So Vancouver just beat Edmonton 6-2 tonight, sit on top of the Northwest division and are on a three-game win streak. Naturally, everyone wants to get on the bandwagon. I have said it consistently on this board and elsewhere: the Canucks will hopefully sneak into the playoffs and if they do and are healthy with a hot Luongo ANYTHING can happen. The secret is to get to the playoffs first. At this stage of the season, here are some things I think the Canucks have got to do to get into the playoffs and hopefully do some damage:
1. Get a real backup for Luongo to a) give him more of a rest b) provide better insurance if Luongo got injured. The assumption is that a real backup would win games and points for the Canucks, unlike Sabourin.
2. Get more production out of the third and forth lines. Chouinard, Green, Kesler are a few of the culprits who have got to raise their game and score more. If they don't, Nonis has got to find some guys who can add more scoring. If the Sedin well runs dry, it's over without more scoring from #'s3 and 4 lines. It's nice to see that Trevor Linden has started scoring more in recent games.
3. Quit dicking around with the lines. Vigneault has had nearly 40 games to figure it out. Pick a guy to play with the Sedins and stick with it. Is it Pyatt? Naslund? Bulis? Pick someone and then worry about the other lines. I have no problem with making line chemistry changes based on how the game is going but it's time the players started to 'gel' with players they are typically put on the same line with.
4. The defense looks good - Bieksa has been great. I'm hoping Edler next year will be the same thing for Vancouver. Bieksa and Krajicek have provided some offense from the blueline, but if the Canucks could pick up another mobile defenseman who could be a power-play specialist, that would be a nice addition. Tremblay had potential to be that guy but it just didn't work out. Coulombe has nice skill but is just too small and needs more time in Manitoba.
dp
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DavidPratt_
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Back on the Bandwagon?
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Linden Is God
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Cookie La Rue
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tantalum
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I was never off the bandwagon. And haven't been for my entire life.
I agree on most points.
Sure I wanted changes but then again i still do. The team offence is still very much being driven by the twins and the help from the other lines is still not at the level it needs to be. Morrison has picked it up marginally but beyond that 3 point night it's 6 pinits in 12 games or something and still way too much time invisible 5 on 5. He's become a special team guy...and mainly a PK guy. Cooke has 4 points his last 16 games and really only one great game and maybe a one or two good ones. Again way too much time being invisible. The third and fourth lines have been non-existent in the offensive zone the entire year. This area still needs work and I hope Nonis doesn't think 15 goals in 3 games actually means something. Still too much money tied up in not enough results up front.
Backup - absolutely needed.
dicking around with the lines? To a certain extent i agree. However, the only line really going right now and all year is the twins. They are starting to get double shifted here and there and as a resutl the lines are going to be messed up. Morrison and Naslund have lost whatever chemistry they used to have so I have no problems with the new line combo AV is trying. In fact i think this naslund-Kesler-Bulis line has Naslund at his most effective all year.. Linden is with the Sedins only on the PP (a few 5-on-5 shifts but not many) because of his right hand shot. Pyatt has done a good job 5-on-5 with them and gets the bulk of those shifts. Pyatt fits better on a different PP unit because he can be used in front of the net to screen/tip point shots. Linden works with the Sedins because they like the down low play which is easier with the right hand shot. I think the PP of late has demonstrated some very good coaching....the coaching staff assessed the players strength and assembled a couple of effective PP units.
blueline - it looks good with the exception of Rory. He needs to be in the pressbox. I'm not sure they need another offensive D-man, but rather a solid defensive guy capable of moving the puck or a two-way guy with more defensive lenaings. Nonis has to move some salary around to get Krajicek a better, more steady partner. Kracijek has played well but he was much mroe effective early on when paired with Mitchell. Krajicek needs a steady influence to bring out his confidence. Rory is anything but steady.
If the canucks lose tonight it's because I'm back home from holiday in Alberta. So far this year the canucks are 6-0 when I'm in Alberta. So I will take the blame if the team loses tonight.
I agree on most points.
Sure I wanted changes but then again i still do. The team offence is still very much being driven by the twins and the help from the other lines is still not at the level it needs to be. Morrison has picked it up marginally but beyond that 3 point night it's 6 pinits in 12 games or something and still way too much time invisible 5 on 5. He's become a special team guy...and mainly a PK guy. Cooke has 4 points his last 16 games and really only one great game and maybe a one or two good ones. Again way too much time being invisible. The third and fourth lines have been non-existent in the offensive zone the entire year. This area still needs work and I hope Nonis doesn't think 15 goals in 3 games actually means something. Still too much money tied up in not enough results up front.
