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Oh, Lordee!


Nuxfanabroad

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Hadn't watched much puck for close to a yr. Suddenly full games(justa' few hrs delay) are popping up on Youtube. Seen a few so far. So, I've got to admit...

 

Them Alberta teams have some mighty dangerous elements.

 

Yesterday I saw almost 40 freeken shots in one period! The pace was frenetic, like 80's-style. Then the two teams clamped-down, & played more conservatively(especially the Coiler-D).

 

Can't deny it - our boys will have their work cut out for them. Man that McD is something, (when he gets flying)! Started getting a lil' roster-envy. Size & skill on that team is nasty. Didn't even NOTICE Poolparty yesterday. Don't want to contemplate where they'll be in 2 or 3 seasons...

 

Teams like TO, Winn & Cactus-jumpers have similar youth served.

 

We'd better hurry up with them 5 STRAIGHT Cups I've been predicting. This 'rigged-deck' of-a-league is getting tougher. Might have to downscale to just 3 or 4 Cups?

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One big difference is all three teams have their last three drafts top picks playing. We drafted below them and that usually means a longer period of development is required, and a lot of threads about how our drafting sucks and we could have drafted so and so. 

 

Boeser, Virtannen and Joulevi are all on the roster in 1-2 years. Their abilities are not able to be properly assessed yet, which means we look ally further behind.  We may very well be, but then again, we may be right on track.  

 

The team lacks the dazzling offence that the Alberta teams offer, but we do have and edge in goal and team defence. If we do well, we will be a possession based team that smothers other clubs with great faceoffs, sound 5 on 5 defence, creating turnovers with three lines able to counter attack and one rope a dope Sedin line to wear the other team down.  Not exciting, but workable. 

 

We have to work with what we have. I want a shinny new sports car, but I settle for the reliable SUV that gets me there in any weather. 

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1 hour ago, Nuxfanabroad said:

Hadn't watched much puck for close to a yr. Suddenly full games(justa' few hrs delay) are popping up on Youtube. Seen a few so far. So, I've got to admit...

 

Them Alberta teams have some mighty dangerous elements.

 

Yesterday I saw almost 40 freeken shots in one period! The pace was frenetic, like 80's-style. Then the two teams clamped-down, & played more conservatively(especially the Coiler-D).

 

Can't deny it - our boys will have their work cut out for them. Man that McD is something, (when he gets flying)! Started getting a lil' roster-envy. Size & skill on that team is nasty. Didn't even NOTICE Poolparty yesterday. Don't want to contemplate where they'll be in 2 or 3 seasons...

 

Teams like TO, Winn & Cactus-jumpers have similar youth served.

 

We'd better hurry up with them 5 STRAIGHT Cups I've been predicting. This 'rigged-deck' of-a-league is getting tougher. Might have to downscale to just 3 or 4 Cups?

 

Edmonton is built with feet of clay. They can't withstand an injury to McDiver. 

 

Benning is building a much more solid base, and yup, thats gonna take a few years. But he's well into that. No team can stay competitive without depth, as we saw last year with our club. Same thing with Edmonton, if Condor goes down, thats it. 

 

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Personally, I think the Canucks are far more suited defensively than most of their divisional rivals which will help even the playing field more than a lot of analysts (and Oilers and Flames fans) believe it will.

Also, I have a feeling that next years expansion draft is going to be a blessing in disguise for this team.

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If you look around the league you're always going to notice teams getting younger and more skilled. It's confirmation bias, you see what you want to see. On the other side, you're not looking for the teams trading away prospects to win the Cup now. There are some of those too.

 

The Canucks have talent that has taken a little longer to get into the league than some of the other teams. Juollevi, Boeser, and Demko are all players who will make a impact once they take the ice. You also can't forget gets like Stetcher, and Rodin who both looked fantastic in pre-season. Rodin could very well be a difference maker when he comes back in, giving the Canucks another scoring line when combined with Bae and Horvat.

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20 hours ago, Rick Blight said:

Younger, faster and play at an incredible pace. Coaches are taking the shackles off and the fans are going to benefit with some great, exciting hockey.

I wish Willie D would follow suit...Our goaltending is good enough...I'll pitch in  for a fresh pack of gum if the very thought of letting the boys loose stresses him out.

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7 hours ago, Madwolf said:

If you look around the league you're always going to notice teams getting younger and more skilled. It's confirmation bias, you see what you want to see. On the other side, you're not looking for the teams trading away prospects to win the Cup now. There are some of those too.

 

The Canucks have talent that has taken a little longer to get into the league than some of the other teams. Juollevi, Boeser, and Demko are all players who will make a impact once they take the ice. You also can't forget gets like Stetcher, and Rodin who both looked fantastic in pre-season. Rodin could very well be a difference maker when he comes back in, giving the Canucks another scoring line when combined with Bae and Horvat.

Fair point, but there may be more to it than confirmation bias.

 

Recent economics of the league(Revenues; Cap limit) might be slowing somewhat(or projected thus). Between about 2008~2013(? approx), it seemed franchises were a little more profligate in summer FA-spending.

 

Appears increasing numbers of teams are trying to "build from within". Expansion probably only amplifies such direction. Younger assets see their relative-value increase.

 

"Black sheep-theory" then comes into play. Trend in opposite direction to the flock. FAgency might become more valuable, if everyone suddenly focuses on youth. Foolish spenders(CBJ, guys like Dubinsky,for eg), are no longer competitive buyers. So we end up being able to acquire a talent like Eriksson(essentially free), when you compare it with the premium Boston parted with, in acquiring the same skater(albeit, slightly younger).

 

In summary, I'd suggest responsible contracts(prescient Mgt) allows a franchise to short-cut a rebuild/retool. If they have the right existing pieces, & are willing to spend at the precise moment it's needed.

 

Not only as a fan of the team, but as a case-study, seems the approach TL, JB & WD have taken, makes for an interesting coming season.

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^^^^ Great post, 

 

Things are not black and white and this season a lot of questions will be answered. 

 

IMO JB and TL are working with the hand that they have been dealt.  We didn't get the shinny 1st OA franchise player, there are other ways to win.  JB and co are definitely going in their own direction, admire the gambit and as a fan, want to se them pull it off.  

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