Prospect Thread XXVII
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discordant concord said:
Gaunce is better than Sutter was in Junior. Three straight PPG seasons while Sutter has none. Manny didn't even have that going for him.
I know expectations are really low for Gaunce but their is evidence their that suggests we can be a little more optimistic with him than that.
shortshorts
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For most posters
. Gaunce is a systems player. He will contribute to an NHL team in a big way.
I also completely disagree with the Manny/Sutter comparisons. They play nothing alike.
I feel like he's going to make a great living standing in front of the net and getting garbage goals.
For most posters
Gaunce is a systems player. He will contribute to an NHL team in a big way.
I also completely disagree with the Manny/Sutter comparisons. They play nothing alike.
if you remember in 2012 at the draft, tsn compare him to Jordon Staal.....probably a crappy version of him perhaps
D0ctorCool
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Gaunce is a systems player. He will contribute to an NHL team in a big way.
I also completely disagree with the Manny/Sutter comparisons. They play nothing alike.
Gaunce is probably my favourite Canuck prospect and I'll outline why I chose the Manny comparison. Gaunce is smart enough to know how to get points at the OHL level. He has an outside shot of being a top 6 centre, but all signs point to him being a bottom sixer, and a great one at that.
If you watch Gaunce play right now, he's essentially playing the Patrice Bergeron role for Erie. But I'm not going to tell people that he's like Bergeron. That's not what he's going to be at the NHL level. Gaunce is a very intelligent player who knows his limitations. Malhotra was a guy drafted 6th overall in 1998. Here's a little write-up about him back in the day:
"Coach John Muckler will also lean on Manny Malhotra, New York's No. 1 draft pick in June. Malhotra is smart beyond his years, and by midseason he could be the second-line center. "
Malhotra eventually shifted to the third line and embraced that role. I believe that It takes a special kind of player to be a third line specialist and I feel Gaunce shares this quality. I see Gaunce embracing the shutdown centre role much like Manny did.
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hound dog
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That's interesting, thanks for that. My only concern is that Malhotra was a really good skater with really good speed. That was a pretty big part of him being (arguably) the best defensive forward in the league (2010-2011). Do you think Gaunce will be able to match that at the NHL level? He's not that kind of skater (at least not at this point).
His Jr. Coach just said he doesn't think skating will be an issue at the NHL level.
I don't see Gaunce's skating being an issue at the pro level.
Fox was ******* awful yesterday. Probably the worst game he's had all season. He (along with pretty much the rest of the team) need to be much better tonight.
Fox was ******* awful yesterday. Probably the worst game he's had all season. He (along with pretty much the rest of the team) need to be much better tonight.
Bleach Clean
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Gaunce will not be a Manny level skater. Manny edges him there. However, Gaunce has a better offensive IQ. So while he won't be able to chase guys down as frequently, he can burn them by playing in their end a bit more.
He still also has that ability to shift to LW and contribute more in an offensive role. Pretty versatile.
Lets hope he can crack the 20 point career ceiling some had him relegated to during camp... :/
vanuck
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With Fox and Gonzo going to the Comets next year it'll be nice for then to have some familiar faces joining them. Shinkaruk as well. Really excited about the wave of young guys hitting the AHL together.
D0ctorCool
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The Malhotra comparison is more to outline the path I think that Gaunce will follow. 30-50 point high IQ defensive specialist. Gaunce doesn't like to run around on the ice or throw a hit that will take him out of position. His attention to detail will make up for any shortcomings he has. I'm really interested to see how a coach will run the centre tandem of Horvat and Gaunce.
canucksfan100
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Pavel Kraskovsky intrigues me. 27pts in 39games in MHL. I think he's also the youngest player in the draft (at least out of the players projected top 90) and he's 6'4" 190
You guys think Linden will take Russians? We haven't really taken any since Shirokov
You guys think Linden will take Russians? We haven't really taken any since Shirokov
Adrian Kempe is younger and projected to go higher. Haven't seen Kraskovsky but his production isn't anything special.
deckercky
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My idea for Gaunce is that he's a Draper/Rob Niedermayer type player. Shutdown third liner who contributes in big games.
I too see him as possibly being a top 6 winger, but I think elite 3C is a preferable place for him to develop.
shortshorts
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Fair enough.
I see Horvat and Gaunce making the team together, where Horvat plays LW to Gaunce on the "third line".
shortshorts
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He will. I just see Horvat starting off on the LW.
Gaunce is older, better defensively, and plays a very mature-system oriented game. He will likely be able to handle the responsibilities as a centre in the NHL earlier than Horvat.
Horvat has the talent to leap frog Gaunce, who I think apprentices in the AHL first.
Horvat was expected to actually make the team next year. Obviously coaching and management changes may change that entirely.
Horvat was expected to actually make the team next year. Obviously coaching and management changes may change that entirely.
you mean by making the team next year as in 2015/2016 season right.......he definitely have a shot of making the team for this coming season at 19 years old
I think he will start as LW but not with Gaunce as his center probably Kesler if he sticks around or if we draft nylander , perhaps
Horvat Nylander Jensen could be a good line
deckercky
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I think it's a pretty safe bet that the Canucks won't run essentially a triple rookie line.
Also, highly doubt Nylander would make the team next year if the Canucks draft him.
Pip
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I think in the near future after a couple of year, it could be a potential NHL line so like in 3 to 4 year time, the line would be not be a rookie line anymore
deckercky
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In my imaginary world, in the next few years as the Sedins drop to second liners, they've developed chemistry with Jensen who plays on the second line with them (very good second line - 50-55 pts for each player against lesser competition).
First line has Shinkaruk - _______ - Kassian (could be Nylander if he turns out there), and the third line is an elite third line (Fox/Higgins/Burrows - Horvat - Hansen or someone else who bumps him), with Horvat being held down by superior depth (and he doesn't moan about it and ask for a trade).
All that's really missing is a great center. If Shinkaruk turns into a 60-65 pt player and Kassian is a 40-50 pt player, that's good enough with a legit first line center and that depth.
First line has Shinkaruk - _______ - Kassian (could be Nylander if he turns out there), and the third line is an elite third line (Fox/Higgins/Burrows - Horvat - Hansen or someone else who bumps him), with Horvat being held down by superior depth (and he doesn't moan about it and ask for a trade).
All that's really missing is a great center. If Shinkaruk turns into a 60-65 pt player and Kassian is a 40-50 pt player, that's good enough with a legit first line center and that depth.
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