Who sits when Booth/Kesler arrive?

[PRNuck]

come the playoffs, Manny's def. in, Volpatti's def. out, and Weise maybe, depending on needs.

Agreed.

Since lineups are always fun to do, here's what I see as the optimum distribution of talent:

Sedin-Sedin-Burrows
Higgins-Kesler-Kassian
Raymond-Schroeder-Booth
Weise-Lapierre-Hansen

Hopefully Weise is ok playing left wing. In reality though I just don't see AV having Hansen on the fourth line, and instead will have him weighing down one of the scoring lines. We're probably more likely to see Kassian bumped down to the fourth, and then get healthy scratched for not producing.

 

[BeardyCanuck03]

Agreed.

Since lineups are always fun to do, here's what I see as the optimum distribution of talent:

Sedin-Sedin-Burrows
Higgins-Kesler-Kassian
Raymond-Schroeder-Booth
Weise-Lapierre-Hansen

Hopefully Weise is ok playing left wing. In reality though I just don't see AV having Hansen on the fourth line, and instead will have him weighing down one of the scoring lines. We're probably more likely to see Kassian bumped down to the fourth, and then get healthy scratched for not producing.

I like these lines.

I disagree with you on what AV will do with Kassian though. Kassian has played an all round solid game and isn't a liability defensively. Even though he hasn't produced that last few games he's been creating chances and being defensively solid.

 

[PRNuck]

I like these lines.

I disagree with you on what AV will do with Kassian though. Kassian has played an all round solid game and isn't a liability defensively. Even though he hasn't produced that last few games he's been creating chances and being defensively solid.

Let's hope. I'm a pessimist when it comes to AV decisions.

 

[orcatown]

With Alberts around you have to move out Barker.

Ebbett should never have been here in the first place and is easily waived. Probably should have been waived earilier to open up space for waiver wire players like Boychuk. Boychuk at least could have become trade bait (maybe included in a trade)

Approaching the trade dead line might also consider waiving Malhotra to get salary cap space to pick up a rental. However, would depend on who you could get.back and if you believe someone like LaPierre, Kesler or someone they bring in could handle defensive faceoffs. Getting a better overall player iinto the lineup than Malhotra has to be a consideration. Moreover, Schroeder is off to a fine start but picking in a solid rental, like Vermette (maybe a pipe dream), would give you insurance.

See lineup

Sedins - Burrows

Higgins - Kesler - Hansen (great speed and potential for check here)

Raymond - Schroeder - Booth (both Raymond abd Schroeder can distribute the puck)

Kassian - LaPierre - Weise

Volpatti
Malhotra

Could see Kassian taking Booth's place if Booth doesn't start showing early he is on his game. Then Volpatti or Malhotra draws in

 

[Chairman Maouth]

With both healthy...

D. Sedin - H. Sedin - Burrows
Booth - Kesler - Kassian
Raymond - Schroeder - Hansen
Higgins - Lapierre - Malhotra

Roll four lines, all of those are solid.

Agree with this whole-heartedly. But sub in Volpatti/Weise for Manny against the knuckle dragging teams.

 

[Shareefruck]

Having Hansen on the 4th line is seriously psychotic. He's our 5th best forward, IMO

I like

Sedin - Sedin - Kassian
Burrows - Kesler - Hansen
Raymond - Schroeder - Booth
Higgins - Lapierre - Weise/Malhotra

or

Sedin - Sedin - Burrows
Booth - Kesler - Kassian
Raymond - Schroeder - Hansen
Higgins - Lapierre - Weise/Malhotra

or

Sedin - Sedin - Kassian
Booth - Kesler - Higgins/Burrows
Burrows/Raymond - Schroeder - Hansen
Raymond/Higgins - Lapierre - Weise/Malhotra

or when loaded up

Sedin - Sedin - Kesler
Raymond - Schroeder - Booth/Kassian
Kassian/Higgins - Burrows - Hansen
Higgins/Kassian - Lapierre - Weise/Malhotra

probably in that order, personally. I think the first one has the most potential to be absolutely dynamite in the playoffs, with 3 lines steamrolling over others, but the 2nd one is a safer bet (whether or not Kassian with the twins will work long term is still a question-mark, IMO-- It might be too slow to generate anything against tough teams).

I REALLY want Burrows - Kesler - Hansen to happen, and with the other two lines looking nearly identical to the way they do now, you have to look at it. We could be talking about two legitimate 1st lines, one of which is the best shutdown/most difficult lines to play against in the playoffs, an average 2nd line, and 3rd/4th line.

