The Stig
Rest In Peace Johnny Gaudreau
Look, I know how training camp works. But they should start the main lines together immediately. Get the chemistry off to an immediate start. Play lines 1&4 and 2&3 in the pre season.
I think you are getting Pettersson mixed up with Lekkermaki. I just checked, Lekkermaki was not the best goal scorer in the SHL. He was top 10 in basically every catagory though except pts/g.He was the best goal scorer in the SHL as a junior age player last year. It’s entirely possible imo.
it may be as simple as slotting Sprong in when they need a goal and replacing him with Sherwood when they need to protect a lead in the third. It will definitely be interesting to see how Sprong is utilized since he has been traditionally used in limited rolesAgreed. If someone gets hot, they'll stay - if not, it'll be a revolving door.
I do think Sprong is the intended target for the third man for that line - but again, especially with Joshua and Blueger questionable to start, we could see some different deployments, and it looks like the Canucks are at least toying with the idea of someone like Lekkerimaki, Bains or Raty playing at the start of the season.
Look, I know how training camp works. But they should start the main lines together immediately. Get the chemistry off to an immediate start. Play lines 1&4 and 2&3 in the pre season.
They have in some respects, Heinen is riding shotgun with Miller/Boeser, and you've got Hoglander standing in for Joshua on the Garland line. Then the line with PDG-Sherwood looks likely to be some formulation of the fourth line.
Canucks Army noted Tocchet has already stapled most of his "duos" together in Pettersson-Debrusk, Miller-Boeser, and Suter-Sprong looks like it could be tried regularly. Sasson is just standing in for Blueger it looks like. On defense, I think Soucy-Desharnais has a pretty good shot of being a starting pair.
Most of the fringe guys outside of Sasson and Raty have been stapled together in some way ... the only reason you're not seeing more firm combos in my opinion is because Joshua and Blueger are not ready to practice. Outside of that, it looks like quite a few guys are lining up where you'd expect.
I think he might be a late bloomer and a gem. Needs polish in his game, some strength, and some confidence, but if that comes together he could be a good contributor. He’s a smart player.Not sure if unpopular opinion, but I just don’t see Bains as an NHL player at all. Cool story and good guy, but I’d rather call up Aman/Raty/Sasson/Lekkerimaki. Just a very underwhelming package at this level.
He's in tough with his physical limitations, not fast and not that big/strong either. If he makes it he's going to have to out-smart NHL players.Not sure if unpopular opinion, but I just don’t see Bains as an NHL player at all. Cool story and good guy, but I’d rather call up Aman/Raty/Sasson/Lekkerimaki. Just a very underwhelming package at this level.
I'm sure that's what they probably said about Vincent Desharnais in 2020-21 when he was a 24 year old d-man dividing his season between the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL and Bakersfield in the AHL.Not sure if unpopular opinion, but I just don’t see Bains as an NHL player at all. Cool story and good guy, but I’d rather call up Aman/Raty/Sasson/Lekkerimaki. Just a very underwhelming package at this level.
Not sure if unpopular opinion, but I just don’t see Bains as an NHL player at all. Cool story and good guy, but I’d rather call up Aman/Raty/Sasson/Lekkerimaki. Just a very underwhelming package at this level.
Not sure if unpopular opinion, but I just don’t see Bains as an NHL player at all. Cool story and good guy, but I’d rather call up Aman/Raty/Sasson/Lekkerimaki. Just a very underwhelming package at this level.
Can put the silly Hogs trade rumors to bed thankfully
I will be amazed if he plays on that line all year and doesn't score 30. I assume he would get power play time on the first unit it he sticks.Bold prediction - Lekk scores 30 if he sticks to the Pettersson line.
I'm not sure how his cardio compares to last season, but it should also help him make fewer mistakes with the puck or defensive coverage. Less fatigue should mean a sharper brain.I'm always pumped for any positive Hoglander news.
My theory is that his high energy style of play burns him out later in the season. If he can improve his stamina, I don't see why he can't be a legit top line player.
I still remember Hoglander on the unicycle, at the same time as he was juggling pucks or whatever else was handy. He's a guy who's skating agility was off the charts, but could always have used more separation speed. But if he's finally added to his repertoire, another 24 goal season might be a low estimate for him.I'm always pumped for any positive Hoglander news.
My theory is that his high energy style of play burns him out later in the season. If he can improve his stamina, I don't see why he can't be a legit top line player.
Disagree. Superlative work ethic, really strong hockey sense, and good vision suggest to me that he was getting his feet wet and will end up a nice 3rd liner with some touch who can put in 35 points a year while not being a liability out there and probably learn to PK.Not sure if unpopular opinion, but I just don’t see Bains as an NHL player at all. Cool story and good guy, but I’d rather call up Aman/Raty/Sasson/Lekkerimaki. Just a very underwhelming package at this level.