WWYDW: Gaunce is Back

Brendan Gaunce missed the whole month of October and parts of November rehabbing a shoulder injury that ended his last season and required surgery. After a five-game conditioning stint with the Utica Comets, he’s back on the Canucks roster.

Last night, Gaunce made his debut for the Canucks against the Calgary Flames and was mostly effective on the shutdown line with Brandon Sutter and Derek Dorsett. And because of Markus Granlund suffering an upper-body injury the night before, Canucks head coach Travis Green didn’t have to tinker with his lineup or send any regulars to the press box.

That situation won’t last for long, though. Granlund is supposed to join the Canucks for the California portion of their road trip, which says nothing of Loui Eriksson’s coming return. Let’s focus on the Granlund bit, though, because knee injuries are tricky and who knows when Eriksson is actually going to return to the Canucks lineup.

When Granlund is back, what do you think is the ideal configuration for the Canucks four forward lines going forward? You can submit a full forward corps or just tell me who you think should have a spell in the press box.

Last week Jackson McDonald asked: What Would You Do to get the Sedins going?

I’m going to vote for sticking with the plan, assuming the plan is to keep grooming Virtanen and gradually increasing the ice time for that line.

I don’t see a better fit on their wing in the lineup, nobody else has the same combination of speed and shooting ability that Jake brings. Sure, Boeser might improve them, but he belongs higher in the lineup. We’re not splitting them up in what could well be their final year, stay the course. I’m not disappointed with the results to date, and I’m quickly becoming a believer in thinking that putting faith in Travis Green is the right call.

Stick with the process at 5v5. Virtanen plays well with them, he has the hockey IQ and the hands to keep up as well as the speed and tenacity to play well away from the puck. If it’s goals you want from this trio, play the matchup game and let them feast on the 4th liners of the league. An entertaining curveball could be thrown on the PP though. Move Daniel to the 2nd unit, and let him play the half-wall. Give Henrik as many capable options for shooters on the first unit, and Daniel the rest on the second. I’m loath to make personnel calls when it comes to special teams, but watching Daniel’s shooting percentage dwindle over the last 5 years leads’ me to believe having both twins on one PP unit is redundant.

Most players when they get to a certain age have to learn how to play the game a different way in order to stay effective and relevant. Splitting them up might force them to do this. Or put Jawn Jang in goal against them and let him see first hand how exciting things can get.