Canucks News N Notes 26-27

[UWSaint]

I chatted with my son and said if players on the team won't make the safe play then those that can be sent down should and bring up some from the farm. Either they make the players accountable for their mistakes or they will repeat them again and again.

See this is where I disagree, though it might just be definitions. If they can't and won't make the simple play that advances the play, then I see what you are saying. But I see a "safe" play as the one that's least likely to create a turnover in transition. Examples of safe play: (1) getting the puck out of the zone by any means necessary (flipping it out, banking it off the boards, icing the puck) or (2) dumping it in absent a line change or truly no other option. My possibly idiosyncratic read is that I don't want them to default to this kind of safety. I would rather have them risk turnovers than continually give up possession with the only benefit being the chance to recombobulate.

A huge problem with how the team has been playing is that they aren't making the simple but effective plays (different than safe plays). This means firm tape to tape passes to players in stride; I think this is apart of what the Sedins consider "connected" play. More damning to the team than the lack of speed on the wing is that they can't play to the lack of speed that they have because they don't hit players in stride with the puck or play in waves when forechecking. There is playing fast and there is skating fast -- these are different things that may have a correlation but are independent attributes -- and the Canucks do neither, by and large. Indeed, it seems that the Canucks are preferencing being organized (D to D passes, forward to D, group reorg) to causing chaos -- and this slows the game down further, and I don't think the Canucks are benefitted from both sides being organized vs. a little disorganization in both groups (which happens with quicker play).

[Ronning's Ghost]

Then TNFG'S picked the wrong coach.

Can’t get there... They are going to lose a lot this season.

To clarify -- speaking only for myself -- I was considering a coaching philosophy that prioritizes obvious expressions of effort (whether sensibly directed or otherwise) over talent development. I don't keep track of ice-times and don't know that to be true of Manny, but from Lever's reply, and other indications I have read on this board, it appeared to be the case.

I know they're going to lose. I expect them to lose. My vision of re-build requires them to lose. Probably next season, too. I don't hold Malhotra accountable for that, and hope that TNFGs don't either. I just want to see the young talent developed effectively.

[Lancer]

A huge problem with how the team has been playing is that they aren't making the simple but effective plays (different than safe plays). This means firm tape to tape passes to players in stride; I think this is apart of what the Sedins consider "connected" play. More damning to the team than the lack of speed on the wing is that they can't play to the lack of speed that they have because they don't hit players in stride with the puck or play in waves when forechecking. There is playing fast and there is skating fast -- these are different things that may have a correlation but are independent attributes -- and the Canucks do neither, by and large. Indeed, it seems that the Canucks are preferencing being organized (D to D passes, forward to D, group reorg) to causing chaos -- and this slows the game down further, and I don't think the Canucks are benefitted from both sides being organized vs. a little disorganization in both groups (which happens with quicker play).

I think the lack of practice continues to haunt the team. Some of their struggles come from being plainly outmatched by players that are stronger/more skilled/more experienced. It's not like they've been playing against a bunch of other cellar-dwellers, playing Carolina Twice, to go with Vegas, Minnesota and Edmonton (bit of a reach, but you get the picture). Try winning against those teams with no more than a handful of practices in between. Add to that new coaching systems and points of emphasis, it's not that surprising. A veteran, skilled team with a new coaching staff will also have their rough patches. A rebuilding team full of wet-eared kids, up-jumped farmhands and a sprinkling of vets - most of whom are shadows of their former selves? We're seeing what happens.

I appreciate that Manny&Co. seem to be trying to slow the game down and simplifying things, but they need practice. Hopefully they don't get utterly demoralized and checked-out in the meantime.

[MJN]

It was painful to watch the Jan Bulis / Jeff Cowan version of the Canucks, but it is probably the same road this iteration needs to travel.

AV sucked the life out of the game and gave double shifts to whomever was going on any given night. Learn to defend and play simply. Lose 3-1 instead of 5-2.

[donlever]

Then TNFG'S picked the wrong coach.

Can’t get there... They are going to lose a lot this season.

To clarify -- speaking only for myself -- I was considering a coaching philosophy that prioritizes obvious expressions of effort (whether sensibly directed or otherwise) over talent development. I don't keep track of ice-times and don't know that to be true of Manny, but from Lever's reply, and other indications I have read on this board, it appeared to be the case.

Keep me out of this.

I was responding to your statement.

Not making my own.

Hopefully they don't get utterly demoralized and checked-out in the meantime.

Never mind the wrong coach conversation.

If ^^^^ that ^^^^ is the case they've got the wrong players.

Pull the rope together.

Or fuck off.