Todd Cordell: NHL Gameday Preview: Canucks Host Sharks In Preseason Opener

- Interesting to see that Bo Horvat has been slotted in on the 4th line..

You have him listed on the 3rd

Unfortunately I'll be traveling tonight so I won't be watching the game, would be nice to see how the kids handle some opposing NHL players. Not sure who SJ is going to play regarding veterans?

- Interesting to see that Bo Horvat has been slotted in on the 4th line..

You have him listed on the 3rd
- Twist

I meant what will be the 4th line when the NHL season begins. Fixed it. Thanks.

Let's put it this way: if Horvat can shine on a line with those 2 plugs then he's got NHL level talent.

Interesting to see Santorelli and Richardson aren't in the lineup. They obviously want to take a good look at some of these kids! I was reading in the paper this morning that Torts wants to have his lineup set for the last two preseason games.

It's unfortunate that Richardson more that likely has the 3c spot leaving Horvat with only the 4c to play for. If that's the case I'd rather send him back down. I doubt playing with Sestito will teach him anything.

Let's put it this way: if Horvat can shine on a line with those 2 plugs then he's got NHL level talent.
- AlexF

Exactly.


I bet he plays better than Gaunce tonight.

Interesting to see Santorelli and Richardson aren't in the lineup. They obviously want to take a good look at some of these kids! I was reading in the paper this morning that Torts wants to have his lineup set for the last two preseason games.
- LeftCoaster

Wow, that's interesting. There's only 6 pre-season games, right? That leaves 4 games for him to make up his mind. I'm excited about the fact that he's going with the younger guy if any of the roster/lineup battles are close.

Exactly.


I bet he plays better than Gaunce tonight.
- Nucker101

He's better than Gaunce, that much is clear to me - now and in the future. I know it's way too early to say but I envision Gaunce's career upside as a quality 2 way 3C. Ideally the future would see Horvat centering the top line and Gaunce the 2C, but I don't quite see it.

It's unfortunate that Richardson more that likely has the 3c spot leaving Horvat with only the 4c to play for. If that's the case I'd rather send him back down. I doubt playing with Sestito will teach him anything.
- Loolio

Richardson doesn't have anything locked up yet. If Horvat can show the ability to play on the 3rd line regularly, but can also show chemistry with the 4th line, then he could easily be kept up with the idea that he should center the 3rd line and could play on the 4th line occasionally as he will have ups and downs throughout an 82 game NHL schedule. It could just be used to alleviate some of the pressure on him if need be at times during the year.

I think Horvat needs to play 12+ minutes a game (preferably closer to 15) in order to justify keeping him in the NHL this year. Anything less than a 12 minute a game average and he should spend the year in London.

He's better than Gaunce, that much is clear to me - now and in the future. I know it's way too early to say but I envision Gaunce's career upside as a quality 2 way 3C. Ideally the future would see Horvat centering the top line and Gaunce the 2C, but I don't quite see it.
- AlexF

Gaunce has always been projected as 3C/2C, while Horvat has been projected as a 2C/1C. So far Gaunce looks like he could excel as one of the top 3Cs in the league down the road. He could turn into an effective 2C, but that's likely his ceiling.

It's unfortunate that Richardson more that likely has the 3c spot leaving Horvat with only the 4c to play for. If that's the case I'd rather send him back down. I doubt playing with Sestito will teach him anything.
- Loolio

It will teach him patience.

It's unfortunate that Richardson more that likely has the 3c spot leaving Horvat with only the 4c to play for. If that's the case I'd rather send him back down. I doubt playing with Sestito will teach him anything.
- Loolio

This. Weise and Sestito do nothing but slow Horvat down. Santorelli would be just fine at 4th center. A decent faceoff guy that can chip in the odd goal. Let Horvat compete for a Memorial Cup and a gold medal at the WJHC.

Playing 8 minutes a night with a couple of plugs will only slow him down.

