stawns Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 1 hour ago, kloubek said: I agree with this move. I think any forward in today's NHL needs to have the ability to chip in with scoring here and there. I was ok with Gaunce's game overall, but I do feel he has the ability to be a better rounded player that he just wasn't showing at this level. Hopefully with the increased ice time and lesser defensive competition he can get some confidence and put the puck in the net once in a while down there. He created a lot of scoring chances that went completely unfinished, imo. Very smart hockey player and has a good, versatile career ahead of him. I've been on his bandwagon since day 1, and as disappointed as I am for him, personally, I get the numbers game and the fact that he doesn't have to clear waivers. On the flip side, I am excited for him to play some big mins in an offensive role and for Utica to get some help. His character and resolve are rock solid and he will take it as a chance to get better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elvis15 Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 3 hours ago, Ossi Vaananen said: Does Boucher get a chance? Impending trade? I mean Gaunce struggled offensively, but for a 4th liner, he's not a bad mix of size/speed and defensive ability. 3 hours ago, ForsbergTheGreat said: With hutton coming back someone needed to go down. although I would have waived Megna instead. I see this as a chance for Gaunce to get some more favourable minutes. I'd have preferred Megna to go back (he'd almost assuredly clear waivers) as well, but perhaps this gets him some more offensive looks while providing the Comets with the help they've been missing with Megna and Chaput up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazer8717 Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Utica could use Gaunce more than the Canucks right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaimito Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 3 hours ago, Creepy Crawler said: So that means Boucher gets regular play now? forgot this guy is even on the roster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bang Bang Boogie Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 6 minutes ago, Jaimito said: forgot this guy is even on the roster. Seriously, almost didn't even recognize the guy in the Canucks team picture at Dice and Ice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mll Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_P Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 3 hours ago, ThaShady1 said: Copy and paste from Canucks FB page? No, that was also me who posted this in the Canucks Facebook page. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6of1_halfdozenofother Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 7 minutes ago, mll said: Maybe while he's down there, he can help JVir find his "stuff"? :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DIBdaQUIB Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 8 minutes ago, mll said: Maybe if he had been given even half of the opportunity Megna had,he would have found some success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyHatnDart Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 3 minutes ago, Chris_P said: No, that was also me who posted this in the Canucks Facebook page. Oh lol duh. Thought I was in the twilight zone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JM_ Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 1 hour ago, Creepy Crawler said: Gaunce-Horvat-Hansen... not a bad line, why hasn't Willie tried that this year. Are you certain he didn't give it a shift? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SID.IS.SID.ME.IS.ME Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 13 minutes ago, mll said: Honestly, that's good to hear. I've had similar concerns occasionally this year. And I've wondered at times if Willie was really thinking about that part of Gaunce's development. Gaunce deserves a lot of credit for his success as a role player. Defensively, his minutes have been extremely "low event" while providing the team with arguably the most favourable "differentials" (CF%RelTM, SCF%, etc) of any player on the roster. He's absolutely been successful as a bottom-six "shutdown" forward and the various configurations of the 4th line that have included Gaunce have generally managed to spend the bulk of their minutes in the opposition end (even if not scoring at a high rate). This is all good stuff. And plenty of guys have made a living off of playing a similar game in the NHL. But it sounds like Willie believes that Gaunce can be even more than just a defensive forward. And I share this opinion. So if going to Utica and playing first or second line, and on the power play, provides a spark to Gaunce's offensive game, then it's a good move. Gaunce has probably earned a spot as a regular member of this team's future 4th line. But if he can find his scoring touch, he has the potential to play more of a middle-six role going forward. And that's definitely the kind of "bang for your buck" you'd like to see from a late 1st round pick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putgolzin Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 I don't mind this move. I like the idea of Gaunce getting some time to find his offense. On the other hand, it kinda feels like he's getting sent down for the exact same reason that Willie would get unfairly fired. Transitioning team, lots of developing players = unfair to fire a coach for a losing record in such circumstances Defensive assignment, linemates who've hardly scored in their career = unfair to send a player down for not producing offense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xereau Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Gaunce reminds me of Brad Richardson. A very good 4th line center. He just needs to score more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beary Sweet Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Gaunce had to go down to Utica because of this dude and he's pumped to be back with the team... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeNiro Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 28 minutes ago, DIBdaQUIB said: Maybe if he had been given even half of the opportunity Megna had,he would have found some success. Lol, Pretty much. We don't want him to lose his offensive game, but we're going to play him with a bunch of plugs in situations where it's going to be tough for him to produce... Just say what you wanna say Willie, he didn't wanna lose Megna to waivers, even though it's almost guaranteed he would have cleared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GB5 Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 6 minutes ago, xereau said: Gaunce reminds me of Brad Richardson. A very good 4th line center. He just needs to score more. I am hoping his upside is at least 3rd line but either way he has value for this team. Looking at the forwards, my hope is to see Boucher and Megna rotate in and out of the lineup until such a time as one of them shows that they belong on the team and firmly reaches out to grasp their spot on the roster.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
250Integra Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 2 minutes ago, xereau said: Gaunce reminds me of Brad Richardson. A very good 4th line center. He just needs to score more. Gaunce's upside is 2nd line center at the very most (unlikely), but a 3rd line center at the very least. He's just on the 4th line right now because we have three centers ahead of him. He'll be a very serviceable center for us after another year or two of development. Brad Richardson is very good comparable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonass Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 4 hours ago, Mackcanuck said: Why did they even bother claiming Boucher??? If it is Hutton coming back we will have Larsen, Biega and Boucher sitting in the press box and our nose up against the cap! They claimed him because they aren't focused on this year (and shouldn't be) we are a few years out of contention if all goes as planned so you roll the dice on young potential skill when you get the chance and sometimes one will work like Granlund. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuxfanabroad Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Like so many of you, don't mind this at all. BG is a great, level-headed kid. Hoping he becomes our Maholtra, down the road. Also if the team DOES go a little meltdown(tough sched; late-season grind, etc...) Utica may be best for him, for one last spring-stint. Seems a real character kid, who may rub off positively on Jake, as well. NOW we just need to get Larsen to Alaska; & perhaps set up Wille with a smorgasboard franchise... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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