Abbotsford Canucks Talk | Part 2

[VanJack]

Another ugly loss at home 4-1 to Bakersfield, who leapfrogged them in the standings......this Abbotsford team works hard, but one goal isn't going to win you many games. And to continue a troubling trend, the Canucks were outscored 2-0 in another lackluster third period.

This team will make the the playoffs, only because Henderson, San Diego and San Jose are totally out of it. But a home playoff date seems unlikely. And teams that start the playoffs on the road haven't fared very well in the Pacific Division playoffs.

A few individuals on the Canucks like Bains, Karlsson, Raty and McDonough look to have made strides in their games. But much of the rest of the roster looks like it's on a treadmill. The return of Sasson and Wolanin from long term injury might help a bit.

But overall, to date you'd have to say that Abbotsford's season has been a disappointment.

 

[Diversification]

Is Wolanin back soon? Asking because of d-depth for the playoffs.

 

[sting101]

It's more important that individual players are making developmental strides than the team is in the top of the standings. Abbotsford is in a competitive position that is just fine.

You're gonna have years where the sum of the parts is not as good as the individuals. And the deadline didnt gut the organizations depth although it woud be nice to see the next round of signings coming soon

A lot of injury set backs this year.
Wolanin Brisebois Podkolzin Klimovich Hirose now Sasson have had their share of challenges.

Good to see Bains and Raty make strides and Podkolzin looks more confident. I still feel like a big year next year could put McWard back in the conversation for a Juulsen role down the road. Silovs is still very much a good NHL prospect as well. EP2 should be a good story to follow as the season starts to wind down. Lots to be positive about

 

[Vector]

Play him on Sunday!

 

[arttk]

Disappointed he didn’t pick 80.

 

[VanJack]

Abbotsford Canucks continue their trend of dropping the opener of a back-to-back, and then bouncing back in the second. Tonight they took care of Bakersfield 4-1.

Dries scored twice, including an empty-netter, and Karlsson was named second star with a couple of helpers. But the story of this game was Tolopilo--who was named the first star. The big netminder has quietly had a solid season in his first year in the AHL. He's gone from being an 'unknown' to a solid prospect in goal for the Canucks.

And it was great to see Sasson and Brisebois back on the ice. Sasson is a very interesting player. Very creative through the neutral zone and an A-level skater. Canucks might have something at the depth center position with Sasson down the road.

 

[alternate]

Sasson is the next Sheldon Dries imo. Top liner in the minor, and useful depth for the big club.

Awesome for Brisebois getting back on the ice.

 

[VanJack]

Sasson is the next Sheldon Dries imo. Top liner in the minor, and useful depth for the big club.

Awesome for Brisebois getting back on the ice.

Seems to me the Canucks had signed a bunch of NCAA guys since Rutherford and Allvin took over. Early returns have been all over the map--but I'd say McWard and Sasson have the best shot at eventually playing in Vancouver one day.

 

[Vector]

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

That seems like a terrible idea given the run of injuries we’ve had in Abbotsford, and that Schmiemann has been solid whenever called upon.

@MS is going to be pissed - which is another mark against this.

 

[Vector]

Schmiemann wasn’t getting playing time, which he deserved, and with Pettersson and Felton joining the team he got squeezed out.

 

[Tables of Stats]

Schmiemann wasn’t getting playing time, which he deserved, and with Pettersson and Felton joining the team he got squeezed out.

I think I'd have kept him over Hirose at this point.

 

[Hodgy]

I think I'd have kept him over Hirose at this point.

Doesn't Hirose have more term? It will be hard to get rid of him.

 

[God]

Doesn't Hirose have more term? It will be hard to get rid of him.

Yeah he's basically untradeable. Two-way deal this year but it's a one-way next year.

 

[Vector]

 

[Tables of Stats]

Doesn't Hirose have more term? It will be hard to get rid of him.

Bench him and play Schmiemann in his place. You can probably find another low impact contract to move that doesn't further hurt an already thin D.

