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[Report] Canucks re-assign Brendan Gaunce


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On 2017-02-07 at 8:06 AM, WhoseTruckWasIt said:

Hmm.  I guess we didn't want to waste the contract.

 

I seem to remember rooting for him in the 2012 training camp.  I think his boat has passed.

Then, for me, the question is, has it passed because his game doesn't translate to the NHL? Or, is it because he's seen as part of the organisation's old guard (pre-Willie/Benning) that are passed over for players the post-Torts/Gillis regime bring in and are more familiar with?

Again, I've been saying it for 2 years that Gaunce is favoured over Archibald only because he's younger and wasn't part of the Torts/Gillis debacle. But, during that time, which of the 2 has looked more well-suited for what the Canucks are lacking in a LW4? If nothing else, Archibald couldn't possibly have fared any worse as a bottom-6 forward than Brandon Prust. If there's going to be a revolving cast of characters auditioning for the job, he - even as a career minor leaguer at only age 27 - is still worth a decent-sized look. 

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On 2/8/2017 at 7:18 PM, mll said:

The concern in Nashville was apparently his footspeed so a few pounds less could maybe help him.  He practiced with Skille and Chaput and on PP2.  

 

This is also visually obvious, although I'm sure we wouldn't have grabbed him if there wasn't a lot of reason to think he can improve or compensate.

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2 hours ago, Fakename70 said:

Then, for me, the question is, has it passed because his game doesn't translate to the NHL? Or, is it because he's seen as part of the organisation's old guard (pre-Willie/Benning) that are passed over for players the post-Torts/Gillis regime bring in and are more familiar with?

Again, I've been saying it for 2 years that Gaunce is favoured over Archibald only because he's younger and wasn't part of the Torts/Gillis debacle. But, during that time, which of the 2 has looked more well-suited for what the Canucks are lacking in a LW4? If nothing else, Archibald couldn't possibly have fared any worse as a bottom-6 forward than Brandon Prust. If there's going to be a revolving cast of characters auditioning for the job, he - even as a career minor leaguer at only age 27 - is still worth a decent-sized look. 

You guess.  I'll leave it to the experts.  If you really think that Benning is prejudiced against guys he didn't acquire then have at'er.  I disagree, and there are quite a few examples to show that he isn't.  My thinking is that he is honestly trying to build the best team possible.  If he thought Archibald could be an asset then he'd have signed a two-way.  What are the chances that your gut feel is better than the collective opinion of the Vancouver and Utica staff?  Also, 27 is pretty damn late for a prospect.  We're not just looking for a guy that theoretically can get through a game, we're looking for a significant contribution.  People can trash-talk Chaput and Megna all they want, but I suspect they'd be missed if we started throwing games at every warm body in Utica just to be cool guys.  

 

Also, the idea that he must surely have been better than Prust is ridiculous.  It's straight-up gut-feel speculation.  Prust made the bigs - as an actual regular.  Archibald had a sniff at almost becoming a call-up.  Are you seriously saying that was just a whole bunch of people making a mistake?  Do think that just maybe you're overly sentimental because you've been following our prospects?  I mean, Prust played pretty poorly after he wrecked his ankle, but you're still sure that a guy that's never been in the NHL has to be better?  That sums up everything lame about CDC.  Basically half the AHL is superstars that never got a real opportunity (which I think is 15 minutes a night for 20 games with a good line, right?).

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On 2/8/2017 at 7:02 PM, Vanuckles said:

Well you got me. Phil Kessel can average 18 mins of ice time while being 20 pounds overweight, but hey I'm glad Boucher finally in tip top shape to get his chance.

 

We'll see where he takes it, as long as he gets a fair chance (aka not 6 mins and then benched for a month).

It doesn't sound like you're all that familiar with what breaking into the NHL looks like.

 

Do you think that Willy's prejudice and stupidity is what kept the great Boucher from finding a place in the Jersey and Nashville lineups?  

 

 

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On 2017-02-08 at 6:02 PM, Vanuckles said:

Well you got me.

That was enough right there.  Using the coach-busting, cookie monster as an example that every young player should aspire to - expecting to be entitled to a roster spot - is not helping your case - and I doubt Boucher would argue that he has the 'right' to be poorly conditioned. 

This franchise just gave him a second chance by claiming him - he's still on an NHL roster - and moreover they're showing the patience and willingness to work with him.  I doubt he shares your attitude where he should be thankful and anxious to do whatever he can to earn minutes.  This team owes him literally nothing.

