Rollieo Del Fuego Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 I'd rather see him playing a big role in London this year, and play in the World Juniors, than warming the bench here at 19 years of age. That is a horrible development plan; strictly third tier, Canadian franchise perennial doormat stuff. Besides, his play likely hasn't wowed management in the same way it seems to have moved everybody here so much. I'm very pleased with his progress but he isn't ready for prime time yet. Playing fourth line minutes in 45 games and then being sent to Utica to try to get his game back is definitely not the way to go here. His play has wowed management more then the majority of CDC'rs it would seem. The coaches are better at picking out positioning and team play. Most of the negatories on here want to see the toe drag, top shelf goal, which is fine, he does that too. It just isn't the main thing Bo does. Bo plays Hockey, some CDC'rs want shinny 10-8 scores, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rollieo Del Fuego Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 It sure would, except Bo would be on the fourth line getting no pp time at all. He's far from "mastering" the defensive side of the game. For example, he was caught quite a few times in no man's land on point shots where he didn't realize and was caught awkwardly between the shooter and the goalie and creating a screen. If you're not in position to block, get out of the way, or get closer to the shooter to try to take away the shot. His defense is pretty good and he could pass in the NHL but he still has lots to learn to master the defensive side of the game in the NHL. Also if he does have great offensive potential, then we might be better of sending him back to junior to develop that further in London's 1st line than have him stuck in a limited role on Vancouver's 4th line. Bo is a center, he is not supposed to be covering the points, his job is in the center of the ice. So if he was covering the point he was doing it for a winger that was caught out of position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogbyte Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 I didn't say he needs to go back to junior to perfect his defensive game. The OP I responded to seemed to think Bo had great offensive potential, in which case it's better to let him go back to London and realize those offensive potential playing top minutes rather than play a limited role on the 4th line in Vancouver. If Bo goes back this year, it's not going to make him better defensively next year or get him any more ready for the NHL in terms of defense. Those little plays, like you say, can only be learned at the pro level. The only reason we should send Bo back is if there is more offense in his game that could blossom playing top minutes in London rather than 4th line minutes in Vancouver. Going back would basically set Bo back a year on getting acclimated to NHL speed, but at the same time, if going back to junior for another year means his offense reaches a ceiling it never would if he stayed on a 4th line role here, I would say it's worth it in the long run. Besides, he would only need a few games to catch up to game speed next season if he made the jump then instead of now. It would be a minute difference, if any. I don't have the answer. That being said, I think Bo has more offense that he can realize in junior, but at the same time, it's tempting to keep him since he seems like he just needs a few games to get acclimated to the NHL and be good enough to play a 4th line role. It's going to be a tough decision for management to make - whether keeping Bo at age 19 or sending Bo back is good for the long term. I think he'll get a few games as well. It would certainly make the season more exciting if Bo made the team. Terrific post +1. Like you said I think it's basically a toss up and personal preference of the management I think. Do they really think they have a chance to do some damage this year and does that weigh into the decision? Can we afford to let him play in the NHL just to see what happens, or is management going to play things very conservative in the next couple years and just keep building until the team reflects more of Trevor and Jim's vision? As you mentioned he can definitely hone his offensive game at the junior level. After getting some serious NHL training camp and game action he will most likely be supremely confident in his fourth junior year. 100 point clip wouldn't surprise me and could be a huge stepping stone. If he stays with the team the steep learning curve starts now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckledraggin Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 It really is a travesty that he is not able to go to the AHL to refine his game as a pro this year. Playing against teenagers is not what he needs at this stage of his development as it's clear he is going to be a bonafide NHL center. It's also pretty clear that he will break into the league as a defensive specialist and the team will not be relying on him to pitch in offensively. Even in London he's going to put in the 2c position as the shutdown center. That's not Hunter's fault for putting him in that role, but he knows what Bo can do against the other teams' top players. Right now it looks as though the injury may have been a blessing in disguise. He can be sent down to Utica for a conditioning stint, come back to the Canucks for his 9 games, go back to London and play in the WJC all in the same year. Playing in 3 leagues and an all-star tournament might be the best thing for his development at this point and would set him up for making the team next year. He did look like he was the better option than Vey or Matthias at center in the preseason games until last game, when Matthias stepped up his game and looked pretty good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2SKATES1STICK Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Doubt it's long term. He was able to get to the bench on his own. Probably just didn't play him for precautionary reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dasein Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Bo is a center, he is not supposed to be covering the points, his job is in the center of the ice. So if he was covering the point he was doing it for a winger that was caught out of position. Or they made a switch and he didn't get to the point fast enough. It's not a rule that a center doesn't cover the point man. Everyone has defensive zone responsibilities and players switch all the time to make it work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rollieo Del Fuego Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 Or they made a switch and he didn't get to the point fast enough. It's not a rule that a center doesn't cover the point man. Everyone has defensive zone responsibilities and players switch all the time to make it work. Ya but if the switch is a bit late in happening, especially in pre season, is there really any blame to throw around? If so who is to blame Horvat or the winger he was trying to cover for? All you see is Horvat not getting there in time ( I don't remember this event but whatever) maybe the winger was late calling the switch, maybe Horvat was dealing with his own man? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheSnipeshow91 Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 You must know alot about his injury eh? Stuff like this happens all the time in Ice hockey. He's no Gaudreau. