Much more solid game by the Wolves in a 1 - 0 win over Lake Erie
Defense was much better. Good game by both Sauve and Connauton. Connauton has had a bad foot so working his way back in. Both players played effective defense and made good passes out of their end. Connauton played cautiously but did make some excellent rushes out of his end to relieve pressure.
Reinprecht had a very good game and seems to be getting over the flu he has had. Nice goal and set up several other plays which forced the Lake Erie goaltender into good saves.
Schroeder also played well. His line got boxed in his end on some occasions as both Davies and Sweatt had trouble with the heavy forecheck by the Otters. Thought Schroeder worked hard to in his end to break up plays and maintain his defensive positioning. Also, did a good job of controlling the puck in the offensive end. Overall, the checking was very tight and there was little room but Schreoder is again showing an ability to contribute in those situations.
Rodin also played well. He shows his talent and isn't afraid to go into situations to make a play. However, you would like to see him produce more points. Rodin is excellent in the cycle and can make nice tight pivots to gain space in the offensive zone. But not really finishing his plays well enough. This player could be very good with the Sedins.
Very impressed with Brad Hunt in this game. Very smooth with the puck, good shot and excellent skater. Smallish, 24 year older from Maple Ridge that might lack enough size at the pro level but still looked good today. Looked a lot better than a player like Erixon looked.
Bitz played decent again and created some offense. Not bad coming off the wall. continues to play center. Duco also was generally good. Very reliable at getting the puck out and completeing his defensive assignments
Brad Hunt looks like he will have a solid AHL career but almost no chance of the NHL. Could see Chicago signing him next year to a AHL contract (if nothing else as a depth move given how often the 'nucks call up d-prospects).
I see Bitz is playing centre which I find interesting. Do the Wolves have a shortage of centres ? Or do the Canucks want him to develop as a centre ? What line is he playing on and how has he looked, particularly from a defensive standpoint ?
btw has he had any fights ? I think Bitz has shown flashes of talent when he played with the Canucks and I'd like to see him back with the big club.
I see Bitz is playing centre which I find interesting. Do the Wolves have a shortage of centres ? Or do the Canucks want him to develop as a centre ? What line is he playing on and how has he looked, particularly from a defensive standpoint ?
btw has he had any fights ? I think Bitz has shown flashes of talent when he played with the Canucks and I'd like to see him back with the big club.
They had some success with converting Oreo to center for some much needed size down the middle, but now he's out and the Wolves are short on centers so they're trying Bitz there, which is interesting indeed. As long as it helps them win I guess. But I think he's back here for the playoffs anyway - the only question is when.
I see Bitz is playing centre which I find interesting. Do the Wolves have a shortage of centres ? Or do the Canucks want him to develop as a centre ? What line is he playing on and how has he looked, particularly from a defensive standpoint ?
btw has he had any fights ? I think Bitz has shown flashes of talent when he played with the Canucks and I'd like to see him back with the big club.
Wolves are extremely thin @ center. More so if the 'nucks take back Reinprecht for the playoffs. They are really just doing things for their own need not develop prospects for the 'nucks. Main reason Schroeder is getting 2nd line minutes. If Chicago's goal was just to help 'nucks develop prospects, Schroeder will be given even more playing time (since he's our top skater prospect there). The same can be said about all AHL franchise that are not owned by the parent team. They got to sell their product so winning >>> helping their NHL club(s) develop prospects.
That's very impressive, if he keeps this up he might just rival his playoff numbers from last year. I also just checked his stats for the year, after a bad start he has now equaled his stats from the Moose last year.
Watched most of the game and the Wolves continue to play a very tight defensive system. Just grinding it out by chipping the puck out and then chipping it in. Team is obviously just hoping the system and good goaltending can get them into the playoffs.
Players like Schroeder and Rodin are being asked to play within the system and not take unnecessary chances.
Having said that Schroeder had an excellent game. He worked hard in his defensive role while still creating some offense. The goal he scored was a beauty as he wired in a shot from the top of the circle. What he is going thru will serve him as he moves ahead in terms of being responsible in his play. You wish he was little bigger but he using what he does have to become a pretty effective player at this level.
They gave Hunt a star even though I didn't think he was a prominent as he was in the other night. Playing well enough that he will probably get a contract next year - maybe even at the NHL level. Some team might take a flyer on him.
Should have also given a star to Climie since he was very good.
IMO both Sauve and Connauton have lost some mental edge in their play. Both (and especially Connauton ) are resorting to a lot of stick checking. Both look a little fatigued and there seems little snap in their play. Connauton is playing thru a foot injury so maybe to be expected. However, right now the first half of his season seems a lot better than second half. This is also indicated by his declining offense.
