SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 (edited) So I heard that Gaunce got in some reps at his natural position when he centered Utica's second unit PP last game. Anyone have more details? Just a shift or two, or did he get significant minutes playing at center? Any even strength or just the power play? Edited February 19, 2015 by SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeNiro Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 9PTS in his last 15 Games (4G, 5A). Not too shabby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oliewud Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 /\ good to see. is his ceiling pretty much a 3rd liner? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesB Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 So I heard that Gaunce got in some reps at his natural position when he centered Utica's second unit PP last game. Anyone have more details? Just a shift or two, or did he get significant minutes playing at center? Any even strength or just the power play? I thought the Canucks had pretty much decided that Gauce was better on the wing. Never heard a clear statement of the strategy but I thought the idea was that he did not have the kind of quick acceleration you like in a center (although I admit Henrik is not quick) but that he did have good top speed. But I also heard the comment about learning to play a "heavy game". I did not really understand why playing the wing helps that more that playing center, although I guess wingers spend more time in puck battles along the boards. /\ good to see. is his ceiling pretty much a 3rd liner? II think most people do have 3LW as the probably ceiling for Gaunce but some might have has his ceiling as the 4th line. If Gaunce becomes a solid 3rd liner I think we should all be happy. At this stage there is no guarantee he even becomes an NHL regular although he has apparently been doing well lately. At least he has the size and strength and defensive ability to probably be able to play bottom 6 in NHL. Shinkaruk lacks the size and strength and Jensen lacks the defence and consistent intensity, so those two guys are pretty much top 6 or bust. I like Gaunce and I hope he does well. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DownUndaCanuck Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Gaunce has looked huge out there in Utica, playing against men, and judging by his stat-line hasn't been bad defensively either which is the most important part of a young centerman's game. I'd like to see both he and Shinkaruk get some NHL games in next season, even if it's only 10ish games. Ideally we let Richardson walk in the off-season, keep Matthias cheaply and have Gaunce as our first center call up from Utica (after Vey switches to center, so Gaunce would come in if we had 2 injured centers or 1 and Vey injured). Jensen - 30/40 games next season Shinkaruk - 15 games Gaunce - 10 games Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UticaHockey Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 So I heard that Gaunce got in some reps at his natural position when he centered Utica's second unit PP last game. Anyone have more details? Just a shift or two, or did he get significant minutes playing at center? Any even strength or just the power play? Gaunce was centering for Jensen and Shinkaruk on the 2nd unit PP and actually won a face off which is a rarity for the Comets PP. At even strength Gaunce is on the wing with Zelweski centering and Bancks the opposite wing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alfstonker Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 I seem to recall the coach saying Gaunce was being "loaned" out to the wing berth to improve his battling and make him utilise his strength and size more. I took from that, it was a temporary coaching thing designed to broaden his experience and improve him prior to reverting back to centre eventually Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missioncanucksfan Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Seriously hoping Gaunce gets the slow injection Bo Horvat treatment next year. Starting off with 7-8 mins a night then slowly ramp up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timberz21 Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 (edited) I think the reasonning for Gaunce being a winger, is they really see NHL potential in him. With Henrik, Bonino, Horvat and later on Cassel and McCann, i'm not sure Gaunce would have a spot in the top 9 at center. So they probably figure they'd move him to the wing to see if he could ever be a top 9 (or top 6 winger, wishful thinking). If not, a switch back to 4C would not be that hard of a transition for him. I think Gaunce has all the tools to be an effective top 9 player in the NHL, his only question marks would be, can he adapt to/follow the NHL pace. Edited February 19, 2015 by timberz21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatedkid666 Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Horvat 3rd line +PK and possibly PP Gaunce forth line For next year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd. Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 I think the reasonning for Gaunce being a winger, is they really see NHL potential in him. With Henrik, Bonino, Horvat and later on Cassel and McCann, i'm not sure Gaunce would have a spot in the top 9 at center. So they probably figure they'd move him to the wing to see if he could ever be a top 9 (or top 6 winger, wishful thinking). If not, a switch back to 4C would not be that hard of a transition for him. I think Gaunce has all the tools to be an effective top 9 player in the NHL, his only question marks would be, can he adapt to/follow the NHL pace. Definitely. Potential is there. Let's just hope he becomes something for us. He's such a great, underrated player around these boards. I think he should stay in Utica for at least another 2 years to fully develop. He's those kinds of guys that you need to be patient with. He's got a great toolbox and I hope for the best of him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odd. Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Horvat 3rd line +PK and possibly PPGaunce forth line For next year Why rush him? Let him ease in Utica. I say a few more years in the minors wouldn't hurt and a couple of short NHL stints as an injury replace. Patience is the key word. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boudrias Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 I bet Guance makes the NHL before Shink. He has a NHL body already and his d-game is there. He is having a great rookie season in the AHL. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seven pounds soft Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Sounds like old Gauncey is the most impressive rookie on the comets by a long shot? I wouldn't have guessed that at the beginning of the year. Really happy to hear it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatedkid666 Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Why rush him? Let him ease in Utica. I say a few more years in the minors wouldn't hurt and a couple of short NHL stints as an injury replace. Patience is the key word. Your right. Detroit has proven that time and time again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stawns Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Definitely. Potential is there. Let's just hope he becomes something for us. He's such a great, underrated player around these boards. I think he should stay in Utica for at least another 2 years to fully develop. He's those kinds of guys that you need to be patient with. He's got a great toolbox and I hope for the best of him. I would actually be ok with him spending another year in Utica next year and having Green develop his leadership skills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tystick Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 (edited) I thought the Canucks had pretty much decided that Gauce was better on the wing. Never heard a clear statement of the strategy but I thought the idea was that he did not have the kind of quick acceleration you like in a center (although I admit Henrik is not quick) but that he did have good top speed. But I also heard the comment about learning to play a "heavy game". I did not really understand why playing the wing helps that more that playing center, although I guess wingers spend more time in puck battles along the boards. II think most people do have 3LW as the probably ceiling for Gaunce but some might have has his ceiling as the 4th line. If Gaunce becomes a solid 3rd liner I think we should all be happy. At this stage there is no guarantee he even becomes an NHL regular although he has apparently been doing well lately. At least he has the size and strength and defensive ability to probably be able to play bottom 6 in NHL. Shinkaruk lacks the size and strength and Jensen lacks the defence and consistent intensity, so those two guys are pretty much top 6 or bust. I like Gaunce and I hope he does well. There's never a guarantee as it's up to the player to succeed, but it's his first pro season so I wouldn't jump to conclusions just yet. I would LOVE to see him centering either the 3rd or 4th line down the road, like you said, he has the size and strength and he's good in his own end. We could have some serious two way center depth 5 years from now Edited February 19, 2015 by Tystick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaudette Celly Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 There's never a guarantee as it's up to the player to succeed, but it's his first pro season so I wouldn't jump to conclusions just yet. I would LOVE to see him centering either the 3rd or 4th line down the road, like you said, he has the size and strength and he's good in his own end. We could have some serious two way center depth 5 years from now Also reputed to be good on FACEOFFS(!). As are Cassels and McCann, btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dasein Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 There's never a guarantee as it's up to the player to succeed, but it's his first pro season so I wouldn't jump to conclusions just yet. You misinterpreted him - he's not saying that Gaunce won't be a NHL regular, but that it hasn't been proven yet. OP clearly likes Gaunce and hopes he does well, but all he's saying is that based on the here and now, Gaunce hasn't shown enough to guarantee himself as a sure-fire NHL regular Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
austy Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Let's not forget zalewski, he has looked pretty good since his getting scratched a few times earlier in the year. Gaunce and he look pretty tenacious on the fore check and getting involved in some effective cycling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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