I just don't get all the Booth hate. All I heard before last season was how we needed a big bodied forward who could play in our top 6 and drive the net. That's pretty much what we have in Booth, plus he's a work horse who can skate really fast.
Yes I'd prefer he was 6' 3" 220lb with a bit more speed, harder hits, Schroeder passing, elite vision, slightly better shot, with more 1on1 moves, who can play center, defensively sound, better fighter....
stop nitpicking..
EDIT: To bring this back to Kesler. He's a GREAT defensive player who's build his game around hard work. He's shown he can produce offensively but I believe he should never be put in a situation to 'produce' offense unless he's the secondary threat on the line. Put him with guys who work hard and hustle, shut down a line and the offense will come.
The Booth hate stems from 1 goal in his last 20 games last year... a pointless one against the Oilers. And now two long stretches on the IR already.
Also, Kesler and Booth played awful together, there was no creativity or play making(not like Booth will ever be able to do this) but why ruin Kesler by saddling him with Booth?
IMO Booth should be on the third line skating around bumping into guys and trying to jam the puck in the net. He's basically a really fast grinder that's terrible in his own end anyways. The Raymond and Kassians of this year >>> Booth last year.
Also, Kesler and Booth played awful together, there was no creativity or play making(not like Booth will ever be able to do this) but why ruin Kesler by saddling him with Booth?
The AMEX line (Kesler, Booth, and Higgens) had a short but excellent run together prior to Booth being injured.
After that Kesler and Booth never had a stretch of games where both guys were healthy and at the top of their games.
I would like to see what they look like when both are healthy and in game shape before making any further conclusions about how they play together.
The Booth hate stems from 1 goal in his last 20 games last year... a pointless one against the Oilers. And now two long stretches on the IR already.
Also, Kesler and Booth played awful together, there was no creativity or play making(not like Booth will ever be able to do this) but why ruin Kesler by saddling him with Booth?
IMO Booth should be on the third line skating around bumping into guys and trying to jam the puck in the net. He's basically a really fast grinder that's terrible in his own end anyways. The Raymond and Kassians of this year >>> Booth last year.
Booth had 27 points in 40 games before he started slumpin...
I suspect Burrows and Kassian will rotate a little as well as Raymond and Booth.
I think Weise and Manny will take turns sitting out.
As far as Schroder goes I think he will have to be really good to hold down his spot for the full season.
My guess is AV and GMMG still believe the 3rd line should be a more traditional checking unit and would like to upgrade that spot either through the Luongo trade or at the deadline.
That scenario pushes Schroder back to the AHL as injury depth, which is perfectly fine in the short term. Most young players are well served by moving up and down the first few years of their NHL career.
Then I guess they haven't learned from last year. This is exactly why I refuse to support this team by actually going to games this year because of the garbage philosophy that this team has employed. But we'll find out.
Schroeder has played very well up here, and deserves to continue playing up here for the rest of the season. He's played well defensively and made things happen offensively. Sending him down for a no-offensive talent 3C would be a huge mistake, and an even bigger mistake if we waste an asset like Roberto Luongo to acquire one.
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I told ya so. I was right all along!
Then I guess they haven't learned from last year. This is exactly why I refuse to support this team by actually going to games this year because of the garbage philosophy that this team has employed. But we'll find out.
Schroeder has played very well up here, and deserves to continue playing up here for the rest of the season. He's played well defensively and made things happen offensively. Sending him down for a no-offensive talent 3C would be a huge mistake, and an even bigger mistake if we waste an asset like Roberto Luongo to acquire one.
If Gillis and AV think that the aquiring of a barely talented grinding third line center is the way to go we're in trouble. If they decide to go all out and get a guy who by all rights should be in the top but for our third line like when the penguins were Crosby/Malkin/Staal then I'm fine with that.
But not letting Schroeder play would be a huge mistake.
Then I guess they haven't learned from last year. This is exactly why I refuse to support this team by actually going to games this year because of the garbage philosophy that this team has employed. But we'll find out.
Schroeder has played very well up here, and deserves to continue playing up here for the rest of the season. He's played well defensively and made things happen offensively. Sending him down for a no-offensive talent 3C would be a huge mistake, and an even bigger mistake if we waste an asset like Roberto Luongo to acquire one.
I suspect Burrows and Kassian will rotate a little as well as Raymond and Booth.
I think Weise and Manny will take turns sitting out.
As far as Schroder goes I think he will have to be really good to hold down his spot for the full season.
