Hairy Kneel Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 All our young guys took a step back to allow the Sedin's all the O zone starts.I think we'll see more from them once the Sedin's retire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-AJ- Posted January 29, 2018 Share Posted January 29, 2018 1 hour ago, CaptainLinden16 said: I really don't understand why he is playing wing. He is a big guy who plays well defensively. He has a horrible shot. I am pretty sure he is solid on faceoffs. So why is he playing LW? I honestly would have 0 complaints if he played center and could manage 50% or better on the dot. This is what I would like to see as far as experiments are concerned at the end of the year. I haven't watched a ton of games recently, so maybe you're seeing something in games that I haven't seen, but he's listed as a centreman in every source I can find; two of them list him as a C/LW. Though upon further inspection, he has taken only 82 faceoffs this year, which is interestingly low. He averages 2.73 faceoffs per game. Last year, he averaged 2.87, but in his first season, he averaged over 5. This year, his percentage has been pretty poor, but that could be due to a lack of practice as well. It is intriguing to see him not in the faceoff dot more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeneedLumme Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 6 hours ago, -AJ- said: I haven't watched a ton of games recently, so maybe you're seeing something in games that I haven't seen, but he's listed as a centreman in every source I can find; two of them list him as a C/LW. Though upon further inspection, he has taken only 82 faceoffs this year, which is interestingly low. He averages 2.73 faceoffs per game. Last year, he averaged 2.87, but in his first season, he averaged over 5. This year, his percentage has been pretty poor, but that could be due to a lack of practice as well. It is intriguing to see him not in the faceoff dot more. I had the impression that weakness on faceoffs was a big part of the reason why he mostly plays wing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-AJ- Posted January 30, 2018 Share Posted January 30, 2018 3 minutes ago, WeneedLumme said: I had the impression that weakness on faceoffs was a big part of the reason why he mostly plays wing. He was pretty strong last year in a limited sample size, but also struggled in his rookie year two years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormriders Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 People on here are often knocking Gaunce for his lack of offensive. But it's funny that I rarely hear the same comments on someone like Granlund, who in the last 17 games has less offensive than Gaunce [Granlund with 2 assists, Gaunce with 2 goals]. Ok, so relatively the same and both super low I know, but Granlund plays with much better offensive players, on the PP, AND plays a lot more minutes. And this is certainly not a knock on Granlund who I think is a very good player and has shown more offense in the NHL than Gaunce, albeit with much more opportunity and games. Now look at the other side, and at Gaunce's defensive numbers, which are better plus he certain has the bigger body which he uses very effectively in both protecting the puck and separating other players from it. Personally I really like what Gaunce brings to the team and his professionalism and work ethic. Never complains about anything, just puts his head down and does as they have asked, and gets better every year. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRAZY_4_NAZZY Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 On 1/29/2018 at 9:32 PM, WeneedLumme said: I had the impression that weakness on faceoffs was a big part of the reason why he mostly plays wing. It was mainly due to the fact that Green saw a player who has size and strength that would likely be more effective on the wing to win board battles. Before Gaunce made his stay on the wing, Green didn't like him at centre mainly because he wanted Gaunce to be more involved in the play, and at times thought Brendan coasted far too much as a centre. I was apprehensive when he was moved to the wing, because I think Gaunce is actually much smarter as a player at centre, but i do admit his projectable frame is ideal to be a winger to compete in board battles and be in front of the net to find the loose change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mll Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 Kuzma in the Province with quotes by Green on Gaunce. http://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/canucks-post-game-the-sedins-saga-the-baertschi-bag-the-guddy-plan-the-gaunce-question Travis Green said there’s a lot to like about Brendan Gaunce — size, skating, smarts and potential. It’s the last part of that assessment that’s confusing to the coach because we’re still talking about potential from a 2012 first-round draft pick trying to tailor his game to a bottom-six NHL role. A centre by trade, Gaunce was purposely shifted to the left side long ago to up his compete level, work the walls and work his way to net. He sat out the previous two games and three of the last seven because he wasn’t playing well. On Tuesday, he had an early scoring chance, killed penalties and got physically involved