Canucks Players

[1320kid]

Anyone else somewhat anxious about the Canucks right now? Pettersson owner, seeing he practiced on the 3rd line yesterday...yikes. But I guess the Mikheyev-Pettersson-Kuzmenko line produced earlier in the year so maybe it'll be fine? Should I try to trade him right now or will things pan out? If things go south I'm afraid of losing trade value.

[tweetdrivr]

Give it some time. Don’t do anything rash until we see what the new regime brings.

[The Maritimer]

I just hope we see a different Demko when he returns! I grabbed him off the wire and have had him stashed on IR patiently awaiting his return.

[dknw1de]

Tocchet is supposedly a players coach - normally there is a rush and good play when a new coach arrives, then the old habits kick back in.

Would hold all Nucks players until we see how this plays out.

[1320kid]

Fair enough. 2 apples for Petey last night. Hopefully it continues.

[Belexus75]

seriously? you going to react to one practice with new coach by trading a star? ....

[1320kid]

seriously? you going to react to one practice with new coach by trading a star? ....

If I can get another star on a thriving playoff contender who's team isn't in massive disfunction for him? Maybe. Lighten up Francis, just thinking out loud.

[Belexus75]

you panicking cause you seen him on 3rd line....that's bit different than thinking out loud...

and sure if you can get another star then thats fine but it would have been fine before the coaching change too....but my guess is other GM will sense that you panicking without a reason and you will not get close to right value....

just bad idea reacting to coaching change in any way...by trading a star? super pad idea....its how those other GMs win championships: P

[1320kid]

IMO being a little anxious after a head coaching change and panicking are two very different things. Starting a thread online and getting feedback is a little anxious, while coming on here saying I just traded Pettersson for player xyz before so is panicking. With the turmoil surrounding the players and who is moving and who isn't, it's not hard to justify being a little anxious. Either way, nothing wrong with talking about it!

[lucafen4]

Kuzmenko & EP have great chemistry. Smart placing them together.
Any line Mik is on will be deemed 3rd line (for whatever reason) - he's an energy guy who is a puck retrieval machine - a lot of top lines have them (see Hyman, Wilson, Bunting).

This team has 4 problems that they haven't been able to improve - let alone solve over the last eight years.

1. Meddling ownership (it's getting worse)
2. Defense (need a top pairing D and 1-2 2nd pair Dmen - willing to accept arguments Schenn is a rock solid 4, but you're still void a #2 and a #3)
3. Bottom six (gets swallowed by deeper teams)

And the biggest issue - #4 - They CANNOT develop a player in their system. You spend two season in their AHL affiliate and your NHL ceiling is stomped out.

Demko is the only legitimate exception since 2011.

This team will perennially be a bottom half, bubble team until 1 and 2 and 4 are resolved

[1320kid]

Awesome post, thanks for the insight Luca.

I guess putting all that together, for fantasy purposes, we can come to a single big question: Does this negatively or positively impact players on the ice?

For the negative side, shakeups do impact team moral. It seems these guys (from reports I've read) really liked Bruce. Also, there is a lingering feeling that people will be traded by the deadline, even their captain. I know these guys are professional athletes, but losing a well liked HC and potentially your captain has to mess with your head, no? Also, out of all the things you listed as problems, none of them were addressed via the HC change. Players know this, fans know this.

From the positive side, I suppose if you know the ship is going down, you do your best and hope another team notices and throws you a life raft (whether mid season or after its done)...

Dunno, just more out loud thinking..