October retrospect. ** Long Read**

[Phat Fingers]

October is a great month, the leaves on the east coast are incredible, the sun is shining, the maple syrup is real and local, the weather is 15 degrees and I no longer have to cut the lawn this year.  Like for 6 months... yes westcoaster,'s fall in the Maritimes is living the dream. 

 

I do my level best to watch live feeds but I live 4 hours earlier than you, so I have a benefit that I can watch the games after everyone else and catch the news before everyone else.

 

Not an expert, not a former pro, just a fan since '82 and have followed the team ever since.  

 

So in the wonderful October that was, how good were our Canucks?  They out preformed everyone's expectations except for maybe the players themselves.  I don't think Green and Benning ever even hoped to see these guys gel this quickly and the well.  

 

8 wins, 3 loses and 1 OTL.  Second in the division, leading the league in differential, scoring throughout the lineup, Goaltending is top 3 in the league based solely on this season's performance.  Our defence is coherent and effective.  

 

Special teams, top 5, Goal scoring is way up and goal stopping is way down.  

 

We are currently killing it.  

 

So why are people still not bullish on the 2019 Canucks?  

 

In a shallow view, just looking at the quality of competition of our current games played, we feasted on bottom teams and lost two games vs teams higher in the standings.  

 

So are the Canucks for real, or just beating teams that everyone else is also beating?  

 

Without a deeper look, 50/50 is a safe spot to stand.  That way you can't look stupid if you didn't do your homework.  

 

But diving a little deeper it becomes obvious that this team is playoff caliber without significant mishaps like key injuries, like a lot of them.  

 

I will breakdown each key to our club's progress each month. 

Managment and Coaching.  

Goaltending.

Defence.

Forwards.

Special Teams.

 

1.  Depth, depth ,depth.  The Utica Comets are 8-0 in October this year.  

 

Our farm team is the best team in Pro hockey in NA right now, lol.  

 

So it's not just the Canucks that are on fire, it's the Comets too.  Last season we were playing AHLers as regulars in the NHL, this season we are playing NHLers in the AHL.  

 

This is credit to Jim Benning.  Early GM of the year candidate.  

 

Green has let his hands drop from the reigns in the last five games. 

 

This is the closest team to an expansion team as Vancouver will ever get.  Only 2 players are left from 2011, Edler and Tanev.  

 

7 new players to figure out it terms of chemistry, abilities and line match ups.  

 

Green was pretty rigid for 6 games, then he let things happen.  Hughes is on the 1st PP.  8 PP goals scored in 5 games vs 3 PP goals scored with Edler in the first 6 games.  That's an almost 300% increase in production.  

 

The other big change, Jake has his shot.   The Tuna and the Ox are showing that chemistry they displayed starting way back in the prospects camps years ago.  IMO this should get a long look.  IMO the Baer would be an awesome add to this line.  No offence to Pearson.  

 

Production through the lineup, even Benn has a goal.  Depth.  Looking at one rival ahead of us, it's their Achilles heal.  Depth is the biggest factor in making the playoffs.  We have a very deep team.  

 

4.  Goaltending.  Top 3 in the league, Burkie, yes the silver porcupine himself, thinks that Markstrom is the best playing goalie in the league atm.  

 

This is no surprise to fans, Markstrom has been hot since the mid point of last year and at stretchers in the last 2 years.  What has changed is that he has been consistently getting better since the last half of last year.  

 

The fear of a dropoff is waning.  Markstrom is for real.  

 

Demko is the best rookie goalie and one of the best backups currently. 

 

This isn't due to a lack of shots or weak shots.  Both goalies have seen allot of rubber, not necessarily the best quality, but really good saves have had to be made in every game. 

 

Other than the 3rd period vs Washington, they have done everything you could ask from a goalie in every game.  

 

3.  Edler squared.  Myers and Edler both share so many elements with each other, they could almost be interchangeable.  Both are big, mobile but not quick d men that take the body and can produce at a top 4 rate.  Both are or have been almost prototypical number 1 guys, but never got there.   They both can be gaff prone at times.  

 

But together, they make a great pairing.  Our best 5v5 pairing so far and a great match up pairing against the other teams big lines.  I didn't see this earlier, but credit to Green for this combo.  

