I'm with you, I expect more out of Edler, but he hasn't been that bad. He'll likely get a few votes for the Norris, so how do you call a player who does that a disapointment?

I'm thinking AV might be the biggest problem with Edler's play. It seems like he got 25 minutes a night whether he was playing well or not. I think that if he was benched the odd time maybe we would see a little more fire out off him. A mad and nasty Edler is a good Edler.
- IanEsplen

Where's your stalker? I come here to be entertained.

Ian Esplen: 15 minutes...
is all we got for you
- IanEsplen

Now we know how the Blackhawk fans felt Tuesday morning.

I was leaning toward 6-0 but 6arey Price wasn't in net.


This is the part where you yell out 24!
- IanEsplen

Well played.

Now we know how the Blackhawk fans felt Tuesday morning.
- Marwood

I dont feel like that at all. I really dont give a shyt to tell you the truth.

Lets just get to the playoffs before we start getting all emotional.

I'm with you, I expect more out of Edler, but he hasn't been that bad. He'll likely get a few votes for the Norris, so how do you call a player who does that a disapointment?

I'm thinking AV might be the biggest problem with Edler's play. It seems like he got 25 minutes a night whether he was playing well or not. I think that if he was benched the odd time maybe we would see a little more fire out off him. A mad and nasty Edler is a good Edler.
- IanEsplen

Agreed. The revolving door of partners might have been an issue, as well.

I find it funny that they only tried Edler on the right side while he and Garrison were paired together—look how well Garrison adjusted.

Still a bit puzzled by the choice to play Ballard on the wing last night. Is he more comfortable with Joslin there? Wonder what we can expect with Bieksa and Tanev back.

Now we know how the Blackhawk fans felt Tuesday morning.
- Marwood

we shall see you guys in the wcf

we shall see you guys in the wcf
- Hawkeyes

Let's hope.

Agreed. The revolving door of partners might have been an issue, as well.

I find it funny that they only tried Edler on the right side while he and Garrison were paired together—look how well Garrison adjusted.

Still a bit puzzled by the choice to play Ballard on the wing last night. Is he more comfortable with Joslin there? Wonder what we can expect with Bieksa and Tanev back.
- Fosco

I think Ballard played wing because they wanted to know how he felt in game action. They know what kind of D Ballard is but they don't know much about Joslin.

That move let Ballard test out his back and AV take a look at Joslin.

I really wouldn't read anymore into it than that.

I think Ballard played wing because they wanted to know how he felt in game action. They know what kind of D Ballard is but they don't know much about Joslin.

That move let Ballard test out his back and AV take a look at Joslin.

I really wouldn't read anymore into it than that.
- IanEsplen

I can see them wanting to see what they have in Joslin, but I just don't see the logic in playing a D on the wing—if Ballard's back is still questionable, they should have sat him one more game.

That 4th line hasn't had any continuity all season, and unless Ballard is a legit option for a spot on the wing, I'd rather an actual potential 4th line winger play.

I can see them wanting to see what they have in Joslin, but I just don't see the logic in playing a D on the wing—if Ballard's back is still questionable, they should have sat him one more game.

That 4th line hasn't had any continuity all season, and unless Ballard is a legit option for a spot on the wing, I'd rather an actual potential 4th line winger play.
- Fosco

Another reason, like you said they are thinking of having him play the wing.

Given Bieksa's groin and Tanev's injury, maybe they want that 7th D in the lineup incase they get 10 minutes in and one of them can't go the rest of the game.

Playing with Five D and then getting into an OT game could wear a team out.

Another reason, like you said they are thinking of having him play the wing.

Given Bieksa's groin and Tanev's injury, maybe they want that 7th D in the lineup incase they get 10 minutes in and one of them can't go the rest of the game.

Playing with Five D and then getting into an OT game could wear a team out.
- IanEsplen

Hope it was just opening night jitters with Joslin, because he was a bit of a fire drill.

After an awful start he did end up playing quite well with the Wolves.

So, after reading Drance's most recent bit on the Canucks potential 1st round matchup, I think it's safe to say that the Canucks are the worst possession team in the top 8 with the exception of Minnesota.

