Post-Game Talk: [GM55] Canucks defeat Maple Leafs | 2-1 | Hronek & Boeser | Dead Leafs on the Dirty Ground

[Wisp]

I don’t think it’s to make room for Willander, it’s to make room for Dpetey

I think they're also looking at accruing assets for a trade for a JT-caliber forward. Not a lot of defensemen to go around right now and Soucy probably returns a 2nd at least.

 

[Grip it N RYP it]

man

I love

 

[Shareefruck]

This is the 'Super Computer' analogy. Generally, you are right. He just maximizes most situations to lead to strong overall production. Few players can do this with consistency. At his best, he did.

That said, one aspect of maximizing most situations is arriving at the puck and carrying the puck with speed. He's missing this even now.

And so, he can get by still trying to out-think his opposition, but he won't be back until he shows this aspect of his game consistently, because when he does, his ability to play in space and off of others will be at an elite level.

Fair. Kind of why I added "pretty much." It's not 100%, but again, if he played like this for a game in his prime season, I wouldn't have batted an eye or felt that anything looked off, personally. (I feel like I did notice a couple of instances where he came close to doing what you were referring to as well, though, but I could be wrong)

 

[ChilliBilly]

Leafs are a sloooooooooooow, old team. Hard to imagine them doing much of anything in the playoffs.

well history says they are an exceptional playoff team. Of course I haven't refreshed my data in nearly 60 years.

 

[mriswith]

We basically replaced half the defense overnight. Two Petey's plus flipping Soucy from bad LHD Soucy to decent RHD Soucy.

Given how freaking bad the defense was before, it really can't be overstated how drastic this difference was and it shows tremendously on the ice.

I'm reading alot of takes about Petey that seem to be missing the point. The old Petey is still in there and we just saw it. The terrifying idea that he's forever this 55pt disappointment with no possibility of redemption is dead. He lives.

At the very least it solidifies that you don't trade him now at rock bottom value. He will be back at some point. If you insist on trading him you have to wait until he's back in full form and you can actually get appropriate value instead of crippling the franchise selling him for pennies now.

hronek has always been good, it's just that now people don't get to watch quinn outplay him

We definitely get more out of him when Hughes is out, he's holds the puck more and he's way more assertive in both ends of the ice. I don't mind the tradeoff that happens when we put him with Hughes because I want to see Hughes dominate as much as humanly possible but it's true that there is a tradeoff.

 

[TruGr1t]

Except Soucy won’t see PK minutes. He already does not, unless one of Myers, M Petterson, Hronek, or Forbort are in the box.

He was on the second PK unit in the playoffs last year.

 

[logan5]

Is Soucy a negative asset? We need that cap space to get another top 6 C.

 

[Shareefruck]

Real question is, what's going to happen with Wallinder when he gets here?

 

[valkynax]

We basically replaced half the defense overnight. Two Petey's plus flipping Soucy from bad LHD Soucy to decent RHD Soucy.

Given how freaking bad the defense was before, it really can't be overstated how drastic this difference was and it shows tremendously on the ice.


At the very least it solidifies that you don't trade him now at rock bottom value. He will be back at some point. If you insist on trading him you have to wait until he's back in full form and you can actually get appropriate value instead of crippling the franchise selling him for pennies now.

We definitely get more out of him when Hughes is out, he's holds the puck more and he's way more assertive in both ends of the ice. I don't mind the tradeoff that happens when we put him with Hughes because I want to see Hughes dominate as much as humanly possible but it's true that there is a tradeoff.

With the way our current d is holding the line, we can actually let Hughes get some real rest, instead of rushing him back for some pathetic Pyrrhic victories. MVP a concern, but I'd sack that f***ing trophy any day, any time, to ensure Hughes' long term success.

I am stunned by how well Metey and Pedey has contributed to our recent success.

 

[Hammman]

Real question is, what's going to happen with Wallinder when he gets here?

How hard is it for people to spell our top prospect's name properly? Not directed at you, really; I just see this constantly and don't get it.

 

[Josepho]

Real question is, what's going to happen with Wallinder when he gets here?

He's probably going to Abbotsford to start honestly.

 

[Nona Di Giuseppe]

Nice win for the boys Sans Quinn again. Other than his assist (which was nice) petey did nothing, Hope demko is ok, thankfully he has a couple of weeks now to rest and recouperate

did you watch the game?

 

[TruGr1t]

He's probably going to Abbotsford to start honestly.

Depends on if they actually trade Soucy. Juulsen experiment should be over.