My guess is AV and GMMG still believe the 3rd line should be a more traditional checking unit and would like to upgrade that spot either through the Luongo trade or at the deadline.
That scenario pushes Schroder back to the AHL as injury depth, which is perfectly fine in the short term. Most young players are well served by moving up and down the first few years of their NHL career.
More or less agree. The one thing that could allow Schroeder to fit that scheme is to put him at the 2C and push Kesler to the wing. I no longer think this is as unlikely as I once did.
^ Apparently Gilman has suggested that might be a possibility, and two members of the Canucks brass were high on this idea (from PITB or Canucks Army, can't remember).
Apparently Booth took the game day skate along with Kesler today. That's good news. Maybe Kesler back within a week and Booth not too far behind. At 6-2-2 no rush to get them back but dam I feel more confident about this team...
Kassian probably should be back on the 4th line if everyone is healthy. The only place he's ever shown that he fits is with the Sedins, but who doesn't?
That is the first time I have written that, and the first time I have written I think he will be sent down... So yeah
Moreover I think you need to understand the why. This is nothing about Jordan himself, I think he deserves to play on this team. However when Kesler and booth come back, two guys will need to be sent to the wolves. Jordan is waiver exempt so he goes straight through. It is better to keep your depth then lose it.
I know you are thinking but its just blank and blank, but if we get a few injuries especially in the playoffs, wouldn't you rather have a lot of NHL talent instead of none?
Wouldn't you rather have the best possible roster?
Kassian probably should be back on the 4th line if everyone is healthy. The only place he's ever shown that he fits is with the Sedins, but who doesn't?
Kassian probably should be back on the 4th line if everyone is healthy. The only place he's ever shown that he fits is with the Sedins, but who doesn't?
^ Apparently Gilman has suggested that might be a possibility, and two members of the Canucks brass were high on this idea (from PITB or Canucks Army, can't remember).
Did he say something about Schroeder playing on the second line and kesler to the wing...that would be ideal
Did he say something about Schroeder playing on the second line and kesler to the wing...that would be ideal
Botchford said that a few 'higher-ups' in the Canucks organization believe that the ideal spot for Kesler is on the right wing rather than center. That was a follow-up to a tweet about Schroeder being #2C when Kesler is back.
Did he say something about Schroeder playing on the second line and kesler to the wing...that would be ideal
Yes, Gilman mentioned that it was a possibility.
Quote:
"Ryan is a finisher, he's a shooter and he's a unique centreiceman (he's also really good at Faceoffs which is a key role for a centreiceman)," explained Gilman, "but some of the best hockey Kesler played in my time here is when he played right wing, with Mats Sundin in the middle." He continued to discuss a scenario in which the Canucks might consider moving Ryan Kesler over the wing, "When you have assets like Jordan Schroeder you have the luxury of maybe playing Ryan with other players."
Apparently Booth took the game day skate along with Kesler today. That's good news. Maybe Kesler back within a week and Booth not too far behind. At 6-2-2 no rush to get them back but dam I feel more confident about this team...
According to Jeff Patterson, he needs surgery instead... what a tool Jeff is.
Botchford said that a few 'higher-ups' in the Canucks organization believe that the ideal spot for Kesler is on the right wing rather than center. That was a follow-up to a tweet about Schroeder being #2C when Kesler is back.
It's a tough call because Kesler is so strong defensively up the middle but possesses the offensive skillset of a winger. His size, speed and elite forechecking ability make him the ideal person to get in on opposing dmen and his shoot first style and great shot fit well off the right wing.
If Kesler is the one taking draws and playing the role of centre on his side of centre while Schroeder plays as the centreman on the atacking side of the red line I think you get the best of both worlds. Though those adjustments might hurt the lines effectiveness.
It's definately something worth looking at when Kesler comes off injury and isn't at the top of his game.
Schroeder has played very well up here, and deserves to continue playing up here for the rest of the season.
He's played well but there is no entitlement when it comes to rookies. When we get healthy his play will need to stay at a high level or he will 100% be sent down.
Quote:
He's played well defensively and made things happen offensively. Sending him down for a no-offensive talent 3C would be a huge mistake, and an even bigger mistake if we waste an asset like Roberto Luongo to acquire one.
I think it depends.
If the top2 lines are killing it offensively then a defensive 3rd line is the way to go.
That said, we haven't seen that type of offensive game from our second line in a while and right now I probably feel more comfortable with a 3rd line that can score some and a 4th that can take defensive zone draws.
