higgyfan Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 I think Gaunce in the long run will be the best we have. That is why I hate to see people offer him in trades. We haven't begun to see the limit of what this guy is capable of. Utica have him playing the body (more than Jensen does that's for sure) and his physical, thoughtful approach is what we need in Vancouver. I reckon by the end of the season he will be the guy who will show up best for the Canucks amongst the current batch in Utica and that imo includes Bo. Agreed. When he started his Jr career, he seemed to slip into the defensive role. Before that, he was the highest scoring midget player in Ont and was drafted 2nd overall (behind Alex Galchenyuk) in the 2010 OHL entry draft. As a young player, he was considered a top scorer, so he does have good hands. He very well could end up being the most rounded player of all the rookies. Kids got a lot of tools in a very nice toolbox. It would be a big mistake for the team to trade him before he has a chance to put it all together. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UticaHockey Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 For an AHL team, that's a loud ass crowd. Good to see Utica as a franchise is doing well. The Aud really gets rocking the last 2 or 3 minutes of the game. Great atmosphere for the players all of which love playing here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Gaunce has the best chance of making the NHL of any other prospect not in the NHL because of his mature game. Plays a very pro style of game, isn't flashy but he works hard, a smart player and is in position. Reads the play well, I think he'll be a solid bottom 6 player that you can rely out there on the PK, he's a big body aswell which always helps in puck battles and overall. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancaster Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 Agreed. When he started his Jr career, he seemed to slip into the defensive role. Before that, he was the highest scoring midget player in Ont and was drafted 2nd overall (behind Alex Galchenyuk) in the 2010 OHL entry draft. As a young player, he was considered a top scorer, so he does have good hands. He very well could end up being the most rounded player of all the rookies. Kids got a lot of tools in a very nice toolbox. It would be a big mistake for the team to trade him before he has a chance to put it all together. The same was said about Yann Sauve too. #1 overall draft in the Q. Got NHL size and speed, with a strong shot and soft hands.... just couldn't put it together (getting hit by a car and "developing" down with the Chicago Wolves obviously didn't help either). With Gaunce, I'm just hoping he's allowed to play to his strength and not be fearful of making any mistakes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred65 Posted December 20, 2014 Share Posted December 20, 2014 (edited) The same was said about Yann Sauve too. #1 overall draft in the Q. Got NHL size and speed, with a strong shot and soft hands.... just couldn't put it together (getting hit by a car and "developing" down with the Chicago Wolves obviously didn't help either). With Gaunce, I'm just hoping he's allowed to play to his strength and not be fearful of making any mistakes. Sauve never blossomed from midget forward and was a second round pick in the NHL amateur draft, his hockey IQ was not Major junior or NHL Edited December 20, 2014 by Fred65 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canorth Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Gaunce with another goal on the season! Utica up 2-0 over the flames. http://www.uticacomets.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outsiders Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 I see him as our 4th line centre next year. I think Bo will move up to the 3rd Sedins-Vrbata ______-Bonino-_______ maybe one of Shinkaruk or Jensen not both Higgins-Horvat-Burrows Dorsett-Gaunce-Hansen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UticaHockey Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 I see him as our 4th line centre next year. I think Bo will move up to the 3rd Sedins-Vrbata ______-Bonino-_______ maybe one of Shinkaruk or Jensen not both Higgins-Horvat-Burrows Dorsett-Gaunce-Hansen Gaunce hasn't played center at all this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asian player Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Gaunce hasn't played center at all this year. Is there any particular reason? Because a big body down the middle with good IQ sounds perfect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UticaHockey Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Is there any particular reason? Because a big body down the middle with good IQ sounds perfect No idea other that the Nucks see him as a wing in the NHL. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canucks1219 Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Is there any particular reason? Because a big body down the middle with good IQ sounds perfect I remember hearing/reading that Green wants Gaunce to learn to take advantage of his size on a consistent basis. Said playing the wing would help him with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRAZY_4_NAZZY Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 I remember hearing/reading that Green wants Gaunce to learn to take advantage of his size on a consistent basis. Said playing the wing would help him with that. As a winger I feel you are more engaged with board play, faster, aggressive style. Not saying the center is lazy but quite often they are allowed to drift into the offensive zone as the wingers chase down the puck and grind it out. Possibly designed by purpose to switch Gaunce there to up his tempo and intensity playing as a winger. I don't know if that is the reason why they did it, but I heard that on TSN 1040 a while back when they were talking about Matthias and Richardson interchanging wing or center and why it was different mentality as a player playing each position. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tambellini's Wrist Shot Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 As a winger I feel you are more engaged with board play, faster, aggressive style. Not saying the center is lazy but quite often they are allowed to drift into the offensive zone as the wingers chase down the puck and grind it out. Possibly designed by purpose to switch Gaunce there to up his tempo and intensity playing as a winger. I don't know if that is the reason why they did it, but I heard that on TSN 1040 a while back when they were talking about Matthias and Richardson interchanging wing or center and why it was different mentality as a player playing each position. You have not nearly as much time to make a decision with the puck when you're a winger. You've got to get it off of your stick right away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Galchenyuk switched from wing to centre, he played wing earlier in the season and in his NHL career. I won't be surprised if he stays at centre but he might have to compete with other prospects for a centre spot when they all start getting some time in the NHL hopefully or in the AHL. If he can't beat them out well he can play on the wing and he's doing well so far on wing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snizzle_ Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Watched the highlights and he made a very nice moved to beat ortio high short side. Very John Tavares 09' WJC vs. USA esk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salmonberries Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Gaunce hasn't played center at all this year. The Canuck org obviously sees him as a No idea other that the Nucks see him as a wing in the NHL. Yet, this obvious idea hasn't really penetrated around here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfstonker Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 I love Utica for the Canucks AHL team, that's why I was concerned when people were talking about bringing it to Abbotsford. Right from day one they have got behind the team and that was despite the terrible start last season. It is night and day difference to Chicago. Utica will imo be one of the main factors in making the Canucks a contender in the next 2/3 years. What makes me especially happy is the fact we will be sending our young and gifted prospects to a town and support that will appreciate them and really get behind them. Sadly I think we could do with more of that spirit in Rogers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dasein Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 Gaunce was really noticeable on both ends of the ice in that highlight package vs Baby Flames. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boudrias Posted December 21, 2014 Share Posted December 21, 2014 alfstonker; Utica will be the Gillis gift that keeps on giving. IMHO it will be the greatest thing that Mike Gillis did for Van during his tenure. How an org could go through so many years without owning a AHL team is beyond me. I remember Gillis saying they had been in the market for a number of years prior to buying. Apparently AHL teams are not sold often. During the past summer there was much talk of 5 or 6 AHL teams being relocated to the Pacific Coast. Nothing happened and I am happy with that. Much rather Canuck AHL players remain in the east and have less travel and more practice time. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfstonker Posted December 22, 2014 Share Posted December 22, 2014 alfstonker; Utica will be the Gillis gift that keeps on giving. IMHO it will be the greatest thing that Mike Gillis did for Van during his tenure. How an org could go through so many years without owning a AHL team is beyond me. I remember Gillis saying they had been in the market for a number of years prior to buying. Apparently AHL teams are not sold often. During the past summer there was much talk of 5 or 6 AHL teams being relocated to the Pacific Coast. Nothing happened and I am happy with that. Much rather Canuck AHL players remain in the east and have less travel and more practice time. Well I'm not a big fan of Gillis as you may know but credit where it is due, Utica was a masterstroke and I totally agree with what you have posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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