Uninspired play a concern ...

[Grizzly]

It's one thing to talk about lack of scoring or timely goals ... especially when the effort is there but to me almost everyone's play now (with the exception of a few - Kesler, Burrows) seems completely uninspired ... shouldn't be that way for a team with 10 or 11 games to go in the regular season and being on the brink of either a playoff spot or elimination ...

Now granted some nites they do play well and they look like they are interested ie Edmonton game a couple of weeks ago, Nashville the other nite, but overall in the last couple of months there have been very few nites that everyone has been on the same page and we have seen really inspired desperation hockey.

I would really rather just say its cause of a "slump" or the "injury" woes but it is starting to make me wonder when you see some of the efforts being made if it is something else ...

We saw this before with this team a few years ago when they had the talent and there were some internal "issues" going on with the team... I am thinking that maybe the lines here may run a little deeper and there is once again some internal issues within the locker room ... like I said its one thing to lose a hard fought battle but it is something else to lose games at this time of year because the effort isn't there.

Thoughts ... ??

Grizz

[mattola]

AV system vs Naslund wanted system?

we know Naslund was not fond of it earlier this year so maybe that is PART of the reason why the effort is not there?

Its hard to pinpoint. I think its the mental factor of this team each and every night. They have it ingrained into their minds that they think they cant score. You listen to Nonis and he seems to think they all have the ability to score goals and you know what hes right. Naslund should be a 35 goal scorer, Henrik a 25 goal scorer, Daniel a 35 goal scorer, Kesler is 20, Burrows 15, Ritchie should be 10 t with the amount of games he gets. and it goes on. Only Daniel is on pace for a 30 goal season. but not at this rate. Then there is our defense who we relied on SOOO much. with all the injuries we have had you can use that as an excuse for the less goals from the blueline.

[JCardinal]

The team needs a few more Burrows and Kessler - like players. An Iginla type forward who can wear the C and who want's to win at all costs and is not a "technician" type like Nazzy and the Sedins.

The Sedins need to be put in a position where the pressure is not all on them, then they can shine. They need to be the second line, they haven't mentally graduated to the first line yet even though they are more than capable skill wise it's clear they fold under pressure.

Hockey is a grueling sport, you need real warrior types to lead a group to a cup. It's fine like in any army to have technicians and specialists working at the back but there has to be someone nuts enough at the front to lead the charge over the hill.

[Farhan Lalji]

Thoughts ... ??

Grizz

Personally, I don't think it has much to do with (deliberate) uninspired play. Unlike a lot of other teams, the Canucks simply do NOT have the ability to blow a team away (and when it does, it's once in a blue moon). As result - the Canucks are often fighting tooth and nail for most of their victories. This then leads to them being in a "must win" situation for many months before the playoffs even start.

Players are only human. You can't be at 100% intensity each and every night. As result - whenever the Canucks have any "breathing room" whatsoever, they subconsciously relax. Hence - I believe this is a MAJOR reason why...

a) They have difficulty beating teams that are very low in the standings
b) They have difficulty winning games when they have any degree of comfort in the standings (i.e. being mathematically in the playoffs....having a few games in hand, etc.).
c) They have difficulty maintaining leads in games (i.e. Colorado/Columbus this season) and playoff series' (i.e. against Dallas last year).

So with that being said, I don't think it has much to do with uninspired play.....as it does with the team simply being emotionally drained out.

If the Canucks had more talented players up front........AND/OR.......a system that allowed the Canucks to open up more offensively, then I don't think we'd see the inconsistencies that I stated above.

Keep in mind however, that it's not only the Canucks that have been inconsistent this season. Teams like Minnesota, Calgary, Colorado, Nashville, and an entire slew of eastern teams have also been like this (a lot of these teams that have more talent than the Canucks).


For next season - I'd like to see Veenyo's system tweaked a little (more "run-and-gun" friendly)......while Nonis hopefully adds some more firepower upfront. If Veenyo is unwilling to tweak his system with Nonis' (hopeful) offensive additions, then Veenyo should be let go.

[Grizzly]

For next season - I'd like to see Veenyo's system tweaked a little (more "run-and-gun" friendly)......while Nonis hopefully adds some more firepower upfront. If Veenyo is unwilling to tweak his system with Nonis' (hopeful) offensive additions, then Veenyo should be let go.

I think AV is going to have to tweak his system next year

... fans are tired of the lack of scoring and want something more

... I believe also that offensively minded players given the choice may NOT want to come to Vancouver because it would hinder their style of play.

... DN will for sure have the ability but essentially he will will be almost forced to do something in the offseason therefore giving AV more options - because if DN doesn't acquire some offence and we are looking at the same type of team next year he may be looking for a new job. Not sure how long we can float at this average playing level without seeing something change.

Grizz

[Farhan Lalji]

... I believe also that offensively minded players given the choice may NOT want to come to Vancouver because it would hinder their style of play.

That's a great point. Having said that, Pavol Demitra (willingly) signed with an offensively-challenged Minnesota Wild team a few years ago.

Still - your point remains. Another concern I have, is if Veenyo actually KNOWS how to implement a more offense-friendly style at the NHL level. If I understand correctly, Veenyo had this same problem when he coached the Canadiens.

God forbid.......maybe SRsez was actually right before he was booted from the Corner!

