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- IanEsplen

Thanks, Ian!!

A great WordPress.com site
Is Eddie Lack good enough?
by ianesplencanucks



Follow me on twitter @IanEsplen for Canucks stuff



Going into camp, one of the competitions I was watching closely was the one for the backup goalie.

While the Canucks didn’t go with the option of bringing in a veteran, they did have three very talented youngsters trying out for the job. A job, which will likely see one of them start around 20 games in the NHL this season.

All three of the netminders played fairly good and after the dust settled, Eddie Lack earned the job – Although, I’m not sure Eriksson or Cannata ever really got a fair shake.

So now that we know who will be starting the season behind Luongo, the question is, is Lack good enough?

Eleven goals in 8 preseason periods would suggest no. And I would agree with that suggestion. A 3.25ish goals-against-average is not good enough to get Roberto Luongo the rest he will need this season.

If Lack plays like he is now, Luongo will be playing around 70 games and possibly the Olympics; that’s a lot of hockey for a 34 year-old goalie. I can’t imagine there will be much left in the tank come May and June.



So here’s how I see things. Lack or one of the other guys in Utica needs to step up this season and be a solid backup.

Or

Vancouver will have to start plucking of the waiver wire/free agent wire.

Bryzgalov, Theodore, Hedberg, Clemmensen or Garon are some of the names that could be out there.



So, do you think Lack is good enough?

As much as I'd like to trade Kesler, I don't make that deal, Bergland and Oshie is not enough.
- 1970vintage

I like Oshie's speed and skill. Bergland got 18 goals last year more than any of our players. And we save 2 mil

Sorry guys, will have a blog up by tonight. I would have made a GDT blog, but since Todd is mainly sticking to gameday and postgame blogs I though I'd stick to the other stuff. Gameday and post-game stuff is better suited for Todd anyone since the MY HockeyBuzz blogs I write aren't great for commenting. I might as well wait until tonight's game is finished to post one, I'm doing one on the regular season lineup and projections for each player. Plus I'll have a feature that includes one Canuck that I think will disappoint and one that wil surprise.

Thanks, Ian!!

A great WordPress.com site
Is Eddie Lack good enough?
by ianesplencanucks



Follow me on twitter @IanEsplen for Canucks stuff



Going into camp, one of the competitions I was watching closely was the one for the backup goalie.

While the Canucks didn’t go with the option of bringing in a veteran, they did have three very talented youngsters trying out for the job. A job, which will likely see one of them start around 20 games in the NHL this season.

All three of the netminders played fairly good and after the dust settled, Eddie Lack earned the job – Although, I’m not sure Eriksson or Cannata ever really got a fair shake.

So now that we know who will be starting the season behind Luongo, the question is, is Lack good enough?

Eleven goals in 8 preseason periods would suggest no. And I would agree with that suggestion. A 3.25ish goals-against-average is not good enough to get Roberto Luongo the rest he will need this season.

If Lack plays like he is now, Luongo will be playing around 70 games and possibly the Olympics; that’s a lot of hockey for a 34 year-old goalie. I can’t imagine there will be much left in the tank come May and June.



So here’s how I see things. Lack or one of the other guys in Utica needs to step up this season and be a solid backup.

Or

Vancouver will have to start plucking of the waiver wire/free agent wire.

Bryzgalov, Theodore, Hedberg, Clemmensen or Garon are some of the names that could be out there.



So, do you think Lack is good enough?
- Marwood

Which is it, was there competition because of three quality players, or was it gifted to the convenient choice (one-way contract)?

You provided no opinion, which some have been critical of Todd in recent days. "So here's how I see things..." Ok, that a good start, but "Lack or one of the other guys in Utica needs to step up this season and be a solid backup." Really, that's your opinion? and then you give us an OR

This was a

Kesler Kassian to St.L for Bergland Oshie.

Edler for Pax

Pick up a Dman
- VANTEL

Pax? Paciorrety? I trade Edler and even throw in a pick or decent prospect(not one of our top ones) for him. He would help our scoring problems big time. I like the St.Louis deal as well, not bad Vantel. For once.

