Perfect storm?

[Hogs & Podz]

Okay cdc'ers... My first kick at the can starting a topic.... Don't hold your breath lol!

 

So today is a historic day with the naming of our new and true rivals just to the south 'the Seattle Kracken' and their krackhead fans.  So to commemorate the occasion I've decided we should show our fledgling neighbours how to build a Stanley Cup winning team.  Yes you heard it here winning team.  Why you say?... Well, it's a number of factors.  I'll highlight the main ones I see giving us the edge to win it all.  I'll use a sliding scale of 1 to 10.  1 being most important.

 

10) team identity

9) adaptability

8) professionalism

7) team chemistry

6) puck possession

5) veteran leadership

4) youth

3) depth

2) goaltending

1) coaching

 

Now, I'm obviously no expert on rating most important to least...(or on anything for that matter lol). Nor do I think anyone else can during these unprecedented times.  I believe this list as far as importance is concerned will shift based in each series and within each series.  I'm simply giving talking points for debate.  Ultimately this list shows what I think regardless of order, what I believe this team encompasses.... Let me explain...

 

Highly skilled character youth

We have franchise players in Petey and Hughes (elite pick possession) that are young, got stronger during the break and are the second and third most important positions for a team (center and defense) to build upon.  A motivated, stronger more well rounded sniper in BB.  Plus a number of high end youth that provide well rounded complementary skill sets with high character and leadership Horvat, Gaudette, Stetcher.

Veteran experience and Stanley Cup winners.  

Though overpaid compared to the market and for their regular season bottom 6 roll, we have some very savy, warriors 'been through it all' players.  They're professional through and through.  Beagle, Sutter, Eriksson... Yes major anchors for salary but all three will play a major roll in helping us win the cup.  Pearson, and the addition of Toffoli both cup winners and both still very effective difference makers on and off the ice.  Both great additions to this team at the right time.

The old guard

Edler and Tanev... Both warriors that have been here their whole careers.  Seen the whole team around at the highest highs and the lowest lows through two eras.  Both have been hurt more times then we can count yet are still here, still effective and still love this team and want to stay here till they retire.  Heart and soul if this team... It counts, the continuity matters.

Depth

Just like any team that wins the cup.... Luck plays a big part... Especially when it comes to injuries to key players... They will need to stay healthy for the most part.  But should a key player get hurt for a short period, we should be able to weather the storm.  We have quality depth, especially on forward.... We've been debating on whether Virtanen and 18 goal scorer this year, should be in our starting line up for series against Minny.  Good problem to have!  Also, though our defence is our weakness, we have sone dependable young defensemen that can fill in our bottom pairing if needed.

Last line of defence

Marky, Marky, Marky.... I'm sold.  This year, watching Markstrom play, I'm convinced that outside if Hellebuyck he was the best goalie in the league this year.  But the main reason I'm convinced is his compete and fire and leadership is elite.  He has figured out how to manage his fire.  He gets better the more shots he faced... He's a gamer, he's clutch and he's our last line if defence... I'm good with that!

Last but not least

Greener... He will come out of these playoffs as the best coach for these unprecedented times.... Adaptable, a players coach, creative, isn't scared to change tactics mid game.  I think he may nit be the best coach overall in the league but during a pandemic...   Obviously this is just a hunch but I think he has the right mix of character traits to lead this very talented up and coming team to the cup.  Coach in my opinion will be more important this year then any other year before.  I think Green understands his players on an emotionally intimate level and as a result will be able to direct, support and make his players better during these trying times.

X-factor

Oh yah... Why I started this whole topic... And to me the cherry on top.  What will truly get us over the hump.  Bring it all together.  That one player that can swing a series with a timely goal or big hit.  Unstoppable when it matters most.  Just built for this time if year.  The player that really gets under the skin of the opposition AND can back it up...  

Ferland... It's been said so may times before.  He was brought over just for this purpose.  IF he can stay healthy enough to get into the line up and stay... My god he will be a BEAST.  Mark my words, dude needs to eat!!!!  He will just be that force this team has needed since Big Bert destroyed MacInnis in the St. Louise series.  AND if Ferland doesn't make it well gee we still have a very capable hungry up and comer in Big Mack. 
So there's my take sorry for the length.  Was fun to share regardless... Fire away!

