hockeyking Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 In the two games played in the prospects tourney he drove the net hard, had great puck protection and a lot of plays he started ended with a shot on net, by him or a linemate. I like his hockey iq, his size, his determination to make the big club, but most of all he seems classy! Just like Trevor Linden was (still is) In my opinion he looks like a Shawn Matthias. A big guy who fore-checks but not really hits, can play center and defense, and drives to the net. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5 decades and no cup Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 In my opinion he looks like a Shawn Matthias. A big guy who fore-checks but not really hits, can play center and defense, and drives to the net. Matthias is a better skater than Gaunce, but I think Brendan is much better along the boards and has a much higher hockey IQ. He is also very poised and appears to be the 'character and leader' type that JB likes. Gaunce also has the advantage of developing in a very good system and will likely reach his potential, whereas Matthias had....Florida. I think he is more like Higgins, but maybe not as good offensively. I see Gaunce ending up as a very good 3rd liner. Imo, Gaunce is ahead of Virt in NHL readiness, but will be sent back to Utica because he is waiver exempt. He will get plenty of callups due to injuries and then make the team at trade deadline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putgolzin Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 yes, Markstrom.....forgot about him. as a canucks fan since 1974, it is an amazing thing to see so many young players within reach of the big club.........even more amazing to see a management group willing to develop them properly I feel like it's the best crop of prospects we've ever had, like this could be a REALLY good team...although I always think about that group coming up just prior to the WCE really kicking off (Schaeffer, Druken, Holden, Cooke, Ruutu, Allen, Kariya, etc..). Hindsights 20/20 but at the time we were all excited cause that group was SUPPOSED to become good ... they just never did that much. You think any chance these guys collectively underachieve in similar fashion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeyking Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 (edited) Matthias is a better skater than Gaunce, but I think Brendan is much better along the boards and has a much higher hockey IQ. He is also very poised and appears to be the 'character and leader' type that JB likes. Gaunce also has the advantage of developing in a very good system and will likely reach his potential, whereas Matthias had....Florida. I think he is more like Higgins, but maybe not as good offensively. I see Gaunce ending up as a very good 3rd liner. Imo, Gaunce is ahead of Virt in NHL readiness, but will be sent back to Utica because he is waiver exempt. He will get plenty of callups due to injuries and then make the team at trade deadline. Higgins is way more physical along the boards and is a faster skater than Gaunce. Besides defensive capabilities they are nothing alike.Only way I see him becoming a good 3rd liner is if he becomes more physical along the boards or increase his speed and offensive capabilities. Edited September 18, 2015 by hockeyking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stawns Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 Higgins is way more physical along the boards and is a faster skater than Gaunce. Besides defensive capabilities they are nothing alike.Only way I see him becoming a good 3rd liner is if he becomes more physical along the boards or increase his speed and offensive capabilities. I think its well within the bounds of reality that Gaunce ends up as a solid 2nd line fwd, 18-20 goals, 40ish points and rock solid two way game with excellent leadership. He'll be a letter man, almost certainly down the road. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted September 18, 2015 Share Posted September 18, 2015 Higgins is way more physical along the boards and is a faster skater than Gaunce. Besides defensive capabilities they are nothing alike.Only way I see him becoming a good 3rd liner is if he becomes more physical along the boards or increase his speed and offensive capabilities. Higgins wasn't always as fast as he is now FWIW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeyking Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 I think its well within the bounds of reality that Gaunce ends up as a solid 2nd line fwd, 18-20 goals, 40ish points and rock solid two way game with excellent leadership. He'll be a letter man, almost certainly down the road. Its within bounds but also is him not even becoming an nhler at this point. Hes got things going for him but If he doesn't improve on his physicality, speed or offensive skill I just don't see him being anything in the NHL. He is missing intangibles of a third liner like speed and physicality eg, dorsett, Hansen, Higgins, torres, burrows, richardson, kesler, cook, ruutu, and lapierre. I hope he does does improve he just hast to be more faster and physical. I would be happy If he reaches richardson speed and physicality. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nave Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 (edited) I think Virtanen and Gaunce could both be on the team if injuries struck, but that would require Gaunce going to Utica 1st. Gaunce could be very useful on the penalty kill, and in the bottom 6, which may give him the edge over Virtanen. Edited September 19, 2015 by NaveJoseph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nave Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 (edited) Its within bounds but also is him not even becoming an nhler at this point. Hes got things going for him but If he doesn't improve on his physicality, speed or offensive skill I just don't see him being anything in the NHL. He is missing intangibles of a third liner like speed and physicality eg, dorsett, Hansen, Higgins, torres, burrows, richardson, kesler, cook, ruutu, and lapierre. I hope he does does improve he just hast to be more faster and physical. I would be happy If he reaches richardson speed and physicality. Gaunce's top speed is not that bad. It's just his acceleration that needs improvement, and his first step has gotten better. He's also fairly physical, and good at protecting the puck. He doesn't get caught out of position very often, and is hard to play against. Edited September 19, 2015 by NaveJoseph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWMc1 Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Its within bounds but also is him not even becoming an nhler at this point. Hes got things going for him but If he doesn't improve on his physicality, speed or offensive skill I just don't see him being anything in the NHL. He is missing intangibles of a third liner like speed and physicality eg, dorsett, Hansen, Higgins, torres, burrows, richardson, kesler, cook, ruutu, and lapierre. I hope he does does improve he just hast to be more faster and physical. I would be happy If he reaches richardson speed and physicality. Conjecture and opinion. My opinion is that Gaunce will be the first called up on the left side and he will be a starter in the 2016/17 season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derp... Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Gaunce's top speed is not that bad. It's just his acceleration that needs improvement, and his first step has gotten better. He's also fairly physical, and good at protecting the puck. He doesn't get caught out of position very often, and is hard to play against. I swear I read this back in 2012 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME Posted September 19, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted September 19, 2015 (edited) I swear I read this back in 2012 You probably did. It's been a topic of conversation around Gaunce for years. And it's also true that he'd been working (and improving) on his skating for years. But his cerebral style of play on the ice is one that tends to draw "too slow" criticisms from many observers' "eye tests" and biases. Gaunce himself has addressed the issue many times. Here's a selection from what is probably the definitive interview on the subject: The little things often go unnoticed. Fans rarely cheer for a forward on the back check. Even though coaches preach and appreciate the defence, it never ends up on the highlights. It’s also a part of the criticism Gaunce says he hears in regards to his energy on the ice. “I just want to play with pace,” said Gaunce, who works out in the summer with fitness guru Gary Roberts. “That’s a big thing for me. Some people think that I don’t always play a high-tempo game and I can give you my reasons why I don’t play with a high-tempo all the time or full pace all the time.” So let’s hear it. “You want my honest answer?” Of course. “Some people skate around the ice and they do nothing,” explained Gaunce. “But it looks good because they’re skating hard, but they’re not doing anything or accomplishing anything. What’s the point of wasting that energy if that’s all you’re going to do? “Fans love it when players go hard and check the boards – miss the guy – they think that’s energy. But ... that’s wasted energy. That’s just my opinion.’’ No matter what people think – whether it’s a former NHL coach, the fans or even the media – Gaunce says he’s comfortable charting his own course in the game. “People can brand me however they want. They can brand me as a fourth-liner. It doesn’t bother me that much. I know what I need to do in the summer and I know what I need to do to be an NHLer, and that’s it.” http://sports.yahoo.com/news/for-belleville-s-brendan-gaunce--there-s-no-crying-in-hockey-194647701.html I've been a fan of Gaunce since his first junior season but it was after he gave that interview that he became one of my favourite players in the Canucks system. Just a smart, smart player (and also highly intelligent outside of the game). Rare to hear from a teenager (he was 19 at the time of the interview) who thinks the game at that high of a level (and one who just happens to see the game the same way I do ). EDIT: corrected stupid autocorrects Edited September 19, 2015 by SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stawns Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 You probably did. It's been a topic of conversation around Gaunce for years. And it's also true that he'd been working (and improving) on his skating for years. But his cerebral style of play on the ice is one that tends to draw "too slow" criticisms from many observers' "eye tests" and biases. Gaunce himself has addressed the issue many times. Here's a selection from what is probably the definitive interview on the subject: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/for-belleville-s-brendan-gaunce--there-s-no-crying-in-hockey-194647701.html I've been a fan of Gaunce since his first junior season but it was after he gave that interview that he became one of my favourite players in the Canucks system. Just a smart, smart player (and also highly intelligent outside of the game). Rare to hear from a teenager (he was 19 at the time of the interview) who thinks the game at that high of a level (and one who