 

The electric Quinn Hughes looks great out there on the PP, but how about 5v5.  For a rookie, fantastic.  For a top 4 guy, good.  Tanev hasn't had a great start defensively as I am used too.  He.had a few dreadful gaffes early.  Tanev's offence has been a really nice surprise.  Not to say he has been super productive, but he attacks more regularly than I recall seeing before.  

 

I do think this paring 5v5 will get better without the puck, but boy to they turnover pucks nicely.  

 

Gotta love Stecher and Benn.  Last season that would have been our second pairing.  Now it's our third.  

 

4.  The Lotto line and the Animal Line.  

 

You will get the second name in a second.  

 

The Lotto line has ended October like most expected they would start October.  Pettersson has 18 pts in 12 games.  But, but, but... where are all his goals!  Whines the masses, 'Bar down' chuckles Bo when asked after the LA game.  

 

Petey didn't disappear, just ask Martinez.  Not only has he improved his overall play without the puck, Ep40 is adding a power element to his game.  Lord help the rest of the league is he can ever hit 200 lbs.  

 

Brock is back.  Both are picking up steam and Miller has added a depth to that line that always makes them a threat no matter who has the puck.  All three are making plays that play makers make and scoring goals that goal scorers score.  

 

One of the top 10 1st lines in the league.  

 

We have one of the best second line centers in the league.  Bo Horvat.  He makes the second line, no matter who he plays with. 

 

That's dominance.  He wins faceoffs, scores goals, turnover pucks, plays all 200 feet, never quits and is the prototypical NHL captain.  Since becoming captain the team has only lost one game in regulation. 

 

Jake looks great on his wing in the past 3 games.  If that continues thru the upcoming month, I expect Jake to have finally arrived.  Pearson got off to a hot start, then went cold.  He has always been streaky.  I don't see any reason to worry about him.  

 

Just got to figure out an animal name for Tanner Pearson.  We have the Tuna and the Ox.  With the Baer, it works.  Some else can name the line... please.

 

Our third line isn't as good as our 4th line, but in fairness, our 4th line is the best 4th line in Hockey right now.  Beagle and Schaller have something special going on.  Love it.  

 

Our 3rd line is playing good hockey, just in the shadow of everyone else.  

 

4.  Our special teams are actually working.  One of the biggest and most dramatic changes I have witnessed as a hockey fan is the Impact or Quinn Hughes and especially on the PP.  

 

I am a throwback guy, so I was always more inclined to favour a d man with size and a powerful shot over edgework and passing.  Hughes has proved me wrong ever since I wanted Bouchard over him at the draft.  I couldn't be happier to be wrong.  

 

What's not to love about our current PP.  Nothing.  The only thing left to prove is consistency.  

 

Whereas our PK is good, it was getting there last year so it's not a surprise.  Due mainly to Markstrom.  A healthy Beagle and Sutter have made all difference to this season's start. 

 

Both are currently top 5 in the league.  

 

Summary. 

 

This team has an unknown quality to it.  Teams will adjust and then we will adjust.  It's already happening.  

 

The thing is, we have the advantage.  We are also improving.  Most of our core players are in the upswing of their careers.  They will only improve. 

Bo hasn't peaked,

Ep40 hasn't peaked,

Brock hasn't peaked,

Hughes hasn't peaked,

Demko hasn't peaked,

Jake hasn't peaked, 

Gaudette hasn't peaked.... 

 

There will be ups and downs.  This team will have to get thru November.  Something that killed them last year with brutal injuries.  I believe that they have the keys to preventing that, depth and playing a very uptempo attacking brand of hockey.  I have always believed that you get hurt more often defending than attacking.  

 

 

 

This a playoff team.  

 

 

Edited November 1, 2019 by Phat Fingers

[zombieksa]

I love waking up to some super duper optimism. 

I agree with most of what you said. 

"This a playoff team."

[Jester13]

Jim Benning. 

 

He has vision. He wasn't allowed to implement it right away and we still have Loui as a reminder. However, once FA finally listened to everyone around him and gave him the Green light, Benning started to pull the trigger and overhaul our team. His vision is now coming to fruition.

 

He has drafted elite players at every position. This is the most key element. We have elite players like we've never had at one time. Can anyone say Calder three times fast? We can.

