People need to relax on the vets - it's September.
I used to put a lot of stock in preseason performance. It caused me to select Jon Sim 18th overall in a hockey fantasy Draft. 18th. Then the next year I had Jason Williams around the same place
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Bennett > every young player the Canucks have accumulated
Canucks were outplayed tonight, but how often has that been the story with them? Nucks get the breaks despite being destroyed in every other area. How long until they stop getting those and the wheels fall off that wagon? Not long. Miller is washed up. The Sedins are getting too old. Burrows can't do #### anymore, and Kesler has gone to greener pastures. it'll be great when they finish 10th in the west, and we draft Eichel, while still having an entertaining season full of promising players.
Apparently demand for Van tickets is at a 15 year low. Shows you what kind of fans reside over there. Gonna be a long, long stretch, nuckleheads.
Didn't catch the game, which normally wouldn't bother me.. Except I had two different friends who are both Canuck fans text me about the Sam Bennett Show that was currently underway. One said the van announcer was comparing him to Bure's debut and acknowledging the fact he was an awesome force tonight. Both admitted Lack was the life raft that brought it home for the Canucks.
As much as I want to be excited and (selfishly) watch Bennett tear it up this year, if there is even a shadow of a doubt regarding his physical readiness he needs to be back in junior. With his style of play and obvious hunger to not only aggressively perform (that's what she said) but also impress fans/teammates I don't even want to consider the long term consequences of a serious injury. With Gaudreau quietly putting management in a position where they will look incompetent by sending him down, you'd have to think the focus of the club will be heavy physical presence with no question marks throughout the rest of the roster.
Still can't wait to see how these next two seasons play out (I will eat my pubes if we finish below Edmonton in the following season- I have faith we will be on the upswing with serious momentum by then). What a great time to be a Flames fan.
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Long time listener, first time caller.
“@AAVickers: Coach Bob Hartley was plenty complimentary to Sam Bennett after the game: "“Tonight it’s very simple...he was our best forward." #Flames”
“@AAVickers: Hartley: "He was exciting. He was on the puck. He was creating lots of chances. It’s only a first game but it’s quite a good impression.””
He was our best forward in his first preseason game... It's going to be hard to deny him his 9 games if he continues along that path.
No one else on the team's top 6 plays with that drive and tenacity. I can see why Hartley in particular would be impressed.
I'm still thinking it would be better for his development to go back to junior, but it's so promising to finally have a player like Bennett in the pipeline. With all respect to Monahan, Gaudreau and Baertschi, Bennett is the closest thing to a potential franchise player we've had since we traded Niewy for Iginla.
If Bennett continues to play like he did last night, I don't see how you can't give him at least nine games at the start of the season. I know it's just one preseason, but holy hell he looked so dominant compared to players who are NHL regulars.
Hmm... Has the management actually said something to the tune of "the 12 best players will play"?
I'm asking because I don't remember hearing that, and more importantly it would be contrary to the previous message of "prospects will go where they will develop best".
So guy like Granlund who seems to be about as ready as they come for example just has to be better than a vet to make the team, giving him a good chance.
A guy like Gaudreau has to show not only that he's good, but also that sending him to Adirondack would not make a difference to his development.
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Agreed. A lot of people seem willing to excuse the goals against, but he looked uncertain and scrambly on a lot of shots that should have been handled easily. He looked noticeably weaker than Lack, who is no clear #1 starter himself.
Hmm... Has the management actually said something to the tune of "the 12 best players will play"?
I'm asking because I don't remember hearing that, and more importantly it would be contrary to the previous message of "prospects will go where they will develop best".
So guy like Granlund who seems to be about as ready as they come for example just has to be better than a vet to make the team, giving him a good chance.
A guy like Gaudreau has to show not only that he's good, but also that sending him to Adirondack would not make a difference to his development.
Treliving was throwing around the classic "Meritocracy" quotes a couple of months ago. I'll try & find the quotes to back that up...
It's a bit of a dilemma; just because these players are good enough to outplay a veteran (on a bottom 5 team) for a roster spot doesn't necessarily mean they wouldn't be better served by a bit of seasoning in the minors (Gaudreau) or junior (Bennett). There's a risk that rushing these players will lower their chances of reaching their potential 'ceiling', but if they can step right in and contribute then who is to say they can't learn what they need to learn on the fly in the NHL?
It's a bloody difficult decision. We sure as hell don't want to Oilers these players. Sure, they would make the team better in the short term, but if they develop properly they should make the team a future contender.
I feel Granlund is ready, though, and he is leading the race to be Backlund's injury replacement. Should get a good long look.
Treliving was throwing around the classic "Meritocracy" quotes a couple of months ago. I'll try & find the quotes to back that up...
It's a bit of a dilemma; just because these players are good enough to outplay a veteran (on a bottom 5 team) for a roster spot doesn't necessarily mean they wouldn't be better served by a bit of seasoning in the minors (Gaudreau) or junior (Bennett). There's a risk that rushing these players will lower their chances of reaching their potential 'ceiling', but if they can step right in and contribute then who is to say they can't learn what they need to learn on the fly in the NHL?
It's a bloody difficult decision. We sure as hell don't want to Oilers these players. Sure, they would make the team better in the short term, but if they develop properly they should make the team a future contender.
I feel Granlund is ready, though, and he is leading the race to be Backlund's injury replacement. Should get a good long look.
The problem is less what the management says, and more with the people who choose to take these decisions in black or white, all or nothing terms. Vets get free passes rookies don't and as others have noted, having a kid who could be marginally better than a vet around when he would be better served in the minors for a bit is counterproductive.
That being said, Diaz is on a PTO and Setoguchi is on a 'show-me' contract. These are two vets that should be showing more than they are.
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Agreed. A lot of people seem willing to excuse the goals against, but he looked uncertain and scrambly on a lot of shots that should have been handled easily. He looked noticeably weaker than Lack, who is no clear #1 starter himself.
A very small sample size but I was a lot more impressed with Carr than Hiller.
Treliving was throwing around the classic "Meritocracy" quotes a couple of months ago. I'll try & find the quotes to back that up...
It's a bit of a dilemma; just because these players are good enough to outplay a veteran (on a bottom 5 team) for a roster spot doesn't necessarily mean they wouldn't be better served by a bit of seasoning in the minors (Gaudreau) or junior (Bennett). There's a risk that rushing these players will lower their chances of reaching their potential 'ceiling', but if they can step right in and contribute then who is to say they can't learn what they need to learn on the fly in the NHL?
It's a bloody difficult decision. We sure as hell don't want to Oilers these players. Sure, they would make the team better in the short term, but if they develop properly they should make the team a future contender.
I feel Granlund is ready, though, and he is leading the race to be Backlund's injury replacement. Should get a good long look.
I agree with everything you said and will add it's not that easy to make roster spots for the youngsters. I see a lot of trade Jones ect to open a roster spot, but other teams will look within before going trade route. In the case of Jones I would have to think his contract is unmovable, unless taking back just as much salary for some garbage players. Even then the garbage players would take up the roster spot from the youngsters.