 

[VanJack]

I wonder how soon it will be, before D-Petey gets a game or two. The standings are tight, but Abbotsford is 12 points clear in the second-last playoff spot. So they're guaranteed at least a couple of playoff games--although they're most likely going to be on the road.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

I think I'd have kept him over Hirose at this point.

 

[THRILLHOIAF]

Term and it's a one-way deal next year paying him $800k

I looked around the league and there aren't too many guys making near a $mil to be a 0ppg 3rd-pair dman in the AHL

Ben Harpur - 29 years old 6'6 222 lb LD making 800k next year - 3 points in 7 games with Hartford
Grant Hutton - 28 years old 6'3 205 lb RD making 800k next year - 13 points in 40 games + 2 NHL cups of coffee
Ben Gleason - 25 years old 6'1 185 lb LD making 775k next year - 26 points in 46 games
Uvis Balinskis - 27 years old 6' 187 lb LD making 850k next two seasons - 18 NHL games, 19 pts in 33 AHL games
Cale Fleury - 25 years old 6'1 205 lb RD making 825k next year - 26 points in 55 games
Nikolai Knyzhov - 25 years old - 6'2 LD making 1.4mil next year - 12 pts 33gp + 10 NHL games

Akito Hirose - 24 years old - 6' 170 lb LD making 800k next year - 0 pts in 22 GP + 3 NHL GP

ain't no one taking that contract for free

 

[VanJack]

Abbotsford Canucks with a weekend double-header against the lame Henderson Silver Knights. A perfect opportunity to get D-Petey in there for a look.

Pair him fellow Swede Filip Johansson, who's a right shot defender. But is suspect he practices for at least a week before they do anything.

 

[orcatown]

Term and it's a one-way deal next year paying him $800k

I looked around the league and there aren't too many guys making near a $mil to be a 0ppg 3rd-pair dman in the AHL

Ben Harpur - 29 years old 6'6 222 lb LD making 800k next year - 3 points in 7 games with Hartford
Grant Hutton - 28 years old 6'3 205 lb RD making 800k next year - 13 points in 40 games + 2 NHL cups of coffee
Ben Gleason - 25 years old 6'1 185 lb LD making 775k next year - 26 points in 46 games
Uvis Balinskis - 27 years old 6' 187 lb LD making 850k next two seasons - 18 NHL games, 19 pts in 33 AHL games
Cale Fleury - 25 years old 6'1 205 lb RD making 825k next year - 26 points in 55 games
Nikolai Knyzhov - 25 years old - 6'2 LD making 1.4mil next year - 12 pts 33gp + 10 NHL games

Akito Hirose - 24 years old - 6' 170 lb LD making 800k next year - 0 pts in 22 GP + 3 NHL GP

ain't no one taking that contract for free

Harpur would be a good pick up. Has the size and toughness to establish a safer environment. Get one one more forward in his category and team gets some legitimate push back. Fringe NHLer as well. But, given that, likely looking for another shot at the NHL.

I like your thinking here and hopefully Johnson is listening.

 

[andora]

Booo

 

[THRILLHOIAF]

Abbotsford Canucks with a weekend double-header against the lame Henderson Silver Knights. A perfect opportunity to get D-Petey in there for a look.

Pair him fellow Swede Filip Johansson, who's a right shot defender. But is suspect he practices for at least a week before they do anything.

They like Irwin with Johansson

probably roll an 11F 7D setup for his debut. Colliton isn't exactly loving his fourth line, so would be the best way to acclimate him to AHL ice/play without sitting a guy whose been solid all year

Cicek-Woo
Irwin-Johansson
Pettersson-Brisebois
McWard

 

[Vector]

PLAY PETTERSDON TOMORROW COWARDD

 

[MS]

That seems like a terrible idea given the run of injuries we’ve had in Abbotsford, and that Schmiemann has been solid whenever called upon.

@MS is going to be pissed - which is another mark against this.

No idea why this player wasn't a regular and didn't get more opportunity. Always played well when he was in the lineup, and I don't think there was really much at all to choose between him and McWard.

We have a massive logjam for next season (and to finish this year) and he was the easiest guy to move. Hirose, unfortunately, is totally immovable with his crap contract.