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

[Lenny Levino]

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

Nyquist would probably be a great fit. He's still a fast skater and he's good both offensively and defensively. Good vision. Would do well with EP40.

 

[ChilliBilly]

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

Pls note I was a leaf for a long time a few centuries ago. They have had a rough go. and well f*** are there fans obnoxious at our home games. (though they pale in comparison to the Habs fans).

either way great win again tonight ...

 

[krutovsdonut]

Forbort has played really well btw

this is a big part of the last ten games.

 

[valkynax]

I think we hit 5 posts tonight. Lots of quality looks and chances.

Lol including that damn post that almost squeezed in an EN goal?

I laughed really hard at the time, not entirely sure why.

 

[Lemmiwinks]

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.

The thing is that Forbert is a key penalty killer and this is a team that has gone from a terrible/at times historically bad pk to the 12th best pk in the league this year. Hard to take Forbert out of the lineup on that basis.

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

I know I'm not breaking new ground here, but man that Hronek pickup was a stroke of genius

Incredible pro-scouting by the Canucks to find a guy like this that was somehow available at a relatively reasonable price.

 

[Bojack Horvatman]

I think every Pettersson hit a post tonight.

Makes sense. Pettersson is an anagram for Post senter

 

[Lenny Levino]

Everything looks a lot worse than it is when you have 2-3 D-men in the lineup every night that handle the puck like a grenade. Ideally Forbort is the only guy out of the 6 that is that type of player, which means they ought to find an upgrade on Soucy.

So why not play EP25 instead of Forbort then? Because EP and Soucy have been playing well together and don't have any issues moving the puck out of the defensive zone.

 

[kanucks25]

Don't see the love for Forbort. The guy is slow as a glacier, and opposing forwards easily maneuver past him and make it an easy zone entry. He's also killing multiple plays in the O-zone every game, processing the game slowly and firing muffins into shinpads and surrendering possesion. DPetey is better and can actually transition the puck instead of just going glass and out

So why not play EP25 instead of Forbort then? Because EP and Soucy have been playing well together and don't have any issues moving the puck out of the defensive zone.

As others have mentioned, he's been a big part of a good PK and we need a lefty PKer as Hughes is not used there. I doubt they're ready to use EP2 in that role right now.

Yes his lack of speed and puck skills are unfortunate but as long as he's deployed as limited #6, he pulls his weight.

 

[arttk]

Nyquist would probably be a great fit. He's still a fast skater and he's good both offensively and defensively. Good vision. Would do well with EP40.

Also Swedish

 

[Lenny Levino]

The thing is that Forbert is a key penalty killer and this is a team that has gone from a terrible/at times historically bad pk to the 12th best pk in the league this year. Hard to take Forbert out of the lineup on that basis.

Don't need Forbort on the PK anymore since we have MP.

 

[arttk]

As others have mentioned, he's been a big part of a good PK and we need a lefty PKer as Hughes is not used there. I doubt they're ready to use EP2 in that role right now.

Yes his lack of speed and puck skills are unfortunate but as long as he's deployed as limited #6, he pulls his weight.

Surprised how well it’s worked with him and Hronek. I wonder if we will see

Hughes Hronek
MP Myers
Forbort Soucy/Hronek

Don't need Forbort on the PK anymore since we have MP.

Need at least LD that’s good at Pk

 

[Hit the post]

I f***ing hate the Vancouver Canucks and that fan base.

And I salute to your fanbase:

I think every Pettersson hit a post tonight.

Personal attack reported.

 

[Bleach Clean]

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, 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.

Orcatown, love the reviews, but a few things:

- Chytil did a lot of work to get the puck into the OZone and create plays while there. That's not just form. His line goes when reading off of him.

- Lankinen did not win the game for them, their collective play did. They pushed the play against TOR and all Lankinen had to do was not allow a bad one in.

- Hronek had one of his best games. I don't want to take away from it, but this is not typical for him offensively. He was dangerous, instead of just solid.

- Myers is making mistakes, but I don't see people crucifying him. If anything, he has gotten his roses. To my mind, has been pretty comparable to Hronek when hard matched against the opposition's best. Myers has been good. Relax.

- Forbort needs some praise. He has allowed Hronek to be placed in his ideal deployment (imo). Snuffs out plays. He's what Soucy should have been this year.

 

[Bonham]

I know I'm not breaking new ground here, but man that Hronek pickup was a stroke of genius

Incredible pro-scouting by the Canucks to find a guy like this that was somehow available at a relatively reasonable price.

Crazy to pick up a top pairing defenceman and another top four defenseman, both of which fit the age range of our team, for a few picks (also dumping a couple of bad contracts in the process).

Very solid work.

 

[DimitriL07]

Did anyone see Lankinen during the anthems? Looked like he was getting possessed

 

[SopelFanThe3rd]

this is a big part of the last ten games.

I'd like to take you out for dinner

 

[M2Beezy]

I almost ripped through my hoodie like Hulk Hogan on that Boeser goal.


That was a fantastically entertaining hockey game.

Hear hear. I really really enjoyed that game, was thinking that in the third, even if we lost. Torontos stars really didnt look that great except for Nylander, and Marners defensive game was very good, and Tavares had the one great chance late in the game. But really they should have brought more. Our offensive stars werent really dynamite either, Pettersson played good at the start of the game, and the Brock Boeser goal, but thats it. Was a team effort from the entire defense (Hronek MPettersson Myers EP2 Soucy Forbort), Chytil, Garland, OConnor, Sherwood, Blueger, Aman, Etc.

But we need some injection of offense in this team. So many close calls for us, but didnt get the luck tonight. Adding another top 6 fwd would be huge for this team, plus when Hughes returns, and i think we got our selves a Travis Green described 'good team over there'

 

[Bgav]

Call me crazy. I would never give up on a player like Petey. Game changer

 

[Bobby9]

Lankinen is right behind Hughes as this teams MVP. He has been amazing many times this year.

 

[krutovsdonut]

I'd like to take you out for dinner

great, i'll have the 10 ounce porterhouse

 

[Sergei Shirokov]

Crazy to pick up a top pairing defenceman and another top four defenseman, both of which fit the age range of our team, for a few picks (also dumping a couple of bad contracts in the process).

Very solid work.

Definitely. And you have to remember Hronek was 25 when they acquired him.

Imagine compiling a list of 25 year old top pairing defenseman in the league today & then trying to acquire them.. Good luck.

Then they do the same kinda trade with M.Pettersson, and along with it they dump 2 bad contracts & also get Drew O'Connor who is such a great fit. Perfect type of middle 6 forward come playoffs.

Very solid indeed

 

[Lenny Levino]

Maybe we should just put Quinn as a center and keep the same defensive lineup. Then we don't have to trade for a new center either.

(I'm joking but lets pretend I'm not - how good do you think Hughes would do in that role?)

 

[Indiana]

A reminder to all decent, mature, well-adjusted Canucks fans: Please be respectful of your peers.

And on a small side-note: Leafs PGT is a beauty.

 

[Regal]

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.

I’m at the point where I think WoWY is mostly noise for players who play most of their time together. Spot minutes and games here and there really doesn’t give enough of a sample evened if the minutes add up over time