CanucksArmy: Monday Mailbag: November 27th

I had Hockey-Graphs writer and resident goalie expert Nick Mercadante on Nation Network Radio this weekend to talk about this very topic. My takeaway from that conversation was that both Jacob Markstrom and Anders Nilsson have been playing exceptionally well for the Canucks this season. Both goaltenders are in the top 15 by most of the metrics Mercadante relies on for his analysis.

Mercadante also added that Nilsson is the better of the two in all those same metrics, if only by a little bit. Between that and the fact that Markstrom keeps surrendering bad goals on almost game-to-game basis, I’d like to see Nilsson get a chance to run with the job for a run of starts, even if that means only two or three games.

The Canucks will probably re-sign general manager Jim Benning to a short-term extension for probably two seasons. That’s my guess. I probably wouldn’t re-sign Benning. I have an article coming up on this very topic though so I won’t get too carried away on this topic.

No, probably not.

I’d say Brendan Gaunce is a good fourth-liner. If you can’t score — like, can’t score period — then you probably shouldn’t play on a third line. The underlying numbers last season suggest Gaunce can have a good two-way impact. But they also tell us that Gaunce’s lack of production isn’t just bad luck. Gaunce takes a lot of non-threatening shots and as such his individual expected goal production isn’t all that far removed from his actual production.

Bad luck plays a role in Gaunce not being able to score in these last 83 games. So too does Gaunce’s lacklustre offensive abilities. It’s a bit of both.

This might be cheating, but if I had the option, I would deploy Jake Virtanen the same way Canucks head coach Travis Green did against the New York Rangers on Sunday. Where I would differ is in how often I played that line. I’d try to get Virtanen a few more minutes at even strength. I’d also start to teach Virtanen how to penalty kill and integrate him into that phase of special teams.

Sven Baertschi – Bo Horvat – Brock Boeser

Daniel Sedin – Henrik Sedin – Loui Eriksson

Thomas Vanek – Alexander Burmistrov – Sam Gagner

Brendan Gaunce – Markus Granlund – Jake Virtanen

Caveat: I’d use this lineup if Brandon Sutter and Derek Dorsett were healthy.

Virtanen needs more ice-time, and he’s earned it, too.

I like this question. It’s a real toss-up. One could make a convincing argument for either one of Jonathan Dahlen or Adam Gaudette. If I have to pick one, I’ll go with Dahlen as an answer to both of your questions.

Green confirmed that Nikolay Goldobin won’t be playing for the Canucks on this recall, so I’d imagine he’s going back to Utica soon. Apparently Green just wanted to “get a look” at Goldobin.

One: Olli Juolevi.

I’ll admit, I don’t think there’s any need to rush Goldobin into the Canucks lineup. I’d just let this situation play out and trade Thomas Vanek at the deadline to create room. Hopefully, he keeps on a steady upward trajectory in Utica until then and hits the ground running with the Canucks.

I’m not necessarily against the idea of Goldobin dressing for a game. And if I had to bench someone, I’d bench Sam Gagner to accommodate it.

Praying for a shootout.

It’s possible, though unlikely at this stage. Virtanen’s always had a propensity for low percentage shots, even going as far back as his time in junior with the Calgary Hitmen. It relates to his biggest drawback, hockey sense. Virtanen doesn’t really have much. He skates into space and shoots without looking for linemates or room to drive the net. It’s just what he does.

Juolevi will be a top pair defenceman with a similar skill set to Dan Hamhuis.

If Elias Pettersson wasn’t playing against men the last two seasons, it might matter more than it does. But even when you adjust Petterson’s production based on age, he’s still an elite player.

Gaunce brings excellent defensive play, positional versatility and penalty killing ability.

I have no clue, but I imagine it might be more than he’s worth, based on the fact that everyone who’s coached him, at least in Vancouver, seems to be a massive fan for reasons that escape me.

He’d asked the Canucks to buy out Chris Tanev. Too soft.

Uhh… Denmark.

Loui Eriksson is still a top line forward and his contract isn’t bad; it’s just bad for a team like the Canucks.

Probably the exact same order as it was in June.

Yes, on both fronts.

It’s close. I’ve heard arguments for both players from people whose ability to analyze prospects I trust greatly. I lean towards Juolevi.

It’s way, way too early for this question.

I get some version of this question at least once a month. First of all, it’s totally unrealistic to expect Benning to accept this kind of role reduction. Let’s call a spade a spade: it’s a demotion. They’ll get value out of Erik Gudbranson because this league tends to overvalue players with his skillset of handsomeness, size and physicality.

Last I looked, Sven Baertschi had a 20+ shooting percentage at even strength and about a 45 per cent Corsi. So yes, he’s going to regress hard. That whole top line is going to get hit with the regression bug, frankly.

I have no idea why Canucks assistant coach Newell Brown isn’t using Derrick Pouliot, Troy Stecher or Michael Del Zotto on the first power play. And as for what Edler is worth, I’d bet the Canucks could get at least a pair of mid-round picks for him at the deadline. The only problem is that Edler isn’t going to waive his no-trade clause.

I’m not keen on the idea. I’m in no rush to separate Baertschi and Horvat.

I think so, yes. Jesse Puljujarvi just might be a late bloomer or not as good as we once thought he was going into the draft.

Troy Stecher.

Gaunce goal.

Go away Samuel.

I have no clue how much Ryan Kesler benefited from having Mats Sundin on his line for half of a season. Kesler was already on the right track, so I’d be willing to bet the impact wasn’t that drastic.

I could see the Sedins having an impact on Virtanen. Perhaps it’s more of an off-ice impact, like teaching Virtanen how to be a pro and the like.

Elias Pettersson gets the early edge over Cody Glass.

That’s perhaps a bit harsh. He’s a fourth-line centre. Sutter is legitimately good at playing in the defensive zone and has utility on the penalty kill. Sutter is also an okay-ish goal scorer.

Perhaps?

If you’re the Canucks, you take that trade and run to finalize the paperwork. Send Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin flowers.

If it’s for a good return and it saves the Canucks from themselves and a long-term contract extension for Gudbranson, then it would be a wise move, yes.

Mr. Hole

I’d expect a short-term deal for about two years at around $2-million per season.