Abbotsford Canucks | Season Starting

logan5

Registered User
May 24, 2011
6,615
4,743
Vancouver - Mt. Pleasant
The skill level is so bad. Even on a 5 on 3 the Abby Canucks cannot even set up. Shooting it in the zone on a 5 on 3 and the Tucson player still gets to the puck first and easily shoots it out.

Lekkerimaki is easily the best forward. He is the only one on the power play that can handle some pressure and keep the play going.
 

VanJack

Registered User
Jul 11, 2014
22,479
15,959
Love Kudryavtsev's game. Before the season, the debate was whether or not he could survive in the AHL, or would need to go back to the OHL for his overage season.

But he's not going anywhere now. He's a big minute-muncher as a rookie and looks to playing in a much tougher league, exactly the way he played for the Soo Greyhounds last season.

Always baffles me how some kids can move from Major Junior and struggle mightily in the AHL.....while others make it look easy.
 

Blue and Green

Out to lunch
Dec 17, 2017
3,790
3,924
The skill level is so bad. Even on a 5 on 3 the Abby Canucks cannot even set up. Shooting it in the zone on a 5 on 3 and the Tucson player still gets to the puck first and easily shoots it out.

Lekkerimaki is easily the best forward. He is the only one on the power play that can handle some pressure and keep the play going.
Lekkerimaki needs to show more in 5-on-5. I wasn't that impressed with his game.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bossram

Blue and Green

Out to lunch
Dec 17, 2017
3,790
3,924
Ends 3-0 Abbotsford. Patera with the shutout. Tucson had big chances to score in the first period but one guy somehow shot the puck over the crossbar from right in front of a completely empty net, and then a giveaway by Wolanin-- yes, made his season debut-- gave a SH breakaway but the Tucson player hit the inside of the post.

Di Giuseppe played his second game of the season tonight but something was not right. He missed the last half of the second period, came out and played early in the third period and then disappeared again.

On the whole, another good effort and the defencemen were quite solid as they've been for most of the season, although Wolanin looked like he was not entirely game-sharp and McWard was back to looking a bit scrambly like he was last season. Forwards are a bit shorthanded right now (only 11 dressed tonight) with no Karlsson, no Blais and Di Giuseppe not playing much, but they gave a pretty good effort and did a good job of helping to limit Tucson's possession time and scoring chances.

Hoping for the best with Friedman.
 
  • Like
Reactions: quat

WTG

December 5th
Jan 11, 2015
24,345
8,714
Pickle Time Deli & Market
Love Kudryavtsev's game. Before the season, the debate was whether or not he could survive in the AHL, or would need to go back to the OHL for his overage season.

But he's not going anywhere now. He's a big minute-muncher as a rookie and looks to playing in a much tougher league, exactly the way he played for the Soo Greyhounds last season.

Always baffles me how some kids can move from Major Junior and struggle mightily in the AHL.....while others make it look easy.
Watching him in pre-season in person and some AHL games I walked away being impressed. Couldn't really ask more from him development wise at this stage. He doesn't have the same of a flair talent that Pettersson has (I am counting his physicality as a flair talent) but he does everything just well... well.

It would be interesting to see where his ceiling is. From the games I watched in the AHL I would not be surpised to see him play a few games in the NHL if there are injuries and if they can clear up some room on the back-end.

-------------------------

On a different note. The AHL needs to clamp down on goons and nobodies playing. There should be harsh suspensions given out for trying to kill a guy. It's a development league, not the big shots. Last season there was a close moment with some plug taking a run at Stankoven in the AHL and almost took him out.

Just gross. I hope Friedman will be okay.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bossram and quat

MS

1%er
Mar 18, 2002
55,687
91,565
Vancouver, BC
Man, the AHL sucks. Way too much garbage like that hit on Friedman.

They have this weird thing where they try and market themselves as a developmental league where you watch future stars but also know that their gate revenues are driven by people who want old-school fighting and goonery. And so you constantly see the young stars getting injured by the no-talent goons.

I’m still irate over the 2-game suspension to Trevor Gallant for an unprovoked attack on Jett Woo last year. Just no desire by the AHL to get these players and their antics out of their league.
 

arttk

Registered User
Feb 16, 2006
19,221
11,104
Los Angeles
They have this weird thing where they try and market themselves as a developmental league where you watch future stars but also know that their gate revenues are driven by people who want old-school fighting and goonery. And so you constantly see the young stars getting injured by the no-talent goons.

