Cherry Picker wrote: ↑Sun Oct 25, 2020 10:07 pm
I’m not worried about adding reinforcements before the season starts. I think Benning was looking for a chance to call up some Utica defensemen last season, but for some inexplicable reason there were very few injuries on the back end. It’s time to see what their defensive prospects have at the NHL level. Another defensemen can be added a the trade deadline if none of the prospects do well and one is needed. The Canucks are getting a bad rap for losing Toffoli. The team was top ten offensively last season without him. There were very few games played with both Toffoli and Boeser. It would be nice to have Toffoli, but his loss should not mean the team is any worse than last season. And with the young guys getting a year older and having playoff experience, they are likely to be better. The defence will be more dynamic and less susceptible to getting hemmed in their own zone with Schmidt. His breakouts should also add to the team’s offence. The goalies could surprise if Demko carries on from his playoff performances or Holtby recovers with a better goalie coach. Either one is capable of being a top five goalie in the league. I don’t see any reason the Canucks shouldn’t be favoured to get one of the top three playoff spots in either the Canadian or the Pacific division.
Chris Tanev stats . -No question was a huge factor for Quinn Hughes' success, 5 on 5 for his first year. They helped each other to great years. Oh well, what was, was. They maybe would have matched up well for another year, maybe two, but that's all I see.
Nate Schmidt stats . - No reason to think this can't work as well if not better! No, Nate doesn't have the shot-block totals. Got more hits though. I can't help thinking Schmidt will have a career year in 20/21. paired with Hughes.
Gonna need healthy years from Edler and especially, Myers. That's a bit scary, historically.
We will need three qualified bottom paring defense-men with at least two of them able to step-up to top minutes when needed. Ya, I think we see some new faces on the back-end this year.
I think we'll be OK in net. Losing Markstrom is shitty but even if we'd had the $$$$, it was too much. Holtby will be great when Ian gets his game
back to the way it was. Piece of cake. No prob.
Our bottom six isn't top notch but there are some bright lights. Motte had a really good playoffs and maybe Gaudette figures the game out for keeps this upcoming season.
Maybe a solution can be found to get the rest of this bunch playing at a better pace more conducive to better productivity!! Not holding my breath. The recent playoffs and the success the team had might help keep them focussed.
One thing I am not worried about is team leadership. Horvat and Miller got that room covered and Petey and Quinn just shine so bright ya gotta wear shades..