Bitz continues to work hard both ways and is generally an effective player. Stick handling could be better and his play is much better when the puck i along the boards than in open ice. Bitz gives you the full effort all the time and seems like McTavish is very pleased with him.
Also thought Duco was fine. Plays his role and shows good consistency in his play. Kind of know what you are going to get every time with him. Very responsible and has team first attitude. I think that You can say the same thing about Schroeder and Rodin and that is an important development.
Maybe the best player for the Wolves was Reinprecht. Without him the Wolves are in trouble but you do wonder if he could help the Canucks.
And this points to a problem with the Canucks and the Wolves. The Canucks might be able to really use some of the Chicago players but it is likely that the Wolves don't want them taken away. And Gordon got hurt tonight which might make the situation worse by making the Wolves even more reluctant to see players moved up. Too bad the Canucks don't have a little more control over the process or be working with a team that isn't as concerned about their on needs.
IN some ways you sare almost hoping the Wolves lose so the Canucks can players up without causing any friction.
Is it possible that this defensive system will hurt both Schroeder and Rodin's development? These are offensive forwards who are being treated like third line checkers (along with everyone else).
Is it possible that this defensive system will hurt both Schroeder and Rodin's development? These are offensive forwards who are being treated like third line checkers (along with everyone else).
I don't see how. If there's one thing we know about Schroeder it's that his vision and skill level is great, whereas he needs to improve on his other qualities. I don't think he's suddenly going to forget how to snipe the puck or to make an amazing pass, but he might suffer in the NHL because he doesn't work hard enough or regularly gets burned defensively.
The better he is in other areas of his game, the more likely he is to get a real chance with the Canucks.
Is it possible that this defensive system will hurt both Schroeder and Rodin's development? These are offensive forwards who are being treated like third line checkers (along with everyone else).
The same way the Sedins, Kesler and Burrows were developed. Learn the defensive game and to play without the puck and then offence can kick in.
It's also something that keeps Schroeder engaged in games. He had a tendency to float and be invisible. If he's working hard defensively, he'll always be involved in the play and noticeable to the coaching staff.
Is it possible that Schroeder and his willingness to "buy into the system" and the fact Gillis took a flyer on him late in the first round a reason Hodgson was moved?
Is it possible that Schroeder and his willingness to "buy into the system" and the fact Gillis took a flyer on him late in the first round a reason Hodgson was moved?
As in, made it easier to move him...
Yes and No. It makes it easier to deal with the loss, but Cody was as good as gone regardless of Schroeder.
And this points to a problem with the Canucks and the Wolves. The Canucks might be able to really use some of the Chicago players but it is likely that the Wolves don't want them taken away. And Gordon got hurt tonight which might make the situation worse by making the Wolves even more reluctant to see players moved up. Too bad the Canucks don't have a little more control over the process or be working with a team that isn't as concerned about their on needs.
IN some ways you sare almost hoping the Wolves lose so the Canucks can players up without causing any friction.
I agree that Wolves management has some control over play movement but if the 'nucks need someone under contract, then the wolves really can't do anything about it. Unless the wolves are willing to pay the salary/pick up the contract on certain players (like the Moose did before). Its a professional relationship with a lot of respect so MG won't call someone up unless he needs to but if it makes the team better/better roster for the playoff, i doubt Chicago can do anything about the 'nucks putting certain players on the roster.
For example, if MG deems steve reinprecht is the 12th best forward on the team, he would get called up the first day of the playoff. If one of our goalies can't go one night (flu or something), than Lack will be the backup. There's really nothing Chicago management can do about this and all AHL suffers the same fate unless they sign all their own players (in which case they will likely end up with lesser talent and spend more money).
Would Reinprecht be an upgrade on Malhotra? In the opinion of the posters who watch both teams regularly.
I'm also very interested in the answer to this question, and also from posters who watch both teams. If it turns out that Reinprecht makes a useful contribution to a Canucks playoff run, that certainly would change the evaluation of the Booth trade (not that the trade looks at all bad for Gillis at the moment).
Would Reinprecht be an upgrade on Malhotra? In the opinion of the posters who watch both teams regularly.
Yes and no. Reinprecht clearly will be a better offensive player. He is also better fit to move up the line-up than the current vision of Malhotra.
That said, Malhotra is better in the circle and probably better fit for the role he's used in (PK specialist + FO in his own zone).
If the role is 6-8 minutes a night, mostly just own end and PK without expectation of production than Malhotra is better. If the role expands to say 10 minutes and not strictly starting all the time in their own zone and no need to be on the PK, then Reinprecht would be an upgrade.
But I think he's back here for the playoffs anyway - the only question is when.
