It has definitely thrown a wrench into their game. The goaltending situation as well.
How about them Canucks!
- Thread starter #juan
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The whole team isn't playing well, the defence are completely disorganized and are
having trouble making passes and finding their positions in their own end, and the
forwards are the same, the defence are having trouble getting the puck out of
their zone.
All three of our forwards are going too deep into the opponants zone at times,
one of them has to stay high and watch for breakouts,and the opponant is breaking out of canucks zone with three on ones, and our forwards are trying to catch up.
The defence can't get control of the puck in our own end properly, so can't get a
good pass out of our zone, makes the forwards skate circles and slow down. It is a team problem, not more the fault of offence or defence, it is both. I'm not worried about the goaltending at all, I didn't expect
luongo to come out and save the team, he is human and needs a few games to
get sharp, and I'm glad he didn't win the game for the team, as they don't
deserve that right now, and it would have overshadowed how bad they played.
I don't expect things to pick up in the next game, as it is columbus, who are
at the top of their game right now, with the best 'rookie' goalie in the league,
who is stoning everyone, so prepare for another problem, this will most likely
get worse before it gets better.
Those who would point the finger toward Sundin as the reason for this problem
aren't
seeing reality, and if that was stated to the team they would laugh out loud.
He is allready a force out there, even though he is not skating well yet, his big
body is needed on this team, he faceoffs are excellent along with kesler. His
calmness in the mess were in, I noticed vineault double shifted him for awhile in
the last period, probably trying to give him more skating and hoping he would
pop a goal in.
The big body on this team that is a problem is Pyatt, he is so slow that he is late
arriving everywhere, he has good hockey sense and a good shot, but no legs.
If, after about 20 games, Sundin still isn't skating better, then I would begin to
wonder, but his skating is better now than 5 games ago.
having trouble making passes and finding their positions in their own end, and the
forwards are the same, the defence are having trouble getting the puck out of
their zone.
All three of our forwards are going too deep into the opponants zone at times,
one of them has to stay high and watch for breakouts,and the opponant is breaking out of canucks zone with three on ones, and our forwards are trying to catch up.
The defence can't get control of the puck in our own end properly, so can't get a
good pass out of our zone, makes the forwards skate circles and slow down. It is a team problem, not more the fault of offence or defence, it is both. I'm not worried about the goaltending at all, I didn't expect
luongo to come out and save the team, he is human and needs a few games to
get sharp, and I'm glad he didn't win the game for the team, as they don't
deserve that right now, and it would have overshadowed how bad they played.
I don't expect things to pick up in the next game, as it is columbus, who are
at the top of their game right now, with the best 'rookie' goalie in the league,
who is stoning everyone, so prepare for another problem, this will most likely
get worse before it gets better.
Those who would point the finger toward Sundin as the reason for this problem
aren't
seeing reality, and if that was stated to the team they would laugh out loud.
He is allready a force out there, even though he is not skating well yet, his big
body is needed on this team, he faceoffs are excellent along with kesler. His
calmness in the mess were in, I noticed vineault double shifted him for awhile in
the last period, probably trying to give him more skating and hoping he would
pop a goal in.
The big body on this team that is a problem is Pyatt, he is so slow that he is late
arriving everywhere, he has good hockey sense and a good shot, but no legs.
If, after about 20 games, Sundin still isn't skating better, then I would begin to
wonder, but his skating is better now than 5 games ago.
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It's not so much blaming Sundin but I'll bet a lot of the guys are hesitating a bit keeping one eye out for to get him the puck instead of just playing their team game. If you start overthinking plays and add any kind of hesitation at that level you're dead in the water. Sundin's also not at the level he will need to be at very soon.
They are definitely over thinking and hesitating too much, don't think it has anything to do with Sundin though, the only one who I thought did that was Wellwood in the first game that sundin played, as he totally forgot about mason raymond on the line, and tried to get the puck to sundin all night.
Craig Simpson, who
broadcasts with jim hughson was on 1040 today and gave a very good analogy of
how he thinks the canucks have faultered of late, and it's all about defence.
Since Luongo has been out, the defence have taken more responsibility to overcome that loss, and also to protect what goalie happens to be playing.
It worked for a while, but then sanford went down, they had to get la barbera,
and the defence gets another jolt, and time took it's toll, and they began to
crumble a little, then a little more, then both of those goalies came out in
a game and looked terrible, more stress on the defence, hence more mistakes.
Our forwards have always had some good games and some not so good, but our
defence has 'always' been solid, no so at the moment.
What makes me laugh is the callers on team 1040 and also the news paper, as
they totally panic and want everyone fired, players dropped, pat quinn brought
back,(huge mistake in my opinion)., but today Mike Gillis was on and thoroughly stood behind his coaches, and reminded everyone that a few weeks
ago the team was solid, and everyone was supporting them, and now they are
having a problem, so just allow them to bring the team back to where they
were,(it's the same team that was playing solid not long ago), which they will, and go from there, and vineault will be there and at
this time they don't plan any changes.
At the beginning of this year not many expected the canucks to be any higher
than about 7th to 10th place in the conference, but we did a little better than
that, as our scoring picked up and our defence remained solid as always.
So, at the moment we are sitting right about where most thought we would.
Just need to make the playoffs this year, and maybe get through the first
round, then next year we can improve again.
Gillis will make more changes before the trade deadline I think, at least
bring in one more player or two.
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Next game against SJ. Pretty tough match, SJ is pretty scary. Hopefully we can pull out a win. Have something positive to go out on during the All Star break.
This test should be a good way for BobbyLou to sharpen up!
This test should be a good way for BobbyLou to sharpen up!
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I don't expect to beat san jose tomorrow, I think they have only lost once at home
this season. I just want to see the canucks play at a high level, stop those defencive errors, and see luongo sharpen up now after two games under his
belt.
Sundin looked much better again last night, but I would hope he isn't going to
take the all star time 'off', as he will just lose pace again.
There are others who should not take all star break, as they are not playing as
well as they should. Good thing luongo is going to all star game, as he can continue
playing and practicing.
I think hanson is going to manitoba to play during break.
this season. I just want to see the canucks play at a high level, stop those defencive errors, and see luongo sharpen up now after two games under his
belt.
Sundin looked much better again last night, but I would hope he isn't going to
take the all star time 'off', as he will just lose pace again.
There are others who should not take all star break, as they are not playing as
well as they should. Good thing luongo is going to all star game, as he can continue
playing and practicing.
I think hanson is going to manitoba to play during break.
Pyatt will be playing on the line with the twins again tonight, so if he plays as well
as he did last game, I won't say a thing, but, if he goes back to his slow slow lumbering play, I would hope that gillis does do something.
It is the time of year now, where the twins begin to disappear, as the whole league
will ramp up now, as they are heading to the trade deadline, and then full speed
ahead to the playoffs, and the twins cannot stand up to that kind of heavy physical
play, although they are a great second line. If Gillis could bring in someone to play
with sundin, and either raymond or hanson on the other side, that could be the
first line, but I mean a top player from a team who is near the bottom and might
let their top player go, eg. Kovalchuk, or the likes, then we could make a good
showing to make the playoffs, but as we stand now, I don't give us a chance, as
those twins are not tough enough, and their point output will begin to shut down
soon. There are lots of teams with more scoring talent than we have who will
be sprinting toward the playoffs soon, and leave us behind.
I hope I am wrong, but it happened before, and I can't see anything changing.
Sundin is improving every game, showed some of his 'real' talent last game, and
he will get stronger and stronger as the season continues, and no one will push
him around, just the opposite.
He is a big power forward, who can score goals, and he just needs another
player with him with top skills as well.
as he did last game, I won't say a thing, but, if he goes back to his slow slow lumbering play, I would hope that gillis does do something.
It is the time of year now, where the twins begin to disappear, as the whole league
will ramp up now, as they are heading to the trade deadline, and then full speed
ahead to the playoffs, and the twins cannot stand up to that kind of heavy physical
play, although they are a great second line. If Gillis could bring in someone to play
with sundin, and either raymond or hanson on the other side, that could be the
first line, but I mean a top player from a team who is near the bottom and might
let their top player go, eg. Kovalchuk, or the likes, then we could make a good
showing to make the playoffs, but as we stand now, I don't give us a chance, as
those twins are not tough enough, and their point output will begin to shut down
soon. There are lots of teams with more scoring talent than we have who will
be sprinting toward the playoffs soon, and leave us behind.
I hope I am wrong, but it happened before, and I can't see anything changing.
Sundin is improving every game, showed some of his 'real' talent last game, and
he will get stronger and stronger as the season continues, and no one will push
him around, just the opposite.
He is a big power forward, who can score goals, and he just needs another
player with him with top skills as well.
Yeah, 'damn it' is right, but isn't it always the way, hang on for all that time, then
get scored on with seconds to play, but of course we did have a penalty, so it was
like david and goliath at that point.
But on the positive side, we played a good game, up against the best team in the
nhl, and wasn't embarrassed at all.
So, good things should come out of it, and it is a good way to go into the all star
break, and we should get back on track when we start up again.
I will look forward to seeing luongo in the all star game, and I think raymond is in
the young guns game, but not entirely sure.
GO CANUCKS GO
get scored on with seconds to play, but of course we did have a penalty, so it was
like david and goliath at that point.
But on the positive side, we played a good game, up against the best team in the
nhl, and wasn't embarrassed at all.
So, good things should come out of it, and it is a good way to go into the all star
break, and we should get back on track when we start up again.
I will look forward to seeing luongo in the all star game, and I think raymond is in
the young guns game, but not entirely sure.
GO CANUCKS GO
Plus, you should take solace in the fact that it appears that Luongo has finally shaken the rust off of himself. He played much better.
Yeah, he did play much better, now he can go and have fun at the all star game,
and hang out with all the other super stars, it will give him confidence and get him
back in the groove again.
Sundin isn't going anywhere, he is going to stay in vancouver and practice and play,
and I wonder who else is staying in vancouver too.
and hang out with all the other super stars, it will give him confidence and get him
back in the groove again.
Sundin isn't going anywhere, he is going to stay in vancouver and practice and play,
and I wonder who else is staying in vancouver too.
There are a lot of teams that need the break. Chicago is floundering right now, as are Pittsburgh and Montreal. You can tell the players are starting to get a little tired and need the mental and physical rest.
Just watched columbus/calgary, real good game, calgary won in shoot out.
Yeah, I'm noticing some top teams starting to look a little fragile, it's very
hard to stay strong all through the season. In fact I like to see my team play
well but stay a little off the top pace till after the all star break, then begin
climbing up so they can peak right around playoffs. A perfect scenerio I think.
When we coached kids teams years ago, I felt the same.
Yeah, I'm noticing some top teams starting to look a little fragile, it's very
hard to stay strong all through the season. In fact I like to see my team play
well but stay a little off the top pace till after the all star break, then begin
climbing up so they can peak right around playoffs. A perfect scenerio I think.
When we coached kids teams years ago, I felt the same.
I think people need to accept the fact that the Nucks are just not that good of a team. With a healthy Luongo, they will battle for a playoff spot but that is about all.
The Sedins are 2nd line players. At a point per game pace, there are lots of players in the league I would rather have. Shane Doan is a perfect example.
Sundin is 37 and slowing down (and he's never been more than a point a game man). Kevin Bieksa -7 despite being the teams top scoring defenseman. Kyle Wellwood - won't even be playing in the league next year.
Keep Luongo and gut the rest.
Question - How many teams have won the cup in the last 40 years without a bonafide top-notch centerman? Henrik Sedin is not it nor do any on the current roster have the capability of becoming one.
That's also why the Shames have no hope as well
The Sedins are 2nd line players. At a point per game pace, there are lots of players in the league I would rather have. Shane Doan is a perfect example.
Sundin is 37 and slowing down (and he's never been more than a point a game man). Kevin Bieksa -7 despite being the teams top scoring defenseman. Kyle Wellwood - won't even be playing in the league next year.
Keep Luongo and gut the rest.
Question - How many teams have won the cup in the last 40 years without a bonafide top-notch centerman? Henrik Sedin is not it nor do any on the current roster have the capability of becoming one.
That's also why the Shames have no hope as well
Canucks played very well last night, and if they had scored in overtime we wouldn't
be hearing all the flack.
Sundin definitely hurt himself by sitting out so long, and I'm sure he is disappointed
and getting tired of taking so long, getting himself into top shape.
I don't believe he is responsible at all for the problems the canucks are having, and
it seems very unfair to lay the blame at his feet, and let all of the other players
off the hook.
It wasn't his fault luongo got injured.
It wasn't his fault that the other goalies performed poorly most of the time.
It isn't his fault that our defence has faultered in the past month, as they
were the heart and soul of this team, and now can't be trusted in their own end.
Its not his fault that the sedins can't score much any more, they did same thing
last year at this time of year, and didn't contribute for the rest of the year.
It's not his fault that wellwood can't score any more, he got all of his goals in
the early part of the season, and has since dried up, and he is a totally useless
player, unless he scores, because he is a liability defensively, too small, and
doesn't skate that good.
it's not his fault that mason raymond has forgotton how to play hockey, and
that happened before sundin arrived.
It's not his fault dimitra got hurt, although I'm not a big demitra fan anyway, he
is a soft spotty player.
These players are professionals and grown men, and the suggestion that sundin
upset their chemistry makes them look like wimps, they were happy to have him,
and he has done nothing to upset the chemistry, he is taking the same kind of
penalties that daniel and henrik take because they get behind players and have
to reach in, he will have that problem till he gets in better shape.
He is so big, his body just isn't responding the way some others might, and he
has never been a great skater, so I'm not expecting him to be now.
He should have shown up at training camp like everyone else, but now he will
have to gut it out, and keep working hard and slowly make his way back.
It is dissapointing to me to hear the media and the papers put everything on his
back, he doesn't deserve that, and I'm sure he is very upset with himself enough
and doesn't need to have the media all over him, they have forgotton all the
other players, and focus on him and him only, and that is too bad.
If Gillis can somehow swing a deal to build a top line for this team, by bringing
in at least one 'top' forward, then sedins can go to second line where they belong,
and they will be one of the best second lines in the nhl.
I don't believe in blowing up the team, that is overkill, but teams most always
have to be tinkered with, and I also hate the idea that some have, that we should
slide to bottom for about 3 or 4 years, so we can pick up top draft picks, what
a pathetic way to approach the game.
be hearing all the flack.
Sundin definitely hurt himself by sitting out so long, and I'm sure he is disappointed
and getting tired of taking so long, getting himself into top shape.
I don't believe he is responsible at all for the problems the canucks are having, and
it seems very unfair to lay the blame at his feet, and let all of the other players
off the hook.
It wasn't his fault luongo got injured.
It wasn't his fault that the other goalies performed poorly most of the time.
It isn't his fault that our defence has faultered in the past month, as they
were the heart and soul of this team, and now can't be trusted in their own end.
Its not his fault that the sedins can't score much any more, they did same thing
last year at this time of year, and didn't contribute for the rest of the year.
It's not his fault that wellwood can't score any more, he got all of his goals in
the early part of the season, and has since dried up, and he is a totally useless
player, unless he scores, because he is a liability defensively, too small, and
doesn't skate that good.
it's not his fault that mason raymond has forgotton how to play hockey, and
that happened before sundin arrived.
It's not his fault dimitra got hurt, although I'm not a big demitra fan anyway, he
is a soft spotty player.
These players are professionals and grown men, and the suggestion that sundin
upset their chemistry makes them look like wimps, they were happy to have him,
and he has done nothing to upset the chemistry, he is taking the same kind of
penalties that daniel and henrik take because they get behind players and have
to reach in, he will have that problem till he gets in better shape.
He is so big, his body just isn't responding the way some others might, and he
has never been a great skater, so I'm not expecting him to be now.
He should have shown up at training camp like everyone else, but now he will
have to gut it out, and keep working hard and slowly make his way back.
It is dissapointing to me to hear the media and the papers put everything on his
back, he doesn't deserve that, and I'm sure he is very upset with himself enough
and doesn't need to have the media all over him, they have forgotton all the
other players, and focus on him and him only, and that is too bad.
If Gillis can somehow swing a deal to build a top line for this team, by bringing
in at least one 'top' forward, then sedins can go to second line where they belong,
and they will be one of the best second lines in the nhl.
I don't believe in blowing up the team, that is overkill, but teams most always
have to be tinkered with, and I also hate the idea that some have, that we should
slide to bottom for about 3 or 4 years, so we can pick up top draft picks, what
a pathetic way to approach the game.
They were doing pretty good until he arrived. As one guy on HNIC said, the players in the league are too good for anyone to take an extended vacation and expect to play at their level upon return. The penalties he takes reflect being one step behind. Vigneault said he has to get better. He probably will, but they may be out of contention by the time he starts contributing.
There have also been grumblings about his committment to conditioning. I wonder what kind of message that sends to the team, when the guy getting paid 3-5 times as much as anyone else doesn't seem as motivated.
There have also been grumblings about his committment to conditioning. I wonder what kind of message that sends to the team, when the guy getting paid 3-5 times as much as anyone else doesn't seem as motivated.