 

Go canucks go!

 

 

Edited July 23, 2020 by Hogs & Podz

[komodo0921]

1. Ownership

2. Management

3. Scouting staff

4. Coaching staff

5. Drafting

6. Identifying the Identity of the team quickly

7. Establishing the core of the team

8. Team balance

9. Cap utilization.

10. System depth 

 

 

 

Edited July 23, 2020 by komodo0921

[IBatch]

Like your optimism.   You make some valid points .  To me the two things that stand out the most are the very good youth in the roster and about to come up and the overall depth.   We won’t have both these things for maybe a very long time (only the Linden teams had as much depth ) - so hoping for good things this September.   No matter what we still have to other side (youth) for the next 2-5 years .... so hope folks don’t go into panic mode if things don’t go as planned.   To me the cap is the biggest constraint.   Any team would love to have LE on their fourth line but not at 6 million.    The next two years could go either way (playoffs or no playoffs) - but once we are over that hill watch out.   Plus it could still go very good for us just as easily as long as the youth movement keeps it up .... can’t see that not happening either.   Our defense isn’t up to snuff but our top 16 is lights out - we have goaltending and our defense can and will be addressed once cash is available. 

[Hogs & Podz]

7 minutes ago, IBatch said:

Like your optimism.   You make some valid points .  To me the two things that stand out the most are the very good youth in the roster and about to come up and the overall depth.   We won’t have both these things for maybe a very long time (only the Linden teams had as much depth ) - so hoping for good things this September.   No matter what we still have to other side (youth) for the next 2-5 years .... so hope folks don’t go into panic mode if things don’t go as planned.   To me the cap is the biggest constraint.   Any team would love to have LE on their fourth line but not at 6 million.    The next two years could go either way (playoffs or no playoffs) - but once we are over that hill watch out.   Plus it could still go very good for us just as easily as long as the youth movement keeps it up .... can’t see that not happening either.   Our defense isn’t up to snuff but our top 16 is lights out - we have goaltending and our defense can and will be addressed once cash is available. 

Agreed... My optimism is obviously the fanatic dreamer in me but really nothing is orthodox in playoff hockey, anything can happen especially with this never seen before format.  Fascinating all around.  Definitely as deep as the 92' team mixed with 08' Chicago?

[CaptKirk888]

The key = players that score more goals than the players on the team they are playing against.

[Hogs & Podz]

2 minutes ago, CaptKirk888 said:

The key = players that score more goals than the players on the team they are playing against.

Geeze... Hard crowd!  Guess I should know better.... And won't quit my day job. 

Deep take thanks Cap!

[CaptKirk888]

Just now, Hogs & Podz said:

Geeze... Hard crowd!  Guess I should know better.... And won't quit my day job. 

Deep take thanks Cap!

Ha ha. Just playing with you. I did enjoy your analysis. But when it comes right down to it… well you know.

[Kevin Biestra]

3. Swimming

2. Regulated buoyancy

1. Tentacles

[cuporbust]

5 hours ago, komodo0921 said:

1. Ownership

2. Management

3. Scouting staff

4. Coaching staff

5. Drafting

6. Identifying the Identity of the team quickly

7. Establishing the core of the team

8. Team balance

9. Cap utilization.

10. System depth 

 

 

 

Ownership/ management 

Development /coaching staff

Drafting/system depth 

Cap utilization 

Team identity 

 

The core will identify themselves if these are in place. 

 

[-AJ-]

I love your optimism. I'm at least very excited to see what our boys can do in the play-ins and hopefully the playoffs too!

[Viper007]

1. Health

2. Luck

3. Skill

4/5. Determination/Work Ethic

6. Team Chemistry

7/8. Coaching/Systems

9. Staying Even Keel (no Highs/Lows)

10. Refereeing/Adapting to the Refereeing. 

Edited July 24, 2020 by Viper007

[Hogs & Podz]

6 hours ago, komodo0921 said:

1. Ownership

2. Management

3. Scouting staff

4. Coaching staff

5. Drafting

6. Identifying the Identity of the team quickly

7. Establishing the core of the team

8. Team balance

9. Cap utilization.

10. System depth 

 

 

 

I'm glad you have cap utilization at/near bottom of your list of importance in relation to this team lol!  Not convinced JB will ever be good at signing FA's.  