 

[Canuck Luck]

Send down ebbett and volpatti no way either gets claimed because both simply aren't good players. Besides pinizzatto is returning in the next 2 weeks and will probably bump volpatti down even further

 

[BeardyCanuck03]

When the Canucks are healthy, wow there is a lot of depth and options. I think when Kesler comes back you will see Schroeder get a look with him. Schroeder's playmaking skills would be a huge asset to Kesler.

Sedins-Burrows
Raymond-Kesler-Schroeder
Hansen-Lapierre-Kassian
Higgins-Malholtra-Weise/Volpatti

 

[ChilliBilly]

just what are we going to do if we get a decent forward back for Luongo, and then have Jensen available in Mar or Apr. We will have 12 guys who need to on the top 3 lines

Sedins Burrows
Kesler Booth XXX
Raymond Schroeder YYY

With XXX and YYY being Kassian Jensen Hansen Higgins and the Luongo trade all being guys who really should be on the top 3 lines. Certainly even without the trade we are top heavy. The fact Schroeder looks so good with Raymond leaves us with a wonderful problem. And I think Jensen is going to fit in seamlessly to the mix as well.

We are going to be very tough to beat this year.

 

[shortshorts]

Weise is a much better player than Malhotra.

Weise brings speed, a hard forecheck, and the ability to make plays in the neutral and offensive zone.

Unfortunately, Malhotra is good at faceoffs and nothing more post-injury.

In addition, Lapierre always plays better when he has someone ready to drop the gloves for him.

 

[Nuckles]

just what are we going to do if we get a decent forward back for Luongo, and then have Jensen available in Mar or Apr. We will have 12 guys who need to on the top 3 lines

Sedins Burrows
Kesler Booth XXX
Raymond Schroeder YYY

With XXX and YYY being Kassian Jensen Hansen Higgins and the Luongo trade all being guys who really should be on the top 3 lines. Certainly even without the trade we are top heavy. The fact Schroeder looks so good with Raymond leaves us with a wonderful problem. And I think Jensen is going to fit in seamlessly to the mix as well.

We are going to be very tough to beat this year.

If everyone stays healthy, we'll have a team similar to the team that beat us in the 2011 playoffs.
Very deep forward group, good defensive core, two starting goalies.

 

[Numbers]

Don't see why Raymond would be considered an outsider in the Canucks lineup right now considering his chemistry with Schroeder. As much as I like Malhotra, and I like how useful he is for faceoffs and PK situations, he is a very expensive thirteenth forward. I would love to have Volpatti and Weise with Lapierre on the fourth line regularly though.

These are problems you love to have.

Sedin-Sedin-Burrows
Booth-Kesler-Kassian
Raymond-Schroeder-Hansen
Higgins-Lapierre-Weise
Volpatti
Malhotra
Ebbett

Sidenote: You have Hansen in the lineup twice, but honey badger don't care.

Barring no injuries or trades this is lineup I would ice, with Burrows and Kassian interchangeable. The only problem I am seeing is that 2 of Volpatti, Malhotra, Ebbett would need to be waived to the minors. I really don't think Gillis waives Malhotra, because he loves him in the dressing room and face offs are really important. Ebbett sent down for sure, while I feel really bad for Volpatti because he has been playing his role really well this year. Really respect what he is doing, playing tough, hitting, fighting, adding energy, and some offensive spark. If Gillis waives him if I was a team looking at waiver wire, this guy would be someone I would pickup. Really hope he stays with organization, great local boy.

 

[vadim sharifijanov]

Agree with this whole-heartedly. But sub in Volpatti/Weise for Manny against the knuckle dragging teams.

i see it a little differently, but agree that the spare wing position on the fourth line should be rotated according to match up.

when we play a team built around PMDs and scoring off the rush, you'll want the heavy forechecking of volpatti on the fourth line. make the tomas kaberles (or, if you will, ehrhoffs) of the world hear footsteps. like, if edmonton somehow makes the playoffs by game four you don't want schultz to even be able to tie his own skates without hearing something pop.

when we play teams with a dominant down low cycle game, you'll want manny to win defensive zone faceoffs, wait for the puck to clear, and then skate like hell to the bench. more responsibility and wear and tear for hansen/higgins/burrows and whomever else has to rotate taking a double shift on the fourth line, but better than constantly getting hemmed in by thornton & co.

otherwise, weise is the best player and should play.

 

[PG Canuck]

Barring no injuries or trades this is lineup I would ice, with Burrows and Kassian interchangeable. The only problem I am seeing is that 2 of Volpatti, Malhotra, Ebbett would need to be waived to the minors. I really don't think Gillis waives Malhotra, because he loves him in the dressing room and face offs are really important. Ebbett sent down for sure, while I feel really bad for Volpatti because he has been playing his role really well this year. Really respect what he is doing, playing tough, hitting, fighting, adding energy, and some offensive spark. If Gillis waives him if I was a team looking at waiver wire, this guy would be someone I would pickup. Really hope he stays with organization, great local boy.

