Canucks Young Guns

[ESQ]

I think Pod can maybe buy out his contract, but this is rarely done - and I don't think it's ever been done just to sign an ELC in the NHL. The canucks will need to "negotiate"/bribe his KHL team to let him join the NHL next spring after the Russian season is over, allowing Pod to burn a year off his ELC. If they wait until the off-season to sign him, it's just a normal 3 year elc - which is my preference, but Benning likes to give young guys a shot in the spring. Who knows, at age 20 he could be a secret weapon for the playoffs run next season.

[Mickey107]

The NHL and Russian Hockey Federation does not have a transfer agreement but there is an agreement not to interfere with each other's valid contracts.

Meh! Sounds vague enough...

[ESQ]

According to an Islanders' blog, the KHL buyout process takes 15 months. So there is no reason for Pod to buy out his contract, as it has 15 months or so left.

[ESQ]

On another, positive note, Jake has got himself into the top-20 of 2014-drafted players this season with 19 points, and tied for 10th in goals.

He is 5 points out of the top-10 for points overall, and 3 goals back of top-7 for goals.

I'd say he's salvaged his value to at least a mid-1st round pick, and he still has a shot to be a legit top-10 pick.

Too bad for that asshole Olofsson in Buffalo - he's pushing Quinn down the chart for the Calder, and he's 3rd for points amongst 2014 picks ... in his first season ... after being drafted in the 7th round!

[Blob Mckenzie]

Virtanen has improved steadily the last 2 1/2 seasons.

[Cornuck]

I'd like to see more of last night's Jake. So far he's looking like he'll award our (well, most of ours) patience.

[Carl Yagro]

Green should be feeding Jake the top 6 minutes and PP time he gives to Leivo.

JV is one point behind Leivo without the babysitting from the coach. I can imagine an even bigger breakout with those opportunities.

Either way, happy to see him make progress even if it's been slower and less steady than most of us would like.

[rats19]

Good post Hank

[dangler]

Green should be feeding Jake the top 6 minutes and PP time he gives to Leivo.

JV is one point behind Leivo without the babysitting from the coach. I can imagine an even bigger breakout with those opportunities.

Either way, happy to see him make progress even if it's been slower and less steady than most of us would like.

This will probably happen. Sutter returns, Gaudette moves to wing

[Per]

World Juniors thread up and running: http://canuckscorner.com/forums/viewtop ... =11972#top

[Topper]

After Roussel's return, Jake worked himself into a few top line shifts and responded even with going back to 3rd line duty. His confidence grew, we've seen this before from him. Recall his play after his WJC disaster. Even though his play improved through that tourney, he will forever where the goat horns for the penalties in the final. He came back to Vancouver an much more confident and much improved player. He's not afraid to shoot the puck. he doesn't have to have the perfect shot.

Of late, there has been a bit too much Garrissonlike waiting for the perfect setup.

[ESQ]

After Roussel's return, Jake worked himself into a few top line shifts and responded even with going back to 3rd line duty. His confidence grew, we've seen this before from him. Recall his play after his WJC disaster. Even though his play improved through that tourney, he will forever where the goat horns for the penalties in the final. He came back to Vancouver an much more confident and much improved player. He's not afraid to shoot the puck. he doesn't have to have the perfect shot.

Of late, there has been a bit too much Garrissonlike waiting for the perfect setup.

That's the thing, people keep saying "he needs to crash the net', but really what he needs to do is just let his shot rip more often. He can shoot and score from all sorts of crazy angles, but he's successful without "crashing the net' and going for tip-ins and rebounds.

One thing I've noticed about Roussel is how great he is at reading the rebound. He seems to know where to put himself to get the rebound for a goal, instead of over-skating and being in way too deep to get the loose puck.

[Todd Bersnoozi]

On another, positive note, Jake has got himself into the top-20 of 2014-drafted players this season with 19 points, and tied for 10th in goals.

He is 5 points out of the top-10 for points overall, and 3 goals back of top-7 for goals.

I'd say he's salvaged his value to at least a mid-1st round pick, and he still has a shot to be a legit top-10 pick.

Man, that draft is looking pretty solid, lots of good players. I'm probably biased, but I still think I'd take Jake over most of those guys, even over Willie Nylander & S.Reinhart. Only exceptions would be Draistl, Ehlers and Pasternak.

Jake looks like he's ready to take a huge step forward. If he gets more minutes in the top 6 and some PP time, I could see him breaking 20Gs this season, especially if he gets more ice with Petey & JImothy Timothy.

[SKYO]

brobro Rafferty playing elite in Utica....could make Stech avail.

[Cousin Strawberry]

brobro Rafferty playing elite in Utica....could make Stech avail.

I liked what i saw of his game. He is composed and calm moving the puck a little like Makar or a young Tanev.

That signing is looking like a winner