 

But JB has also played money ball with our support/placeholder players. Now, this is where many criticise him, but just look at the big picture and you'll see that, granted, many didn't pan out (e.g. Poo, Guddy, Vey, etc.), but many have who are integral parts of our team (e.g. Pearson, Motte, Leivo, Etc). That was the plan all along: many will miss, but key players will hit and stick. We now not only have elite positional players but also elite (loosely used term, of course) support players.

 

JB has vision. Those who have seen his vision from the beginning can now share in the creation that he has been working on for the last handful of years. This team is legit, and we're now contenders once again. The window is open - October wasn't a fluke. Weaker competition? Maybe. But we anhilated the weaker competition. We're only getting better, so the tougher competition better watch out. 

Edited November 3, 2019 by Jester13

[spook007]

Nice optimistic write up.

Why aren't fans bullish about these Canucks? I think they are getting a lot of love atm.

However I do also think most people accept that this is a fairly new team with lots of young players on it. The thing with young players are they mostly have big ups and downs over a season, and it remains to be seen if they can maintain this level of play throughout the season. 

But it is fun and it is exciting to watch, and long may it last...

But should the dreaded down turn materialise, the fact the top players are just starting their journey should fill us all with hope and joy for the foreseeable future...

It the best hockey we've seen in ages....

Edited November 1, 2019 by spook007

[IBatch]

One of the best October’s this team has ever had.  Aside from that the two close losses to start the season, we’ve got points in ever game pretty much - 8 of those wins.   Not sure even that management saw this coming,  November will be another challenge, players will go down / this time I don’t see the results changing as much.  Doubt this team will go on a lengthy losing streak this year.   Personally I think the head start will be enough for us to make the playoffs this season.

[nergish]

I'm giddy about how things have gone so far, but we gotta pump the brakes.

 

It's 12 games.

[Nucker 67]

Definitely promising. What I really like this year is that even if they're down a goal or two, they have the ability to turn it on and come back, win the game. I've noticed the passing this year has been excellent. Crisp tape-to-tape passes, fewer giveaways. The Canucks are getting a ton of shots on net, controlling the play, puck posesssion.  The results will peak for themselves when it's all said and done. I think they are a playoff team this year. Too much grit, skill and determination to be denied.

[Phat Fingers]

On 11/1/2019 at 3:42 PM, nergish said:

I'm giddy about how things have gone so far, but we gotta pump the brakes.

 

It's 12 games.

I feel justified in my prediction.  The signs are there, but take away my prediction everything else was solely based on this 12 games.  

 

 To me this is a new team.  What JB managed to create has finally emerged.   You don't compare a butterfly to what it looks like as a catapliler.  

 

Just look at the players who played NHL minutes for us last season that are no longer in the organization.  Can you pick one player on that list that you would surrender assets to re-aquire?

 

Nilsson
MDZ
Guddy
Hutton
Granlund
Lepsic
Pouliot
Gaunce
Gagner
Archibald
Schenn

 

The signs started to come thru in pieces last year.  Ep40's year, he slowed down at the end, but he did bounce back quickly after two dangerous plays.  That shows a ability he will need and I hope it stays that way   He trained like a man possessed and has really added size and strength.   Just ask Martinez. 

 

Brock had a slow start, but did get going.  When he did fully recover from his injury he looked as good as prior to the injury.  He looks like he is shaking off missing training camp already.  

 

Horvat has improved every year in the league, I see no reason for that to change now that he is captain.  

 

Dido for Markstrom except the captain bit.  

 

Now we have added cast members who can all play, Miller, Myers, Benn and Ferland, we also have emerging prospects like Gaudette, Hughes, Demko along with all how well Utica is doing with Lind, OJ, Rafferty, Dipietro etc...  

 

 

I am convinced that the only thing that can take this team out of the playoff picture, is up the hockey gods.  Basically injuries.  

 

Hughes last night was hopefully not serious.  That would be untimely, but I still see this team getting to the post season without one of our core players.  

 

 

PS  Not being aggressive, just longwinded.  

 

 

Edited November 2, 2019 by Phat Fingers

[TheNewGM]

agree 100%

 

pretty stoked for this team.. said it a few times.. best team since 2011.. and thats exciting.

