Brendan Gaunce | C/LW

[JM_]

2 hours ago, Borderline Canuck said:

That was my point.  He hasn't been put in any offensive situations here.  He's been used as a defensive specialist .  As far as not putting up points in the AHL neither did Goldy.  In 2016-2017 in the minors Goldy had 15 goals, 26 assists for 41 points in 46 games.  Gaunce at Utica in 2015-2016 had 17 goals,21 assists for 38 points in 46 games.  I don't think Gaunce will ever be a scoring phenom but there is some offensive upside there.

he's been used as a d specialist because he doesn't have an NHL offensive game. Early on in his career he did get time with Bo e.g., but he just doesn't have the skill set which is why Green is re-tooling his game. But like was pointed out above, he really needs to add something to it to earn a regular job, like more hitting or grit.

[JM_]

2 hours ago, higgyfan said:

That's not entirely true, Jimmy.  In his 2nd year with Utica, he put up 38pts in 46 games.  Green was his coach.

 

He was 2nd overall in the OHL draft (behind Galchenyuk) and was always in the top 2 scorers on his subsequent teams.

 

The problem for Gaunce, is that he always played on mediocre teams (OHL to AHL and now NHL) that didn't have much in the way of scoring power; so inevitably had to play a more defensive game.  With his great hockey sense and large frame, it was easy for him to adapt to the defensive role and he was encouraged to do so by his coaches.

 

After all the years of developing his defensive game, it would be unlikely for him to suddenly become the offensive player he once was.  But, I do see him putting up 20-30pts as the Canucks become a more offensive team.  What's interesting, is that 3rd overall in the same OHL draft was Scott Laughton.  This is the player that I see as most comparable to Gaunce; although he isn't as skilled defensively. 

 

20-30pts along with his defensive acuman would be valuable to our team.  Green knows this and that is why he want him in Vancouver.

 

That kind of production would be fantastic. I don't put a lot of stock into OHL or even AHL numbers tbh, even Archie could pot 25 goals. When you compare shot quality on "eye test" e.g., you can see Goldy has an elite shot where BG doesn't, despite roughly similar numbers. 

 

By all accounts Gaunce is a quality guy tho, and he's not really a kid anymore. I'd expect him to make this offseason really count and come to camp and make an impression if he wants a spot.  

[aGENT]

4 minutes ago, Jimmy McGill said:

he's been used as a d specialist because he doesn't have an NHL offensive game. Early on in his career he did get time with Bo e.g., but he just doesn't have the skill set which is why Green is re-tooling his game. But like was pointed out above, he really needs to add something to it to earn a regular job, like more hitting or grit.

Not that I disagree, I'd welcome a 'meaner' Gaunce, but you could say largely the same things about Tanev. 

 

 

[JM_]

2 minutes ago, aGENT said:

Not that I disagree, I'd welcome a 'meaner' Gaunce, but you could say largely the same things about Tanev. 

 

 

hmm.... except Tanev has proven himself to be an elite shot suppression D. 

 

I wish someone made one of those videos of all of BGs shifts, I'd like to go back and see how he really did against the tougher competition. 

[aGENT]

7 hours ago, Jimmy McGill said:

hmm.... except Tanev has proven himself to be an elite shot suppression D. 

 

I wish someone made one of those videos of all of BGs shifts, I'd like to go back and see how he really did against the tougher competition. 

Now I'm not saying he's elite/the same level as Tanev (and obviously a different position) but Gaunce has a similar effect in the defensive end. He simply absorbs offensive forays and turns the puck the other way. 

 

It's not flashy, it doesn't translate to loads of direct offense, but it is important and valuable. 

Edited April 10, 2018 by aGENT

[higgyfan]

20 hours ago, Jimmy McGill said:

That kind of production would be fantastic. I don't put a lot of stock into OHL or even AHL numbers tbh, even Archie could pot 25 goals. When you compare shot quality on "eye test" e.g., you can see Goldy has an elite shot where BG doesn't, despite roughly similar numbers. 

 

By all accounts Gaunce is a quality guy tho, and he's not really a kid anymore. I'd expect him to make this offseason really count and come to camp and make an impression if he wants a spot.  

You were the one that brought up the AHL.

 

I was just pointing out that playing on teams that were terrible offensively probably inhibited his development, his main focus was on the defensive side of the game. 

 

Yes, Goldy has an elite shot, but he struggles in other areas of the game.  At the moment, I would say that Gaunce has a better shot at staying in the NHL than Goldy though.

 

With the Canucks becoming a more offensively minded team, I think Gaunce will improve his point totals.  He likely would have got 15pts this year (without the injury) and I expect he will improve on that in the upcoming years.  Malholtra lite maybe.

