Recalled/Assigned: Canucks recall D Akito Hirose

[Mr. Canucklehead]

https://x.com/Canucks/status/1724506286010843646?s=20

Colour me surprised. I totally assumed they would call up Wolanin.

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[AlainVigneaultsGum]

I'm a big fan of these things.

 

[MS]

I haven't seen the last 2 games yet but his first 9 were really disappointing and this is a very strange recall when you have Wolanin playing at a much, much higher level and the obviously better option to put in the lineup.

 

[wonton15]

He has been very average at the AHL level while Wolanin has been a clear standout. I don’t really understand the Wolanin treatment and Hirose obsession based on their play so far.

 

[Ernie]

As I mentioned in the other thread, one explanation is that this is just precautionary in case Soucy can't go tomorrow.

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

He has been very average at the AHL level while Wolanin has been a clear standout. I don’t really understand the Wolanin treatment and Hirose obsession based on their play so far.

Wolanin is 28 and has passed through waiver 4 times.

He’s simply an ahl star that can’t translate his game to the nhl

 

[StreetHawk]

https://x.com/Canucks/status/1724506286010843646?s=20

Colour me surprised. I totally assumed they would call up Wolanin.

Hmm. Figured they would try to save more cap room by not calling anyone if they have the spare D right now. Abby not playing til the weekend. If someone got hurt in the Isles game that’s when I would do the call up. Otherwise can get by these 2 games with the remaining 6 D they have.

 

[elitepete]

Wolanin is 28 and has passed through waiver 4 times.

He’s simply an ahl star that can’t translate his game to the nhl

This post is nonsense. He played like a solid NHL bottom pairing D in the 16 games he played last year.

 

[CherryToke]

Interesting move. I've always been impressed with Hirose's decision making on the ice and I trust this mgmt group. High IQ player.

 

[AwesomeInTheory]

This post is nonsense. He played like a solid NHL bottom pairing D in the 16 games he played last year.

It's one thing to be a fill-in for a handful of games and another to track that consistently over the course of a season.

Not hating on the guy, every team needs tweener players to fill in as needed.

 

[elitepete]

It's one thing to be a fill-in for a handful of games and another to track that consistently over the course of a season.

Not hating on the guy, every team needs tweener players to fill in as needed.

He’s been ripping up the AHL for the last few seasons and has played well when called up. What else does he have to do to get a chance?

 

[AwesomeInTheory]

He’s been ripping up the AHL for the last few seasons and has played well when called up. What else does he have to do to get a chance?

Not saying he's undeserving. But there might be other factors in play (see Ernie's post.)

 

[Tables of Stats]

Odds are whichever player is called up doesn't play so they probably figured it would be nice to get Hirose some practice time with the main club. If he has to play then we at least know he doesn't hurt us in limited ice-time.

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

This post is nonsense. He played like a solid NHL bottom pairing D in the 16 games he played last year.

He played when there was basically nothing on the line

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

Wolanin is this eras Biega.

 

[MS]

Wolanin's play translated just fine when he was called up last year, and it translated just fine for Ottawa before his career was derailed for 3 years by shoulder reconstructions.

 

[Hodgy]

It must be a Rick Tochett preference, rather than management / AHL coaching.

 

[LemonSauceD]

Why not Wolanin?

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

Wonder if the Nucks feel like Wolanin might not clear once Soucy returns?

One thing if Soucy is out LT. Another if just ST.

 

[Ernie]

Wolanin is 28 and has passed through waiver 4 times.

He’s simply an ahl star that can’t translate his game to the nhl

Now do Di Guiseppe.

Even if Wolanin is replacement level, it's far from clear that Hirose is nearly that.

 

[elitepete]

He played when there was basically nothing on the line

Well so did Hirose then.

 

[SeawaterOnIce]

Wolanin's play translated just fine when he was called up last year, and it translated just fine for Ottawa before his career was derailed for 3 years by shoulder reconstructions.

Eh. I feel this management group wants to give Hirose more of an opportunity for two reasons. One, he's a shiny new prospect. Two, it shows other prospective undrafted college players we are willing to give them a shot if they sign here.

 

[MS]

Eh. I feel this management group wants to give Hirose more of an opportunity for two reasons. One, he's a shiny new prospect. Two, it shows other prospective undrafted college players we are willing to give them a shot if they sign here.

That's all well and good if two players are pretty close, but the gap between these guys in the AHL right now is *massive* and this is a team trying to win games and bank points.

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

Well so did Hirose then.

Yes, but Hirose is more of a prospect than Wolanin

 

[Ernie]

FWIW Tocchet played Wolanin in a heavily sheltered role last season, at least in terms of zone starts. He may not be favoured by the coach. Hirose played a less sheltered role, and played mostly with Myers.

At this point it's clear that Tocchet is going to deploy the defence as he sees fit so you might as well give him what he wants. Certainly some of the decisions that have been made on the back end are somewhat puzzling.