Canucks Army Monday Mailbag: December 12th

My, what an interesting week we’ve had. The Canucks beat the Lightning 5-1 and were summarily dismantled by the Panthers and Capitals alike in the two games that immediately followed. What a stretch.

The combination of Jayson Megna and Jack Skille combined for five goals this week. Honestly, I’d be happy with them having a five goal season. So that’s nice.

Well, enough inane rambling. Let’s get onto the questions. That’s what we’re all here for, right?

We’re off to a roaring start here. I’m just glad that Mr Swayze had the gusto to ask the tough questions. I just wish I had an answer. For posterities sake, let’s go with a yes.

Yeesh, another tough one. Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, I don’t think we should even muse on the possibility of a change of ownership. It’s so far off in the distance; I don’t even think it worth speculating at this point.

I’ll start at the top then. If the Canucks are to replace Trevor Linden at President, let’s go in a completely different direction. My first instinct was Markus Naslund, but I think this markets suffered enough kill your idol moments as is. I’d reach out to Don Maloney.

I know he was ousted in Arizona for a fresh-faced John Chayka, with his analytics and new ideas, but it’s worth noting Maloney was the one who initially brought Chayka into the fold as an Assistant General Manager. Maloney’s got one of the best eyes in the industry, and seems open to new ideas.

As for the General Manager, I’m almost at a point where I’m open to anything new. Which is why you’ll find it hilarious that I’d suggest bringing Laurence Gilman (who is still under contract with the Canucks) into the fold as a General Manager. His resume speaks for itself. 

Though I’m still convinced Willie Desjardins is the least of the Canucks’ many troubles, I’m beginning to open up to the idea of a new voice. It’s a shame they skipped Guy Boucher, twice. That would usually be my go-to. I don’t think there’s any one obvious choice, so just go with Utica Comets Head Coach Travis Green.

It has to be Luca Sbisa. For starters, he’s just the nicest guy. Secondly, he has all the money in the world. He’s certainly doing well relative to what he brings to the Canucks lineup.

Well, this isn’t really a question. But yeah, can’t wrap my head around scratching Sven Baertschi. It just doesn’t make sense. 

What a silly question. Especially at this time of year. If Terry’s Chocolate Oranges weren’t a staple of your Christmas growing up, as they were mine, your parents failed you. Oh, and mint chocolate kind of sucks. Just never really been my thing.

Taylor doesn’t know it, but he’s essentially asked two questions. That or maybe I just want to answer two Star Wars questions. Whatever the case, I’m interpreting this as a two-part question.

Honestly, I didn’t watch a single pre-season game. I was in Los Angeles on holiday. Don’t regret that decision in the slightest. But I’m of no use to you for this question.

Who’d have guessed that Markus Granlund would be the talk of the town? And, why?

Whatever the case, he’s just not a particularly threatening offensive player. Granlund has good tools. He’s a good enough skater, not afraid to get in the tough spots and has a good enough shot. For whatever reason, he just can’t put it all together offensively.

Don’t be too discouraged, though. Granlund’s been an excellent player in terms of tilting the ice all season. That counts for something. Frankly, I had serious doubts he was even an NHL player going into this season. I’m encouraged, on the whole.

I haven’t the technical or analytical capabilities to come up with the right answer. Anything I’d say on the matter would strictly be conjecture.

I’d suggest Desjardins’ tactical mishaps (lineup decisions and deployment alike) are blown greatly out of proportion. The reason for that is the Canucks don’t have the players to mask those types of decisions.

Hear me out on this one. Other coaches make lineup decisions consistently as bad if not worse than Desjardins. The Rangers healthy scratched Kevin Hayes (a considerably better player than Baertschi), but it’s less noticeable with the bounty of players ready to fill that role. When the Capitals put Jay Beagle on their first line, they still had Evgeni Kuznetsov and Niklas Backstrom on their second and third lines. The Canucks have Jayson Megna.

Tactically speaking, there’s so much to like about Desjardins’ system. Especially his adaptability. If the Canucks are bottling it up this season, it’s because it’s the only logical response when you’re constantly the lesser team.

Whatever the case, Desjardins is not the problem in Vancouver. Not by a long shot.

I haven’t any idea how the Canucks are going to use Anton Rodin. I’d like them to put him alongside Brandon Sutter and Loui Eriksson, though. That’d free Granlund to play on the fourth line, and let the Canucks shift Brendan Gaunce to left wing again. 

I’d be surprised if Ryan Miller isn’t ready to go in time for Tuesday. Regardless, I don’t think Thatcher Demko should or will get a start. Talk about throwing a guy to the wolves. Letting him play for a team this bad at the end of a road trip could prove to be a disaster.

Given the severity of Rodin’s injury and his circumstances, I’d be happy if he produced at a third line clip.

I’m going to get a lot of heat for this one, but it’s Erik Gudbranson. Vancouver gets to avoid what’s shaping up to be an ugly albatross of an extension and picks up a young player on the upswing.

Sorry, I’ve honestly no idea.

The way I see it, fans just want to support their team. I don’t have any doubt the countless supporters of this Canucks regime would be happy with a teardown rebuild. They just want to support their team. Being a fan isn’t about being objective.