Backup - absolutely needed.
dicking around with the lines? To a certain extent i agree. However, the only line really going right now and all year is the twins. They are starting to get double shifted here and there and as a resutl the lines are going to be messed up. Morrison and Naslund have lost whatever chemistry they used to have so I have no problems with the new line combo AV is trying. In fact i think this naslund-Kesler-Bulis line has Naslund at his most effective all year.. Linden is with the Sedins only on the PP (a few 5-on-5 shifts but not many) because of his right hand shot. Pyatt has done a good job 5-on-5 with them and gets the bulk of those shifts. Pyatt fits better on a different PP unit because he can be used in front of the net to screen/tip point shots. Linden works with the Sedins because they like the down low play which is easier with the right hand shot. I think the PP of late has demonstrated some very good coaching....the coaching staff assessed the players strength and assembled a couple of effective PP units.
blueline - it looks good with the exception of Rory. He needs to be in the pressbox. I'm not sure they need another offensive D-man, but rather a solid defensive guy capable of moving the puck or a two-way guy with more defensive lenaings. Nonis has to move some salary around to get Krajicek a better, more steady partner. Kracijek has played well but he was much mroe effective early on when paired with Mitchell. Krajicek needs a steady influence to bring out his confidence. Rory is anything but steady.
If the canucks lose tonight it's because I'm back home from holiday in Alberta. So far this year the canucks are 6-0 when I'm in Alberta. So I will take the blame if the team loses tonight.
DP agree with your points. Hopefully with the new found success against NW division teams Nonis doesn't use this as an excuse to take another wait and see approach. I've said it in other threads, but it still bears repeating, this is a team that lacks an identity, however with the new found offensive production perhaps something will develop.
Backup: It is too bad that Nonis didn't take a run at Schaefer when he was placed on waivers by SJ. While he doesn't have a wealth of NHL experience it is comparable Sabourin, and his stats are certainly better.
Forwards: I think Vigneault is looking for some balance throughout the lines and that is why there is so much mixing. I suppose the rationale is that if he manages to generate another scoring combo he can take some of the heat off the Sedins, which in turn allows them to become more of a pervasive threat since they are not always being keyed upon.
As far as Chouinard is concerned, it is time for him to visit the waiver wire. His contributions are marginal and given the make up of the forward lines, the last thing the Canucks need is a soft player who can't score, on the third and fourth line.
I am not a member of the trade Cook camp, since night in and night out he continues to be one of the few Canuck forwards who is willing to play the body. What he needs are line mates of a similar style who can take advantage of his speed on the fore check.
I wish I could say the same about Morrison, but if he starts to put up points, and can be moved Nonis should pull the trigger. The problem still remains as to what you can get in return. I don't understand the apparent reluctance to give Reid a shot or for that matter other Moose forwards who seem to be scoring at the AHL level. While some of the Moose +/- stats are abysmal, a stint in the "bigs" might just inspire a more well rounded effort. As it stands, all the call ups are grinders (perhaps this is a sad comment on our lack of depth).
Defense: I have to agree with tantalum. All star or not, Rory is just not getting the job done. In fact he is more conspicuous by his return than his absence, which in his case is not a good thing.
Backup: It is too bad that Nonis didn't take a run at Schaefer when he was placed on waivers by SJ. While he doesn't have a wealth of NHL experience it is comparable Sabourin, and his stats are certainly better.
Forwards: I think Vigneault is looking for some balance throughout the lines and that is why there is so much mixing. I suppose the rationale is that if he manages to generate another scoring combo he can take some of the heat off the Sedins, which in turn allows them to become more of a pervasive threat since they are not always being keyed upon.
As far as Chouinard is concerned, it is time for him to visit the waiver wire. His contributions are marginal and given the make up of the forward lines, the last thing the Canucks need is a soft player who can't score, on the third and fourth line.
I am not a member of the trade Cook camp, since night in and night out he continues to be one of the few Canuck forwards who is willing to play the body. What he needs are line mates of a similar style who can take advantage of his speed on the fore check.
I wish I could say the same about Morrison, but if he starts to put up points, and can be moved Nonis should pull the trigger. The problem still remains as to what you can get in return. I don't understand the apparent reluctance to give Reid a shot or for that matter other Moose forwards who seem to be scoring at the AHL level. While some of the Moose +/- stats are abysmal, a stint in the "bigs" might just inspire a more well rounded effort. As it stands, all the call ups are grinders (perhaps this is a sad comment on our lack of depth).