 

I hope we can stay healthy

 

[Schneider.Man604]

On 11/1/2019 at 12:31 PM, NUCKER67 said:

Definitely promising. What I really like this year is that even if they're down a goal or two, they have the ability to turn it on and come back, win the game. I've noticed the passing this year has been excellent. Crisp tape-to-tape passes, fewer giveaways. The Canucks are getting a ton of shots on net, controlling the play, puck posesssion.  The results will peak for themselves when it's all said and done. I think they are a playoff team this year. Too much grit, skill and determination to be denied.

something we used to never see in the sedin kesler era.

[Bertorama]

Very Good start to November 

 

Coming out of Cali with 5 points is critical  for our chances at a playoff run. That was three division matchups and we need to play for those points against Cali teams all season. In the past it was typical For the Canucks to be over confident and play down a level and get pumped by the veteran teams like SJ or Anaheim. Good on Green and Captian Bo to keep the pace and shot count through the roof. The key will be to keep up the high energy tempo,  Gatling gun shots and forecheck pumping like a locomotive steam engine all season long. Circa West Coast Express. 
 

Nice read. 
 

I unlike some love the positive outlook and willingness to believe early in and all season instead of fence sitting fandom. 

 

Edited November 3, 2019 by Bertorama

[189lb enforcers?]

Fully healthy, it’s a great team and definitely a playoff monster.

 

Marky has been a huge part of this, as has been playing many bottom feeders or a sleepy Caps squad, who still came back. 

 

The January grind will reveal what is what. 

 

Sutter and Tanev will never have a higher trade value than right now, before they get hurt. Jim must be thinking hard on that. 

 

I’d look at Adam Lowry and ‘consider’ shopping Jake to a team like Carolina or Philly, possibly for a Dman like Edmundson. 

 

There wasn't much snarl without Firkland in the lineup against the Sharks. The team needs pushback coming from multiple sources. 

Edited November 3, 2019 by 189lb enforcers?

[Phat Fingers]

On 11/3/2019 at 1:12 PM, 189lb enforcers? said:

Fully healthy, it’s a great team and definitely a playoff monster.

 

Marky has been a huge part of this, as has been playing many bottom feeders or a sleepy Caps squad, who still came back. 

 

The January grind will reveal what is what. 

 

Sutter and Tanev will never have a higher trade value than right now, before they get hurt. Jim must be thinking hard on that. 

 

I’d look at Adam Lowry and ‘consider’ shopping Jake to a team like Carolina or Philly, possibly for a Dman like Edmundson. 

 

There wasn't much snarl without Firkland in the lineup against the Sharks. The team needs pushback coming from multiple sources. 

Would like to add a Lowry style player.  I don't want to surrender Jake for anything other than a high quality young player on a good term coming back.  

 

Not likely to happen, but currently Jake is a tweener with upside on a cheap contract.  He has been a slow bloomer so it is fair to say he has more growth in him.  

 

The nucks where up 4-0, why muck it up?  The Sharks were trying to drag us down with them.  

 

When Rousell and Ferland return, let's see.  

 

Really these guys can defend themselves, they just need a guy to start things.  Rousell did that for Dallas..   

 

I could see Sutter being dealt, Tanev is here until we are out of the playoffs.  If Tanev staying means a playoff berth then the club would be happy to see him walk for nothing.  

 

 

Edited November 5, 2019 by Phat Fingers

[mikeyman109]

On 11/3/2019 at 8:54 AM, Bertorama said:

Very Good start to November 

 

Coming out of Cali with 5 points is critical  for our chances at a playoff run. That was three division matchups and we need to play for those points against Cali teams all season. In the past it was typical For the Canucks to be over confident and play down a level and get pumped by the veteran teams like SJ or Anaheim. Good on Green and Captian Bo to keep the pace and shot count through the roof. The key will be to keep up the high energy tempo,  Gatling gun shots and forecheck pumping like a locomotive steam engine all season long. Circa West Coast Express. 
 

Nice read. 
 

I unlike some love the positive outlook and willingness to believe early in and all season instead of fence sitting fandom. 

 

Bolded I also believe is critical to making the playoffs.We have to take more points off of the Cali teams to make the playoffs. we have struggles against them the last five years.