Abbotsford Canucks Thread | Down on the Farm
- Thread starter Mr. Canucklehead
- Start date
- Status
RobertKron
Registered User
- Sep 1, 2007
- 15,516
- 8,652
Mr. Canucklehead
Kitimat Canuck
One potential candidate to wear the “C” in Abbotsford next year, IMO.
Mr. Canucklehead
Kitimat Canuck
It's been rumored for a while, but Sautner coming back on an AHL deal. He'd be another potential "C" candidate.
EDIT:
My latest roster projection (again, I'm assuming Hunt, Keeper, Dowling and MacEwen stay up with the big club):
Gadjovich - Petan - Bailey
Klimovich - Dries - Rempal
Focht - Stevens - Lockwood
Arseneau - Wouters - Plasek
Extra/ECHL: Lukosevicius
Burroughs - Juolevi
Woo - Bowey
Brisebois - Sautner
Extra/ECHL: Stephens
DiPietro
Martin
ECHL: Silovs
Mr. Canucklehead
Kitimat Canuck
Ryan Johnson staying busy. Love the fact they're bringing a Vancouver Giants Captain into the fold. EDIT: Just realized he wasn't a captain, but an alternate. Still, though. Solid G-Men player staying in the lower mainland.
Really like this lineup....blueline looking particularly solid, with Woo really the only semi-rookie in the group. An instantly serious competitor in the AHL's Western Conference imo.
I agree that MacEwen probably sticks with the big club, but not sure there's enough room for the other guys. I think the Canucks end up swapping Hunt for Juolevi up top, because the latter would have to clear waivers to get to the NHL.
Lindgren
Registered User
- Jun 30, 2005
- 6,030
- 3,956
So, Hunt, Keeper, and Schenn all stay up? Does the math work? (and the extra forwards: Dowling, MacEwen, Di Giuseppe?)
Mr. Canucklehead
Kitimat Canuck
You may be right - 1 or 2 of each of those forwards and defenders likely heads down to Abby.
Lindgren
Registered User
- Jun 30, 2005
- 6,030
- 3,956
Whatever happens, the back end looks strong. But however the lineup shakes out, one of the main goals of the club should be to develop Jett Woo. None of the others has much upside. They should be pairing him with the partner that makes the most sense for him to build his game, and he should get lots of ice-time.
On a different topic, does anyone know if Bailey has ever killed penalties?
Pip
Registered User
Neilsen is a real puck hound. Hard working player. Not sure if he will succeed at the AHL level but should definitely bring some energy.
It doesn't look like Sautner has worn a letter since his Oil King days so Burrows...err... Burroughs has more recent experience.
CanuckleBerry
Benning Survivor
The Abbotsford picture is starting to look more and more interesting. It sucks that we don't really have much for developing youth down there, but the signings of local boys that want to be here gives me hope for the team identity, and them forging a kind of long-term AHL culture.
A smart decision by the Canucks to sign minor league pros with a history of playing amateur hockey on the Lower Mainland.
For most of them, they've been hockey nomads throughout N.A. ever since playing minor hockey or WHL hockey in B.C. and then getting drafted or signed. While most of them probably aren't really NHL prospects any more, they're still very good pro hockey players at the AHL level. And from all reports, they're thrilled to be coming home to play pro hockey.
I think the Abbotsford Canucks will soon have their own unique fan following and the local players on the team will soon be drawing their own set of relatives, fans and supporters to follow this team.
For most of them, they've been hockey nomads throughout N.A. ever since playing minor hockey or WHL hockey in B.C. and then getting drafted or signed. While most of them probably aren't really NHL prospects any more, they're still very good pro hockey players at the AHL level. And from all reports, they're thrilled to be coming home to play pro hockey.
I think the Abbotsford Canucks will soon have their own unique fan following and the local players on the team will soon be drawing their own set of relatives, fans and supporters to follow this team.
Mr. Canucklehead
Kitimat Canuck
100%. And the injection of local talent can't really be overstated in terms of helping that. A lot of these guys have friends, families and contacts in BC who are going to throw their support whole heartedly into the team. That and the fact that there's already a large Canucks fanbase in the area (as opposed to when it was the Heat/Flames), and I think this should be a pretty successful venture for the franchise.
I assume the Canucks will carry 8 Dmen. Since I think Rathbone is ready for the NHL and I don't want to lose Juolevi, the roster should be: OEL, Hughes, Myers, Hamonic, Poolman, Rathbone, Juolevi, Schenn. I can't see Schenn being sent down as he's the most likely (among the "depth Dmen") to be picked up on waivers apart from Juolevi.
Mr. Canucklehead
Kitimat Canuck
Schenn is going to be the No. 7, IMO. I think the battle for No. 8 will be between Juolevi and Hunt in particular, with Keeper having a shot as well. Hunt is a ridiculously popular guy among teammates and coaches, so it wouldn't surprise me if he edges out Juolevi for that last spot. All three of them (Juolevi, Hunt, Keeper) are waiver eligible if I'm not mistaken.
On the forward side, the battle for the 13th F will sure be interesting. Dowling has versatility as a guy who can play center, Di Giuseppe brings a really physical/in your face brand which would seem to directly compete with MacEwen (who is the guy I would keep, but seems to be in Green's doghouse), and then there's Highmore in that mix too. He had a good showing as the 2020 season wound down, but he'll be in tough with these guys for the spot. And lastly - does Nic Petan merit consideration as a skilled guy to slide in on scoring lines if someone gets hurt? He's a bonafide star at the AHL level, but more of a stop-gap solution in the bigs.
Lots of interesting moving parts heading into camp.
I'm in favour of keeping Juolevi over Hunt. Hunt is going to be 33 and it's not like he is good defensively. Only thing he has over Juolevi is more NHL experience and a better point shot.
As for the forward group, I hope MacEwen is given a chance. I do think Highmore has the inside track at earning a spot. I don't know much about Dowling but I could see Di Giuseppe earning a spot. He gives me Jack Skille vibes. Petan, I think is just too small and slow to make it.
Mr. Canucklehead
Kitimat Canuck
Abbotsford’s newest signing Tristen Nielsen is excited to stay in the Vancouver area to begin his pro career
Nice interview with Tristen Nielsen, who clearly loves the lower mainland.
Nice interview with Tristen Nielsen, who clearly loves the lower mainland.
DFAC
Registered User
- Jan 19, 2008
- 7,302
- 4,889
5 down on the overall depth chart looks fine for those roster spots imo. Just a lot of questions needing to be answered in the top 4.
Should be a defensive unit in Abby that puts DiPietro in a position to succeed.
Johnny Canucker
Registered User
- Jan 4, 2009
- 17,750
- 6,116
You thought Toffoli was a bad fit here so you’re assessment of talent cannot be relied on.
Pip
Registered User
Former captain of the Giants and caps draft pick. Looked promising at one point but was disappointed with his progress in the dub. Tough player.
- Status
Ad
Upcoming events
-
UFC 301 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Anthony Smith vs Vitor PetrinoWagers: 1Staked: $1,100.00Event closes- Updated:
-
-
-
-