Defense: I have to agree with tantalum. All star or not, Rory is just not getting the job done. In fact he is more conspicuous by his return than his absence, which in his case is not a good thing.
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DavidPratt_
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I couldn't agree more. I believe Nonis erred big time at the trade deadline. He could have picked up guys like Weinrich much cheaper than he did at the deadline but chose to wait and the desperately made some acquisitions because the playoffs were at risk. GMs will tell you that it's hard to trade players when the team is playing poorly, but conversely they tend to hold back when the team is playing well and take a 'wait and see' approach.Arbour wrote:DP agree with your points. Hopefully with the new found success against NW division teams Nonis doesn't use this as an excuse to take another wait and see approach. I've said it in other threads, but it still bears repeating, this is a team that lacks an identity, however with the new found offensive production perhaps something will develop.
If I was Nonis, this is what I would do:
1. Send Sabourin to Manitoba. Don't trade him - I think he has potential but he still needs to develop. Trade Flaherty instead to a team that needs a solid veteran on the farm. Goalies I would pick up include:
- Boucher
- Schaeffer
- Yann Danis (he played well for Montreal when he was called up last season)
2. Put guys like Chouinard and Santala on waivers. Adios guys - you've had your chance. Chouinard looked awful at training camp and has been a big-time bust.
3. Pick up a guy who can score on the third or fourth line. Linden is playing better which has been great. It was nice to see Burrows get a goal. Guys like Green aren't delivering though. Send him back to Manitoba. It's too bad the Canucks didn't pick up a guy like Yanic Perrault when they could have.
dp
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Island Nucklehead
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Great Points DP.
We picked up Chouinard to be our key faceoff guy and PK specialist. So far, he's under 50% on FO's, and is on pace for about 10 points. 1.1 Million? For a guy that dosn't win half the faceoffs and scores a point once in 10 games? Although he contributes to our top 5 PK, the price tag is just too high for a team so close to the cap with guys like Naslund underperforming. Slash that contract in half, and I'd take him. It's about time we throw him on waivers, see what happens.
Naslund: he must be hurt. 15 games and no goals!? He needs to swallow his pride and say "I can't go." Get healthy. These 1 assist games are not going to cut it for 6 million. It's nice we're winning, but sooner or later it will be the game on his stick, and if that shoulder/groin/hip/whatever isnt up to par we won't win. Take a week, shit take a month, get healthy! If we're winning one goal games and he's not 100%, I can only immagine what we'll be doing if he gets it going again. (Not to mention the salary we could save if he's out for a little while, could help us at the deadline.)
Rory, he's a 6th D-man. I'm not going to bag the guy. He's playing 14min/game and that's probably too much for him. I think you could ask Ohlund to play 26-28, and between Salo, Mitchell, and BXA make up the rest. Get him down to 10-12, and you might see some better play. ie less chances to screw up.
Now is a good time to guage the market for Morrison. I'm not so sure if we want a Kaigorodov type player (who the Sens sent for Mike Comrie). But I think Mo offers a little more all around than Comrie does, for the same salary. Now that he's picking it up, interest should as well. If we're lucky, a combo of Mo+Draft pick could bring us a couple players (possibly even a backup) to fill some gaps. Also, if he continues to improve, I wouldn't be adverse to hanging on to him...but Nonis should be keeping his ears open.
We picked up Chouinard to be our key faceoff guy and PK specialist. So far, he's under 50% on FO's, and is on pace for about 10 points. 1.1 Million? For a guy that dosn't win half the faceoffs and scores a point once in 10 games? Although he contributes to our top 5 PK, the price tag is just too high for a team so close to the cap with guys like Naslund underperforming. Slash that contract in half, and I'd take him. It's about time we throw him on waivers, see what happens.
Naslund: he must be hurt. 15 games and no goals!? He needs to swallow his pride and say "I can't go." Get healthy. These 1 assist games are not going to cut it for 6 million. It's nice we're winning, but sooner or later it will be the game on his stick, and if that shoulder/groin/hip/whatever isnt up to par we won't win. Take a week, shit take a month, get healthy! If we're winning one goal games and he's not 100%, I can only immagine what we'll be doing if he gets it going again. (Not to mention the salary we could save if he's out for a little while, could help us at the deadline.)
Rory, he's a 6th D-man. I'm not going to bag the guy. He's playing 14min/game and that's probably too much for him. I think you could ask Ohlund to play 26-28, and between Salo, Mitchell, and BXA make up the rest. Get him down to 10-12, and you might see some better play. ie less chances to screw up.
