April 14 Practice - Ramo & Byron on the ice. Monahan leaves practice early...

[automaton 3]

Gaudreau sat out the Jets game because he wasn't feeling well. Could be the same for Monahan.

Since he suited up and was skating well, I doubt there is any cause for concern.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I'd play him over Bollig but that's about it... for such a big guy he spends agonizingly little time in front of the net where it (his size) could be put to greater use.

Colborne's more often digging on the wall or behind the net and passing out front, like Thornton. If he turns into a poor man's Thornton, I'm very happy.

I'm not crazy about the 4th line because of the mix of styles. Is it a grinding line (Bollig) a bending but not physical defensive line (Granlund) or a skating energy line (Jooris). Shore or maybe Byron settles those issues for me. They each can play any of those styles.

I don't second guess Hartley but the biggest mystery to me this year hasn't been Raymond's usage, Bollig's usage or Potter over Wotherspoon, it's been why Shore's been sat so often. He seems to play well enough - is he not a good guy in practice?

[Hockeyguy15]

I wonder how Monahan looked before he was pulled off the ice. I didn't see any tweets about him looking off at all.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by saillias

You don't pull a guy off the ice halfway through practice for rest. When he hasn't skated in 5 days. What's half of a practice vs a full one. Something is wrong.

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Nah, I like putting him with Bennett-Backlund, tons of speed + veteren two-way aptitude to cover for any rookie mistakes Bennett might make.

Plus we can call them the Killer B's, I like having easy nicknames for lines.

I'm a fan of this idea.

[Buff]

Mind games galore. Meant to throw the Canucks off as to what their opposition is ready for, but really, it's biggest affect is on us fans!

[DoubleF]

Pulling Monahan off early makes sense as a plan. Start testing line combos immediately for chemistry while there's time to do so in the unlikely event that Monahan is injured deep into our playoff run.

I think Hartley is also playing line juggling again in case he needs to do something to spur the boys or plug holes via injury during the playoffs.

[FlamesAddiction]

Is it crazy to think that Hartley is just playing mind games with the Canucks? We know he is a pretty cerebral guy.

Make them think that Monahan is vulnerable so they focus on wearing him down, thereby creating more room for Hudler and Gaudreau. We know coaches hide injuries this time of year so that the other team won't alter their game plan to take advantage of them, but would they ever do the opposite?

I am just really hoping that Monahan is 100%.

[SuperMatt18]

Yeah Monahan worries me.

As saillias mentioned you don't pull a guy from practice, after he has had 5 days off, if everything is alright.

[jg13]

If Bennett can get Backlund going offensively that would potentially change everything in this series.

Outside of the nucks top pairing Edler/Tanev they don't have much going for them, this is the line to watch in my opinion.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Yeah Monahan worries me.

As saillias mentioned you don't pull a guy from practice, after he has had 5 days off, if everything is alright.

Apparently, you do.

[jg13]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Yeah Monahan worries me.

As saillias mentioned you don't pull a guy from practice, after he has had 5 days off, if everything is alright.

You might though, Hartley is one of the best troll coaches I have seen in this league. Particularly last year against the same Vancouver Canucks.

[sureLoss]

Monahan was on the ice for roughly 5 minutes. Practice started at 11am. Tweets came in that he left around 11:08am

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Is it crazy to think that Hartley is just playing mind games with the Canucks? We know he is a pretty cerebral guy.

Make them think that Monahan is vulnerable so they focus on wearing him down, thereby creating more room for Hudler and Gaudreau. We know coaches hide injuries this time of year so that the other team won't alter their game plan to take advantage of them, but would they ever do the opposite?

I am just really hoping that Monahan is 100%.

I don't think he plays games with his practice time. I think Monahan needs some extra maintenance or is not feeling well. He dressed for the practice and skated without noticeable problems - so he is able to play. He left early, so he needs a bit more rest for bruises or an illness.

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar: Sigmund Freud.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Monahan was on the ice for roughly 5 minutes. Practice started at 11am. Tweets came in that he left around 11:08am

Ugh - that sounds worse - was it a 30 minute practice?

[azzarish]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

I don't think there's any reason to think Monahan is hurt or won't play in the first game.

Hartley said he would play game 1 yesterday. No reason to think that still isn't true today. He didn't practice at all yesterday.

[AC]

Backlund saves his best for the Canucks as well.

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by jg13

If Bennett can get Backlund going offensively that would potentially change everything in this series.

Outside of the nucks top pairing Edler/Tanev they don't have much going for them, this is the line to watch in my opinion.

I agree but I think its more along the lines of Bennett and Byron being able to make a pass or get the puck back to Backlund.

Raymond and Colborne have been brutal with Backlund. More often than not as soon as Backlund passes to one of them, the play dies.

Looking forward to seeing Backlund having wingers with above average hockey IQ. They could be very dangerous as well as defensively responsible.

[burn_this_city]

He might have a cold or flu and they don't want to wear him out in practice.

[jar_e]

Originally Posted by azzarish

Hartley said he would play game 1 yesterday. No reason to think that still isn't true today. He didn't practice at all yesterday.

And Hartley then followed that up with "Everyone is a game time decision" today when asked.

I can't imagine it was Hartley's plan to let Monahan skate for 5 minutes. No benefit there.

I'll presume its a mixture of mind games form Hartley and more maintenance for Monahan.