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Vintage Canuck- Posted October 5, 2014 Author Share Posted October 5, 2014 Jeff Paterson @patersonjeff Horvat's shoulder showing no signs of fatigue signing autograph after autograph on #Canucks concourse pic.twitter.com/leJLQjTyov Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rollieo Del Fuego Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 Jeff Paterson @patersonjeff Horvat's shoulder showing no signs of fatigue signing autograph after autograph on #Canucks concourse pic.twitter.com/leJLQjTyov But...it was his left shoulder that took the hit... Go Bo get well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Vintage Canuck- Posted October 5, 2014 Author Share Posted October 5, 2014 Jason Botchford @botchford Horvat says his shoulder has been getting a lot better but still having treatment. Could he play Wednesday? "I'm not sure yet" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rollieo Del Fuego Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 I guess he just had to catch up with the autographs, not enough time for the last pre season game! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Off_The_Schneid! Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 It certainly seems as if the canucks have missed Bo the last couple of games. Could be the fact that Richardson is also out but it definitely seems like faceoffs haven't been as good with Mathias and vey. Definitely is saying something when the rookie is missed, I think he deserves a spot Sedin Sedin vrbata Burrows bonino Higgins Matthias Horvat Vey Dorset. Richardson Kassian Jensen Sestito Hansen Man every time I do a line up there's too many guys. I think Hansen and Jensen deserve a spot. This is a tough one. Too many players it would appear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dasein Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 (edited) I think it's more that we really miss Richardson. That being said, Richardson is not going to play all 82 games. With all the hard minutes he's going to eat up, he's bound to miss a handful. In his absence, I did notice that it is nice to have an option B like Horvat. Although, it should be noted that he struggled against Arizona in faceoffs. I wouldn't say Bo is good at faceoffs at this level until he faces some of the better teams - other than Arizona, he's only faced Calgary and Edmonton so far and these two teams are known to be atrocious in the faceoff circle. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to keep Horvat as the 4C who slides up to 3C whenever Richardson is injured. I think Bo will get his 9 games to see if we should keep him - since we are carrying 14 forwards, I don't think we need to trade or lose anyone via waivers if we send Jensen down. Should Bo prove that he is not ready or Benning think that Bo has more offensive potential that can be realized in London that will make him a better player in the long run, we can send him down after 9 games and bring Jensen back up. Edited October 5, 2014 by Dasein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boudrias Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 The way Richardson played last year I cannot see how Horvat bumps him out of 3C. He is superior to Horvat in all aspects of the game. Horvat should be 4C with some PK duty to boost minutes if he sticks. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesy_shoes Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 (edited) I think it's more that we really miss Richardson. That being said, Richardson is not going to play all 82 games. With all the hard minutes he's going to eat up, he's bound to miss a handful. In his absence, I did notice that it is nice to have an option B like Horvat. Although, it should be noted that he struggled against Arizona in faceoffs. I wouldn't say Bo is good at faceoffs at this level until he faces some of the better teams - other than Arizona, he's only faced Calgary and Edmonton so far and these two teams are known to be atrocious in the faceoff circle. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to keep Horvat as the 4C who slides up to 3C whenever Richardson is injured. I think Bo will get his 9 games to see if we should keep him - since we are carrying 14 forwards, I don't think we need to trade or lose anyone via waivers if we send Jensen down. Should Bo prove that he is not ready or Benning think that Bo has more offensive potential that can be realized in London that will make him a better player in the long run, we can send him down after 9 games and bring Jensen back up. I really like Bo at 4C on this Desjardins team. It's clear Desjardins takes advantage of the high energy available in four lines, and I think from a team standpoint, they can use a B option shutdown centre (to Richardson's A game) throughout the regular season. Not just for when Richardson is injured, but when he isn't rested. Bo's the best player for that, and I think Richardson is a great cushion to nurture his development. From watching Bo as a player, I don't think his offensive game would improve much in junior. This is my opinion, not Benning's obviously , so we'll see where he ends up. Sure he might develop more puck on stick skills, but I don't believe he will evolve his vision or his transition game more towards the NHL game. IMO, he'll never be a first line offensive player (as I am sure you'd agree) and my reasoning is that, from my viewings, he lets the play come to him. He is a really heady, reactionary player, and his offense will always come from transition. He doesn't break down the opposition guard, his game is catching them off guard and gaining that step. Purely a shutdown player, maybe elite. Again, we'll see. Edited October 6, 2014 by bluesy_shoes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
on the cycle Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 I wonder what they are going to do with him. They should be making a decision tomorrow (IMO) on whether he stays or goes back to junior. Moreover Horvat ,should he be injured for a week could go to Utica on a conditioning stint which could buy more time to settle the roster and make more room for him. I personally hope he makes the team so I get to watch him. I only got to watch him in maybe 6 games in the regular season and the games in the memorial cup playoffs. I just want to see a high end rookie in the lineup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoneypuckOverlord Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 He's going back to juniors even if he didn't get hurt. Just wasn't good enough. we are not opening up roster sports to "develope" players. No, we are not bad enough for that, he is either good enough to make it or he just simply gets sent back to Juniors, which I consider a win win situation. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
on the cycle Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 Whatever is best for his development is fine with me, I am just hoping his development is best served in the NHL. He looked good, there were some unfortunate bounces that weren't all his fault he's still young expect some mistakes that's apart of growing and developing as a player and person. I am not saying give him a roster spot, just a chance to prove himself in the regular season; don't evaluate him solely on the preseason it's too small of a sample size with no consistency due to lineup changes. Give Horvat a fair shake don't relegate him to junior for no reason if he goes back and dominates that's not a good thing you want him to be challenged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baumerman77 Posted October 6, 2014 Share Posted October 6, 2014 (edited) Jensen sent down. Looks like Horvat will get at least a 9 games. Edited October 6, 2014 by baumerman77 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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