As Good As It Gets

[Topper]

Early Impressions, Take your pick

[donlever]

Dreamy lol...yeah, given those choices #2 for me.

[Ronning's Ghost]

They have declared a re-build, and are doing re-build things.

Dreamy? No.

But the most encouraging I have seen since 2011.

[Cornuck]

I'll give them more than 7 games.

But so far, I'm not buying the "tough to play against" mantra we heard as the season was starting.

[donlever]

They'd be tougher to play against if they were bigger/stronger.

[theman]

Way too early to decide how they are doing. This is supposed to be a rebuild season. Honestly a lot of my mind will be made up after the TDL.

[UWSaint]

Way too early to decide how they are doing. This is supposed to be a rebuild season. Honestly a lot of my mind will be made up after the TDL.

Actually thought the play was good (for a green group) through 2 periods yesterday. No legs in the third. Back to back? Deflated by Lankinen? No jam? I don't know, probably multifactorial. But there's been no jam at the end of games on this trip. Different than the first few games.

They can't start periods.

They get punched in the nose after nearly every goal they score.

They have no answer for the bumper or how to play it.

Lankinen has been beyond terrible.

Clean those four things up, and lose by 1 more often. Which is the right delta based on modest talent.

UWS

[Ronning's Ghost]

They'd be tougher to play against if they were bigger/stronger.

Yes, but also if more of them had put some time into developing fighting skills, or if they had one such specialist on the roster.

The management question is how much resource to devote to it, and which approach is more efficient. But I agree they should do at least one -- especially in a season in which wins, and therefore penalties, are irrelevant.

[Cornuck]

It's not the fighting - it's losing puck 'battles' consistently. The past few games have been embarrassing.

[Topper]

It's not the fighting - it's losing puck 'battles' consistently. The past few games have been embarrassing.

They are fighting for the puck from the wrong side. It is peewee fundamentals.

They leave opponents unmarked and then are reaching to make stick checks.

It such horribly flawed hockey it is disturbing to watch.

Blame goaltending all you want, but they are completely hung out to dry by the incompetents play of the defenders and forwards.

Where are the vet leaders? Oh yeah, the guiltiest.

Where is the coaching? Willfully blind.

[Megaterio Llamas]

They'll go as far as Arshdeep Bains can take them.

Topper does make a strong point about it not being on Lank. We're usually being outshot 21-4 or something like that and we're bitching about the three Lank let in.

[Topper]

They'll go as far as Arshdeep Bains can take them.

Topper does make a strong point about it not being on Lank. We're usually being outshot 21-4 or something like that and we're bitching about the three Lank let in.

Rags game
shot/pass off the pads - no defender on the trailer - goal

Ranger spins off Schenn in the slot - goal

Rangers break out, Scooter late on the trailer caught reaching at the very end - goal

[Lancer]

One should factor in that they have played some heavy, veteran squads, and Keefe in New Jersey has them playing competent defense. This team has been outclassed because the players came off their sugar high start to the season. The scores reflect it.

Lankinen blows; the defense is green as fuck still and needs more muscle to play with the big boys; and the wingers have to be able to get the puck out competently.

As for coaching, given the shortened training camp, I’ll give them till Christmas to see what a Malhotra-coached team looks like. They’re trying; they’re just outmatched.

[Picker of Cherries]

I never liked Lankinen’s contract, but I don’t blame him for the loses.
This season was always a write-off. Scotty Bowman couldn’t win with this roster.
Best part of the season is that they sent the kids (Cootes and Novotny) down to develop properly even though they are better players than plenty on the roster. I’m hoping by the end of the season Buium and Willander start showing something. D’Petey is showing them up, which shouldn’t be the case.
The unforced error that irks me is taking Gallagher off Montreal’s hand without getting a pick. It’s not a big deal, but he’s done. Pro-scouting should do better. I’d rather see a waiver claim given a shot in his roster spot. Amateur scouting seems okay, but they might need to make adjustments in the pro-scouting department.
I’m generally fine with the team, but I was totally prepared to handle a rebuild.

[UWSaint]

Topper does make a strong point about it not being on Lank. We're usually being outshot 21-4 or something like that and we're bitching about the three Lank let in.

I don't think anyone is (or should be) arguing that there aren't significant areas for improvement in the Canucks defensive play, and those areas are (sadly) in skill, effort, and technique. Add to that losing key defensive zone faceoffs and extended shifts (that are often the result of over chasing when the other team has the puck leaving no options when that puck is turned over), and its a bit of a train wreck. The losses will come with this kind of play no matter the goalie.

But the fact is that Kevin Lankinen has been the worst player on the team, and has been the worst goaltender in the league. And while that can help expose some bad play (because the bad plays end up in the back of the net), there are other plays where defender are doing the right thing and shots that should be swallowed result in burped rebounds in the slot, or if not the slot, just extend time on ice. Lankinen has become DeSmithian in his consistent overpushing losing his net, and Cloutierian in his penchant to "guess" as opposed to react, and leave himself so far out of the play that it *looks* like he never had a chance. Lankinen has earned his sub .800 save rate.