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Canucks Army Monday Mailbag: March 13th
Vancouver Canucks mailbag
Photo credit: Matthew Henderson
J.D. Burke
Mar 13, 2017, 11:00 EDTUpdated: Mar 13, 2017, 02:01 EDT
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We’re off to a running start. And, well, no. If you’re going to throw me a ‘funny’ question, do better.
I’m sure the expectation here is for me to go in on Canucks head coach Willie Desjardins for his deployments and usage. Of course, one can definitely make a case for the power play units’ composition as chief among their many flaws, but for me, the issue runs deeper.
For reasons that escape me, the Canucks run a static 1-3-1 power play. The idea is that constant puck movement at the top of the formation will force constant shifts in the defensive alignment to create openings for shots from the point man and his two outlets on the outside of the formation.
Think about what the Sedin twins do best and ask yourself if that aligns with a strategy that feeds the puck up high for low percentage point shots. Or, better still, ask yourself if the Sedins should be forty-to-fifty feet from each other; or whether shooting and playing the net-front are strengths of theirs.
When one spells it out like this, it becomes increasingly obvious the Sedins aren’t in a position to succeed, and for the Canucks power play to succeed the Sedins have to be the ones driving the bus. Their ability to push play at even strength has atrophied, and foot speed is largely to blame. That’s not — or shouldn’t be — an issue with the man advantage. When the puck is in the offensive zone, I still fancy them the Canucks’ best players.
It would stand to reason, then, that if the Canucks switch to an overload formation that plays to the Sedins skill set would probably have a significant impact on their ability to score goals.
And yes, of course, it would help if Brandon Sutter played on the second unit and Jayson Megna just didn’t play.
I hate to be that guy, but I don’t know which AHL prospects the Canucks can even call upon if so moved. Alexandre Grenier is probably past the point where we can reasonably expect anything beyond a replacement level forward, and he’s old enough that he’s fading from the prospect classification. Joseph LaBate is fine and all, but again, what’s left to mine talent-wise?
The Canucks only get four post-trade deadline call-ups. They’re injury depleted and have two available to them as is. Drew Shore is a centre, and unless I’m mistaken (certainly a possibility), he doesn’t count against their call-up limit. In that sense, this is a pretty damn savvy move by the Canucks’ front office.
At one point, I thought Shore might carve out a career as a semi-useful bottom six forward. He’s 26-years-old, so that ship’s likely sailed, but I don’t hate spending a contract to try and unearth something down the stretch.
At the end of the day, though, this just isn’t worth getting worked up over one way or the other.
If Desjardins is back next season, I tend to think the Sedins stay in their role. Given the Canucks view Sutter as their second line centre, which is already a massive stretch in the sense that he’s a third line player in the absolute best circumstances, I doubt they move him into that role.
I don’t know. Let’s go with Travis Green. Why not?
Shore is a person, who exists, and to the best of my knowledge can play professional hockey. You’ll have to pardon my cynicism; there just isn’t a lot there. He’s probably going to be a depth forward. He can play all three positions, so he’ll be a swiss army knife for the Canucks. Probably take on a bigger role when the Canucks shut Sutter down for the season — something I expect when they’re mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.
That’s an interesting question, but not one I’m entirely convinced I have it in me to answer with any confidence. There are certainly interesting paralels between the two. Kesler played three NHL seasons before the Behind the Net era and all the valuable information we can use to evaluate defensive play were available to us.
To the eye, though, I fancy Kesler as a better defensive forward in the early parts of his career. Horvat probably gets the edge offensively.
I don’t know if I have any one favourite. I’m a huge Percy Bysshe Shelley fan, and Dylan Thomas too — I have ‘They are the only dead who did not love’ tattooed on me.
If I have to provide an answer, though, it’s probably ‘The Masque of Anarchy’. Give it a read. It’s amazing.
I have to be honest; this just isn’t a topic that I’m terribly invested in one way or the other. I wouldn’t hate the move, but if the choice is mine, I let Henrik keep it until he’s moved on from this franchise.
I think Jackson has the best answer:
I don’t expect much of anything that way, to be honest. They don’t have anyone worth the trouble, if we’re being entirely honest.
I’m not qualified to answer this question well, but Ryan Biech sure as hell is!
I love to barbeque. Tonnes of meat. All of it red.
I honestly have no clue. Sorry. Haven’t watched a tonne of college hockey this year, save for St. Cloud State — yes, actually.
If he wants hair as good as mine, he should be using Tresemme.
Can’t remember the name of it, but the one with chocolate chip cookie dough and fudge brownie pieces. That stuff is the truth.
I’ve never been to Pittsburgh, but it’s on my bucket list. I just want to see a Steelers game played at Heinz Field.
No comment.
It’s obviously Sutter. I mean, the guy farms.

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