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

Kesler's quote "we need to work hard and play the right way to be successful."

In spite of AV's routinely ridiculous line combinations, occasionally retarded defense pairings, and glaringly deficient power play strategies, his mantra "play the right way" is what most scares me about this team's prospects.

AV seems to truly believe there's only one way this team can play. When the other team has come up with a successful strategy to counter the Canucks' system, they have no answers. There rarely seems to be any sense of urgency when they're down a couple, even (or especially) when they're on the power play. They have no 'plan B'. It's win or lose trying to play "the right way".

So much for 4-0 Vancouver prediction, Ian. Well done .... again.

So much for 4-0 Vancouver prediction, Ian. Well done .... again.
- imsorry66

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


This is the part where you yell out 24!

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


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

Touche.

San Jose if everything stays the same, I'm good with that!

San Jose if everything stays the same, I'm good with that!
- LeftCoaster

Crossing my fingers that the Sharks lose in regulation and Minny wins both their games.

Poll- What's a more amazing stat, the Hawks have out-scored their opponents by 53 goals or that the Panthers opponents have out-scored them by 61?

Crossing my fingers that the Sharks lose in regulation and Minny wins both their games.
- IanEsplen

It's unbelievable that with only one game to go (two for the Wild) the Canucks could still face St. Louis, LA, San Jose or Minnesota in the first round. And that Detroit could still miss the playoffs with a regulation loss.

Kesler's quote "we need to work hard and play the right way to be successful."

In spite of AV's routinely ridiculous line combinations, occasionally retarded defense pairings, and glaringly deficient power play strategies, his mantra "play the right way" is what most scares me about this team's prospects.

AV seems to truly believe there's only one way this team can play. When the other team has come up with a successful strategy to counter the Canucks' system, they have no answers. There rarely seems to be any sense of urgency when they're down a couple, even (or especially) when they're on the power play. They have no 'plan B'. It's win or lose trying to play "the right way".
- YeOldTimer

Very good description of AVs deficiencies. Always reactionary, and seldom successful.

Poll- What's a more amazing stat, the Hawks have out-scored their opponents by 53 goals or that the Panthers opponents have out-scored them by 61?
- IanEsplen

I don't know about amazing, but the Panther's stat surprises me a bit. Thought they'd be better this season.

I don't know about amazing, but the Panther's stat surprises me a bit. Thought they'd be better this season.
- Fosco

They're being out-scored by 1.30 goals a game. that number just seems really high.

edit- yep, only one team has had a greater than 61 goal difference over the past two full seasons (10-11 Oilers).

And even they were only a 0.93 difference.

I don't know about amazing, but the Panther's stat surprises me a bit. Thought they'd be better this season.
- Fosco

They overachieved last season, so I'm not that surprised, Theodore played far above what he normally does and won them the division title in a very poor Southeast division that only Florida won and Washington barely squeaked into the playoffs.

Poll- What's a more amazing stat, the Hawks have out-scored their opponents by 53 goals or that the Panthers opponents have out-scored them by 61?
- IanEsplen

As someone once told me (aqua), it's harder to score then to stop a team from scoring.

They overachieved last season, so I'm not that surprised, Theodore played far above what he normally does and won them the division title in a very poor Southeast division that only Florida won and Washington barely squeaked into the playoffs.
- DariusKnight

Definitely. But I'm still surprised by how poor they've done this year. Injuries definitely played a part, and I think their D really missed Garrison this year ( ).

They're being out-scored by 1.30 goals a game. that number just seems really high.

edit- yep, only one team has had a greater than 61 goal difference over the past two full seasons (10-11 Oilers).

And even they were only a 0.93 difference.
- IanEsplen

Maybe Garrison was the glue that kept their D corps together?

I know they had injuries to Jovo, Gudbranson, Kulikov, and Weaver (not to mention a few important forwards), so having a guy like Garrison play a full season would have been a big help for them.

Maybe Garrison was the glue that kept their D corps together?

I know they had injuries to Jovo, Gudbranson, Kulikov, and Weaver (not to mention a few important forwards), so having a guy like Garrison play a full season would have been a big help for them.
- Fosco

It would be interesting to know how close the vote was for the Canucks best D

Hamhuis won, but I bet Edler and Garrison were close.

It would be interesting to know how close the vote was for the Canucks best D

Hamhuis won, but I bet Edler and Garrison were close.
- IanEsplen

I think both Garrison and Hamhuis were quite a bit ahead of Edler in the voting. Mostly because people expected more of Edler. My vote would have gone to Garrison.

I agree with many that Edler hasn't lived up to expectations this season—he had a three week period where he was making some terrible mistakes; although, I don't think his overall play was as bad as many people have made out, and outside of that period I think he's been quite good.

I definitely don't agree with that idiot Ian McIntyre (sp?) who said he's been one of the "biggest dissapointments."

I have a hard time believing that the D who leads the team in hits (for a D), blocked shots, icetime, and is 2nd in scoring, and was at the top for D in advanced stats for most of the season can be considered one of the "biggest dissapointments."

Liking how he and Corrado look together. Hopefully that pair continues to mesh.

I think both Garrison and Hamhuis were quite a bit ahead of Edler in the voting. Mostly because people expected more of Edler. My vote would have gone to Garrison.

I agree with many that Edler hasn't lived up to expectations this season—he had a three week period where he was making some terrible mistakes; although, I don't think his overall play was as bad as many people have made out, and outside of that period I think he's been quite good.

I definitely don't agree with that idiot Ian McIntyre (sp?) who said he's been one of the "biggest dissapointments."

I have a hard time believing that the D who leads the team in hits (for a D), blocked shots, icetime, and is 2nd in scoring, and was at the top for D in advanced stats for most of the season can be considered one of the "biggest dissapointments."

Liking how he and Corrado look together. Hopefully that pair continues to mesh.
- Fosco

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.

There's always next year Canuck fans!

if the sharks win, get ready for the kings

It would be interesting to know how close the vote was for the Canucks best D

Hamhuis won, but I bet Edler and Garrison were close.
- IanEsplen

Garrison 8 goals 8 assists + 18... not too shabby after a slow start and the trolls laying into the signing.

Hamhuis Bieksa
Garrison Tanev
Edler Corrado

For the playoffs. A lot to ask of Corrado, but he's looked good. The right handed shot makes a big difference... and it's not like Alberts or Ballard are better options.

if the sharks win, get ready for the kings
- Hawkeyes

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

AV should REST SEDINS last Game vs OILERS..u know Edmontons gonna try Tank the Game...so they can position themselves ,regarding DRAFT order...finishing the season off.........Last nites Game was a YAWNER...oh well, i dont care who Canucks face in First....id like to See KINGS....get it over with series, rematch with the Champs.....