Toggle sidebar

Current thoughts on Brendan Gaunce?

Siludin

Registered User
Dec 9, 2010
7,373
5,306
Just wondering how everyone feels about his play so far this season and the effects of being traded to a [technically wayyy better] team and an opportunity to play alongside or support Connor McDavid.

I noticed that Alexandre Grenier also had the opportunity to play with Nathan MacKinnon for some time as well in junior. Nice to see our prospects see first hand the type of talent that it takes to succeed in the NHL at an earlier part of their development.

I personally hope Brendan Gaunce sees lots of minutes at McDavid's wing or what have you.

Additionally, he was excluded from the Team Canada camp for some reason, where I think he could have contributed quite nicely.
Click to read more...
 

Hardyvan123

tweet@HardyintheWack
Jul 4, 2010
17,552
24
Vancouver
Siludin said:
Just wondering how everyone feels about his play so far this season and the effects of being traded to a [technically wayyy better] team and an opportunity to play alongside or support Connor McDavid.

I noticed that Alexandre Grenier also had the opportunity to play with Nathan MacKinnon for some time as well in junior. Nice to see our prospects see first hand the type of talent that it takes to succeed in the NHL at an earlier part of their development.

I personally hope Brendan Gaunce sees lots of minutes at McDavid's wing or what have you.

Additionally, he was excluded from the Team Canada camp for some reason, where I think he could have contributed quite nicely.
Click to expand...


Not surprising that he didn't make team Canada the larger ice surface doesn't help him.

There is a bit of a numbers game at center in the future with the Canucks but the increased playoff run with Eire this year can only help him IMO.
 
Pip

Pip

Registered User
Feb 2, 2012
69,196
8,531
Granduland
If anything, playing in Belleville would have helped his chances of making the WJ team.

He doesn't play alongside McDavid at all. He plays with Connor Brown and Dane Fox, and on the second PP unit (Guance is on the first unit right now replacing McDavid since he's at the WJ). This is not to say he's not playing with elite talent. Fox and Brown are the best duo in the CHL right now, and Fox is likely the best player in the OHL.
 
BeardyCanuck03

BeardyCanuck03

@BeardyCanuck03
Jun 19, 2006
10,823
410
twitter.com
Gaunce from what I have heard is centering the 2nd line (1st line now that McDavid is with the WJ Team). Connor Brown and Dane Fox aren't bad linemates though, better than who he was playing with in Belleville.

The knock on Gaunce and the biggest reason why he didn't make the Canadian Jr Team is that he doesn't play with enough urgency. I think if he ups his urgency and gets better acceleration he will be be a bonified 3rd liner at least.
 
Pip

Pip

Registered User
Feb 2, 2012
69,196
8,531
Granduland
crazycanuck said:
Gaunce from what I have heard is centering the 2nd line (1st line now that McDavid is with the WJ Team). Connor Brown and Dane Fox aren't bad linemates though, better than who he was playing with in Belleville.
Click to expand...

The Fox/Brown line with Guance is the first line. McJesus plays on the second line.
 
Last edited:
wholesickcrew

wholesickcrew

Registered User
May 7, 2010
2,122
0
Toronto
hardyvan123 said:
not surprising that he didn't make team canada the larger ice surface isn't perceived to help him despite playing much of his time on a larger ice surface in bellville.

There is a bit of a numbers game at center in the future with the canucks but the increased playoff run with eire this year can only help him imo.
Click to expand...

ftfy.
 
biturbo19

biturbo19

Registered User
Jul 13, 2010
26,018
11,089
crazycanuck said:
Gaunce from what I have heard is centering the 2nd line (1st line now that McDavid is with the WJ Team). Connor Brown and Dane Fox aren't bad linemates though, better than who he was playing with in Belleville.

The knock on Gaunce and the biggest reason why he didn't make the Canadian Jr Team is that he doesn't play with enough urgency. I think if he ups his urgency and gets better acceleration he will be be a bonified 3rd liner at least.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's really the biggest issue with Gaunce. Or at least, the one that may be the most difficult to improve. His skating needs work as well, but that's a bit less complicated to clean up than his really 'passive' style of play all around. Trying to change the fundamental style of play he seems inclined to and bump up his intensity level isn't exactly a cakewalk. Hopefully he can elevate that level of urgency on the ice somewhat though. It's not really the sort of play style that plays well to a coach like Sutter re:WJCs, and i can't see it playing too well to what Torts demands from his players either.

Maybe seeing the way some of these other very good players on that Erie team assert themselves on the ice will rub off on Gaunce a bit. :laugh: In any event, i think playing on a team that looks poised to make a run at the memorial cup tourny could easily be more beneficial to Gaunce than spending the rest of the year 'captaining' a Belleville team that doesn't look to be going anywhere this season.
 

Wisp

Registered User
Nov 14, 2010
7,149
1,228
I think he's a player but what kind of one is up in the air.
 
skyo

skyo

Benning Squad
Sep 22, 2013
3,504
230
CanucksCorner
canuckscorner.com
Hoping at least he can be that big solid 3rd line center pivot, best case scenario he can be a 2nd line center in like 5 years or so if he can put up 25 goals 35 assists type.

But as seen by Kassian, big guys take a looong time to develop, so another player to have patience with.

-Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.

-Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.

-The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it.
Click to expand...
 

Potatoe1

Registered User
Oct 5, 2004
764
0
biturbo19 said:
Yeah, that's really the biggest issue with Gaunce. Or at least, the one that may be the most difficult to improve. His skating needs work as well, but that's a bit less complicated to clean up than his really 'passive' style of play all around.
Click to expand...


Have to agree with you.

At camp I liked his defensive game and the touch he showed around the net, but you want your bottom6 forwards to play with intensity and bring some bite.

He's kind of an odd player to be honest. You don't normally see Canadian born first rounders the size of Gaunce, who aren't physical at all. I'm not even sure who to compare him too. Perhaps Manny Malhotra although Manny is a fantastic skater and Gaunce isn't.
 
PhilMick

PhilMick

Formerly PRNuck
May 20, 2009
10,817
364
Calgary
Good kid, big, good defensively, good on the dot, good shot, can pass, hard to get down on him.

Oh he didn't get any points in his last two games? ****ing bust. Maybe we can package him with picks for Goc.
 
pahlsson

pahlsson

Registered User
Mar 22, 2012
9,956
474
Potatoe1 said:
He's kind of an odd player to be honest. You don't normally see Canadian born first rounders the size of Gaunce, who aren't physical at all. I'm not even sure who to compare him too. Perhaps Manny Malhotra although Manny is a fantastic skater and Gaunce isn't.
Click to expand...

taylor pyatt
 
JuniorNelson

JuniorNelson

Registered User
Jan 21, 2010
8,631
320
E.Vancouver
Kids that fight and have a do or die sense of urgency might try to fast track themselves by gooning it up. I'm glad Guance isn't trying to mimic Sestito's game.

Urgency is a perception, not a trait. He just needs to be around the big team in camp to see what's needed and I think he can adapt. This is why a year in the AHL is good for so many guys.

I think "the plan" is to have a very young supporting group, as early as next season. Guance will probably be on the farm, but he'll be in the mix for call-ups, hopefully.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Ad

Latest posts

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad

Top Bottom