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Just now, Crabcakes said:

Gaunce had the best ppg (0.83) in Utica last year and has picked up where he left off this year.  In 3 games he has 2 goals and an assist.  

 

We'll see if he earns another shot this year.  It is well known that he is one of the fittest guys around.

I like that they've assigned him for a stint, and I don't think it had anything to do with being unhappy with his performance for the Canucks.

I think they simply want to give him the opportunity to play some games at 20 minutes a night, get some distinctly offensive opportunities that he wasn't necessarily getting in a fourth line role, and keep his offensive instincts in his game.  

I'm very happy with what he's shown - he's shown that he has a very strong defensive game that can already translate at the NHL level - and that is generally the harder half of the equation for young players, so the future is very promising for him imo, and getting him top 6 minutes in Utica gives him some more momentum to possibly push his way up into the  Canucks' middle six in the near future.

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4 minutes ago, Crabcakes said:

Gaunce had the best ppg (0.83) in Utica last year and has picked up where he left off this year.  In 3 games he has 2 goals and an assist.  

 

We'll see if he earns another shot this year.  It is well known that he is one of the fittest guys around.

Thanks, Crabcakes. Good to hear he's doing well down there.

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8 hours ago, WhoseTruckWasIt said:

It doesn't sound like you're all that familiar with what breaking into the NHL looks like.

 

Do you think that Willy's prejudice and stupidity is what kept the great Boucher from finding a place in the Jersey and Nashville lineups?  

 

 

Are we still on this? Kid got into the lineup already and played decently well Imo. He looked good on the PP getting shots through. Moving on, guy. You should do the same.

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8 hours ago, oldnews said:

That was enough right there.  Using the coach-busting, cookie monster as an example that every young player should aspire to - expecting to be entitled to a roster spot - is not helping your case - and I doubt Boucher would argue that he has the 'right' to be poorly conditioned. 

This franchise just gave him a second chance by claiming him - he's still on an NHL roster - and moreover they're showing the patience and willingness to work with him.  I doubt he shares your attitude where he should be thankful and anxious to do whatever he can to earn minutes.  This team owes him literally nothing.

If that was enough you probably should have let it be.

 

I never said he should expect anything. But as a young player if the coach think of you as an absolute last resort, dressing a guy who's injured and can't play a minute of hockey, it tends to destroy your confidence. 

 

Anyways, like I said to the other stud, moving on... He got into the lineup, and played well imo. Looked good on the PP. I got better things to do with my time than rehashing old arguments. You enjoy your Sunday.

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12 hours ago, oldnews said:

I like that they've assigned him for a stint, and I don't think it had anything to do with being unhappy with his performance for the Canucks.

I think they simply want to give him the opportunity to play some games at 20 minutes a night, get some distinctly offensive opportunities that he wasn't necessarily getting in a fourth line role, and keep his offensive instincts in his game.  

I'm very happy with what he's shown - he's shown that he has a very strong defensive game that can already translate at the NHL level - and that is generally the harder half of the equation for young players, so the future is very promising for him imo, and getting him top 6 minutes in Utica gives him some more momentum to possibly push his way up into the  Canucks' middle six in the near future.

Started the season wanting Gaunce to get 40 games and returning to Utica to get more ice time should work well for him. The 4th line has been a strength for the Canucks this season and Gaunce was a big part of that. Totally agree that he likely comes back next year stronger with a real shot at time on the 3rd line.

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6 hours ago, Vanuckles said:

Are we still on this? Kid got into the lineup already and played decently well Imo. He looked good on the PP getting shots through. Moving on, guy. You should do the same.

Okay whatever.  Getting limited minutes and proving your worth is how this works.  That seems to be a big stumbling block around here.  Boucher's play is proof of the soundness of the coaching staff.  Just because it's a week later doesn't make this a stale topic.  It's about the distrust, hatred, outrage, and backseat coaching around here.

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25 minutes ago, WhoseTruckWasIt said:

Okay whatever.  Getting limited minutes and proving your worth is how this works.  That seems to be a big stumbling block around here.  Boucher's play is proof of the soundness of the coaching staff.  Just because it's a week later doesn't make this a stale topic.  It's about the distrust, hatred, outrage, and backseat coaching around here.

Really? Picked up all that didja? Careful, don't let any of it affect your zen.

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