You want to see a team that's a legit contender for Bedard look no further than Anaheim. Teams like them Columbus, the Sharks, Chicago were always only real contenders. Canucks stumbled around for awhile with terrible goaltending and a tough schedule, but they were never truly in the race. In the end, teams find their level and the Canucks, in a way tragically are in the mushy middle.
Good
Miller - more and more looking like the 8 million guy who signed last summer. That was a world class shot. Seldom players beat the goalie heads up anymore but that's the type of shot you need to do it.
Hughes - maybe made a mistake on the first goal but overall controlled so much of the play. Looking clearly the best d-man this team has ever had. Points alone show that.
Wolanin - play coming out of his zone was excellent. His passing is near Hughes level. On the tape to the open man all the time. Also decent in his own end. Becoming apparent he should have been up here a long time ago. Also becoming apparent that the Canucks should have re-signed him a long time ago. Now you'll have other teams interested. Ducks GM must have seen something tonite. You wonder how difficult it might be getting him back
Bad
Boeser - if he can't be traded please buy him out. Boeser is no good.
Dreis - rather they looked at someone up from Abby. With expansion some of these Dries -like players will end up sticking around far too long.
Others
Podkolzin - almost seems overly focused. Play suggest he is putting a lot pressure on himself., Wasn't bad but needs to play with more composure
Kravtsov - showing he can get around the ice well. Has got speed. At times got in on the offense with some chances. Right now it's hard to assess him until he gets someone to play with other than an anchor like Dries. Did have the one shift with Pettersson but even there looking like he was finding his way rather than playing freely.
Pettersson - mostly quiet but still a player of consequence in this game. Maybe expecting too much but thought both him and his line mates were mediocre at many times in this game. However, him and Kuzmenko are game breakers and were again in this one. Maybe you end up expecting too much.
Demko - really not forced into many high end saves. Looked solid again however. Thought other goalie was good as well.
Have to say the game was kind you might nod off in. Rarely see a team just content to get the puck out as Anaheim.
Good
Miller - more and more looking like the 8 million guy who signed last summer. That was a world class shot. Seldom players beat the goalie heads up anymore but that's the type of shot you need to do it.
Hughes - maybe made a mistake on the first goal but overall controlled so much of the play. Looking clearly the best d-man this team has ever had. Points alone show that.
Wolanin - play coming out of his zone was excellent. His passing is near Hughes level. On the tape to the open man all the time. Also decent in his own end. Becoming apparent he should have been up here a long time ago. Also becoming apparent that the Canucks should have re-signed him a long time ago. Now you'll have other teams interested. Ducks GM must have seen something tonite. You wonder how difficult it might be getting him back
Bad
Boeser - if he can't be traded please buy him out. Boeser is no good.
Dreis - rather they looked at someone up from Abby. With expansion some of these Dries -like players will end up sticking around far too long.
Others
Podkolzin - almost seems overly focused. Play suggest he is putting a lot pressure on himself., Wasn't bad but needs to play with more composure
Kravtsov - showing he can get around the ice well. Has got speed. At times got in on the offense with some chances. Right now it's hard to assess him until he gets someone to play with other than an anchor like Dries. Did have the one shift with Pettersson but even there looking like he was finding his way rather than playing freely.
Pettersson - mostly quiet but still a player of consequence in this game. Maybe expecting too much but thought both him and his line mates were mediocre at many times in this game. However, him and Kuzmenko are game breakers and were again in this one. Maybe you end up expecting too much.
Demko - really not forced into many high end saves. Looked solid again however. Thought other goalie was good as well.
Have to say the game was kind you might nod off in. Rarely see a team just content to get the puck out as Anaheim.