I doubt MG waives Manny too, but all of a sudden Manny is "missing at practice" today, so read into it how you want. It's already been said that Manny being MIA at practice today, doesn't mean he is on waivers.

I like Volpatti too, as he's hung in every fight he's been involved in (IIRC) and I like how he has played his role, however, we just have better options right now. I think there's a chance Volpatti gets picked up, but I wouldn't lose sleep over losing him on the waiver wire. Ebbett needs to go, and should've been gone to start the season. It seems to me MG wants to keep as much depth as he can. Like I've said before, if we lose Volpatti on waivers, we still have Vandermeer who is on the Wolves, and can provide some toughness when needed. He's versatile too, as he can play forward and/or defense.

 

[PRNuck]

If everyone stays healthy, we'll have a team similar to the team that beat us in the 2011 playoffs.
Very deep forward group, good defensive core, two starting goalies.

No Chara equivalent though
#debbiedowner

 

[HiggsBroson]

Hearing Malhotra sent down. Hasn't been announced yet.

 

[Nuckles]

Hearing Malhotra sent down. Hasn't been announced yet.

wat.
Why?! We'd still have a $1.6 mil cap penalty for keeping him in the minors. (if he goes unclaimed, but I know a team will claim him)

 

[PRNuck]

Hearing Malhotra sent down. Hasn't been announced yet.

This is Higgy's bro, right?

 

[pitseleh]

If the Canucks kept Ebbett over Malhotra, well I don't know what to say. But he'd have to be waived before being sent down, and the fact that we haven't heard anything yet means that he hasn't been put on waivers today.

 

[HiggsBroson]

wat.
Why?! We'd still have a $1.6 mil cap penalty for keeping him in the minors. (if he goes unclaimed, but I know a team will claim him)

He apparently took a personal day yesterday. Pretty sure it's him as per big bro. But doesn't mean it's 100%

 

[LiquidSnake]

If the Canucks kept Ebbett over Malhotra, well I don't know what to say. But he'd have to be waived before being sent down, and the fact that we haven't heard anything yet means that he hasn't been put on waivers today.

I think it's still better than the alternative we saw so many times in the past which is sending down Schroeder because he's the only one who didn't have to clear waivers.

 

[Tiranis]

If the Canucks kept Ebbett over Malhotra, well I don't know what to say. But he'd have to be waived before being sent down, and the fact that we haven't heard anything yet means that he hasn't been put on waivers today.

There could be a deal in the works for his replacement perhaps? Which would explain why they need to get rid of the guy with a 2.5m cap hit (who will probably get claimed). Otherwise there's no reason to send him down given that Kesler still says there's no timetable.

 

[Snatcher Demko]

I see Malhotra and Volpatti out as well. But I'd also like to see the Twins split 5-on-5.

Kesler has shown no chemistry with Booth, so they shouldn't be together. Booth hasn't shown much chemistry with anyone, really, but I wouldn't mind seeing what he can do with Schroeder once up to speed.

5-on-5 (ES)
Hansen-Henrik-Burrows
Daniel-Kesler-Kassian
Raymond-JS-Higgins
Booth-Lapierre-Weise

I know it's sounds weird to have Booth on the 4th line, but that's where he should start until he is up to game speed. Once there, I'd like to try him out next to Burrows and Henrik, or with JS, with Higgins or Raymond on the 4th line for a handful of shifts. If the Canucks decide to roll 3 strong lines in a playoff game, they have a number of options with JS and Lapierre who are a cut above the true bubble guys like Manny, Weise, Volpatti etc.

IMO there is no way that JS should be sent down at the expense of playing Malhotra, Weise, Volpatti or Ebbett.

On the PP:

PP1:
Sedins-Kesler
Edler-Hamhuis

PP2:
Raymond-JS-Booth (with Booth in front of the net)
Bieksa-Garrison

 

[Aphid Attraction]

There could be a deal in the works for his replacement perhaps? Which would explain why they need to get rid of the guy with a 2.5m cap hit (who will probably get claimed). Otherwise there's no reason to send him down given that Kesler still says there's no timetable.

Could be. Although this raises more questions then answers. He is not on waivers at the moment, so could be getting traded, that would be the safer way of clearing cap space. If he is waived and clears we would be screwed for a trade.

 

[Jay Cee]

I would find it hard to believe SOME team SOMEWHERE doesn't wanna bite on a guy who they don't even have to pay 50% 2.5 mil for one year.