Abbotsford Canucks | Season Starting

[Blue and Green]

That game was a bit of a slog to watch. Team was fairly good defensively and certainly did a good job on the PK but the competition was not strong at all this weekend. Henderson is missing a lot of regulars.

Kudryavtsev regressed somewhat tonight after two strong games; okay defensively but a bit spotty with his puck plays at even strength. Pettersson continues to be steady. Brisebois has picked up his play noticeably in recent games-- looking closer to the player he was two seasons ago, prior to the concussion.

Tolopilo was alright, probably his best game since his three good games at the start but still to my eyes is maybe just a bit off. Got the shutout but didn't have to make spectacular saves and Silver Knights hit the crossbar and post in the third period. At least seems to be going in the right direction in his last two starts.

Nice play by Lekkerimaki on his goal with the strip in the neutral zone and then getting the goalie to open the five-hole. With him it's just a matter of how much strength and straight-line speed he will add and how soon it will happen. Klimovich was very dependable tonight with his decisions and puck management.

I don't say a lot about the AHL-only guys but Stevens and Wouters are playing solid hockey. Stevens is in his ninth season; has been a + player in all eight preceding ones and is +8 this season. Consistent, reliable players.

Back to Bakersfield for a 6:30 game on Tuesday,

 

[orcatown]

Best players for me

Aman - too bad he can't translate this game to the next level. Such a superior skater at this level.

McWard - you can see the potential in his skating and puck movement. Playing with authority. Might be able to play a 3rd pairing with the Canucks and be okay. Seems stronger this season handling size in his end.

Friedman - hope he is not hurt badly as he is big help to this team.

Kudryavstev - Passing, positioning IQ all good. Got an offensive upside. Would like him to have more size but he is smart with his stick and closes out well on his check.

Lekkermaki - not totally consistent shift to shift but very nice move on goal and showing more quickness. Is not, however NHL ready.

Tolopilo - not overly busy but got the SO.

Others

Pettersson - gets around the ice well. More mobile than expected. Needs to make more passes tape to tape.

 

[Blue and Green]

McWard - you can see the potential in his skating and puck movement. Playing with authority. Might be able to play a 3rd pairing with the Canucks and be okay. Seems stronger this season handling size in his end.

I think McWard is now in the process of passing Woo in the pecking order. Has work to do and isn't all that young, but still has some kind of chance to be a 6 - 8 defenceman in the NHL if he can keep putting things together.

Pettersson - gets around the ice well. More mobile than expected. Needs to make more passes tape to tape.

Yep, I like Pettersson's size and mobility. and he's a fairly intelligent and reliable defender, but the puck skills need to improve. Kudryavtsev doesn't have the size but he's more skilled with the puck. Each has a legitimate chance at a solid NHL career. Impossible to know exactly how guys will progress.

 

[VanJack]

Canucks seem high on McWard.......wouldn't be surprising if he's an injury callup at some point in the season.

Kudryavtsev and Pettersson are both just 20--so you expect some fluctuation in their performance from game to game.

But this Henderson team is in a world of trouble. Outshot almost 30-10 through two periods and probably fortunate to be trailing only 2-0. They desperately need to get some guys back off the injury list; and see some of their recent Vegas callups get sent back down.