[-AJ-]

The more I look at it, the more it seems Gaunce had an amazing season, even if shortened a lot by injuries. I didn't realize it until now, but Gaunce had somewhat of an offensive "explosion" this year. Just take a look at these statistics:

 

In addition to setting a career high in goals and points, he did it in 20 less games than his 5 points last year, meaning a 77% increase in points-per-game production. Also, keep in mind, all of that was while starting a paltry 14.9% of his face-offs in the offensive zone. Additionally, despite that low start percentage, his +/- was at 0; better than last year even though last year had a 42.2% offensive zone start rate. I'd be genuinely curious to see what his Corsi would be if he was back up to last year's zone start rate. 

[AlwaysACanuckFan]

 

 

 

[Lancaster]

Hopefully his training will pay off.  Upcoming training camp and preseason will probably make/break his NHL career.

[gameburn]

18 minutes ago, Lancaster said:

Hopefully his training will pay off.  Upcoming training camp and preseason will probably make/break his NHL career.

And with the new FA players just signed, it's not going to get easier.  Still, I think he could be a poor man's Kopitar if his skating/offensive game picks up.

[elvis15]

I'm still a fan of his for what he does, and his character, but he'll be in tough to find a spot with the Canucks. Hopefully his offseason does yield results and he can find a place.

[-AJ-]

These off-season moves put Gaunce in a very very difficult spot. His defense is too good to be in the AHL, but his offense is holding him back right now. I think he'll be in tough to hold down a regular spot unless he surprises with a lot of offense compared to previous years.

[TGT68]

Yup.  It is gonna be tough for Gaunce fo make the Canucks this year.  He needs to outplay Schaller and Archibald or I don't see how he isn't waived to Utica and possibly lost.  

[mll]

13 hours ago, -AJ- said:

These off-season moves put Gaunce in a very very difficult spot. His defense is too good to be in the AHL, but his offense is holding him back right now. I think he'll be in tough to hold down a regular spot unless he surprises with a lot of offense compared to previous years.

Not sure it's his offence holding him back but maybe more his limited aggressiveness.  Earlier in the year Green was talking about Gaunce and how he shouldn't just go through shifts unnoticed.  He said meanness wouldn't be a bad element to have.

 

[aGENT]

21 hours ago, elvis15 said:

I'm still a fan of his for what he does, and his character, but he'll be in tough to find a spot with the Canucks. Hopefully his offseason does yield results and he can find a place.

He could still find a place with Beagle and Schaller as a pretty formidable shut down/dzone/match up line. But yup, the competition is going to be intense. Boys are all going to be bringing it and fighting for jobs 

[dpn1]

Congratz to #50 on his fiftieth page.  

[bigbadcanucks]

Is it just me or does anyone else think (hope) that this is the season that Brendan Gaunce breaks out and becomes a legit 15G-15A forward in the NHL?  From what's been reported, this is the first off-season that Gaunce hasn't had to rehab an injury and is the beneficiary of a full off-season of training. 

 

Gonna be interesting to see how Gaunce starts the seaso...and if all goes well, am hoping to see him as a solid contributor in every zone of the ice this season.

[Rob_Zepp]

Very important year in the career of B Gaunce.   No more excuses for him - he is no longer a "kid", he is healthy and he has had a full (and long) off-season to train like his career depends on it (and it does).   I am pulling for him just as I am for anyone holding onto their NHL dream but if he cannot show he has some offensive chops, not sure he will be in the NHL with the Canucks for much longer.

[Kanukfanatic]

13 hours ago, bigbadcanucks said:

Is it just me or does anyone else think (hope) that this is the season that Brendan Gaunce breaks out and becomes a legit 15G-15A forward in the NHL?  From what's been reported, this is the first off-season that Gaunce hasn't had to rehab an injury and is the beneficiary of a full off-season of training. 

 

Gonna be interesting to see how Gaunce starts the seaso...and if all goes well, am hoping to see him as a solid contributor in every zone of the ice this season.

I don't have very high hopes for Gaunce based on his last couple years. However, it would be awesome if he broke out like you are describing.

[Boudrias]

13 hours ago, Rob_Zepp said:

Very important year in the career of B Gaunce.   No more excuses for him - he is no longer a "kid", he is healthy and he has had a full (and long) off-season to train like his career depends on it (and it does).   I am pulling for him just as I am for anyone holding onto their NHL dream but if he cannot show he has some offensive chops, not sure he will be in the NHL with the Canucks for much longer.

Always considered Gaunce the poster child for the rebuild (Horvat exempted). He paid his dues in Utica and moved up to the Canucks at a measured pace. I agree he has to put some points up but also up his physical game. Not suggesting fisticuffs. He has the size and speed to be harder to play against. I thought he started to show his real potential on the 4th line last year when his line often played their shifts in the ozone. Good board work and great possession time. Still think he has 3rd line potential.