Guys, this is not the pre season. It's common for a rookie call up to start in a limited role and there is no rule that states JB cant move him up in game.

I've seen it a number of times... the "idiot" coach puts the call up on the 4rth line and they get a big goal.

Right now it's about winning, not accelerating a call ups career. There is no argument that "if it's about winning then put Shink on the second line".... he hasnt played a game yet.... that is a baseless argument.
- boonerbuck

100%

Why would they gift the kid top minutes when he is making his debut lol
Let's see how he makes out in a limited somewhat sheltered role to start. #williehateskids

Except our second line has 7 goals in 18 games. The bar isn't too high to be given a chance to succeed . Our second line is scoring like a fourth line and other players should be given a chance to see if they can do better
- VANTEL

In pro, semi-pro and Major junior you earn every inch you get unless you're a generational talent....that's how it's done.

Except our second line has 7 goals in 18 games. The bar isn't too high to be given a chance to succeed . Our second line is scoring like a fourth line and other players should be given a chance to see if they can do better
- VANTEL

You are missing the point obviously when you suggest he isnt getting a chance to succeed. JV and McCann started on the 4rth line. They obviously are succeeding so far.

Also, what if WD moves him up in game? The accusation proves to be baseless just like I said.

Look at it this way. Hunter is penciled into the 4rth line on paper for this game and works his way up and everyone applauds him because he moved up a line from 4rth to 3rd in his first game.

Or... Hunter is penciled in on the second and end up being moved down to the 3rd and people say he got demoted... poor showing for his first game.

But he ended up in the same line in both scenarios.

The mechanics of fans and media. It must drive coaches crazy.

In pro, semi-pro and Major junior you earn every inch you get unless you're a generational talent....that's how it's done.
- LeftCoaster

I guess Sven is a generational talent then. I don't remember him earning every inch.

Look at it this way. Hunter is penciled into the 4rth line on paper for this game and works his way up and everyone applauds him because he moved up a line from 4rth to 3rd in his first game.

Or... Hunter is penciled in on the second and end up being moved down to the 3rd and people say he got demoted... poor showing for his first game.

But he ended up in the same line in both scenarios.

The mechanics of fans and media. It must drive coaches crazy.
- boonerbuck

Yeah but burrows will be back in the next game and Shink will probably be sent back , so why not take a serious look at him

I guess Sven is a generational talent then. I don't remember him earning every inch.
- VANTEL

He didn't though, Calgary had him on the bench, press box or the fourth line for his first pro season.

Sven played 64 NHL games before he came to the Canucks, Shinkaruk's NHL game totals are zero.

In pro, semi-pro and Major junior you earn every inch you get unless you're a generational talent....that's how it's done.
- LeftCoaster

Totally.
Nothing wrong with starting on the 4th line.
Hopefully he can use that speed in a defensive role and perhaps get a couple chances

Yeah but burrows will be back in the next game and Shink will probably be sent back , so why not take a serious look at him
- VANTEL

Expected to work your ass off in the AHL to get a call up to the NHL where they will just give you top minutes. Seems a contradiction.

Sven is a supposed play maker... which they need in the top 6. Sven isnt playing his first NHL game. He has been getting games for 3 seasons. I know your replied to Lefty's comment which was making a different point but I'm just pointing out that it's not the same at all.

Yeah but burrows will be back in the next game and Shink will probably be sent back , so why not take a serious look at him
- VANTEL

This also bring me to another point... if it's going to be just 1 game because Burrows is coming back then we would be putting a single player in a single game above the team and winning. There's no way you can expect WD to make Hunter the main agenda tonight. The point is hardly about developing Hunter if this is just a single game.

Besides,,, Willie hasnt done any of these things people are accusing him of. The anthem hasnt even been sung yet. People have their knickers in a twist about something on a piece of paper at this point.

He didn't though, Calgary had him on the bench, press box or the fourth line for his first pro season.

Sven played 64 NHL games before he came to the Canucks, Shinkaruk's NHL game totals are zero.
- LeftCoaster

He was sent down by Flames for poor performance Canucks gifted him 2 nd line . Undeservingly

This also bring me to another point... if it's going to be just 1 game because Burrows is coming back then we would be putting a single player in a single game above the team and winning. There's no way you can expect WD to make Hunter the main agenda tonight. The point is hardly about developing Hunter if this is just a single game.

Besides,,, Willie hasnt done any of these things people are accusing him of. The anthem hasnt even been sung yet. People have their knickers in a twist about something on a piece of paper at this point.
- boonerbuck

To see what he is capable of doing. Giving him a chance to succeed

That 4th line tho!

Nice to get a dirty one early.

It's not hard to see why coaches love Higgins even when he doesnt score for 20 games. Guys sharp as a knife and owns the boards typically.

He was sent down by Flames for poor performance Canucks gifted him 2 nd line . Undeservingly
- VANTEL

Two different scenerio's.

At some point Vrby has to think pass instead of shoot...#snakebitten

man o man.
We could be up a couple so far.

man o man.
We could be up a couple so far.
- dbot

If they could only play like this against the bad teams too

To see what he is capable of doing. Giving him a chance to succeed
- VANTEL

This isnt training camp. They are just going to have to go about it the regular season way.

Sven has holes but he is not at all a liability. I consider him... like the coach does... to be defensively sound. You say he earned nothing? I'm surprised you consider his responsibilty as nothing since most coaches put the most emphasis on it and usually reward the players that show it above anything else when they are rookies. In fact.... this is typically why coaches start players on the 4rth... to get a glimpse if they can play away from the puck and be moved up quickly. You are completely putting the cart ahead of the horse. This is where they begin their good look... not if he can put the puck in the net. They already know that... he's a natural scorer.

It's been pointed out a few times now that Sven has 64 games and is responsible. The coach has established this. There's been nothing established with Hunter. That is what people are failing to see.

It's not hard to see why coaches love Higgins even when he doesnt score for 20 games. Guys sharp as a knife and owns the boards typically.
- boonerbuck

I've never understood the hate for him. Very versatile player that comes cheap. It's not his fault they keep making him a staple on the 2nd line.

I've never understood the hate for him. Very versatile player that comes cheap. It's not his fault they keep making him a staple on the 2nd line.
- golfingsince

I know,,,I've never been hard on Higgins. Like you say,,, not on the second line. He's a great 3rd liner who can fill in for injured 2nd line player temporarily. I like the player/person. Always have.

Coaches treasure their defensively sound players. To a fault often....

weise drew a nice penalty with his solid work down low

ouch..move up Shink

Guys, this is not the pre season. It's common for a rookie call up to start in a limited role and there is no rule that states JB cant move him up in game.

I've seen it a number of times... the "idiot" coach puts the call up on the 4rth line and they get a big goal.

Right now it's about winning, not accelerating a call ups career. There is no argument that "if it's about winning then put Shink on the second line".... he hasnt played a game yet.... that is a baseless argument.
- boonerbuck