Sorry guys, will have a blog up by tonight. I would have made a GDT blog, but since Todd is mainly sticking to gameday and postgame blogs I though I'd stick to the other stuff. Gameday and post-game stuff is better suited for Todd anyone since the MY HockeyBuzz blogs I write aren't great for commenting. I might as well wait until tonight's game is finished to post one, I'm doing one on the regular season lineup and projections for each player. Plus I'll have a feature that includes one Canuck that I think will disappoint and one that wil surprise.
- Nucker101

Don't let Todd get in your way. Thanks.

Sorry guys, will have a blog up by tonight. I would have made a GDT blog, but since Todd is mainly sticking to gameday and postgame blogs I though I'd stick to the other stuff. Gameday and post-game stuff is better suited for Todd anyone since the MY HockeyBuzz blogs I write aren't great for commenting. I might as well wait until tonight's game is finished to post one, I'm doing one on the regular season lineup and projections for each player. Plus I'll have a feature that includes one Canuck that I think will disappoint and one that wil surprise.
- Nucker101

Pax? Paciorrety? I trade Edler and even throw in a pick or decent prospect(not one of our top ones) for him. He would help our scoring problems big time. I like the St.Louis deal as well, not bad Vantel. For once.
- Nucker101

Funny, I don't think it was enough for Kelser and Kassian. Whoduthunk it?

Sorry guys, will have a blog up by tonight. I would have made a GDT blog, but since Todd is mainly sticking to gameday and postgame blogs I though I'd stick to the other stuff. Gameday and post-game stuff is better suited for Todd anyone since the MY HockeyBuzz blogs I write aren't great for commenting. I might as well wait until tonight's game is finished to post one, I'm doing one on the regular season lineup and projections for each player. Plus I'll have a feature that includes one Canuck that I think will disappoint and one that wil surprise.
- Nucker101

I am ready to battle

Which is it, was there competition because of three quality players, or was it gifted to the convenient choice (one-way contract)?

You provided no opinion, which some have been critical of Todd in recent days. "So here's how I see things..." Ok, that a good start, but "Lack or one of the other guys in Utica needs to step up this season and be a solid backup." Really, that's your opinion? and then you give us an OR

This was a


- 1970vintage

Yeah, it was Lack's job to lose and he would have had to have been a disaster in both of his starts for them to go with Eriksson IMO. Cannata never had a shot, the guy hasn't even played a full season in the AHL yet.

The question that needs to be brought up is that if Lack struggles during he regular season, do you have to stick it out with him? Or do you sign a guy like Jose Theodore to give Luongo a legit backup. But then you still need to either waive Lack and potentially(likely) lose him for nothing, or maybe trade him for not much(I'm assuming his value would take a hit with a bad/mediocre first few games). Or do you go with the dreaded 3 headed goalie monster?

Just something to wonder about, although I do have faith in Lack's abilities. He was hung out to dry a bit in SJ, but clearly NHL shooters are giving him some trouble. His last game against SJ he was solid, but only Pavelski was the true goal scorer dressed in that game and he beat Lack in that game too.

Funny, I don't think it was enough for Kelser and Kassian. Whoduthunk it?
- 1970vintage

Oshie and Kesler aren't too far apart IMO. Kesler is more valuable when healthy IMO, but Oshie has 2 and a half years on him and is a pretty good top 6 player. And I'd take Berglund over Kassian easily.

I am ready to battle
- VANTEL

Honestly this year more than ever, I think everyone will have a different lineup that they want. So many potential moving parts, and the Booth/Schroeder injuries and Kassian suspension just clouds things further. Not to mention that we still don't know which rookies will get an extended look into the regular season and the bottom 6 especially is far from set.

- 1970vintage

I'd be more motivated to blog everyday if Ek would hire me already.

