WWYDW: A Golden Opportunity
7 years ago
With the Canucks in total free-fall for the last month or so, there’s been a dearth of compelling storylines to keep the fans’ attention. Truthfully, the only reason Canucks fans have to continue watching at this stage in the season is to get a better look at the future.
That’s why Nikolay Goldobin has been in the spotlight so much this week, he was scratched, promoted to the top line, and criticized for not having enough “grit” and “balls”, which is more activity in one week than some Canucks saw in their entire tenure in Vancouver. (Brandon MacMillan, anyone?)
Where would you like to see Goldobin play for the remainder of the season? Where would you like to see him start next year? He has high-end skill, but he’s still very raw, and prone to occasional lapses defensively. There are no wrong answers.
Last week I asked: Where would you like to see Boeser next year? If he makes the big club, who would you like to see as his linemates?
Neil B:
Well, this is why we should have Boeser up this year for the last few games, to hell with contract status. He’s played well in 3 outings so far, but he’s also looked lost without the puck at times. Admittedly, those instances were mostly later in a game, so the question of lost vs gassed is legit.
Personally, I’d like him to stay down in Utica for 2017-18, and learn to be a dominant pro at the lower level before coming up. However, the development style of this team would seem to value bottom-6 minutes in the NHL over top-6 minutes in the AHL.
Rodeobill:
Boeser already “developed” in a lesser league beyond his draft. One of the best things I have noticed about him is instant chemistry with whoever he is on with, he finds or makes space, and plays with smarts. This, combined with all the trials of job the poor guy has been through that we keep hearing about and has survived through tells me he is NHL ready. Goldy and Boucher have had their moments in these last few games, but Beoser has impressed me beyond the numbers. Him and Horvat were a few of the only people last night that didn’t look way out of their league last night and with familiarity and practice that should get even better.
The ONLY reason to send him down would be if the Nucks were going to do like toronto and try to tank from right out the gate next season.
The_Blueline:
I wanna see a 1st line of Bo, Baer, Eriksson, 2nd of Sedins, Granlund. Start Brock in Utica and call him up after a few months when injuries pile up, and after he has hopefully scored a lot.
TD:
Boeser should end up playing where his play dictates. If he is ready and deserves to be on the Canucks then so be it. If he isn’t ready then he needs to go to Utica regardless of whether he is better than a fourth line plug. The Canucks need Boeser to be a top 6 forward and need to make sure his development is properly handled. So far he looks like he belongs.
It’s too early to say who he should play with next year if he makes the Canucks. He looked okay in the first game with Bo and Baer, but the team will need to experiment to see who has chemistry.
