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Brendan Gaunce | C/LW


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With Gaunce playing left wing mainly last season in Utica, I wonder if he has a leg up on our other wingers like Shinkaruk, Jensen, Kenins and Grenier (maybe even Vey, Kassian and Baertschi?) He can take faceoffs, is an absolute bull and physical beast out there and has NHL size for sure. The speed may not be there but he plays a good 200-foot game similar to how Horvat did when he came into the NHL. I honestly think he'll be the first winger to make the club.

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With Gaunce playing left wing mainly last season in Utica, I wonder if he has a leg up on our other wingers like Shinkaruk, Jensen, Kenins and Grenier (maybe even Vey, Kassian and Baertschi?) He can take faceoffs, is an absolute bull and physical beast out there and has NHL size for sure. The speed may not be there but he plays a good 200-foot game similar to how Horvat did when he came into the NHL. I honestly think he'll be the first winger to make the club.

Baer's basically already on the NHL club (as are Kassian and Vey). Grenier's probably ahead of him (though just slightly) and then Kenins. But yes, he'll likely get games before Shink and definitely Jensen.

Particularly as it's easier to break in to a bottom 6 role as opposed to a guy like Shink who would need at least a middle 6 role or nothing.

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I still think that Province article had it, Gaunce will be a Canuck next season. He would definitely be useful on the big club, a big winger than can bang and kill penalties is useful to us, and helps the transition process.

I think, however unlikely, we could be looking at this next season:

Sedin - Sedin - Burrows

Baertschi - Bonino - Vrbata

Gaunce - Horvat - Kassian

Higgins - Vey - Hansen

Dorsett

Edler - Tanev

Hamhuis - Corrado

Sbisa - Cledening

Weber, Stanton

Miller

Markstrom

I have Bieksa and Lack being traded, and Matthias/Richardson walking to free agency. Dorsett should obviously draw in the lineup before Vey, but he is merely there a centre. I believe Higgins started as a centre with Montreal, so Dorsett - Higgins - Hansen could be the 4th line. Either way, that's a team that can role 4 lines. I'd just like to see the sheer size and dominance of a Gaunce - Horvat - Kassian line out there. Hopefully a PK pairing of Gaunce - Horvat to build some chemistry.

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I think Gaunce has a legitimate shot to get NHL time next season but I don't think he will be a full time guy unless the Canucks trade at least 2 wingers and don't replace them through those trades or through free agency.

I think Kenins still has a leg up on Gaunce as well. Kenins is not expected to develop into a top 6 guy. Although he has shown skill, I think what will keep him in the league is showing that he can play a consistent physical game. Kenins is also easier to healthy scratch if needed.

My partial line up is:

Sedin - Sedin - 1RW

Baertschi - Bonino - Vrbata

3LW - Horvat - Hansen

4LW - 4C - Dorsett

1RW: could be filled by Kass, Burr or Vrbata from current roster guys. Grenier and Virtanen are longshots IMO. Depends on trades.

3LW: could be Burr or Higgins, even Baer. Kenins played well with Horvat but will be interesting to see his training camp. Gaunce has a shot too but there may be too much veteran competition.

4LW: Higgins, if he is not traded. Kenins would be a strong candidate as well. Gaunce has a chance to slip in here I think but it's less likely IMO.

4C: Vey for now. I'm not a Vey hater but I would be shocked if he is kept as a bottom six center based purely on his inability to win faceoffs. Not sure who could legitimately challenge for position from within. Cassels will have a big jump to make but I guess it's possible. Friesen is a possibility too IMO but I think they'll probably try sign someone.

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I still think that Province article had it, Gaunce will be a Canuck next season. He would definitely be useful on the big club, a big winger than can bang and kill penalties is useful to us, and helps the transition process.

I think, however unlikely, we could be looking at this next season:

Sedin - Sedin - Burrows

Baertschi - Bonino - Vrbata

Gaunce - Horvat - Kassian

Higgins - Vey - Hansen

Dorsett

Edler - Tanev

Hamhuis - Corrado

Sbisa - Cledening

Weber, Stanton

Miller

Markstrom

I have Bieksa and Lack being traded, and Matthias/Richardson walking to free agency. Dorsett should obviously draw in the lineup before Vey, but he is merely there a centre. I believe Higgins started as a centre with Montreal, so Dorsett - Higgins - Hansen could be the 4th line. Either way, that's a team that can role 4 lines. I'd just like to see the sheer size and dominance of a Gaunce - Horvat - Kassian line out there. Hopefully a PK pairing of Gaunce - Horvat to build some chemistry.

Disagree with the forward group somewhat. Paying Dorsett 2.65 mill to sit on the bench? not happening

Sedin-Sedin-Kassian

Baertschi-Horvat-Vrbata

Gaunce-Bonino-Burrows

Dorsett-Richardson-Hansen

Defence and Goalies are spot on

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Disagree with the forward group somewhat. Paying Dorsett 2.65 mill to sit on the bench? not happening

Sedin-Sedin-Kassian

Baertschi-Horvat-Vrbata

Gaunce-Bonino-Burrows

Dorsett-Richardson-Hansen

Defence and Goalies are spot on

Kassian has played his lest game as a Canuck for 99.99% after hearing Benning talk

Benning said that Horvat really started to come into his own when Kennins joined big club (so they stay together)

So see more of a forward group like (if Gaunce makes it and they ship out Higgy)

(Greenday also has a shot at the big club as well)

Danny Hank Burr

Bear Bones Bataman (may also be gone)

Kennins BoHo Hansen

Gaunce Vey Dorsette

But either way its an exciting time from now till opening day

:canucks::towel::bigblush::towel::canucks:

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Kassian has played his lest game as a Canuck for 99.99% after hearing Benning talk

Benning said that Horvat really started to come into his own when Kennins joined big club (so they stay together)

So see more of a forward group like (if Gaunce makes it and they ship out Higgy)

(Greenday also has a shot at the big club as well)

Danny Hank Burr

Bear Bones Bataman (may also be gone)

Kennins BoHo Hansen

Gaunce Vey Dorsette

But either way its an exciting time from now till opening day

:canucks::towel::bigblush::towel::canucks:

Which interview did Benning talk about a Kassian trade? And if that is the roster we are starting the season with, we are going to be getting some real good picks next draft.

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Which interview did Benning talk about a Kassian trade? And if that is the roster we are starting the season with, we are going to be getting some real good picks next draft.

Isn't that what people thought last season?

Time to put some faith in the young guys. It's not like the vets are getting it done.

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Disagree with the forward group somewhat. Paying Dorsett 2.65 mill to sit on the bench? not happening

Sedin-Sedin-Kassian

Baertschi-Horvat-Vrbata

Gaunce-Bonino-Burrows

Dorsett-Richardson-Hansen

Defence and Goalies are spot on

That would be a fun lineup, but I think Virtanen makes the team. That means Gaunce probably is first call up.

Edit: or Gaunce plays fourth line centre...cassels is a darkhorse for that spot too.

Edited by Knucklehd
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OMG - - - - There is so much competition from the younger guys pushing for spots, how are they going to figure this all out over a 3-day training camp and 3 exhibitions? and Yes Gaunce is coming into his own now for sure

Edited by Lucky Day
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Sedin-Sedin-Vrbata
Baerstchi-Bonino-Kassian
Burrows-Horvat-Hansen
Gaunce-Cassels-Dorsett

Not a physical line-up by any stretch of the imagination but Horvat is in a slightly better position to succeed and Gaunce and Cassels can learn from Dorsett much the same way that Horvat did last year. Kassian can play his game distributing to two shooters and play physical in the crease. Vey doesn't slot into the line-up, but would probably be in Cassels position in the event of a poor training camp from Cassels, which probably won't happen. Could also see Grenier winning a spot at 4C.

Edited by TheHitman
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OMG - - - - There is so much competition from the younger guys pushing for spots, how are they going to figure this all out over a 3-day training camp and 3 exhibitions? and Yes Gaunce is coming into his own now for sure

Trades a-comin'.

Postulating they cycle in Gaunce/Grenier/maybe Shinkaruk during the season for injuries then move Vrbata at the TDL and put the most-ready of them in.

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Sedin-Sedin-Vrbata

Baerstchi-Bonino-Kassian

Burrows-Horvat-Hansen

Gaunce-Cassels-Dorsett

Not a physical line-up by any stretch of the imagination but Horvat is in a slightly better position to succeed and Gaunce and Cassels can learn from Dorsett much the same way that Horvat did last year. Kassian can play his game distributing to two shooters and play physical in the crease. Vey doesn't slot into the line-up, but would probably be in Cassels position in the event of a poor training camp from Cassels, which probably won't happen. Could also see Grenier winning a spot at 4C.

Don't think Grenier has ever played C before so I doubt he will be a C.

I don't see how Cassels will be 4C next year unless he has an outstanding camp. I think we will keep Vey has an extra forward that can slot in during injuries. I think we will re-sign Richardson to a 1-2 year contract to be our regular 4C.

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