[Hogs & Podz]

20 minutes ago, Viper007 said:

1. Health

2. Luck

3. Skill

4/5. Determination/Work Ethic

6. Team Chemistry

7/8. Coaching/Systems

9. Staying Even Keel (no Highs/Lows)

10. Refereeing/Adapting to the Refereeing. 

Is this list for the framework needed for general team building success or strictly playoff for success?  I understand that you can't have one without the other but maybe priorities change between the two 'seasons'.

[Laoag]

an argument can be made for almost any one of these to be the most important. to me, its a combo of scouting (amateur and professional) and coaching. probably leaning towards coaching as the most important. 


Many different types of teams have won the cup. young, experienced, offensive, big heavy team etc... you get it. Its the coaches job to recognize the talents of the individuals on the team and implement a structure and system that helps their players work to their strengths. Think of the kings first cup win, they had no business beating the Canucks, or winning the cup. they embraced what they did well and went for it and won.

that's why I am cautiously optimistic about the Canucks chances this play-offs. I really think green understands this and is honest to himself about what type of team he has.

[Pete M]

Wow...and you didn't even mention our best player....JT Miller!

[Hogs & Podz]

4 hours ago, Pete M said:

Wow...and you didn't even mention our best player....JT Miller!

I know right?!  Embarrassment of riches!  Quite honestly... He's our most complete player.  He checks the boxes in so many categories, he's a category within his own.  

[Viper007]

On 7/23/2020 at 10:08 PM, Hogs & Podz said:

Is this list for the framework needed for general team building success or strictly playoff for success?  I understand that you can't have one without the other but maybe priorities change between the two 'seasons'.

I thought it was a list for the playoffs to win the stanley cup.

[Hogs & Podz]

12 minutes ago, Viper007 said:

I thought it was a list for the playoffs to win the stanley cup.

Yah, it was designed to highlight what (I believe) this teams greatest strengths are in order to have a 'snowballs chance in August' to win it all.  If per chance the hockey gods shine down upon us and award our Nucks the cup, we can come back here and debate what were the main components in importance (prioritize) that led us to the grail.... Or maybe we'll be to busy partying our asses off all fall long... Yah that sounds more like it.  

[Hogs & Podz]

10 hours ago, Laoag said:

an argument can be made for almost any one of these to be the most important. to me, its a combo of scouting (amateur and professional) and coaching. probably leaning towards coaching as the most important. 


Many different types of teams have won the cup. young, experienced, offensive, big heavy team etc... you get it. Its the coaches job to recognize the talents of the individuals on the team and implement a structure and system that helps their players work to their strengths. Think of the kings first cup win, they had no business beating the Canucks, or winning the cup. they embraced what they did well and went for it and won.

that's why I am cautiously optimistic about the Canucks chances this play-offs. I really think green understands this and is honest to himself about what type of team he has.

Agree 100%

[IBatch]

11 hours ago, Laoag said:

an argument can be made for almost any one of these to be the most important. to me, its a combo of scouting (amateur and professional) and coaching. probably leaning towards coaching as the most important. 


Many different types of teams have won the cup. young, experienced, offensive, big heavy team etc... you get it. Its the coaches job to recognize the talents of the individuals on the team and implement a structure and system that helps their players work to their strengths. Think of the kings first cup win, they had no business beating the Canucks, or winning the cup. they embraced what they did well and went for it and won.

that's why I am cautiously optimistic about the Canucks chances this play-offs. I really think green understands this and is honest to himself about what type of team he has.

LA sure had no business winning a cup. Quick and Thomas definitely had two of best goalie performances of the past two decades .... sucked we had to play victim to that back-to-back.   Then they won again which made it so much worse  as it took flukey out of the equation.  Wards and Giguires were pretty good too but those guys were Roy good .... 

 

Markstrom would win the Conn Smythe and have to play at least as well as them to give us any chance of a cup or even final appearance this year.   We have the scoring that’s not an issue at all.   But we definitely don’t have anything close to a championship defense or championship Selke types.   I’d be happy to win one round (real round).  Our middle six depth is for sure a strength too ... the longer we go the easier it should become to keep going.