Or, when Booth gets heathy you could have a 3B line with Booth/Horvat/Santorelli.

Twins / Kassian
Jensen / Kesler / Burrows
Higgins / Richardson / Hansen
Booth/Horvat/Santorelli

Keep Sestito and Weise as far away from the ice as possible.

I think Horvat needs to play 12+ minutes a game (preferably closer to 15) in order to justify keeping him in the NHL this year. Anything less than a 12 minute a game average and he should spend the year in London.
- KB3Point0

Thanks Todd - I have to say that I find your pieces to be unbiased and fair despite writing about a rival team. A pleasure to read.

Edit - well I did just discover that you are actually a Canucks blogger Thought you were writing for the Sharks.

Regardless if it's Richardson or Horvat playing third line center, we match up well this year (with a healthy lineup) with anyone in our Division or the Western Conference. The past two Cup winners being the biggest challenge.

Gaunce has always been projected as 3C/2C, while Horvat has been projected as a 2C/1C. So far Gaunce looks like he could excel as one of the top 3Cs in the league down the road. He could turn into an effective 2C, but that's likely his ceiling.
- KB3Point0

He could, but he has a lot of work to do. He is young, but he needs a big year in the O this year and he really needs to work on his skating.

Thanks Todd - I have to say that I find your pieces to be unbiased and fair despite writing about a rival team. A pleasure to read.

Edit - well I did just discover that you are actually a Canucks blogger Thought you were writing for the Sharks.
- docmorgan

I thought he was a Flames blogger... Todd do you have a team or just panhandle misc blogs?

Regardless if it's Richardson or Horvat playing third line center, we match up well this year (with a healthy lineup) with anyone in our Division or the Western Conference. The past two Cup winners being the biggest challenge.
- LeftCoaster

Exactly. Its all about depth. Don't forget Shroeder is in the mix as well

Richardson doesn't have anything locked up yet. If Horvat can show the ability to play on the 3rd line regularly, but can also show chemistry with the 4th line, then he could easily be kept up with the idea that he should center the 3rd line and could play on the 4th line occasionally as he will have ups and downs throughout an 82 game NHL schedule. It could just be used to alleviate some of the pressure on him if need be at times during the year.
- KB3Point0

I believe it was the Province or the Sun that mentioned Higgins / Richardson / Hansen will be the 3rd line when the season starts. Quotes the coaching staff as being "happy with the chemestry so far".

Gaunce has always been projected as 3C/2C, while Horvat has been projected as a 2C/1C. So far Gaunce looks like he could excel as one of the top 3Cs in the league down the road. He could turn into an effective 2C, but that's likely his ceiling.
- KB3Point0

Don't entirely agree. 1st round draft picks, at the time they are picked, are generally expected to be greater than career 3rd liners. Gaunce slid down the draft order a bit but the belief was still that we were drafting a 2C. That expectation may have been tempered a bit since then. Still, there's time for the guy to make good on his full potential.

This. Weise and Sestito do nothing but slow Horvat down. Santorelli would be just fine at 4th center. A decent faceoff guy that can chip in the odd goal. Let Horvat compete for a Memorial Cup and a gold medal at the WJHC.

Playing 8 minutes a night with a couple of plugs will only slow him down.

Or, when Booth gets heathy you could have a 3B line with Booth/Horvat/Santorelli.

Twins / Kassian
Jensen / Kesler / Burrows
Higgins / Richardson / Hansen
Booth/Horvat/Santorelli

Keep Sestito and Weise as far away from the ice as possible.
- fiveandagame

I believe it was the Province or the Sun that mentioned Higgins / Richardson / Hansen will be the 3rd line when the season starts. Quotes the coaching staff as being "happy with the chemestry so far".
- bloatedmosquito

I have yet to see Richardson in action but he was a regular 4th liner / healthy scratch for the Kings last season. I realize the 3C is up for grabs but it would mark quite a jump in expectations if Richardson became our regular 3C guy.