 

[Isi]

hronek has always been good, it's just that now people don't get to watch quinn outplay him

hronek has had awful numbers away from hughes since last season to now. that's just reality. 43% corsi/41%fenwick/44%xG. he's had 100 minutes with soucy and those numbers are all in the 30 percent region which is just outrageously bad.

beyond Hughes, this forbort pairing so far is the first hronek D paring out of 5 non-Hughes D pairings* that has those corsi/fenwick/xG percentages above 50%. that's great to see! but this is the first time we're seeing this from hronek away from hughes. and with hughes out and with hronek's trade protection kicking in soon, it's brilliant to see. one of the most important things we could do for the rest of the season is contiune to keep hronek away from hughes (who obviously has shown he does not need hronek) and see how hronek goes.

and of course that's a pretty good thing for forbort to have on his resume too.

*more than 20 mins. see attached for the current NST numbers.

 

[Rick Rocket]

did you watch the game?

He's a sieve

 

[valkynax]

How hard is it for people to spell our top prospect's name properly? Not directed at you, really; I just see this constantly and don't get it.

Imagine having to spell Brzustewicz's name, yikes. I'd probably be reduced to just calling him the Bruh.

Also, it is simultaneously confusing AND a blessing that all three Pete's last names are spelled exactly the same. Can you imagine the nightmare if each of them are either using only one T or one S or a mixture?

 

[Shareefruck]

We basically replaced half the defense overnight. Two Petey's plus flipping Soucy from bad LHD Soucy to decent RHD Soucy.

Given how freaking bad the defense was before, it really can't be overstated how drastic this difference was and it shows tremendously on the ice.


At the very least it solidifies that you don't trade him now at rock bottom value. He will be back at some point. If you insist on trading him you have to wait until he's back in full form and you can actually get appropriate value instead of crippling the franchise selling him for pennies now.

We definitely get more out of him when Hughes is out, he's holds the puck more and he's way more assertive in both ends of the ice. I don't mind the tradeoff that happens when we put him with Hughes because I want to see Hughes dominate as much as humanly possible but it's true that there is a tradeoff.

Am I crazy or did Hughes dominate more without Hronek than with him anyways? The way he plays when he's with Hronek seems more sustainable and less erratic, but it feels like when he's with someone like Myers or Juulsen, he takes it upon himself to try to take over the ice, and he's kind of been pulling it off so far (this recent run of Norris-favorite-level-of-play has been mostly without Hronek).

I still think it's better for the team to split them, personally.

 

[arttk]

I think they're also looking at accruing assets for a trade for a JT-caliber forward. Not a lot of defensemen to go around right now and Soucy probably returns a 2nd at least.

Yeah I think so too, trade soucy and Brock to get assets to get that C and then fill Brock’s’ hole with like a cheap acquisition at TDL and then hope you get 2 wingers at UFA

 

[Phrasing]

I agree EP2 should be sent down once Hughes is back to take the momentum he’s built here and continue to play in all-situation minutes in the AHL, something he won’t get here currently.

While the Canucks are on a good streak, I think this break comes at a good time to give the team to build on this, give players nursing something time to heal, and the new players time to get more system time as it’s been a bit of drinking from the fire hose without full practices.

 

[Lindgren]

He will probably split some time with EP2 if he gets NHL games this season (which I think is pretty likely).

Tochett is not going to dress 2 rookies on the backend.

I think that EP2 will be sent down when Hughes returns.

 

[valkynax]

Yeah I think so too, trade soucy and Brock to get assets to get that C and then fill Brock’s’ hole with like a cheap acquisition at TDL and then hope you get 2 wingers at UFA

Hmm I'm rather reluctant to straight up part with BB6. Him leaving means we will be even more desperate for offense up front.

I hope we can keep him with a reasonable contract. Unless it Lekk can take a huge step up.

 

[Bleach Clean]

On the game:

Hronek: Had a dangerous offensive game. When he plays like this, he's legit #3/#2 Dman. Efficient zone exits and transition passes. Quick decisions on the PP. He got trapped twice holding on too long, but then went right back to passing it well. Very good game.

Demko: Was making saves early. Too bad he left. Shot off the collarbone I think. Hope for the best.

EP40: Great effort early, but tailed off. Still, he had enough smart plays to get his points. It's not effort, it's the intent to make a play. Even without his speed, or hustle, he can make enough high level plays to be a factor.

Boeser: The same as EP40 right now. He was less noticeable, but executed at exactly the time it was needed. This is the value of skill and talent.

Garland: Looked off before, but was back on in this game. Drags this team into the fight. Can't say enough about him.

