How absurd is it that 23 games into the season, VDV is tied in goals scored with Giroux. That can't happen.
- PLindbergh31

That's why CV stays in the lineup.

No I did not miss your point, I disagree with your point, and the endless moaning of why Vandevelde remains in the lineup, despite the simple reasons why he remains in.
- MJL

Most people understand WHY he remains in the lineup, but that doesn't meant that people have like to agree with those reasons.

Yes, he's a guy that does exactly what he's asked to do. You know what you're gonna get from him shift-after-shift. But when what you get, shift-after-shift, is below mediocre offensive ability coupled with average to slightly above average defensive play, I think people have a legitimate right to want him replaced, even if for a game or two at a time, with someone who may bring a different skillset.

I'm not moaning about VdV being in the lineup, I'm just trying to make the point....

oh, why bother. Arguing with you is liking playing chess with a pigeon. No matter what happens, the pigeon will just poop all over the board and declare itself the winner.

- BiggE

Is VDV not good? The way you guys talk about him, hes either hockey jesus or satan..
- Guile

It's CV, and he's fine. There are much bigger fish to fry on this team.

That's why CV stays in the lineup.
- Scoob

I don't particularly mind VDV. My issue is he's immune to being scratched when other players who are better than he is aren't.

- dragonoffrost

yup

- jmatchett383

It's much better in slow motion

I don't particularly mind VDV. My issue is he's immune to being scratched when other players who are better than he is aren't.
- PLindbergh31

Maybe because scratching him won't change the team, He is what he is and he brings what he brings. Others may change their ways if they are scratched.

Maybe because scratching him won't change the team, He is what he is and he brings what he brings. Others may change their ways if they are scratched.
- dragonoffrost

So if a fringe player plays a bad game, the answer is to leave him in the lineup because he is what he is? Seems pretty ridiculous.

I'm not moaning about VdV being in the lineup, I'm just trying to make the point....

oh, why bother. Arguing with you is liking playing chess with a pigeon. No matter what happens, the pigeon will just poop all over the board and declare itself the winner.

- BiggE

You need some more original material. I read and understood everything you said. I disagree with you, and I agree with the coach.

Dominic Moore and his 787 career NHL games is a fringe 4th liner like Vandevelde? HAHA! Nice try.
- PLindbergh31

oh look at that....you got me...it is just insane that Dominic Moore at age 36 has played more games than Chris Vandevelde at age 29. I guess you'll just have to use the other names I gave you

I don't particularly mind VDV. My issue is he's immune to being scratched when other players who are better than he is aren't.
- PLindbergh31

I really don't see a reason to scratch him. He is not the reason they are a sub-mediocre team thus far this season.

It's much better in slow motion
- Scoob

you can see in slow motion? Is that what happens when you get old?

I don't particularly mind VDV. My issue is he's immune to being scratched when other players who are better than he is aren't.
- PLindbergh31

For me with knowing that this isn't a cup team, I would rather see a guy like Lyubimov over vandevelde as I am trying to create a picture for the future. At 24 Lyubimov and an UFA, I would like to see him in Vandevelde role since I think that could be a spot for him moving forward. An inexpensive 3rd/4th line, PK type who can chip in 7-12 goals a season.

That's my problem with the Vandevelde thing. Yes I know he is what he is. I know there is a comfort. But for a team that is preparing for the future and not a cup run I prefer seeing what I have.

you can see in slow motion? Is that what happens when you get old?
- YuenglingJagr

No, it's what happens when you are really good.

So if a fringe player plays a bad game, the answer is to leave him in the lineup because he is what he is? Seems pretty ridiculous.
- PLindbergh31

I wouldn't say VdV has done much that deviates from his mean. Whereas Schenn, Weise, Laughton, Cousins all have had either huge off games or aren't producing as expected. There's the difference.

Most people understand WHY he remains in the lineup, but that doesn't meant that people have like to agree with those reasons.

Yes, he's a guy that does exactly what he's asked to do. You know what you're gonna get from him shift-after-shift. But when what you get, shift-after-shift, is below mediocre offensive ability coupled with average to slightly above average defensive play, I think people have a legitimate right to want him replaced, even if for a game or two at a time, with someone who may bring a different skillset.
- jmatchett383

Vandevelde's offensive numbers for a 4th liner at this point in the season, are not below mediocre. They're actually very good. 4 goals and 7 points in 23 games is pretty good for a 4th liner. His goal rate is not likely to continue, but for now, he's getting it done. I agree with and understand why Vadevelde remains in the lineup.

I really don't see a reason to scratch him. He is not the reason they are a sub-mediocre team thus far this season.
- Scoob

The reason I want him scratched is that I'd rather see what a kid like Leier can do in that spot as I think he's ready to come up. If they were a real Cup contender, I'd probably feel differently, but since they're not, I'd like to see another kid get into the lineup.

I wouldn't say VdV has done much that deviates from his mean. Whereas Schenn, Weise, Laughton, Cousins all have had either huge off games or aren't producing as expected. There's the difference.
- dragonoffrost

Consistency and reliability. Valued by a coach.

For me with knowing that this isn't a cup team, I would rather see a guy like Lyubimov over vandevelde as I am trying to create a picture for the future. At 24 Lyubimov and an UFA, I would like to see him in Vandevelde role since I think that could be a spot for him moving forward. An inexpensive 3rd/4th line, PK type who can chip in 7-12 goals a season.

That's my problem with the Vandevelde thing. Yes I know he is what he is. I know there is a comfort. But for a team that is preparing for the future and not a cup run I prefer seeing what I have.
- J35Bacher

Consistency and reliability. Overvalued by our coach.
- MJL

ftfy

No I did not miss your point, I disagree with your point, and the endless moaning of why Vandevelde remains in the lineup, despite the simple reasons why he remains in.
- MJL

He's among the team leaders in turnovers per touch, and one of the worst shot suppressing forwards in the NHL.

But he's one of our top PKer's on our subpar PK and a good soldier so he will never sit

You can say VDV isn't a huge concern, but to me it is. It shows that either Hak and co are extremely poor at evaluating talent, or talent evaluation does not trump all else.

The reason I want him scratched is that I'd rather see what a kid like Leier can do in that spot as I think he's ready to come up. If they were a real Cup contender, I'd probably feel differently, but since they're not, I'd like to see another kid get into the lineup.
- BiggE

CV has done nothing to lose his spot, though.

Wow - Schenn on the 4th line? I don't watch as much as I'd like, but is he in a slump or something?

oh look at that....you got me...it is just insane that Dominic Moore at age 36 has played more games than Chris Vandevelde at age 29. I guess you'll just have to use the other names I gave you
- YuenglingJagr

VDV will never approach 700+ NHL games played. Hakstol won't be a coach long enough in the League for that to happen. Anyway, if you are trying to defend a 4th line/AHL player being tied in goals scored with Giroux more than 1/4 of the way into the season then there isn't any point discussing it further. Giroux has been invisible the entire season at even strength and its unacceptable is my point.