just happens to see the game the same way I do ). EDIT: corrected stupid autocorrects I agree completely and was thrilled when the Canucks picked him. I may be more excited for his impact in the next 5 years than any other prospect. He and Bo are going to a formidable leadership force in the league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWMc1 Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 I swear I read this back in 2012 There are reports on every new prospect. The issue is that certain fans cling to these and can't adjust there viewpoint to changes these players have made and the way they have developed. Keep in mind that Gaunce was drafted as a center. His game is much better suited to the wing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nave Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 You probably did. It's been a topic of conversation around Gaunce for years. And it's also true that he'd been working (and improving) on his skating for years. But his cerebral style of play on the ice is one that tends to draw "too slow" criticisms from many observers' "eye tests" and biases. Gaunce himself has addressed the issue many times. Here's a selection from what is probably the definitive interview on the subject: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/for-belleville-s-brendan-gaunce--there-s-no-crying-in-hockey-194647701.html I've been a fan of Gaunce since his first junior season but it was after he gave that interview that he became one of my favourite players in the Canucks system. Just a smart, smart player (and also highly intelligent outside of the game). Rare to hear from a teenager (he was 19 at the time of the interview) who thinks the game at that high of a level (and one who just happens to see the game the same way I do ). Kind of reminds me of games with my friend (whatever sport)--I'm very competitive, and a pretty fast runner, but he angles me out in a way that forces me to keep running in circles, and when we both run in a straight line, he shows he can keep up wit me. Gaunce showed some surprising speed on the forecheck. Crept up to unsuspecting defenders. Derp is right in saying he read this 3 years ago (I shadowed these forums myself), but I think its more true now that he has worked on his speed a bit. Even though he has improved, he still plays a positional game. Sticks to his guns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Kind of reminds me of games with my friend (whatever sport)--I'm very competitive, and a pretty fast runner, but he angles me out in a way that forces me to keep running in circles, and when we both run in a straight line, he shows he can keep up wit me. Gaunce showed some surprising speed on the forecheck. Crept up to unsuspecting defenders. Derp is right in saying he read this 3 years ago (I shadowed these forums myself), but I think its more true now that he has worked on his speed a bit. Even though he has improved, he still plays a positional game. Sticks to his guns. It's nice to hear he has good top end speed. I think an issue was his quickness, especially in the D zone. Does he move his feet quickly enough to keep good position? Does he look wuicker too? Wow! I think he's going to be a really good player for us. Plus he's super smart, and a natural leader. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nave Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 (edited) It's nice to hear he has good top end speed. I think an issue was his quickness, especially in the D zone. Does he move his feet quickly enough to keep good position? Does he look wuicker too? Wow! I think he's going to be a really good player for us. Plus he's super smart, and a natural leader. He's not very quick, but moves his feet in a measured way so he's not out of position. His long stride is fine, but he could speed up those quick movements needed for acceleration. Mogilny was faster than Bure at top speed, but Bure could get to top speed in two steps. It's the latter Gaunce needs to improve on. Edited September 19, 2015 by NaveJoseph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5 decades and no cup Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 He's not very quick, but moves his feet in a measured way so he's not out of position. His long stride is fine, but he could speed up those quick movements needed for acceleration. Mogilny was faster than Bure at top speed, but Bure could get to top speed in two steps. It's the latter Gaunce needs to improve on. His skating has really improved, as seen at the prospect games. Like the Sedins, he has massive hockey IQ, so he's one of the first guys on the ice that knows where to go to be in postition. I don't think his speed is going to be a problem in the NHL. He seems to have some similar characteristics to Bo. Very smart player that works hard and is invested in learing to be the best he can be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil_314 Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Like his showing out there tonight, especially when he flew down the wing to test the keeper after dancing the D-man. With his combination of size, skill and decent shot I wonder if he would ever get a shot next to the Twins? With his size he can work down low and also fire dangerous shots away, and like Burr he can hustle up the wing as needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuxfanabroad Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 Just BUGGS me how noone can spell Guance's name..for this reason, we might have to part ways. Just think of guava juice, people! Yer' all wellcom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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