobby_Lu1ngo said: For years and years we have been waiting for a 2nd line to emerge behind the sedins. Secondary scoring has been hard to fine from our forward group. The closest we had was 2011 with Kesler and Higgins playing well together and producing. With the way sven and bo have clicked ia it safe to say we have a legitimate second line that is a threat. How important is vrbata to that line? Does it really matter how important he is? He's a UFA and could get us another first round pick. TRADE HIM JB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-Dizzle Posted January 22, 2016 Share Posted January 22, 2016 If you've been watching the games (which I assume you have) I think you know how important Vrbata is to the second line.....good player but Bo and Sven haven't really needed him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KootNuck Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Vrbata needs to be traded put Hansen with Bo and Baer 2nd line, Sutter on first line with twins , Etem Vey Virtanen 3rd line , Burrows new guy Dorsett 4th line Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Barzal Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Bo and Sven have excelled at the north-south game recently. Even if they dropped off a little bit I'd like to see them follow it through till the end of the season before I start seal clapping for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HerrDrFunk Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 I was actually having the same thought after last night's game. It's awesome to see our second line clicking and consistently putting up goals! That being said, no, I don't think Vrbata is a vital piece of that line. The vast majority of goals that the 2nd line has scored have been the result of Bo cutting to the net and setting up Sven in the slot or Sven freeing Bo with a pass and Bo scoring with a shot from the wing. Assuming we trade Vrbata, I think whoever slots in there will be inconsequential for the most part (though if they end up contributing to Sven and Bo's success, I sure won't mind!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCammer Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 12 minutes ago, J-Dizzle said: If you've been watching the games (which I assume you have) I think you know how important Vrbata is to the second line.....good player but Bo and Sven haven't really needed him. Completely disagree with this. I'm no big Vrbata fan but he has been contributing as well. Teams need to be aware he is on the ice so it does create some room for his linemates. Don't underestimate the confidence Bo and Sven gain from having a veteran on their line to point things out on the bench, provide leadership , defend on the ice and create offensively. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down by the River Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 I have to believe that next season one of Etem, Virtanen, Shink, Hansen, or UFA will be able to step in and play the role that Vrbata has been in. I see WD just cycling a RW in and out of the second line, much like AV did when he played 'pairs' instead of lines. Sedin Sedin Sutter Baer Horvat Etem Gaunce McCann Hansen Dorsett Vey Virtanen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unBolievable Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Bo and Sven have been brilliant together, and they've built some great chemistry. I do think that they are legitimate second line players. However, I don't think Vrbata is a good fit for their line. He seems to be the odd one out. Willie seems to be trying too hard to force chemistry between Vrbata and Bo. For example, think of the recent 3 on 3 OT lines... Why put Bo and Vrbata on one line, and McCann and Sven on another line? Bo and Sven would be the logical combination, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lockhart Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Next year, without any major UFA signings Sedin Sedin Sutter Baer Horvat Virtanen Etem/Shinkaruk McCann Hansen Gaunce, not sure on the rest. I'd like to see Dorsett gone and Burrows. I love Burrows but we need to make space for youth and clear some cap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaudette Celly Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 28 minutes ago, Down by the River said: I have to believe that next season one of Etem, Virtanen, Shink, Hansen, or UFA will be able to step in and play the role that Vrbata has been in. I see WD just cycling a RW in and out of the second line, much like AV did when he played 'pairs' instead of lines. Sedin Sedin Sutter Baer Horvat Etem Gaunce McCann Burrows Dorsett Vey Virtanen Why did you split up the Vey-Etem "pair"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Down by the River Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 4 minutes ago, Hutton Wink said: Why did you split up the Vey-Etem "pair"? Its a solid pair, but I just wanted to illustrate how many different guys can be cycled into that 2nd line RW position. You could put Virtanen there, you could put Hansen there, you could call up Shink or Grenier and try him there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucklehead44 Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 I think so. They are producing at a great clip. Vrbata is a nice piece to the line, but Horvat and Baertschi are really driving it. I think Hansen, Etem, Virtanen and maybe even Sutter fit nicely there as well. Sedin Sedin Hansen Baertschi Horvat Virtanen Burrows Vey Etem Dorsett McCann Sutter Rolling four lines. Good