I don't think it is necessarily just hindsight many at the time thought they shouldn't of been in the NHL to start or after 9 games or after WJC etc.

This whole idea that the AHL age rule is a bad rule I don't agree with, more talented players are sent back to junior every year and develop fine.

The Canucks were impatient and while its impossible to know how things would of played out differently had they of sent those two back to junior there certainly seems to of been issues with both of their development so far.

I think ideally you have the draft age moved back a year which means that most the players drafted would only be eligible for one more Junior season.
- belcherbd

Caggiula is 22, Schmaltz is 23.

Boeser is 19 and will be 20.
- belcherbd

Toews also did 2 years, he was also 1 inch and 4 pounds heavier than Boeser is and didnt put up numbers as close as Brock. I agree that he isnt as good of a comparable to Cagg, Schmaltz or Vesey, but I think you guys are selling him short as to how well NCAA translates to NHL these days and how dominant he has been

Edit: Also wrong Schmaltz, linemate Nick is only 20 and left after 2 seasons

Those guys were 21/22 years old when they arrived...big reason for their instant success at the NHL level. They're much more physically and mentally prepared at that age.
- LeftCoaster

Ahhh good point.
Forgot that Brock is still so young.

it's not just about his attitude.

i think there really is a learning curve to being a pro. while he is maturing (both mentally and as a hockey player) in college, you have to remember that it is a 40ish game season that only (mostly?) plays on weekends.

i think it is valuable for him to learn how to prepare day in and day out over a long and grueling season in the ahl against and with guys who are earning their living playing hockey.

i'm not saying a full season but i would i would like a substantial part of a season.
- RealityChecker

Agreed that the schedule is different and there will be a learning curve, but college isnt a cakewalk either. Those guys are in the gym and on the ice every day of the week leading up to their games, which I think better matures their bodies for the NHL game.

I would not be opposed to him being in the AHL, I just think it will be unlikely he doesnt earn his way pretty quick

Ahhh good point.
Forgot that Brock is still so young.
- Whiskey-Tango

He reminds me a lot of TJ Oshie in his body type, style of play, foot speed, shot, etc. Oshie spent three years at UND before he entered the league. Absolutely nothing wrong with kids soaking.

It was a comment followed by a I watch every game

But thanks for telling me how to feel
- CanuckDon

I'm not telling you how to feel man, just saying you were bumming me out a bit It's all good

I follow the draft as well, no issue there, it's fine to have prospects you like and hope to see your team draft.

Your original comment though was that we "need something to look forward to" and I just wanted to point out that you could be looking forward to the game tonight, or seeing the guys we've already drafted take steps closer to the nhl, it just seemed pretty bleak to me to say we have nothing to look forward to other than the draft.
- NorthNuck

I think Vantel pointed this out before quite well, this is the time to shine for our young d-men. I think it is exciting to see glimpses of what these guys might be if they work hard enough. Not convinced any of the d in our lineup have top pair potential, but were going to get a good look here. I expect more mistakes, but also a different brand of hockey.

Make no mistake, a top-5 pick is something to look forward to. This is not a competitive lineup, you say bleak I say realistic.

I think they were stuck (by ownership) when McCann was the leading goal scorer a couple months into the season. One of the most offensively challenged teams couldnt send him back without sending a "tanking" message to fans
- WhiteLie

Perhaps, that certainly is the flavor of the month as far as scapegoats go.

Regardless of who was ultimately responsible, it is still the Canucks organization.

Toews also did 2 years, he was also 1 inch and 4 pounds heavier than Boeser is and didnt put up numbers as close as Brock. I agree that he isnt as good of a comparable to Cagg, Schmaltz or Vesey, but I think you guys are selling him short as to how well NCAA translates to NHL these days and how dominant he has been

Edit: Also wrong Schmaltz, linemate Nick is only 20 and left after 2 seasons
- WhiteLie

my bad, I was thinking they had Jordan.

I think NCAA is a good development league but because their is a huge discrepancy between teams and divisions, I think it is harder to predict how players will transition.

Perhaps, that certainly is the flavor of the month as far as scapegoats go.

Regardless of who was ultimately responsible, it is still the Canucks organization.
- belcherbd

Agreed, I assume it was ownership but I guess it also fit TL/JB's narrative of rebuilding on the fly by keeping their 19yo leading goal scorer on the squad. I just feel like their hands were tied if only because of early season performance, then injuries to other C's that kept him around. It was a tough season

I don't think it is necessarily just hindsight many at the time thought they shouldn't of been in the NHL to start or after 9 games or after WJC etc.

This whole idea that the AHL age rule is a bad rule I don't agree with, more talented players are sent back to junior every year and develop fine.

The Canucks were impatient and while its impossible to know how things would of played out differently had they of sent those two back to junior there certainly seems to of been issues with both of their development so far.

I think ideally you have the draft age moved back a year which means that most the players drafted would only be eligible for one more Junior season.
- belcherbd

IIRC that the age rule was taken to court many years ago,Ken Linseman I believe, so I doubt that would fly.
I do not see a problem if each team could send 1 18 year old per season to AHL. It would allow each team to get a player they deem closest to being nhl ready that extra year development against professionals. It would also even out the playing field somewhat for those that play pro in Europe as 17/18year Olds.

my bad, I was thinking they had Jordan.

