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Brendan Gaunce | C/LW


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What makes you say that, out of curiosity? Seems to me he's showing some pretty solid offensive skills in his rookie season.

He is getting points, but he's not exactly been dynamic offensively in the AHL. Don't get me wrong, different players contribute in different ways and Gaunce has a solid shot, is smart positionally and isn't afraid to get dirty to score but I'd say he's unlikely to be a top 6 player.

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Willies thinks Gaunce will be on the Canucks next season, both in the article and the caption for the picture:

Back in pre-history, a much-younger reporter interviewed then Red Wings GM Jim Devellano on the subject of building a successful NHL organization.

Devellano was one of the architects of the Wings’ mini-dynasty which began its run in the early 1990s, and was a scouting director and senior executive on the Islanders in their salad days of the early ‘80s. Both teams were built largely on the principle of drafting and developing your own, and Devellano was a strict adherent to that philosophy. But the more interesting part of the conversation concerned the residual benefits of building from within.

Among other things, Devellano said the practice develops a sense of organization; the feeling that everyone from the lowliest birddog to the president plays a role in the team’s success. It also creates an environment which brings out the best in younger players while developing a sense of pride and loyalty in the team’s logo. It’s the kind of things hockey men tend to get misty about, but Devellano had seen it at work with the Wings and the Islanders and knew its power.

He knew it made a difference.

We now call your attention to the Utica Comets, the Vancouver Canucks’ AHL affiliate which is preparing for Game 3 of their AHL final with the Manchester Monarchs on Wednesday. Admittedly, the bar hasn’t been set very high, but in reviewing the lamentable 45-year history of the parent club, the case can be made the Canucks have never enjoyed a minor-league operation like that which resides in upstate New York.

Where this leads, of course, is the next question, and seasoned Canucks’ supporters can be excused for being cynical about any mention of the team’s bright future. But in the Comets, the NHL team has struck a balance between winning and developing; between aligning their good young players with seasoned minor-league pros which, theoretically, should expedite their maturation.

They’ve also done this with an operation which is their own. In short, it’s the kind of thing Devellano talked about all those years ago and, for maybe the first time in their history, the Canucks are close to building something similar.

“That’s the goal. internal competition,” says the estimable Stan Smyl, the organization’s conscience.

“You want to have have that competition. How do you create that competition? By winning.”

Which is kind of new for this team.

We’ll spare you a complete breakdown of the last 45 years, but if you think the Canucks’ NHL history is depressing, take a stroll through the HockeyDB website and look at the minor-league history. The Canucks have had a couple of winning affiliates. There’ve been moments when they assembled some intriguing prospects. They’ve also had success with shared arrangements. But when you combine the record, their level of prospect, then consider Utica is a purely Canucks’ operation, the Comets’ success is unprecedented.

Sorry, you’re going to have to trust us on this because we spent three hours on HockeyDB reviewing the subject. How else would we know the Canucks’ first farm team, the Rochester Americans, was coached by the immortal Peanuts O’Flaherty who was succeeded by — ta da! — Don Cherry?

But we digress.

The Comets, who finished the regular season with the best record in the AHL’s Western Conference, find themselves in the final with a lineup which is enticing to the faithful. There are four first-rounders. Goalie Jacob Markstrom has established himself as a viable goaltending option for an NHL team. Sven Baertschi is second on the Comets in playoff scoring with 14 points in 18 games. And one of Frank Corrado or Adam Clendenning figures to be a regular on the Canucks’ blueline next season.

Not all of the prospects are going to turn into impact players for the NHL team, but it’s reasonable to believe four or five of those players will make it. Now consider the flexibility it gives the Canucks to say nothing of the ammunition for trades.

It makes a difference.

The Canucks, for example, believe former first-rounder Brandan Gaunce is ready to play in the NHL. Down the road, they envision a third-line built around Gaunce and Cole Cassels, who’s coming off a feature turn on the Memorial Cup-champion Osahwa Generals. GM Jim Benning’s affection for Baertschi is a matter of public record and the Swiss forward might be found money. But the Canucks also talk about the strides former first-rounder Hunter Shinkaruk made late in the season as he began to mature physically. And Alex Grenier, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound winger, has played his way on to the organization’s radar.

This is all taking place in a town that’s fully embraced the Comets which is another neat part to this story. Two years ago, former GM Mike Gillis identified the need for the Canucks to operate their own affiliate but eyebrows were raised when Utica — which hadn’t been home to an AHL franchise for two decades — was selected.

But it’s worked. The Comets have sold out every home playoff game, and on any given night, a selection of the Canucks’ brass is in attendance. Assistant GM Lorne Henning has been there for the entire run. Assistant GM Laurence Gilman is currently there. Smyl has dropped by. Benning is a regular.

“You want them to learn the system and what it takes to be a pro, but at the end of the year, you want them to learn about the next level and how to succeed there,” says The Steamer. “Our guys are getting a taste of that now. It’s good for them and good for us.”

Finally, he can say that.

Article here: http://www.theprovince.com/sports/hockey/canucks-hockey/Willes+Comets+success+makes+idea+building/11122386/story.html

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Green, in an article in todays Sun says:

I was questioned by many people why Brendan Gaunce wasnt playing and whether it was right for his development, Green explained. People were saying: Is Brendan Gaunce not a good prospect? Well, Brendan learned a valuable lesson when he sat out those games and when he went back into the lineup might have had the best game of his career. And he has been terrific ever since then.

Too many times I see people (assessing) prospects by the moment by the day. This isnt a race."

Loving what the Canucks are building at the AHL level. And I laughed at Green's last sentence there as I'm sure he's refering to CDC.

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Iain+MacIntyre+Travis+Green+hitches+wagon+Comets/11122913/story.html#ixzz3crIBREFU

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To think that constantly proposals are being made, in which the future of the Canucks are being traded away, before they have fully developed....

Its good to hear that Gaunce is expected to make the big show soon.

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He's always held a decent standing with me, but since he's not a flashy prospect some people have decided he wasn't as good. But, he has a solid shot, is very smart around the rink, and works hard. That's why he's done so well in his first year pro, not a tonne was expected of him and he's really worked at it.

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He's always held a decent standing with me, but since he's not a flashy prospect some people have decided he wasn't as good. But, he has a solid shot, is very smart around the rink, and works hard. That's why he's done so well in his first year pro, not a tonne was expected of him and he's really worked at it.

I think it is because his potential seemed to be lower, even though he was more of a guarantee to make the NHL in a lesser role; a safe pick. People get excited about hit or miss prospects like Sprong, Shinkaruk, etc...because it (potential stardom) is something we are missing and is hard to obtain elsewhere. I like Gaunce though, as he seems to be a solid all-around player, and I like the versatility of a winger that can win faceoffs.

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He looks better offensively than I thought he was.

Said almost all of CDC, but he led a good Belleville team in the locker room and the scoresheet.

He's been underrated for a long time and Travis moving him to the wing was the best thing ever. Really forced him to play a style that dramatically improved what he can bring to an NHL spot.

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Gaunce is a rare breed of prospect that legitimately gets better and better every season, if not every game. The kid doesn't take steps. He takes leaps. I LOVE the idea of building a third line around Gaunce and Cassels. 2 centers with the flexibility to play wing. Very defensively conscious, and every year they continue to expand the rest of their game. If we could have these 2 anchor our bottom 6, we will be in good shape.

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