in a sideboards puck battle in 13:40 of ice time. But he didn’t register a hit. Is that enough? You’d to think there’s more to the guy than being a fourth-liner who kills penalties because just two goals in 31 games this season — and just three in 108 — speak pigeon-holed. “There are times when I feel like he’s on he cusp of breaking through — I don’t want to say offensively where he becomes a goal scorer — but in the role he’s playing you have to bring something to the table,” said Green. “We talked about being hard to play against.” Gaunce has just 43 hits in his 31 games. That doesn’t scream intimidating or even effective. “He has to be a heavy body who finishes checks and people know he’s on the ice,” added Green. “He shouldn’t go through a game where a team doesn’t know who you are. He’s going to figure it out and it’s up to us to get him to reach his potential — whatever that is — because we’re not sure yet. “He’s one of those guys we’re talking about. There are lots of guys who play two three or four years, but are you a guy who plays 10 to 12? “I don’t look at Gaunce like a vicious, mean player — there’s not many in the league anymore. “But if you have that element it’s not a bad one to have.” 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ossi Vaananen Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 It's true, he's sort of a PKer without an identity. Not sure what he brings beyond killing penalties. The comment of 3/4 years as opposed to 10 is quite the indictment. I'm of course rooting for the guy, but he's got to bring more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 37 minutes ago, The 5th Line said: Well I take offence to that, because I think he has little to no value, in fact, if we were to put him on waivers I bet he wouldn't even get claimed. In 110 games the guy has only scored 1 goal by actually using his stick to shoot the puck in to the net. He's big and he hits but he isn't crushing anybody, he isnt intimidating, he doesn t fight, crash the net or stir the pot. He plays good defensively and that is literally it.. I would give your comment the benefit of the doubt if this was pre-2012 when teams filled there 4th lines with enforcers and defensive specialists but hell even guys like Malholtra would still get you 10-15 goals a year. There are hundreds of players not in the league that could do exactly what Gaunce is doing, therefore, no value. 4th lines now need to be able to chip in offense or be a bull in a China shop. Gaunce probably isn't even on the team next year. And to be blunt, if you think Virtanen has average or good hockey iq (which you do) I hold your opinions on hockey with very low regard. I think there are still roles for guys like Gaunce. If he could become a top notch face-off guy, and really strong PKer, I think he could fill a spot on the fourth line. I think Gaunce is super smart, and is improving in those two areas. Although, the team does have him on the wing, which is not the best for his development. Then, his dzone starts and PK minutes could take pressure off of Bo and Sutter (soon to be Gaudette) so they could focus on more offence. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alflives Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 15 minutes ago, The 5th Line said: Sure, but we can go out and find a player who can do all that but can also score a goal every now and then or actually go out and muck it up. Very true. It would be nice to have a guy with more maturity in that role, who plays 'greasy' too. Dowed kind of fills that role. I wonder if Gaunce would have any value in trade? Maybe in a package deal, along with a guy like Tanev or Guddy, would Gaunce have value, or be a drag on the deal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormriders Posted February 1, 2018 Share Posted February 1, 2018 8 hours ago, The 5th Line said: Sure, but we can go out and find a player who can do all that but can also score a goal every now and then or actually go out and muck it up. I think you underestimate Gaunce's defensive ability. He is one of the best on the team and will get better. Just look at how Green deploys him, at key times and situations. I think he can be good on the dot and if he is an 'excellent' defender, might even be a future 3rd line centre, but at the very least 4th line. Yes he doesn't fight nor run guys through the boards, and Green would like him to be harder to play against, but he is improving and will likely get there based on his IQ and work ethic. If he can excel at those, he doesn't have to score a lot of goals, but, I think he can and will improve offensively as well. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger-Hearted Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 Great breakout game by Gaunce tonight! Not one but two clean goals by the former first round pick. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottish⑦Canuck Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 If he could do that on a more regular basis then he'd be a very useful player considering his defensive abilities. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PuckYa Posted February 2, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted February 2, 2018 Again patience is a virtue. (Players develop at different ages) All you Gaunce believers that I've read through this thread, hats off to you boys! Some of you have stuck by this kid through thick & thin with a lot more thin. (You will be rewarded shortly as I go back & review) The kid (another 1st rd draft pick which takes time to develop) is definitely part of the puzzle even in the bottom 6. 2 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_Zepp Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 On 1/31/2018 at 10:41 AM, The 5th Line said: Well I take offence to that, because I think he has little to no value, in fact, if we were to put him on waivers I bet he wouldn't even get claimed. In 110 games the guy has only scored 1 goal by actually using his stick to shoot the puck in to the net. There are hundreds of players not in the league that could do exactly what Gaunce is doing, therefore, no value. Please pick another Canuck to criticize harshly so they can too score a couple of nice goals. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger-Hearted Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 25 minutes ago, Rob_Zepp said: Please pick another Canuck to criticize harshly so they can too score a couple of nice goals. Boeser really needs to pick it up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 On 8/4/2017 at 3:10 PM, Horvats_Big_Head said: It is funny to look back into the archives of the Brendan Gaunce prospects thread. You get a real idea of how far he has fallen, both in fan perception and as an actual hockey player. I've gone back quite a ways to the year after he was drafted. There is one fellow who seemed to call it all from the very beginning, that Gaunce would be a fringe NHLer/4th liner and never make it higher, the position he finds himself in now. This poster was Dangler696969 (what a ridiculous name). People who claim to have superior hockey knowledge on this forum, like "Warhippy", "Elvis15", "Derp..." were quick to praise Gaunce, most saying he would be a Top 9 player or even possible 2nd line center. It is laughable to read some of their comments from a few years ago. Here are a few quotes: From Page 90: Dangler: Gaunce will be a permanent 4C for us, that is, unless we can trade him while his value is much higher than a 4C. Warhippy: I seriously question why people are throwing Gaunce into every proposal lately. We need a 3 C. Want to rent one? or want one for a career? That is what we are looking at with Gaunce. A true 2B center or 3rd line center star. Yes he needs to throw the body more but that will come in time. Every other aspect of his game is quite polished and generally ready for the bare least AHL duties. His foot speed/acceleration is not the best, he isn't as hard on the body as he could be. But then again neither are the twins, Thorton, Bergeron and dozens of other top tier players in the league. Derp...: Gaunce will be a Utility forward for us in the Top 9. His Smarts will put him ahead of any 4th line spot. Who does Tort's put into the top 6? --- Guys who Process the game at a very high level. What is Gaunce's strength as a hockey player? --- How he processes the game... He's too smart and works too hard to not be in the top 9. From Page 91: Warhippy: From watching some of our top prospects I can honestly say Gaunce will make it in this league as a 2b center or a solid 3rd line C The thread goes on for a while with a lot of back and forth between Dangler and most posters in the thread, with dangler all of a sudden disappearing around page 104. Lots of people were talking about his amazing shot (have yet to see that in a canucks uniform) while ignoring his skating deficiencies. He still is a terrible skater, without the necessary acceleration to create space for himself. He could get a breakaway at the red line and have any competent skater catch up to him from a long ways back. It is funny because all of these smug people were telling Dangler how wrong he was, when in reality it turned out he was completely accurate in his assessments, however elementary they were. And here we are, Gaunce scored no goals last year, has 1 career goal that was scored off of his butt, and is on the very edge of bust status. I've heard the guy isn't too pleasant either. I think its time to make room for other prospects who are knocking at the door. We no longer have room for Gaunce, unless he becomes a totally different player this year. Right now, he's a bum. So champ. How ya doin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhillipBlunt Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 1 minute ago, Warhippy said: So champ. How ya doin Boom! Slap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warhippy Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 (edited) 5 minutes ago, PhillipBlunt said: Boom! Slap! One good game doesn't make or break anything but the kids quietly putting together a solid sophomore year on the 4th line for a guy most had written off. Manny and coach Green are doing well by him Edited February 2, 2018 by Warhippy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaudette Celly Posted February 2, 2018 Share Posted February 2, 2018 Don't know how anyone could write him off if they were actually watching him play... but then that's probably the answer -- stat-sheet watching. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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