[Sid Dithers]

I think the bottom line is that it's just a major fricking grind to have to play in these tight games every night. Let's face it: it wears on you. You hardly ever get a laugher and you're constantly under the gun because you've got a pop-gun offense. It grinds on the team from Louie on out and the pressure gets to be something that a lot of players succumb to at some point. Look, it affects our highest-paid players who are supposed to have some degree of natural talent. What do you think it does to guys who don't have it? Or the defense who know they have to play well every night or the team won't have a chance? It's all too much. Look at the way it's currently effecting everyone.

AV is tighter than a pair of speedos these days.
Louie looks frustrated and miserable.
The defense know they've got to keep it to 2 goals or less to give the team a chance.
The scorers can't score, and the scoring has fallen into the guys hands who..well...don't exactly have the best hands in the world.
The team this year, much like last, is basically a recipe for failure. Too many missing ingredients.

I don't believe, for the most part, that effort is the problem. But the team is heavily under pressure and quite honestly, don't have the ability to deal with it well at this point.

[clearwatercanuck]

Lets not go jumping ahead to next year. We are actually doing great right now, I would be happy just to barley make it and come in as the underdog. After all if we finish in eight place we'll be playing the boys from Detroit, which would be awsome IMO.

[jchockey]

I've said this before and I'll say it again - this team is just too mentally weak compared to the other teams and don't have the so-called 'drive' or 'killer instinct' for them to win games or be dangerous in the last minutes of the game.

We're too complacent with our play at times, and a lot of nights it seems like the players take the fact that they have Luongo in net a given and expect him to make the save. If I remember correctly I think Luongo is top 5 in the league in shots against per night. I don't care if you say the shots are perimeter shots and that Luongo has no problems with those - a shot is a shot and any sort of sh*t luck means it's in the net.

The Canucks don't have the luxury of being able to sit back and win games by scoring 2 goals a night, but they sure play like they do.

[Cornuck]

From the posts above, I agree with Farhan that AV will have to tweak or change his system next year - for the reasons posted by Sid.

I'd hate to be playing in these games - 82 of them?!? Then the playoffs come, and you start all over again.

I'd like to think that if we make it this year, we'll see some players elevate their game, but I'm not banking on it.

[Farhan Lalji]

Lets not go jumping ahead to next year. We are actually doing great right now, I would be happy just to barley make it and come in as the underdog. After all if we finish in eight place we'll be playing the boys from Detroit, which would be awsome IMO.

clearwatercanuck,

I like your positive attitude. As much as we rag on the Canucks, we also have to keep in mind that many other teams are struggling as well (i.e. Calgary, Minnesota, Nashville, half the eastern conference, etc. ,etc.).

I also agree that Detroit would be a good 1st round opponent for us. With a 43 year old Hasek and/or a very average Chris Osgood, the Canucks will clearly out-match the Wings in net. On top of that, Detroit aren't exactly the most physical team....which also plays into the Canucks' favour.

I'm personally not afraid of Calgary or Minnesota either. While it would be tough to beat either of those teams (i.e. 6 or 7 games), I don't see any one team dominating the other. To a lesser degree, I'm also not afraid of Dallas. Canucks might be able to out-bore Dallas as they did last year. (although to Dallas' credit, they are much better than they were last season....thanks to the coach tweaking their system......Veenyo, you taking notes? ).

The 3 teams that concern me are Anaheim, San Jose, and Colorado. I really hope that 2 of these 3 teams play one another in the 1st round.....and beat the hell out of each other.

Although I don't like the Avs, I dislike the Sharks/Ducks even more......and so I hope that the Avs (#7 spot?) could beat a team like the Sharks (#2 spot?). Anaheim and Dallas cancel one another out at #4 and #5 (I'd hope for Dallas here). Canucks, at 8, defeat Detroit.

Canucks would then either get Dallas or Minnesota/Calgary in the 2nd round.

[Mikodat]

I'd hate to be playing in these games - 82 of them?!? Then the playoffs come, and you start all over again

Yeah it must be tough being paid a Million a year to work 8 months tops.. with a work day of 1 hour plus practice... Somehow my heart just doesn't bleed for them.. Course some of them are playing a " union " game.. just enough to get by.. This team used to be known for its great work ethic and in reality they need to show up every game . The lack of work ethic shows in fhe shots against this year.. The forwards are not coming back as much or checking as hard. The D is about the same and other than injuries is doing a fair job. Luongo shows up most nights ... wonder why the highly paid Sedins and Naslund can't do the same?.

[Blob Mckenzie]

Wonder why the highly paid Sedins and Naslund can't do the same?.

Because There Swedish!!![/quote]

Really ?

[West Coast Jets Fan]

I also agree that Detroit would be a good 1st round opponent for us. With a 43 year old Hasek and/or a very average Chris Osgood, the Canucks will clearly out-match the Wings in net. On top of that, Detroit aren't exactly the most physical team....which also plays into the Canucks' favour.

The Canucks clearly outmatch 98% of the league in net.....it doesn't mean a dam when you can't score.....ask Marty Turco

And please don't try and sell me on the fact the Canucks are a physical team.....there's a difference between dropping the gloves (and if your name ends in Cowan...getting pummeled) and playing physical. The Canucks just don't seem to have any desire to throw the big check....they'd rather scrum it up or drop the gloves.....and we've seen how that has worked out.....hello 9th place.

Sorry to be a negative nelly, but these final games are really bringing out our weaknesses.