combinations of size, speed and grit. Sutter can help McCann with faceoff duties and be relied upon heavily for penalty killing. Move Vrbata, Prust, and one of Bartkowski / Hamhuis / Weber at the deadline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mll Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 46 minutes ago, Mathew Barzal said: Bo and Sven have excelled at the north-south game recently. Even if they dropped off a little bit I'd like to see them follow it through till the end of the season before I start seal clapping for them. That's the thing though - Baertschi is an extremely creative player and for now he is playing north-south but that limits his creativity to not use the full width. He's someone that likes to weave and criss-cross to attack from different angles with a lot of quick give and go's. It's a whole aspect of his game that is not there yet and I think a bit of it has to do with Horvat who is just starting to make plays and use his linemates. On the long run that line is going to be more of a threat if they also learn how to attack by making plays and not just off the rush. That's why I like Vrbata on that line because he can play that type of game with Baertschi. Horvat is still learning how to think the game as a top-6 and adding a straight line player to replace Vrbata might limit the upside of that line and wouldn't make full use of Baertschi's creativity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maniwaki Canuck Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Yes, we finally have a legit second line pairing in Baer and Bo. It's been a baptism of fire, but they've come through it. As to the RW on that line, I'm not convinced that Vrbata meshes with them all that well. Hansen would be my first option since he can skate with and hound the puck for them, maintain defensive responsibility and score when Baertschi sets him up. Bo and Hansen worked really well last year and I think Baer could learn a lot from him as well. If and when they start to cycle a bit more, Grenier would be a decent option since his size and shot would be a factor, but of course he's too low in the pecking order as of now. Virtanen and Bo on the same line is almost too much of a good thing: I'd be inclined to spread it out but they did destroy Edmonton in the pre-season so maybe. Sutter as RW on the 1st, Etem on the 3rd, and Dorsett on the 4th. Numbers alone but also the potential return say that Vrbata is gone by the trade deadline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckleheads fan Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Vey and Etem provide us with the best third line we've had in a long time. They are dangerous just as often as Horvat and Baer, it's just that Vey wasn't our draft choice, so CDC elevates Gaunce and anybody else above him. Fact is, Vey is a very good, unselfish 200 foot player who has emerged from Utica stronger and more willing to go to the dirty areas. Against Boston Willie trusted him in the final minute Dzone faceoff. He tied Bergeron on the draw and forced a winger win. He ended up with the puck and unselfishly fed Daniel for the empty netter. With no major FA signings: Sedins and Sutter Baer Bo Hansen Shink Vey Etem Dorsett McCann Gaunce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 Vrbata a first round pick? Hahahaha. Vrbata back in 10-11 was 5 points in 4 playoff games. Last year he got 4 points in 6 playoff games. For a rental he doesn't exactly light it up in the playoffs. We'd be lucky to get a high second rounder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crabcakes Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 1 hour ago, Bobby_Lu1ngo said: For years and years we have been waiting for a 2nd line to emerge behind the sedins. Secondary scoring has been hard to fine from our forward group. The closest we had was 2011 with Kesler and Higgins playing well together and producing. With the way sven and bo have clicked ia it safe to say we have a legitimate second line that is a threat. How important is vrbata to that line? In 2011, the 2nd line was Raymond-Kesler-Samuelsson......but that doesn't change your point. The Canucks were way better with a secondary scoring threat. I think that Horvat is growing into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucks Prophet Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 3 minutes ago, Ghostsof1915 said: Vrbata a first round pick? Hahahaha. Vrbata back in 10-11 was 5 points in 4 playoff games. Last year he got 4 points in 6 playoff games. For a rental he doesn't exactly light it up in the playoffs. We'd be lucky to get a high second rounder. If we retain some of his salary, he could become a decent depth player for a playoff team. It's true that his playoff resume leaves a lot to be desired, but you never know what can go wrong during a playoff run. It really depends on what players are on the market come trade deadline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted January 23, 2016 Share Posted January 23, 2016 4 minutes ago, Canucks Prophet said: If we retain some of his salary, he could become a decent depth player for a playoff team. It's true that his playoff resume leaves a lot to be desired, but you never know what can go wrong during a playoff run. It really depends on what players are on the market come trade deadline. True enough, but even at 50% retained he's a rental. At best maybe we can trade him to an offence starved Minnesota for a defensive prospect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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