This does not bode well for AV's "playing the right way".

I'd prefer the Kings, you just know Vancouver would be wanting to slay the dragon like they did against you guys in '11
- DariusKnight

I'm sure Jim Hughson would have some orgasmic calls of that series.

Another reason, like you said they are thinking of having him play the wing.

Given Bieksa's groin and Tanev's injury, maybe they want that 7th D in the lineup incase they get 10 minutes in and one of them can't go the rest of the game.

Playing with Five D and then getting into an OT game could wear a team out.
- IanEsplen

Versatlity can only be helpful. Ballard isn't a bad forward either. He takes the body, plays well defensively and he's got a couple of moves, even if his shot is soft.

So, after reading Drance's most recent bit on the Canucks potential 1st round matchup, I think it's safe to say that the Canucks are the worst possession team in the top 8 with the exception of Minnesota.

This does not bode well for AV's "playing the right way".
- 1970vintage

They played with 2 decent centres for most of the year. The faceoffs were awful. With Kesler and Roy, I'm sure the possession numbers improved.

Whoever signed up for the playoff pool as Mychosin Massacre, I need your email address, send me a PM.

They played with 2 decent centres for most of the year. The faceoffs were awful. With Kesler and Roy, I'm sure the possession numbers improved.
- micah555

I hope so!

Whoever signed up for the playoff pool as Mychosin Massacre, I need your email address, send me a PM.
- 1970vintage

Think it was either Makita, or one of the two Hawks fans who live in BC that post in here occasionally.

Versatlity can only be helpful. Ballard isn't a bad forward either. He takes the body, plays well defensively and he's got a couple of moves, even if his shot is soft.
- micah555

I've honestly been entirely unimpressed with Ballard as a forward—seems to always get caught out of position, hasn't really ever created much offensively, and is less physical than any of the team's other 4th liners.

His skating is the only thing that benefits him as a forward.

So, after reading Drance's most recent bit on the Canucks potential 1st round matchup, I think it's safe to say that the Canucks are the worst possession team in the top 8 with the exception of Minnesota.

This does not bode well for AV's "playing the right way".
- 1970vintage

I wouldn't worry about possession stats too much. This team was without one of the faceoff guy in the NHL for most of the year. A healthy Kesler will change the Canucks possession numbers quick.

I've honestly been entirely unimpressed with Ballard as a forward—seems to always get caught out of position, hasn't really ever created much offensively, and is less physical than any of the team's other 4th liners.

His skating is the only thing that benefits him as a forward.
- Fosco

I agree. Reminds me a lot of the failed Bieksa experiment at forward a few years ago. They're ok up ice but utterly clueless getting possession and breaking out of their own end. Looking to make breakout passes instead of realising they are supposed to be the recipients of those passes.

I do like the idea of the 7th defenseman available if necessary though.

Think it was either Makita, or one of the two Hawks fans who live in BC that post in here occasionally.
- Fosco

Thanks, definitely not a Hawk fan, unless they were johnny on the spot, I only had the sign up link posted for about a minute before taking it down.

I wouldn't worry about possession stats too much. This team was without one of the faceoff guy in the NHL for most of the year. A healthy Kesler will change the Canucks possession numbers quick.
- IanEsplen

The "numbers" guys seemed to think it was important. In the end, winning the game is all that matters, but generating 3 or 5 shots or whatever it was last night in a period won't get it done in the playoffs.

The "numbers" guys seemed to think it was important. In the end, winning the game is all that matters, but generating 3 or 5 shots or whatever it was last night in a period won't get it done in the playoffs.
- 1970vintage

That is a bit worrisome, but I think Ian was correct that the possession numbers should be getting better with Kesler back and winning more faceoffs than whoever was covering his spot in the lineup.

Last night was just a poor effort through the first two periods. Hopefully the boys are a bit more urgent when it counts.

The "numbers" guys seemed to think it was important. In the end, winning the game is all that matters, but generating 3 or 5 shots or whatever it was last night in a period won't get it done in the playoffs.
- 1970vintage

I'll be diving into the numbers tomorrow.

Wish me luck.