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WWYDW: The Canucks Can’t Score
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Photo credit: Bob Frid - USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2018, 20:38 EDT
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We’re well into the preseason and opening night is just around the corner. Unfortunately, excitement has been deadened somewhat by the team’s on-ice performance thus far. They’re 1-5 and have scored just ten goals in that span. That’s more than a tad concerning.
How would you fix the Canucks scoring woes?
Last week I asked: Who makes your opening night roster and why?
Rusty bucket:
Baertschi-Horvat-Boeser
Goldobin-Pettersson-Eriksson
Roussel-Sutter-Virtanen
Schaller-Beagle-Leipsic
Extras: Granlund/Gagner
Edler-Stecher
Hutton-Tanev
Pouliot-Gudbranson
MDZ
Markstrom-Demko
Would love it if Gagner could be traded. Hell a late pick would suffice. Albeit a small sample size and it being preseason, I feel Pettersson looked pretty good at C last night. Him and goldy look to have some chemistry, but a veteran/2 way presence brought by Loui would be a nice balance IMO. I honestly do not think Green is going to sit MDZ for Hutton, but I personally hope so. I though Hutton looked pretty good, save for the blatant give-away to Rattie. I could see Granlund playing 4RW too, but I feel Leipsic has more upside. In last nights game, didn’t see much from Schaller, so would like to see Leipsic and Granny playing on that line, but also cannot see Green sitting him.
natevk:
My take is premised on a few assumptions:
1. Pettersson is going to play Center;
2. Roussel is going to start the season on IR;
3. The Canucks see reason and go 14 Fwds, 7 D to try to avoid losing players on waivers;
4. Green decides to load up a “shutdown” line like he started 2017-18 with (remember that excitement w/Sutter+Dorsett+Granlund?)
Eriksson-Horvat-Boeser; (maybe these two can help Loui find his game back)
Baertschi-Pettersson-Goldobin; (Because they’re fun)
Virtanen-Sutter-Gagner; (Virtanen rushing to net from the left side, Gagner so someone can pass);
Schaller-Beagle-Granlund; (Granny was part of the shutdown line last season, Schaller brought in to PK/defend)
Gaunce-Leipsic (Gaunce as bottom-6 backup and PK sub for injuries; Leipsic as scoring depth)
Edler-Pouliot;
Hutton-Tanev;
MDZ-Stecher;
Gudbranson
(As much as I like Biega, I think he’s the most likely to clear waivers — pairings are based on a few articles in the Smylosphere on most efficient VAN pairings).
Markstrom
Nilsson
(Bring Demko into the fold at the trade deadline, or next year when there’s excitement along with the arrivals of guys like Quinn Hughes, Juolevi and Dahlen).
wojohowitz:
Put Eriksson and Gagner in the press box and tell them they might get a chance to play if 7 or 8 forwards get injured.
Tell Markstrom and Nilsson that if they let in a bad goal in the first ten minutes of the game then their night is over and they have to sit on the bench and watch.
j2daff:
Goldobin -Horvat- Pettersson
Baertschi- Gaudette -Boeser
Leipsic -Sutter-Virtanen
Roussel -Beagle-Granlund
Extras: Eriksson, Schaller
Edler- Stecher
MDZ-Gudbranson
Pouliot- Tanev
Extra: Hutton
Markstrom-Nilsson
I don’t see the Canucks having two effective scoring lines without giving Gaudette a shot. I also think that Pettersson needs to start with a experienced center, Horvat fits that bill. Goldy/Baertschi are interchangeable and Virtanen, Leipsic, Eriksson and even Rousel could be tried in there places in the top 6 as well throughout the year. That said Goldy complements Pettersson pretty well and Boeser would benefit from Baertschys play making and Gaudettes all round game.
I am Ted:
Benning is not a guy to make bold moves by way of trades so I have a sinking feeling he won’t actually make room for any rookies even if they deserve it. I think the lineup will be as most think (Roussel will start on the IR):
Baertschi – Horvat- Boeser
Ericksson – Petterson – Goldobin
Leipsic – Sutter – Virtanen
Schaller – Beagle – Granlund
Gagner
Edler – Stecher
DelZotto – Tanev
Pouliot – Gudbranson
Hutton
Gaudette is looking good as are a few other rookies. I also liked Boucher’s game today and might have been the best Canuck forward in terms of offence. Demko needs to progress and maybe that should be done here. Motte showed something too last night. Generally, I want younger players to develop so I am fine with the rest of the guys developing but I think a few should be here. These guys will be blocked by dead weight such as Ericksson and Gagner; Beagle seems to be a redundant add with Sutter on the team and Schaller looks slow. Anyway, I’m hoping Benning makes some deals and moves one or more of Edler, Tanev, Ericksson, Del Zotto Nilsson and Gagner but I don’t think it happens. It’s going to be another long season.
Kanuckhotep:
Gentlemen, let’s be realistic. Benning has signed a whole pile of veteran players who have guaranteed contracts which leaves little room for these great kids we want to see play for the VC. Pettersson is a slam dunk to make it opening night but see no other rookies on the roster until injuries occur. In my dreams I’d love to have Demko, Gaudette and Juolevi start and not have guys like Gagner, Grandlund or Hutton(sorry, Ben) but those ol’ guaranteed contracts get in the way. But being a Canuck fan since 63-64 in the old WHL after 56 years you learn three things. Patience, Tolerance and grasping reality. I want these kids in but we’ll have to wait.

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