I think NCAA is a good development league but because their is a huge discrepancy between teams and divisions, I think it is harder to predict how players will transition.
- belcherbd

For sure, it has its benefits for allowing players to mature, but point totals dont always translate because of the weaker teams they meet in their schedules. As a whole though, I think it has become considerably stronger in recent years. Many one-and-done players have had great NHL rookie seasons of late, its nice to see

Agreed, I assume it was ownership but I guess it also fit TL/JB's narrative of rebuilding on the fly by keeping their 19yo leading goal scorer on the squad. I just feel like their hands were tied if only because of early season performance, then injuries to other C's that kept him around. It was a tough season
- WhiteLie

It was a tough season and I think you can legitimately make arguments for why they kept them in the lineup even if I disagree.

It still comes down to impatience in my mind though. Injuries, early production, the teams image are all justifications for that impatience.

Brisebois named to Team Canada WJC camp. Nolan Patrick the other Canuck property invited..

IIRC that the age rule was taken to court many years ago,Ken Linseman I believe, so I doubt that would fly.
I do not see a problem if each team could send 1 18 year old per season to AHL. It would allow each team to get a player they deem closest to being nhl ready that extra year development against professionals. It would also even out the playing field somewhat for those that play pro in Europe as 17/18year Olds.
- Reubenkincade

That's interesting, I didn't realize it was a legal issue.

I do dislike how it is different for Europeans and N. Americans but I don't have an issue with there being a 20 year old age limit for the AHL. The truly exceptional players can still go to the NHL but I don't see anything wrong with 18 and 19 year olds going back to juniors and developing there.

The AHL is a big step and I think throwing an extra 50 18 year olds or however many CHL teams there are into the AHL will end up stunting their growth more often than not.

It was a tough season and I think you can legitimately make arguments for why they kept them in the lineup even if I disagree.

It still comes down to impatience in my mind though. Injuries, early production, the teams image are all justifications for that impatience.
- belcherbd

They were on the roster due to merit. I disagree with your assessment. They then stayed due to injuries. Should they have been returned after 40 games when the season was starting to crumple. Perhaps, that's a different argument.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...or-selection-camp-roster/
Brisbois makes the short list

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/team-canada-unveils-world-junior-selection-camp-roster/
Brisbois makes the short list
- neem55

Not the most impressive list for Canada...A few years now where our junior team likely isn't the favourite.

That's interesting, I didn't realize it was a legal issue.

I do dislike how it is different for Europeans and N. Americans but I don't have an issue with there being a 20 year old age limit for the AHL. The truly exceptional players can still go to the NHL but I don't see anything wrong with 18 and 19 year olds going back to juniors and developing there.

The AHL is a big step and I think throwing an extra 50 18 year olds or however many CHL teams there are into the AHL will end up stunting their growth more often than not.
- belcherbd

CHL has an exceptional status rule in place, I think the AHL should have one as well. Dylan Strome comes to mind as a guy that should be granted status, in his last two OHL seasons has put up nearly 2 points per game. Sure he can work on other things, just seems like he could be pushed a little more. Oh well,

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/juniors/team-canada-unveils-world-junior-selection-camp-roster/
Brisbois makes the short list
- neem55

Only 2 RH defensemen in camp, so safe to say those two made the team...

They were on the roster due to merit. I disagree with your assessment. They then stayed due to injuries. Should they have been returned after 40 games when the season was starting to crumple. Perhaps, that's a different argument.
- CanuckDon

I think McCann was on the opening day roster due to Merit but JV was penciled prior to training camp. I believe Linden admitted that last summer.

I don't think JV earned it at all. After 9 games McCann had 5 goals and looked legit but he started looking less so as the season went on.

I agree that he stayed because of injuries but had the team not of been so desperate to retool on the fly they could of found other ways to fill those injuries.

Only 2 RH defensemen in camp, so safe to say those two made the team...
- WhiteLie

My thoughts exactly. I was reading up on Brisbois a bit, seems like he is the main reason Charlottetown is punching above their weight in the Q (according to the local news I read on the team, so grain of salt).

CHL has an exceptional status rule in place, I think the AHL should have one as well. Dylan Strome comes to mind as a guy that should be granted status, in his last two OHL seasons has put up nearly 2 points per game. Sure he can work on other things, just seems like he could be pushed a little more. Oh well,
- WhiteLie

I think the NHL is the exceptional status.

Like I said earlier I think the better scenario would be drafting these kids at 19 instead of 18 and a lot of these issues go away.

Good day!

It's Granlund-vs-Granlund tonight at Rogers Arena. Oh, and the Canucks will be icing the youngest defense in the NHL!

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...y-face-the-Wild/194/80996

Not the most impressive list for Canada...A few years now where our junior team likely isn't the favourite.
- CanuckDon

I agree. The forward group is massive though. Could be the most physical team in a while.