The case for Loui Eriksson in 2020 playoffs

[Slegr]

It has been said that there can be no passengers on a team if it wants to make the Stanley Cup Finals; that everyone must contribute. Going through the Canucks line-up, I see a mass of contributors with one exception – Loui William Eriksson, with 10 games, 0 points, and zero memorable moments. Can the Canucks continue to deem such deadweight ‘fit to play’ and still make it all the way to the finals?

 

At first glance, not a chance. But at second glance, perhaps it may be possible.

 

Think back to our last big run – the 2011 playoffs. Ah yes, we had a powerhouse of now household names, like Kes, Burr, Hank, and Juice. No passengers… right?

 

But wait, what about Victor Oreskovich. Victor who? Oreskovich. Who the heck is that? I’ve been a Canucks fan since the early 90s, and don’t recall such a name. Yet, apparently he played in 19 of our playoff games in 2011 – that’s a lengthy contribution. In fact, that’s more games than he played in the regular season for the Canucks. It sounds like he would be a vital part of that 2011 team. Yet he too had zero points, and from the perspective of this thread’s author, no memorable moments or contributions.

 

So can Loui Eriksson continue to ride shotgun on this playoff ride? It looks like we have a precedent in Victor Oreskovich.

Edited August 25, 2020 by Slegr

[Type R]

So you attribute goals and assists with production?  I'm not going to defend Eriksson too much here, but he has produced far more for this team being on the ice than off of it.  He battles in the corners for pucks, he strips pucks from offensive players, and hes defensively responsible.  He is a go to for our PK for a reason.  This is a team of guys who play different roles, and Louis is very good at the role that he has carved out for himself, and there isn't another guy that can currently replace him.  He is not worth what we are paying him, not even close, but for the roster we have, he belongs on the ice right now more than a Lind, Bailey, or Graovac.

[Slegr]

10 minutes ago, Type R said:

 I'm not going to defend Eriksson too much here... He battles in the corners for pucks, he strips pucks from offensive players, and hes defensively responsible.  He is a go to for our PK for a reason....

Interesting perspective. Honestly, in these playoffs, I’ve seen him get outworked hard on the penalty kill. 
Is that his role on the team? “Defensive guy?” Because I’m just not seeing it, being completely honest. He tries getting his stick in there, but he never seems to work up sweat on the back check, or block any shots, or take / give a hit to make a play, etc. I know a lot of defensive guys on the team who do.
Honest question - Is there a memorable moment he has had for you in his 10 playoff games this post-season? He’s been playing a fair bit on Bo’s line, so you’d think there would be. 

Edited August 25, 2020 by Slegr

[Ilya Mikheyev]

This does not seem like a case 'for' Loui Eriksson, rather a case of neutrality toward Eriksson.

 

Getting 0 points is not a case for him-- but it does produce a question of what he is offering besides points and why he should be dressed.

 

I think he's been OK keeping plays alive, PKing, positionally, doing some OK defensive work. Obviously his albatross contract does not matter in this bubble context. But if MacEwen or Toffoli were to dress tonight, out of all the winger LE would be one to scratch IMO.

[Nucker 67]

Fantenberg and Benn also have zero points in these playoffs, but they've played pretty well. I don't think Eriksson has been bad, he understands the game and defends well. He also has a knack for going to the net and getting some garbage goals, so I'm hoping he does that tonight. Get in Lehner's kitchen, get him off his game. 

[Ilya Mikheyev]

Also worth nothing that Oreo & LE are completely different players.

 

The former was 2nd on the team in playoffs hits per 60 mins played. He was a big body at 215 pounds, 6'3. He probably should not have made the cut regardless, was one of the weaker points in the lineup, and averaged under 7 minutes per game.

[Slegr]

7 minutes ago, Teemu Selänne said:

Also worth nothing that Oreo & LE are completely different players.

 

The former was 2nd on the team in playoffs hits per 60 mins played. He was a big body at 215 pounds, 6'3. He probably should not have made the cut regardless, was one of the weaker points in the lineup, and averaged under 7 minutes per game.

Isn’t it weird that he was on the team? I have literally no memory of that. If someone told me he was in the 2011 playoff roster, I’d say BS. And what happened to him? His career just disappeared.

[Type R]

Oreo was a checking machine, I remember that much.

If Tofolli wasn't hurt, LE wouldn't be on Bo's line, he's only there as a place holder I think.

[diesel_3]

3 minutes ago, Slegr said:

Isn’t it weird that he was on the team? I have literally no memory of that. If someone told me he was in the 2011 playoff roster, I’d say BS. And what happened to him? His career just disappeared.

He didn't have much natural talent, he just worked hard and threw his body around without much regard, that was about it.

He retired and is now working for RBC. (Source: His linkedin)

[JM_]

I remember him saving a goal with a great diving effort. I remember some excellent PK work.

 

If you're going to complain about Loui at least make it original or interesting. 

[Dekey Pete]

34 minutes ago, Type R said:

So you attribute goals and assists with production?  I'm not going to defend Eriksson too much here, but he has produced far more for this team being on the ice than off of it.  He battles in the corners for pucks, he strips pucks from offensive players, and hes defensively responsible.  He is a go to for our PK for a reason.  This is a team of guys who play different roles, and Louis is very good at the role that he has carved out for himself, and there isn't another guy that can currently replace him.  He is not worth what we are paying him, not even close, but for the roster we have, he belongs on the ice right now more than a Lind, Bailey, or Graovac.

Where do people get this "he's a go to on the PK" mentality from?  
 

