Play Gaunce when he's ready. Not much point in sending him to play elsewhere if he's ready.

Play Gaunce when he's ready. Not much point in sending him to play elsewhere if he's ready.
- golfingsince

He's not ready.

He needs to improve his offense.

Unless he's getting top6 minutes, which he won't, it will hinder his development.

The Canucks can't afford to rush one of their only high end prospects.

Personally, I don't want another low first round draftee. We need NHL-ready players and that means a top-5 (preferably a top-3) pick. I doubt we could pry the top pick from the Avs and get MacKinnon, but if we could somehow get Jones or Drouin or Barkov by moving into the top 5, that would set us up for a while.

He's not ready.

He needs to improve his offense.

Unless he's getting top6 minutes, which he won't, it will hinder his development.

The Canucks can't afford to rush one of their only high end prospects.
- Fosco

So put him top 6? problem solved. You want development let him make mistakes.

Personally, I don't want another low first round draftee. We need NHL-ready players and that means a top-5 (preferably a top-3) pick. I doubt we could pry the top pick from the Avs and get MacKinnon, but if we could somehow get Jones or Drouin or Barkov by moving into the top 5, that would set us up for a while.
- DariusKnight

If we could get the #2 pick I still believe the Av's will take Jones. They have hyped him up to much in Colorado. I think Mcmuffin is the legit #1 pick though.

So put him top 6? problem solved. You want development let him make mistakes.
- thundachunk

He's not ready for the top6. Not even close. He may never have the offensive skill to be a top 6 forward, but his best chance is to continue to improve and dominate against players his own age for another year.

If he lights it up offensively in camp to the point that he gives them no chance but to keep him up, obviously he'll stay, but that's not a realistic prediction.

Being the captain and go-to guy for the Bulls for one more year will be nothing but good for him.

He's not ready.

He needs to improve his offense.

Unless he's getting top6 minutes, which he won't, it will hinder his development.

The Canucks can't afford to rush one of their only high end prospects.
- Fosco

He projects as a 3rd line C at this point, and will need to improve significantly to be a #2 on a contender.

In order to stick with the big club, his skating will need more work.

This team needs to find chemistry in youth. To see other teams small successes just proves the value in having younger players play with the top vets. Invest in youth.
Having leadership will build and bring this team and the youth over the top. Dumping veteran assets will make this team even worse.

Getting a coach that will have the patience and give those players the time they need to grow is a must. Certain veteran coaches (who we will not name) will not do that for this team. MG needs to look outside the box on this one.

He's not ready for the top6. Not even close. He may never have the offensive skill to be a top 6 forward, but his best chance is to continue to improve and dominate against players his own age for another year.

If he lights it up offensively in camp to the point that he gives them no chance but to keep him up, obviously he'll stay, but that's not a realistic prediction.

Being the captain and go-to guy for the Bulls for one more year will be nothing but good for him.
- Fosco

I agree but I am all for the youth movement. We need to be younger. The young guys bring a "Compete" energy that aging vets need to be reminded of.

Gaunce will be no better then a third line centre. He might get you 15 goals a year and win faceoffs. Not bad for a late first rounder, but if you think that he's bringing you offense, forget it!

Gaunce will be no better then a third line centre. He might get you 15 goals a year and win faceoffs. Not bad for a late first rounder, but if you think that he's bringing you offense, forget it!
- PrinceLH

far too soon to say that. Plenty of NHL players have developed much later than anticipated. I think if you were saying that for next season I'd agree, but not for a kid that's still developing.

I agree but I am all for the youth movement. We need to be younger. The young guys bring a "Compete" energy that aging vets need to be reminded of.
- thundachunk

it's a funny thing, the Canucks problem is lack of youth to push the vets. The Isles problem is lack of good vets to teach the kids

far too soon to say that. Plenty of NHL players have developed much later than anticipated. I think if you were saying that for next season I'd agree, but not for a kid that's still developing.
- Isles_since_6

I live in the city where he plays junior hockey. I see allot of his games. He's not an offensive player. He's good at faceoffs and a top notch checker. He hasn't got the goalscoring touch. He's a hard working player who will make it, but as a third line center. Nothing wrong with a good third line center that plays against the other teams big lines.

If we could get the #2 pick I still believe the Av's will take Jones. They have hyped him up to much in Colorado. I think Mcmuffin is the legit #1 pick though.
- thundachunk

There's no deal to be had between the Canucks and anyone in top 3 that is realistic .... the cost is just too high

it's a funny thing, the Canucks problem is lack of youth to push the vets. The Isles problem is lack of good vets to teach the kids
- Isles_since_6

True

I live in the city where he plays junior hockey. I see allot of his games. He's not an offensive player. He's good at faceoffs and a top notch checker. He hasn't got the goalscoring touch. He's a hard working player who will make it, but as a third line center. Nothing wrong with a good third line center that plays against the other teams big lines.
- PrinceLH

To suggest that he won't provide any scoring is bold. He can score, and has a decent shot. Nobody is suggesting he's the next Mario, but a 3rd line C that can pot 20 goals is certainly a realistic expectation down the road.

I live in the city where he plays junior hockey. I see allot of his games. He's not an offensive player. He's good at faceoffs and a top notch checker. He hasn't got the goalscoring touch. He's a hard working player who will make it, but as a third line center. Nothing wrong with a good third line center that plays against the other teams big lines.
- PrinceLH

I think you're under selling his offense a bit.

But he's certainly not dynamic offensively.

I still think another year in the OHL is the best chance he has to improve it, since it's far too early to say he can't develop his offensive ability further.

I live in the city where he plays junior hockey. I see allot of his games. He's not an offensive player. He's good at faceoffs and a top notch checker. He hasn't got the goalscoring touch. He's a hard working player who will make it, but as a third line center. Nothing wrong with a good third line center that plays against the other teams big lines.
- PrinceLH

He hasn't got the goal scoring touch yet he finished 20th in the OHL in goals? He may not be the next Stamkos but he's definitely got some offensive skills.

He hasn't got the goal scoring touch yet he finished 20th in the OHL in goals? He may not be the next Stamkos but he's definitely got some offensive skills.
- LeftCoaster

Pretty respectable if you ask me.

Pretty respectable if you ask me.
- thundachunk

His numbers in his draft year are nearly identical to Jordan Staal.

His numbers in his draft year are nearly identical to Jordan Staal.
- golfingsince

Eric Staal is nearly identical to Jordan Staal

Eric Staal is nearly identical to Jordan Staal
- Mattjd123

Except Eric had 98pts, Jordan had 68.

Except Eric had 98pts, Jordan had 68.
- golfingsince

I meant physically.

for employees
- golfingsince

The offer was meant for employees.. it was just a code... it was "leaked" to the public.

The whole thing was so lame.. but you could of got like row 7.. lower bowl for about 140 each. Great deal in relative terms

Gaunce played on the wing after they traded for graovac. So why not put him on a wing with Kesler? Top 6 minutes. Could get some face offs in. Could make a few mistakes and Kesler could teach him to be a selke forward.