MPetey: What a wall. They can play him 30 min a game and I wouldn't blink.

EP25: Has ice in his veins. There was a play where he came to his off side to get the puck out for Soucy, and I thought: Who's the veteran here lol? Trying to temper expectations.

Sherwood: Was exactly what DeBrusk-Pettersson needed. Drove that line forward. Got under the opposition's skin.

Lankinen: Steadied the team when Demko left. They still pushed the play well, but he made key saves that brought the temperature down.

Hoglander: I know Tocchet is keeping an energizer on each line, but man, get this guy off the 4th line! There is no reward to what he is doing when the play dies with Blueger-Aman. Given him the skill he needs to create offense.

Solid team win. Someone mentioned that the team looks more structurally sound without Hughes, and I think that's correct. The 5 man unit plays differently when he's on it. Something to look out for when he returns.

 

[orcatown]

Nice win. Always good to send the TO fans home unhappy and we seem to have penchant for doing that. A game worth paying for.

Good

Pettersson - most hopeful thing coming out of this game for the Canucks. Played in the trenches all game and made some pretty offensive plays. You wonder if Tocchet coaching has contributed to his conversion to defense first player. In this one, he was contributing both ways. Now he'll likely go and star for team Sweden and we will left still trying to unravel the mystery this player is.

Myers - thought for some of the game he was trying to do too much but in the end you were happy he was. Was again a horse and huge over the last part of the game. All those who want Myers gone yesterday should start recognizing his value. He could have got much more elsewhere but gave the team a break and is playing his heart out for them. However, next mistake he makes you can bet the "let's make fun of Myers because like we are so humerous doing that" group will be out in full force.

Garland - energizer bunny deserves an A. Heart and soul and effective near every shift. Even coming off injury made a great effort and created numerous chances. Others hopefully will start putting away some of those chances.

M. Pettersson - the more you see the more you like. Too bad he didn't score but his use of the stick to break up plays is so high level. Reminds me of Tanev who I sure as well wish we still had. Jump from having someone like Pettersson on your defense instead of having someone like Desharnais is quantum.

Lankanin - won the game with the late saves. Probably shouldn't have come down to that since the Canucks should have put it away earlier (however Woll was outstanding). Plus the late call, leaving them two men short, was absolute crap. Deserved a star for his play - especially given the situation. Also would say Demko continued look excellent up to the injury.

Hronek - has turned into a stud in the last few weeks. Fears about the off-season deal now look groundless. Was best two way d-man for the team.

Sherwood - seems to help out EP1. Like others, he got a quick and hard fore-check on the Leafs. Guy brings it every shift and was a thorn in the side of TO in this game. Like him to put away chances a little better but he was forcing the play and, at least, getting them

Others

Chytil - once again saw his upside but he needs to start converting. Question has always been with him, is he style without substance. Need point production out of him.

O'Connor - another solid game. Certainly skates at an NHL level.

Forbert - Never liked this player elsewhere but he is contributing. Becoming a player who you could easily live with on you bottom pairing.

Aman - a little more in the play tonite. His line produced some chances and got decent o-zone time. Keep wishing for a break through where he becomes a Suter type player. Maybe a little too hopeful here.

EP2 - keep rubbing my rabbit's foot and knocking on wood that what we are seeing isn't some temporary abberation. Time reduced in this game but for the most part competed well with some upper level NHL players. It's not hard imagining as top 4 material.

Team continues to win without Hughes. Thought when Hughes went out we just couldn't survive. Right now you can have some expectation that when he does return, this defense may be pretty set.

Down side is, of course, is Demko. You worry about if it is the same knee as earlier. Also, I wonder if the team gets some more cap space if he is out long term.

 

[arttk]

Hmm I'm rather reluctant to straight up part with BB6. Him leaving means we will be even more desperate for offense up front.

I hope we can keep him with a reasonable contract. Unless it Lekk can take a huge step up.

This was suggested on the radio shows, trade Brock for 1st + stuff and then he’s a 3rd to get Nyquist. Throw 2 1st to get that young C back and then see what happens at UFa

 

[bringbacktheskate604]

My only concern is how a Forbort-Soucy pairing will fair. Pettersson’s zone exits and offensive zone work are far better than Forbort’s which has allowed Soucy to play to his strengths. I’m a little concerned that their pairing would get cratered.

That said, there’s no way Forbort is scratched. He’s getting top-4 minutes and not looking out of place. I wouldn’t be opposed to a rotation to keep him fresh, however.

That makes the most sense imo.