In terms of our penalty killers, TOI on the penalty kill goes to:

Beagle: 42 minutes

Motte: 41 minutes

Sutter: 28 minutes

Eriksson: 21 minutes

JT Miller even has 11 minutes and he also plays on the powerplay.

 

He is definitely nowhere even close to the coaches "go to", and he's really only being used there because he's absolutely useless offensively.  The coach was using him as a top 6 forward for a good chunk of the St Louis series (coaches fault, not Loui's I know), and it was glaringly obvious that he didn't belong in that role.  He is marginally better as a defensive forward, but to praise him like some defensive specialist is just flat out wrong.  

 

Eriksson belongs on the bench after his play in the first 2 series.  He has been a non factor on both ends of the ice.  Period.

[JM_]

8 minutes ago, Dekey Pete said:

Where do people get this "he's a go to on the PK" mentality from?  
 

In terms of our penalty killers, TOI on the penalty kill goes to:

Beagle: 42 minutes

Motte: 41 minutes

Sutter: 28 minutes

Eriksson: 21 minutes

JT Miller even has 11 minutes and he also plays on the powerplay.

 

He is definitely nowhere even close to the coaches "go to", and he's really only being used there because he's absolutely useless offensively.  The coach was using him as a top 6 forward for a good chunk of the St Louis series (coaches fault, not Loui's I know), and it was glaringly obvious that he didn't belong in that role.  He is marginally better as a defensive forward, but to praise him like some defensive specialist is just flat out wrong.  

 

Eriksson belongs on the bench after his play in the first 2 series.  He has been a non factor on both ends of the ice.  Period.

so your criticism of Loui's lower PK time is that he's useful on the top 6  

 

whats glaringly obvious is he's useful right now in different places on the lineup and Green can trust him. 

 

[brownky]

45 minutes ago, Teemu Selänne said:

This does not seem like a case 'for' Loui Eriksson, rather a case of neutrality toward Eriksson.

 

Getting 0 points is not a case for him-- but it does produce a question of what he is offering besides points and why he should be dressed.

 

I think he's been OK keeping plays alive, PKing, positionally, doing some OK defensive work. Obviously his albatross contract does not matter in this bubble context. But if MacEwen or Toffoli were to dress tonight, out of all the winger LE would be one to scratch IMO.

[CaNuCkSLoUiE23]

Most expensive penalty killer in the league

[Ilya Mikheyev]

1 hour ago, Slegr said:

Isn’t it weird that he was on the team? I have literally no memory of that. If someone told me he was in the 2011 playoff roster, I’d say BS. And what happened to him? His career just disappeared.

Hahahah. I remember him! But I could see how he would be forgettable playing under 7 mins a night, only Bolduc averaged less in his 3 GP.

 

I remember he got recalled ahead of Cody Hodgson after the trade deadline when Malhotra went LTIR with his eye surgery, despite being a winger and Hodgson being a center.

[fanfor42]

1 hour ago, Slegr said:

Interesting perspective. Honestly, in these playoffs, I’ve seen him get outworked hard on the penalty kill. 
Is that his role on the team? “Defensive guy?” Because I’m just not seeing it, being completely honest. He tries getting his stick in there, but he never seems to work up sweat on the back check, or block any shots, or take / give a hit to make a play, etc. I know a lot of defensive guys on the team who do.
Honest question - Is there a memorable moment he has had for you in his 10 playoff games this post-season? He’s been playing a fair bit on Bo’s line, so you’d think there would be. 

There is an urban myth that LE is a great PKer.  What?

 

Watch him on the PK.  He is very passive. How this lack of effort translates into a rep as a great PKer is a head scratcher.  He is not producing for the Canucks in any way and should be sitting.

 

When Toff returns I expect LE sits. However for my two cents I would rather see Mac or Graovac or Lind in for LE regardless. 

 

I think he gets a pass because he is paid 6m and people want to believe he does something well because a certain faction of fans want to say only positive things about the team.  10 games zero points precious little hits or plays that make a difference and a lazy passive PK effort. Hey if the puck ends up at my feet on the PK I could probably ice it as well...

 

Given better options Green would absolutely sit LE.  Given more playoff experience I expect Green grows a set and sits LE for one of the younger guys anyway.

 

 

[Gawdzukes]

1 hour ago, Type R said:

Oreo was a checking machine, I remember that much.

If Tofolli wasn't hurt, LE wouldn't be on Bo's line, he's only there as a place holder I think.

He and Glass on a line we're a huge part of our checking game during that run.

 

Also 20 games, no points.

Edited August 26, 2020 by Gawdzukes

[Chris12345]

I'll make a really awesome case for 21.

 

Jim Benning signed Loui to a binding contract. He therefore is legally entitled to be on the roster.

 

Now...in the lineup...sure his upside is limited. His downside....is known. No risk.

[VancouverHabitant]

3 hours ago, Slegr said:

Interesting perspective. Honestly, in these playoffs, I’ve seen him get outworked hard on the penalty kill. 
Is that his role on the team? “Defensive guy?” Because I’m just not seeing it, being completely honest. He tries getting his stick in there, but he never seems to work up sweat on the back check, or block any shots, or take / give a hit to make a play, etc. I know a lot of defensive guys on the team who do.
Honest question - Is there a memorable moment he has had for you in his 10 playoff games this post-season? He’s been playing a fair bit on Bo’s line, so you’d think there would be. 

Maybe you're biased?  I've seen him win a lot of puck battles in these playoffs.  

 

For me, he should sit in game 2 because I didn't like his game 1, but he was solid against Minny and against St Louis.  Lots of good defensive plays and great defensive coverage when Bo and Pearson and one of our d-men are pinching in. 

[Bang Bang Boogie]

And...he's out of the lineup.  And his replacement already scored.