Yeah, it was Lack's job to lose and he would have had to have been a disaster in both of his starts for them to go with Eriksson IMO. Cannata never had a shot, the guy hasn't even played a full season in the AHL yet.

The question that needs to be brought up is that if Lack struggles during he regular season, do you have to stick it out with him? Or do you sign a guy like Jose Theodore to give Luongo a legit backup. But then you still need to either waive Lack and potentially(likely) lose him for nothing, or maybe trade him for not much(I'm assuming his value would take a hit with a bad/mediocre first few games). Or do you go with the dreaded 3 headed goalie monster?

Just something to wonder about, although I do have faith in Lack's abilities. He was hung out to dry a bit in SJ, but clearly NHL shooters are giving him some trouble. His last game against SJ he was solid, but only Pavelski was the true goal scorer dressed in that game and he beat Lack in that game too.
- Nucker101

This is the first time that I can remember there being absolutely zero competition for the backup job. Did Erikson even dress for a preseason game? Gillis should have had at least one PTO veteran goalie in camp fighting for a job. I think if (when) Lack struggles this season it will be too late to make a change. Tortarella will just have to pick his spots carefully and hope the team can carry them through the tough spots. Maybe once the players get more used to the systems play goaltending blemishes will be brushed over a bit and Lack won't look so bad.

Funny, I don't think it was enough for Kelser and Kassian. Whoduthunk it?
- 1970vintage

Probably St.L fans think it is not enough. That's the way offers go

Sedin Sedin Hansen
Bergland Pax Oshie
Higgins Santorelli Burrows
Jones Richardson Booth

Hamhuis Tanev
Garrison Bieksa
Weber Corrado

Oshie and Kesler aren't too far apart IMO. Kesler is more valuable when healthy IMO, but Oshie has 2 and a half years on him and is a pretty good top 6 player. And I'd take Berglund over Kassian easily.
- Nucker101

I had Oshie in the pool last year, he was hurt as much as Kelser, plays the same kind of reckless game. Better offence I think, but not as good defensively. I think Oshie is what Gillis is hoping Kassian will turn into... Burglund would be a great 3C. I like the players, but I would want more.

Probably St.L fans think it is not enough. That's the way offers go

Sedin Sedin Hansen
Bergland Pax Oshie
Higgins Santorelli Burrows
Jones Richardson Booth

Hamhuis Tanev
Garrison Bieksa
Weber Corrado
- VANTEL

If Pax is Pacioretty, you have to switch their positions in that lineup. Or do you mean Plekanec? Either way, not a bad lineup at all.

I'd be more motivated to blog everyday if Ek would hire me already.
- Nucker101

I'm motivated for you to blog every day!

Probably St.L fans think it is not enough. That's the way offers go

Sedin Sedin Hansen
Bergland Pax Oshie
Higgins Santorelli Burrows
Jones Richardson Booth

Hamhuis Tanev
Garrison Bieksa
Weber Corrado
- VANTEL

I think Pacioretty is a winger not a C and Berglund is a C not a LW, but that's an easy fix in your lineup. Booth on the 4th? I assume you picked up Jones from Waivers (too late now). This lineup looks pretty weak down the middle to me. I don't buy Burglund as a 2C. I think the team got worse not better, just my opinion though.

If Pax is Pacioretty, you have to switch their positions in that lineup. Or do you mean Plekanec? Either way, not a bad lineup at all.
- Nucker101

I thought Pacioretty played centre my bad, but Berglund does

If Pax is Pacioretty, you have to switch their positions in that lineup. Or do you mean Plekanec? Either way, not a bad lineup at all.
- Nucker101

That bottom 6 looks like a nightmare IMO.

That bottom 6 looks like a nightmare IMO.
- 1970vintage

Have you seen the actual bottom 6 we ice now

That bottom 6 looks like a nightmare IMO.
- 1970vintage

I don't think it's bad outside of the 3LC spot to be honest.

I'm motivated for you to blog every day!
- Marwood

Have you seen the actual bottom 6 we ice now
- VANTEL

This.