TruKnyte
On the wagon
Kesler might look better when Burrows gets back and can play on his wing. Other option is moving Daniel down to play with him.
That level of a player is perhaps a Bobby Ryan? If this team needs to find a Bobby Ryan to get Kesler going, then the issue isn't finding that perfect/specific linemate, its Kesler himself.
I'm not sure what the talk about him is internally. What Gillis and management think he needs. But if they were after a pure playmaker, Parenteau and Tanguay were options. If they wanted a sniper, Ryder and other options were available. They also tried Roy with him, and we know they had interest in Clowe. Point being, they don't seem too concerned with finding the perfect linemate for him. And I think that's prudent because who knows what will work with him at this point? He's such a solo player.
They've tried many players with him, and the two times he's excelled at making plays was with Sundin, and his 50 assist campaign with Raymond and Samuelsson. Yet, even in that 50 assist run, I distinctly remember conversations where posters still didn't like his passing game. So a HOFer was able to pull the best 'interplay' out of him... Not too surprising.
Pavelski is the same age, a soon-to-be 6m dollar player, and he plays 3C for his team. SJ's plethora of Cs allows for this to happen. Given the same influx of centre talent here, perhaps the Canucks can do the same with Kesler. It would certainly allow the team to be less reliant on him for offense. Maybe that's the way to go. Even if he picks it up, I'm not sure I would trust his offense. So maybe get another C to take over 2nd line duties?
The one common theme in all cup winners is consistent secondary scoring, we don't have that.
Put him with the Sedin's.
Have Schroeder C the second line, in-between Burrows & Booth.
See what happens.
That makes no sense.Put him with the Sedin's.
Have Schroeder C the second line, in-between Burrows & Booth.
See what happens.
I think Kes needs to be playing with Schroeder. More than anything he needs a playmaker.
Kesler looked quite good with Daniel Sedin. Say what you want but this wouldn't be to bad.
Burrows - H.Sedin - Kassian
D.Sedin - Kesler - Booth
That makes no sense.
Kesler is an elite two way centre and Schroeder has yet to prove himself as a capable third/fourth liner let alone be capble of handling top centres on face-offs.
Agreed. I really want Schroeder to get a good solid chance in the top 6. Look at all these other teams getting meaningful contributions from their young players. I know most people here don't think too much of Schroeder but what everyone forgets so quickly is that he's always had the talent and he's done the work to get better at the other facets of the game. He's not a liability defensively and he's pretty strong on his skates. Now let's reward him FFS and put him in the top 6 where he can actually shine.
I love how you blame the one guy on the 2nd line who has actually managed to score at a decent clip over the last three years for being our main problem.
Teams pay guys $2.5M-$5M to be good secondary scorers. In recent years we've had guys like Kesler, Higgins, Raymond, Samuelsson, Sturm, and Booth fit into those slots. For the most part, except for Samuelsson and Kesler when healthy, none did very well here. Kesler right now IMO needs to be better defensively, his timing and hand-eye seem a little off however if Higgins finished a few of the amazing chances he got this year, our second line would be looking really good unfortunately, that might be a constant problem with Higgins.
That level of a player is perhaps a Bobby Ryan? If this team needs to find a Bobby Ryan to get Kesler going, then the issue isn't finding that perfect/specific linemate, its Kesler himself.
I'm not sure what the talk about him is internally. What Gillis and management think he needs. But if they were after a pure playmaker, Parenteau and Tanguay were options. If they wanted a sniper, Ryder and other options were available. They also tried Roy with him, and we know they had interest in Clowe. Point being, they don't seem too concerned with finding the perfect linemate for him. And I think that's prudent because who knows what will work with him at this point? He's such a solo player.
They've tried many players with him, and the two times he's excelled at making plays was with Sundin, and his 50 assist campaign with Raymond and Samuelsson. Yet, even in that 50 assist run, I distinctly remember conversations where posters still didn't like his passing game. So a HOFer was able to pull the best 'interplay' out of him... Not too surprising.
Pavelski is the same age, a soon-to-be 6m dollar player, and he plays 3C for his team. SJ's plethora of Cs allows for this to happen. Given the same influx of centre talent here, perhaps the Canucks can do the same with Kesler. It would certainly allow the team to be less reliant on him for offense. Maybe that's the way to go. Even if he picks it up, I'm not sure I would trust his offense. So maybe get another C to take over 2nd line duties?
When does a 1st line have to be broken up to support a 2nd line? Kane moved to play with Sharp, and Hossa with Toews, and then back again. Marleau and Pavelski were moved off the 1st line in SJ to form a Marleau-Couture 2nd line, and a better 3rd line. It happens... if you have the personnel to do it.
Right now, I think the Canucks are banking heavily on Schroeder/Dalpe being able to centre another useful offensive line. That's the quick and easy way the pressure gets taken off that 2nd line. If they don't, then maybe something has to be done.
You are assuming I mean to insinuate Kesler has been good and only boggled down by his linemates - the typical narrative. I am not, and in fact agree he needs to step up his game. I am merely providing my theory on why he is struggling.
I think putting him with Daniel should improve him. He's playing on an AMEX line with barely any scoring from Booth and Higgins.
He's playing with Booth, a player who has been better than him by far this season (I don't expect that to stay that way), and Higgins who has been buzzing but snake bit.
He's been the weakest link on that line.
That's just a matter of opinion. Booth may have a better start so far he's been far from "way better" Take a look at other elite two-way players they all play with much, much better line-mates. Toews has Kane, Richards has Carter, Bergeron has Marchand. Kesler has never played with a player of that magnitude, he usually caries his line, it's been 4 freakin' games relax.
Richards and Bergeron play with a variety of players throughout the year. They make their teammates better. I concede Toews.
It's not 4 games. I've been complaining for 4 years .
You and I can agree to disagree. I'm just happy that other posters have started to see what I've been seeing for awhile.
Not so thinly veiled brag
Yes they do but both Marchand and Carter have been constants on both players lines. Kesler also makes him line-mates better, both Raymond and Samuelsson had career years playing with Kesler. Kesler has scored 75, 73, 52*, 63* points the last 4 years which averages to a 66 point pace, which is above average 2nd line production. This while being among the best two-way centres in hockey. Seriously, this team has much bigger problems than Ryan Kesler. Just for comparison sake here's Begeron and M.Richards stats over the past 4 years.
Richards: 55, 51, 66, 62 = 59 point average
Bergeron: 62, 64, 58, 59 = 61 point average