Now is a good time to guage the market for Morrison. I'm not so sure if we want a Kaigorodov type player (who the Sens sent for Mike Comrie). But I think Mo offers a little more all around than Comrie does, for the same salary. Now that he's picking it up, interest should as well. If we're lucky, a combo of Mo+Draft pick could bring us a couple players (possibly even a backup) to fill some gaps. Also, if he continues to improve, I wouldn't be adverse to hanging on to him...but Nonis should be keeping his ears open.
A 3-2 win over Calgary makes it four in a row - the first time this season for the Canucks. If I were DN I'd leave the phone alone until the streak is over. All players are firing on all engines and everyone's playing great.
At this point in time, with the way we're playing, I think only Chouinard and Santala are expendable. We'll have to have a wait and see approach before we do anything.
I disagree. Although I think we should've picked up Yanic, Green and Burrows have been solid playing under Vigneault's system. They're constantly forechecking, blocking shots, and doing the little things right. I don't see why they should be sent to the Moose.dp wrote:3. Pick up a guy who can score on the third or fourth line. Linden is playing better which has been great. It was nice to see Burrows get a goal. Guys like Green aren't delivering though. Send him back to Manitoba. It's too bad the Canucks didn't pick up a guy like Yanic Perrault when they could have.
At this point in time, with the way we're playing, I think only Chouinard and Santala are expendable. We'll have to have a wait and see approach before we do anything.
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Island Nucklehead
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The problem with players like Green and Burrows is that they have all the hustle, and none of the skill. Make no mistake, if this team could, it would have different players playing those roles. The Cap quandry basically forces us to have them on the roster, not their play. They should be thanking Morrison, Cooke and Kesler that they have jobs in this league. However, as long as they stay close to even (which is a problem for Burrows at -6, Green is even) I don't see a need to get rid of them...especially when there is really no better 4th liners out there to provide a definite upgrade.
Just on another note...Salo leads the team with a +12 and 4 GWG. I'm starting to think that Nonis should make an offer to keep him in Vancouver. Nothing over the top. But he's probably worth 3 million. My thinking...if I'm going to spend 3 million on someone, I'd rather it be Salo than Morrison. And 9 million for our top 3 (Ohlund, Mitchell, Salo) isn't that bad. Look at the Laufs, who are spending close to 15 million on theirs.
Just on another note...Salo leads the team with a +12 and 4 GWG. I'm starting to think that Nonis should make an offer to keep him in Vancouver. Nothing over the top. But he's probably worth 3 million. My thinking...if I'm going to spend 3 million on someone, I'd rather it be Salo than Morrison. And 9 million for our top 3 (Ohlund, Mitchell, Salo) isn't that bad. Look at the Laufs, who are spending close to 15 million on theirs.
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DavidPratt_
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I'd send Green back to Manitoba and even consider bringing up Reid. I'd keep Burrows. I didn't suggest sending him to Manitoba.jchockey wrote:A 3-2 win over Calgary makes it four in a row - the first time this season for the Canucks. If I were DN I'd leave the phone alone until the streak is over. All players are firing on all engines and everyone's playing great.
I disagree. Although I think we should've picked up Yanic, Green and Burrows have been solid playing under Vigneault's system. They're constantly forechecking, blocking shots, and doing the little things right. I don't see why they should be sent to the Moose.dp wrote:3. Pick up a guy who can score on the third or fourth line. Linden is playing better which has been great. It was nice to see Burrows get a goal. Guys like Green aren't delivering though. Send him back to Manitoba. It's too bad the Canucks didn't pick up a guy like Yanic Perrault when they could have.
dp
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theinsainianone
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DavidPratt_
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I agree with most of your points except I believe that Brendan Morrison's surgery over the summer has prevented him from playing the way we all know he is capable of. I don't know if I would dump him yet.Island Nucklehead wrote:Great Points DP.
Now is a good time to guage the market for Morrison. I'm not so sure if we want a Kaigorodov type player (who the Sens sent for Mike Comrie). But I think Mo offers a little more all around than Comrie does, for the same salary. Now that he's picking it up, interest should as well. If we're lucky, a combo of Mo+Draft pick could bring us a couple players (possibly even a backup) to fill some gaps. Also, if he continues to improve, I wouldn't be adverse to hanging on to him...but Nonis should be keeping his ears open.
I would however dump Chouinard, Santala and keep Fitzpatrick to strictly 7th d-man minutes.
dp
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Island Nucklehead
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