On today’s episode of Canucks Conversation, David Quadrelli and Harman Dayal broke down Vancouver’s 6-5 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames, highlighting various issues that emerged in the game.
The discussion kicked off with Arturs Silovs’ shaky performance in net. Silovs saved just 20 of the 26 shots he faced, and long-distance shots seemed to trouble him in particular.
“There were a couple through traffic, which are tough to stop, but there were also some goals that, as an NHL goaltender, you just have to have,” said Quads. “Silovs stayed out after practice today working on distance shots through traffic, so he’s clearly addressing it.”
Harm then moved on to the team’s defensive struggles, noting the poor performances from newcomers Vincent Desharnais and Derek Forbort in their debut for the Canucks.
“The bottom four defence were bad,” Harm said bluntly. “Desharnais and Forbort were on the ice for two goals against, and their breakouts were sloppy. Even the Soucy-Myers pair had issues. Soucy needed to take away that pass to Huberdeau in the third—it can’t just be sitting there waiting to be buried, and that’s a play he usually makes. Overall, the team was leaky, whether in the slot, off the cycle, or defending the rush. Part of it is early-season hockey, but I wonder if, as a big-picture takeaway, trying to push up the ice to use your forwards’ speed makes you more vulnerable defensively off the rush. Last year, the Canucks were stingy at preventing rush chances, but last night, the Flames got behind the defence quite a few times. Offensively, they look more dangerous, but if you’re giving up the same number of chances that you create, is that really a net positive?”
Quads raised an important question: “Do they have the defence to play that way? Last year, they had the defence to suit their style, but it’s different now. If Erik Brannstrom plays, you’re going to lose something on the penalty kill by taking Forbort out. The team needs to decide whether they want to generate offence off the rush and play more transitionally, because the defence that was so good at shutting games down last year might not be the right fit for that.”
Harman pointed out a potential offseason misstep. “This management regime nailed so many things this offseason, but if there’s one blemish I saw—even before the season started—it’s the fact they have five million in cap tied up between Myers and Desharnais on the right side. I would’ve rather seen them invest four million in a more impactful player and gone cheap on the third pair. I don’t think this was the most efficient use of their cap space.”
The conversation then turned to Elias Pettersson, who also had a slow start to his season.
“Pettersson was pretty quiet,” said Quads. “If this were any other season, we could write it off as just one game, but it’s not. He looked the same as he did down the stretch and into the playoffs last year, which raised concerns. He had some flashes last night but was still largely ineffective—and we’re talking about the Flames. You need your stars to step up. That’s how you’re going to be better than a team like the Flames. They have their Nils Amans and Teddy Bluegers, but they don’t have an Elias Pettersson. You need your stars to be better.”
Harm added, “The question mark for me is his skating. He looks flat. When Pettersson’s at his best, he has a separation gear. He’s not an elite skater, but he moves well and creates space for himself with his skating and hands. Right now, he looks flat with the puck, which makes him easier to check. All he can rely on is his IQ and stickhandling to make plays, and while he’ll still make those plays at times, it won’t be consistent enough to have a significant impact. I need to see more pop in his skating.”
You can watch the full replay of the show below:
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