I’m still irate over the 2-game suspension to Trevor Gallant for an unprovoked attack on Jett Woo last year. Just no desire by the AHL to get these players and their antics out of their league.
Pod got destroyed too last season, sigh. I feel like I pray for our prospects to not get murdered by plugs in that league.
 

VanJack

Registered User
Jul 11, 2014
22,479
15,959
Pod got destroyed too last season, sigh. I feel like I pray for our prospects to not get murdered by plugs in that league.
That's why I was concerned about Lekkerimaki playing in the AHL. If he starts lighting it up, some goon will find a way to take him out.

That could easily have been Lekkerimaki instead of Friedman being cold-cocked in the offensive zone. It it can happen to a veteran like Friedman, it can happen to anyone, particularly a rookie just starting his career.
 

arttk

Registered User
Feb 16, 2006
19,221
11,104
Los Angeles
That's why I was concerned about Lekkerimaki playing in the AHL. If he starts lighting it up, some goon will find a way to take him out.

That could easily have been Lekkerimaki instead of Friedman being cold-cocked in the offensive zone. It it can happen to a veteran like Friedman, it can happen to anyone, particularly a rookie just starting his career.
I think there are concerns about Lekk being a perimeter player but when I see shit like this over and over in the A, I wonder if that is a bad thing, at least in the A. Like yeah I want him to play more in high traffic areas but I also don’t want him to have a concussion that kills his season or his future.
 

orcatown

HFBoards Sponsor
Sponsor
Feb 13, 2003
10,397
7,983
Visit site
Watching Friedman get head shotted took most of the life out of the game for me. How long till others get the same. I guess I get the "got keep your head up routine" (like he was completely blind-sided) but I really fear for a younger players.

Announcer mentioned that usually someone will respond. But why? There is no one that can stand up to Onyebuchi. Would just mean someone else gets pounded and likely hurt.

Onyebuchi is in the game for one reason - he provides some muscle to keep younger Tucson players protected. We have nothing like that.

I hope Friedman is not seriously hurt. It sicken me to see such plays but you know the AHL will do nothing really about it and how does a suspension do anything for Friedman or Abbotsford. Time for Johnson get off his ass and do something. How many times does this have to happen before he does something.

On the players: (actually at this point so suborfdinate that I feel little purpuse in doing this)

Pettersson - seems to have all the mechanics and clearly can skate at this level. One problem is he tries to get away from pressure by using a kind of blind back hand pass to partner. (sort of Joulevi like) That becomes a dangerous play pros read and get a book on. This type of play usually results from not getting to the puck quick enough or tieing up the puck as an alternative. However, Pettersson is showing enough to be encouraged.

Mueller - getting lots of game time. On PK, 2nd PP and lots of 5 on 5 play. Real zip in his effort and his does have upper level speed.

Lekkermaki - best showing by far. Gets any kind of open ice (like on the PP) and his puck movement and postioning is good. Thought his skating looked improved. Like that he was shooting alot - only way he is going to learn how to use that weapon at this level is to use it..

Brisebois - best overall d-man. Abby defense was good in this one. Wolanin a little rusty with passing but all were good in their zone. McWard had solid game. In style, McWard looks a little like Wolanin.

Kudryavstev - player is excellent in stepping up in the neutral zone and at his blue line to break up plays. And throughout the game found ways to get the puck out of trouble. Nice to see Lekkermaki and him get on the score sheet. So far staying out of trouble around his net but lack of size may hurt here.

DiGuiseppe - was the best forward when he was in the lineup.

Klimovich - making a lot less of the hurried, forced plays leading to turn overs. Seeing the ice pretty well and getting the puck to the net with a shot rather than trying to stick handle through traffic (althought that was not totally out of his play) or make the dangerous lateral pass. You can see the offensive upside and I thought he was looking, throughout, as someone who could produce offense.

Patera - lucky at times but got the shut out and showed much better than the previous start.

Neilsen - one of the better Canucks in this game. When healthy always puts in a good effort.

In spite of being happy with the play of some of the prospects, I felt disgusted by the play on Friedman. Fact it takes away some of the depth on Vancouver is maddening but totally secondary to the future of Friedman. Like everyone, I hope he is ok. This type of injury is career threating. And what really leaves me sad is that this could easily happen to any of our players. The other team has no one to fear of retribution and can liberties any time they want.

I know there will be posters that smirk at this and tell me I'm just finding a way to attack Johnson. However, I intend not get involved with this discussion again. What's the use.
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad