How about them Canucks!

#juan

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Aug 30, 2005
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The Canucks have probably played a worse game, I just don't remember it. Lack didn't look that bad, but I understand why he was pulled. Unfortunately, Lack's back-up, along with Vancouver's awful defence, allowed another six goals before the game was mercifully, over.
Vancouver's problems are many and I don't see them trading out of those problems any time soon. I can't help but feel a lot of the problems originate with the coach and the way he is using the players. The Sedins have become just about completely inefective under Torterelli. Kesler, is being wasted along with Santorelli and others because the coach doesn't know what he's doing.
Does that sound harsh? So be it. It needed to be said.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
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Canucks hope to respond vs. CoyotesWednesday, 01.15.2014 / 10:56 PMJohn Kreiser - NHL.com Columnist
PrintCANUCKS (24-15-9) at COYOTES (21-16-9)

TV: SNET-P; FS-A

Last 10: Vancouver 3-4-3; Phoenix 2-6-2

Season series: This is the third of five games between the Vancouver Canucks and Phoenix Coyotes. The home team won each of the first two games, but the visiting team got a point by getting past regulation.

Big story: The Canucks come to Arizona after a nightmarish two-game trip to Southern California in which they were swept and scored one goal -- which came in a 9-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. Despite struggling since the Christmas break, they still hold the first of the two wild-card berths in the Western Conference.

The Coyotes, who trail Vancouver by six points, are desperate for a win after dropping four in a row in regulation.

Team Scope:

Canucks: Vancouver probably couldn't have gotten out of Anaheim fast enough after they surrendered six power-play goals and were demolished by the League-leading Ducks. The Canucks took 73 minutes in penalties and gave the Ducks a 5-on-3 advantage for 7:00 in the third period after Tom Sestito and Jannik Hansen each received 17 minutes in penalties for instigating fights.

Coach John Tortorella didn't want to talk about the penalty problems, preferring instead to turn the page as quickly as possible.

"It was one of those nights," he said. "The big thing for us is that we need to get out of here and get ready for the next game."

Coyotes: Four straight losses have dropped Phoenix out of the top eight in the Western Conference. But coach Dave Tippett is optimistic after watching his team go toe-to-toe with the powerful St. Louis Blues on the road Tuesday night in a 2-1 loss.

The Coyotes, who had Wednesday off, limited St. Louis to two shots in the third period and 18 in the game against Mike Smith.

"I thought he was solid," Tippett said of his starting goaltender. "I thought we were solid in front of him, too. We gave up a few chances early but after that, we were pretty solid. It has to be a group effort if you’re going to be successful. Your goaltender needs to play well, but we have to play well in front of him."

Who's hot: Zach Kassian had Vancouver's lone goal in Anaheim and has scored twice in his past four games. … Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson has both of his team's goals this week after not scoring for 23 games.

Injury report: Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo (ankle) remains day-to-day. Forwards Alexandre Burrows (broken jaw) and Jordan Schroeder (ankle), and defenseman Andrew Alberts (concussion) and Ryan Stanton (ankle) are on injured reserve. … Coyotes defenseman Zbynek Michalek (lower body), who hasn't played since Dec. 17, continues to progress, although there's no timetable for his
 

bill barilko

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Mar 4, 2009
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The Sedins have become just about completely inefective under Torterelli. Kesler, is being wasted along with Santorelli and others because the coach doesn't know what he's doing. Does that sound harsh? So be it. It needed to be said.
That's what I'm starting to think-didn't see much of last night's debacle but it's typical Tortorelli-he stands there shaking his head and making token changes while his system fails to produce the results needed.
 

Kreskin

Doctor of Thinkology
Feb 23, 2006
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I think their inability to produce in shootouts is a symptom of their inability to produce any offense. If you can't score on breakaways how do you score when playing against an opponent? The others have no fear in the Canucks as a result. Unless they can get some offense going they won't be winning too many games.
 

talloola

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Nov 14, 2006
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i like torterella a lot, i see a big improvement in intensity and try.

the players who should be scoring, aren't. the coach cannot go on the ice and score goals,
it is the players who are playing a pretty good game, but cannot 'execute', that has to be
the fault of the player, and if it continues, it then jumps to the 'general manager'.

when players ability to score goals completely drys up for a considerable period of time, the
general manager must make a change.

making the coach the fall guy for what the 'player' are totally responsible for, is missing the
point intirely, in my opinion.

torterella supplies the players with everything they need to do their best. it seems to me that
the twins, (who are still good players, and have great puck control abilities), NEED that third guy
on their line who can complete the line, gillis has never done that, other than burrows, and this
year, burrows is having a horrendous year, injuries, and no time to reach his potential, so his year
is running out.
torterella is trying to find that third guy, but no one is at 'that' level of ability to complete the
line, that isn't the coaches fault.

i watch kesler very closely, all the time, and i see a player who is constantly overplaying the game,
and many times tries to shoot the puck when it isn't the proper time, but he is still a force out
there, very effective defensively, and a strong competetor.
kesler has never been a set up guy, he doesn't see players very well, he never has, he wants to do
it by himself, except on the power play, where he has more time, and he has practiced how to pass
around on the power play, but 5 on 5, he is still, 'a one man show', and often times spoils the
possibility of a good passing play with his line, because he shoots too soon, right into someone's
legs.

santorelli was a bright surprise on the team, but for anyone to think he is the answer to the scoring,
must give their heads a shake, he tries hard, he has lots of speed and energy, he wants to make a
difference, but he isn't a superstar and won't be canucks answer to everything.

one could change the coach over and over, but the players still can only do what they are capable
of doing, and no more, under vineault they were far too passive, at least now they have some grit
and a lot more energy, but 'not' any more talent.

they will do better when all of their injured players return, but 'gillis' MUST make the difference
right now, or this team will fight like hell to make the playoffs, and might not.

i said from the beginning of the season, that i don't think the team is quite good enough, and i have
not expected them to do very well, but i do hope they can squeak into the playoffs, but in this pacific
division, that will be tough.
 

Kreskin

Doctor of Thinkology
Feb 23, 2006
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Nonis might be more interested in Luongo now or this summer than he had last summer. Maybe they can cut a deal, even for prospects. They need to get a future on the horizon.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
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Nonis might be more interested in Luongo now or this summer than he had last summer. Maybe they can cut a deal, even for prospects. They need to get a future on the horizon.

yes, that is possible, as toronto goalies aren't quite as puck proof as they were, and the team needs
some shoring up, for sure.

there might be a couple of others interested as well before the trade deadline, and even though this
will be very unpopular to say, it might be a positive thing if canucks really slide down the board,
so gillis can give up any idea of making a run, and be more willing to let luongo go for a little
less than he did before.
next season will be a big jump in cap money, so teams might be willing to get deeper pockets, and be
willing to come up a bit, if gillis comes down a bit.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
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the look on torterella's face at the end of the game said it all, i remember the look vineault got
many times, looked like there had been a death in his family, a total look of depression, at least
torterella looks pissed off, vineault looked paralized.

the power play has been lame for a long time, going back to last year, and year before, little spurts,
but for the most part, nothing.

these two teams were evenly matched, talent wise, and the game wasn't exciting at all, two teams that
couldn't quite look efficient and sharp, but 'again' the other team scored one goal, and that is all
they needed, poor eddie lack, i wonder what he is thinking.

the twins are ineffective without a power forward to work with them, they don't have the 'youth' and
'speed' to be the 'guys', they need someone to be the 'man' on that line, when they are playing 5 on 5, then they can pass and feed
the puck, and do their thing.
 

JLM

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 27, 2008
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the look on torterella's face at the end of the game said it all, i remember the look vineault got
many times, looked like there had been a death in his family, a total look of depression, at least
torterella looks pissed off, vineault looked paralized.

the power play has been lame for a long time, going back to last year, and year before, little spurts,
but for the most part, nothing.

these two teams were evenly matched, talent wise, and the game wasn't exciting at all, two teams that
couldn't quite look efficient and sharp, but 'again' the other team scored one goal, and that is all
they needed, poor eddie lack, i wonder what he is thinking.

the twins are ineffective without a power forward to work with them, they don't have the 'youth' and
'speed' to be the 'guys', they need someone to be the 'man' on that line, when they are playing 5 on 5, then they can pass and feed
the puck, and do their thing.


Yep it was a disappointing game, I watched most of it but just couldn't raise much enthusiasm. Last night I was more active at bowling than all the Canucks combined..............a blessing! I guess the Ducks have them shell shocked. I think their only hope is for another team to wipe out the Ducks in the playoffs, or it will be "Katy bar the door"!
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
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Yep it was a disappointing game, I watched most of it but just couldn't raise much enthusiasm. Last night I was more active at bowling than all the Canucks combined..............a blessing! I guess the Ducks have them shell shocked. I think their only hope is for another team to wipe out the Ducks in the playoffs, or it will be "Katy bar the door"!

at this time, the ducks have everyone shell shocked, its just 'that' particular game that made it look like
canucks are worse off, not so, ducks still have not lost in regulation at home this season, their
record is awsome, and all of the california teams are doing very well, good for them, its good for
the game, the pacific division is 'half' awsome, the other half, well, not so much. lol
 

Kreskin

Doctor of Thinkology
Feb 23, 2006
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Kreskin

Doctor of Thinkology
Feb 23, 2006
21,155
149
63
The way Tortorella is shuffling lines perhaps everyone is mandated to score immediately or be relegated to the fourth line. They seem to have too much pressure and not enough familiarity. It's the polar opposite if Vignault who stuck with the same lines to a fault.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
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Somebody is running the power play? To me it looks like it is just happening.....without any success to speak of. Yet another Tortorelli bomb.

of course someone is running the power play, and its not torterella, its always one of the assistants, just as it was with vineault, he didn't have anything to do with the power play.

The way Tortorella is shuffling lines perhaps everyone is mandated to score immediately or be relegated to the fourth line. They seem to have too much pressure and not enough familiarity. It's the polar opposite if Vignault who stuck with the same lines to a fault.

some of that has to do with injuries, before the injuries, the team was quite established, and the
lines were together, and staying together, then players began dissapearing into the medical room,
and not coming back.

what i do think, is that torterella should roll four lines much more than he does, the fourth line,
sits too long, then they have to perform at their best for a minute or two, and if they don't, they
will be pasted to the bench again.
it will also give the other lines a bit of a break.

yes, vineault drove me nuts, sticking with the same line for months and months, same with crawford,
they were stuck in a rut.
i think if the team were totally healthy, torterella wouldn't be moving players so much, because that
was happening not too long ago.

Somebody is running the power play? To me it looks like it is just happening.....without any success to speak of. Yet another Tortorelli bomb.

players sure get a free ride with you juan, everything is blamed on the coach. the coach cannot play
the game, you should remember that much. with all the injuries he has to figure out who can replace
whom.
when the coach can't depend on his high end players, and the secondary scorers stop scoring goals too,
it is their own fault, we can see them getting many chances out there, shooting wide, shooting at
the wrong times (kesler),again last night, i watched him, and unless he is on a power play, he can'[t
seem to see his linemates, and fault he has had for many years,) defencemen not able to hit the net, off the mark, players not around to
fight for rebounds.

take a good look at this team, torterella is trying to get middle of the road players, to play in
positions where 'better' players should be playing. the team isn't good enough, and as soon as the
high end 'few' players they have stop scoring, the talent falls way down immediately. injured players
coming back will help somewhat, but i'm afraid it is GILLIS' who has given torterella ordinary players,
and expect him, to go for the cup.

the twins and kesler aren't good enough 'offensively' any more, better players are needed on this team.
it is 'GILLIS' who is responsible for that.

it is normal for any team to begin to run out of 'elite' players, as they begin to become just good players,
and we shouldn't be expecting the same team they were two, three years ago, these players are starting to
lose that elite status, can't get blood from a stone, jeesh its easy to see when you watch the
twins play, they just can't be those players any more 5 on 5, but should do better on the power play.

take a much closer look at the 'players' and don't quickly blame the coach, as soon as the team can't
win, that is way too easy.

torterella can't change the way kesler plays, and can't change the way the twins play, it is too late
for that to happen.

the media is talking about the canucks being very interested in 'ryan o reilly' in colorado, who will
become a player colorado can trade, before the trade deadline comes along. gillis should go hard for
this player, and not trade young players like 'tanev', but good, older players, it will take a couple
of players, to get colorado interested, then canucks would have a real good real young forward to
put right on the team, and that would begin rebuilding, and with the good young players who might
make this team next year, along with frankie carrado, def. coming up, the team will have a good
start to improving, while the twins begin to fade a bit, but remain good second line players.

the games that canucks have lost lately, is because the so called top players, can't do anything
offensive, they aren't performing as expected, and to push all of those faults onto the coach, is
giving those players a free ride.
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anaheim playing in chicago tonight, two of the best teams in the NHL this season, should be a very

exciting game, and full of high end players, something canucks can only dream about.
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coyotes, martin hanzel, has been fine $5000.00 for high sticking 'david booth' last night.

he's lucky he only received one punishment.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
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Give it a week or two. They'll be a lot better than this.

they meet calgary tomorrow night, everyone is beating calgary, so maybe this will be the time, then edmonton, so could be happy times ahead, or?

burrows will be back, so he will be with the sedins, could make a difference just having his
mental energy in the game.

they aren't going to lose every game for the rest of the season, there will be a turn around for
while, till they have to go thru those tough teams again.

watched chicago beat anaheim, 4-2 tonight, (empty net goal), chicago scored two goals early in the
game, which made it a bit easier for them, as they had those goals for insurance, so played very
tight defensively, anaheim scored a couple late in the game, but couldn't quite tie it up.
 
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talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
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Vancouver Island
They are a "streaky" team!

Ducks met their nemesis! -:)

that game was in chicago, so their perfect home game streak is still in tact.
it ended up to be a close game, ducks could have tied it up, so the two teams
are very close, but definitely play a completely different type of game. anaheim
are very big, very strong, very physical and talented, whereas chicago are smaller,
niftier, and a bit speedier, both goalies played well, although crawford did let in
one softy.

good hockey to watch.
 

talloola

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 14, 2006
19,576
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Vancouver Island
Canucks back from tough trip to face FlamesFriday, 01.17.2014 / 4:51 PMJohn Kreiser - NHL.com Columnist

FLAMES (16-26-6) at CANUCKS (24-16-9)

TV: CBC

Last 10: Calgary 2-8-0; Vancouver 2-5-3

Season series: The Calgary Flames have lost twice at home to the Vancouver Canucks, most recently 2-0 on Dec. 29. This is the first of three games at Rogers Arena, where the Canucks have won four in a row against the Flames.

Big story: The Canucks have to be delighted to be home after a nightmarish three-game trip that saw them sandwich 1-0 losses around a 9-1 whipping by the Anaheim Ducks. But the Flames are a better team on the road than at home; they've lost seven in a row at Scotiabank Saddledome but split their past four away Calgary.

Team Scope:

Flames: It's been a busy week for Calgary. The Flames started with back-to-back road games against the Carolina Hurricanes (a 2-0 victory) and Nashville Predators (a 4-2 loss) before returning home Thursday and losing 5-2 to the Winnipeg Jets. Calgary visits the San Jose Sharks on Monday before returning for a five-game homestand.

Goaltender Karri Ramo, who started against Carolina and Nashville and will get the call in Vancouver, told the Flames website Friday he wasn't even aware the team was playing four games in four time zones during a six-day period.

"I haven't even noticed," he said. "We have to focus on what's going on right now, don't think about too much. Get yourself ready, get enough sleep and get ready for it."

Ramo said he and partner Reto Berra can't be concerned about what happens at the other end of the ice.

"We can't really worry about scoring goals," Ramo said. "We have to focus on our own jobs. We still have to be ready, even if we score a lot of goals. I don't think it's any more pressure."

Canucks: Three games. Three regulation losses. One goal scored, 11 allowed. No wonder the Canucks are glad to be home after a three-game trip to Southern California and Arizona that extended their recent slide to eight losses in nine games.

Nine of the 11 goals against came in the penalty-filled loss at Anaheim. Of more concern are the 1-0 losses to the Los Angeles Kings on Monday and the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday. The Canucks were unable to capitalize on seven power plays in Phoenix, leaving coach John Tortorella frustrated as he prepares for the Flames.

"[We are] a team that is having a [heck] of a time making an offensive play," Tortorella said. "We don't make enough offensive plays, and we just don't do our job on the penalty kill when we have a couple of opportunities to get the puck out. They score a goal there. It's a game of those little details. It's been tough sledding as far as developing offense."

Who's hot: Ramo has split his past four decisions and earned his first NHL shutout in Carolina. … Canucks forward Zack Kassian scored the only goal on the road trip, and his nine goals in 43 games are a career high.

Injury report: Flames forwards Michael Cammalleri (concussion) and Curtis Glencross (ankle) are out. Defenseman Kris Russell (knee) returned to practice Friday and could be ready next week. Forward Blair Jones (meniscal tear) has been cleared to play and is expected to return after missing 11 games. … Canucks forward Mike Santorelli left the game against Phoenix with his right arm in a sling and isn't expected to play. Center Henrik Sedin (ribs) got postgame treatment after taking a slash Thursday. Goaltender Roberto Luongo (ankle), forward Alexandre Burrows (broken jaw) and defensemen Andrew Alberts (concussion
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home to calgary, maybe happy days ahead for all. torterella can get back in the good books with juan,
i can regain a bit of respect for the team, others will think we are going to win the cup, gillis can
feel more secure about his job, canuck haters won't have anything to talk about, but kreskin still has to wait on baited breath for luongo to return, not happening today, lol .


i think burrows is going to play tonight.