WWYDW: Baertschi Come Back

Sven Baertschi will be returning to the Canucks lineup shortly after suffering a concussion in a game on October 24 versus the Vegas Golden Knights. His return will necessitate some changes in the lineup, and one player will need to be sent down to Utica to make room.

Last week I asked: Where do you think Leivo should play, and who should come out of the lineup in his stead?

Play him with Horvat and Boeser. Bo has been struggling with sub par wingers, and Leivo’s dump and chase style would be far better served on this line. Reunite EP, Goldy and Jake, who looked great together in the 2 games Green gave them.

Upon Baer’s return and with Leivo staying on left wing Schaller could be the 13th F sitting in the press box. The vicsissitude of Green’s line shuffling speaks for itself but it’s not unreasonable to suggest playing with Bo and Jake would be a good fit for now. Petey and Brock are the Dynamic Duo for this club now and should never be split up from now on IMHO and the coaching staff seems to want Goldy playing with them. Wherever they put Leivo it’s a decent upgrade to work with.

Given the Canucks’ lack of depth on the LW, keep him with Pettersson and Boeser and shuffle him down the lineup if he falters. When Baertschi returns, he should be put back with Horvat. If Goldobin wants back in the Top 6, he should start putting some effort into the backcheck.

Leivo is a top nine with some skill and better size than a few others who’ve slotted in this season (Leipsic and Boucher certainly). I think Goldobin makes it back in; he’s overall looked much improved, though his defensive lapses mean that a game on the bench here and there isn’t unwarranted. Just about no one’s roster spot should be safe when you’ve lost 12 of 13 games, though Horvat, Boeser and EP seem locks. I know this will sound like heresy but I would think about sitting EP a game or two because he looks absolutely gassed or at least unable to figure out the defensive pressure in the last ten games or so. Leivo makes sense on the second or third lines, Gaudette to go back and get better and more important minutes in Utica, Schaller and Granlund to alternate with Motte for the press box (though Eriksson deserves that more but $6 million price tag won’t have that happen till next year when most of the real money comes off the books).

In the short time, one game, Leivo has a quick release which should be welcomed. Playing Jake and Leivo with Bo would be a good situation. Big Fast with a quick shot.

Until Baertschi is back, I’d like to see Goldobin-Petterson-Boeser and Leivo-Horvat-Virtanen. I think Leivo’s game is more suited to the spadework done by Bo and Jake, and I’m loathe to separate Brock from Elias. Petterson deserves a bona fide finisher on his line, and Brock fits the bill.