Glimpse cohesion and movement
May 1st, 2008 by thewordbirdGlimpse cohesion and movement
A fascinating window can be looked at in certain lights. The Vancouver Canucks have an opportunity to set ethos and bring a promising group of young players along. The cupboards are nary as dry as being led on, players of certain ilk have a rare opportunity upcoming whether they are properly aware of it or not.
With some very impressive draft picks scattered though recent years, it seems some other areas throughout the organization may be looked at with a narrowed eye. Trumpet the fact that with a fostering posture to all available prospects, the Canucks can capitalize and maneuver through arduous terrain.
I know the Western Conference has take notice of something through these playoffs, this first day of May. Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Mike Green to name a few young established Capital stars await junior graduate Karl Alzner and one steal of a 35th overall pick in the next Bouchard, Francois. Anchored by strong, honest hockey once an ideal was determined and an effort was established in the playoffs. Niklas Backstrom responded. Key veterans were brought in and a German workhorse goalie had his load lifted, though important continuity remained I believe. Ted Leonsis is a demonstrating how an ideal can be set.
Accountability can iron out so many of the kinks in a hurry. The Penguins’ Rejean Shero gets ‘it’ too. Montreal’s acceptance allowed for surprising yet stupendous rewards this year. I will yield at the obvious examples and illustrate the lesser achievements for Kyle Chipchura, Ryan O’Byrne. Much of the West is going to have to realize now that replenished roster spots with eager, proven talents will gain results when cultivated. Philadelphia has already punctuated something as well. Act. Back it up with the knowledge of which players are going to bring a certain commitment to the table.
I saw what I needed to in the Sharks roster for one. Another club that faces challenges separate from those of Predators’ GM, David Poile. Devin Setoguchi, Joe Pavelski, Ryane Clowe and Torrey Mitchell rallied very impressively. Experience gained by a shocked, young defensive base that was not led in a secondary manner in the playoffs by the likes of Craig Rivet, Kyle McLaren or Curtis Brown like we nearly all expected. But they too have a chance to turn this latest bad turn and turmoil with what is essentially a luxury of riches. Then to arms.
Detroit has yet another wave of great talent. Anyone notice Darren Helm establish his role in a subtle manner? While Johan Franzen lights up the arena, with Hall Of Fame Company backed with terrific coaching and the first rate scouting network, the big boys are thinking a few moves ahead. Count on Los Angeles, St. Louis and Phoenix striding forward again next year. Foot-speed and integrity. Edmonton Oil is rich with talent.
Francesco Aquilini is charged with this as well. Your manager must examine his options well. I must trust they have done homework on this matter for the simple fact it now stands before the franchise. Alain Vigneault’s reaction alone is going to tell me a lot about this. How does he react or absorb the coming changes? Roberto Luongo and Brendan Morrison are the keys for me. What is the mindset here at training camp? Willie Mitchell and Mattias Ohlund are stalwarts and may be left to hold the fort with Bobby Lu. Imagine Luc Bourdon as your only worthy prospect…..some have, I hear those echoes.
Truth is Patrick White is one fine hockey player. It may not surprise me to see him Governor of Minnesota or a shipping magnate on the Pacific Rim. He could apply his hand a charming a crowd out of its pocket money as a magician, as he could don a Canucks’ jersey. But play the card. Dismissing or allowing his situation to get to the point of say, R.J. Umberger, well, it would be unacceptable. Training camps will open and I’ll expect to see the club advance in terms of a design. If ownership cannot see that a healthy fan-base is the lifeblood of how a ‘team’ works as a unit. I’m not extremely impressed to see that an organization needs to give someone a label such as ‘capologist’ or what have you, but perhaps Michael Gillis thought delegation was without question warranted. Fine.
Give Michael Grabner a legitimate chance to gel with say, Mason Raymond. Hell, Markus Naslund had chemistry with him too. Keep an open-mind to the possibilities available to it first. I do think Alexander Edler is afforded all the time he needs to adapt and grow. He may stumble; a nice example may be Nik Kronvall on the Red Wings. If he was to able to find a niche and fill a role. His passing is what I want to see get the puck up to Ryan Kesler and Ryan Shannon. Yannik Hansen did something important too, joining his national team. Watch his play for Denmark tomorrow perhaps alongside Lars Eller….
Established star prospects are there. Make every effort to secure another strong draft by relying on instinct as opposed to concerns involved. This is a new start. Approach the situation from a standpoint of stratagem and involvement, culture. Vancouver aches to see the same chance given to Pierre-Cedric Labrie, Juraj Simek and Russian enigma Ilja Kablukov. I know my eyes are peeled in anticipation of a star in the making being ignored or labeled unfairly by an inept organization. If the Wild were to take their eyes off of or even miscalculate their angle with Mikko Koivu, I would most certainly pave the wave for him to join my club. But the realization of the possibilities and truest possible read on the environment-will provide results.
It is Aquilini’s task set before him. Watershed point, sheer faces to either side. The distinctive, collective breath is being held in the Lower Mainland. I just hope for all’s sake that he knows mediums are naturally responsive and management cannot act on impulsion.
May 1, 2008
Robin Keith Thompson
9 Responses to “Glimpse cohesion and movement”
By Steve on May 3, 2008
Is this a sports article or a poem?
“Trumpet the fact that with a fostering posture to all available prospects, the Canucks can capitalize and maneuver through arduous terrain.”
I didn’t need a thesaurus to understand it, but seriously? “a fostering posture?” what the crap is a fostering posture?
Other than some interesting word choice, you make some good points, but I think you over-state the Vancouver prospect situation a tad generously. Goaltending is solid, and Edler looks good… but they need some more offence or they won’t improve.
By thewordbird on May 4, 2008
Well Steve, I guess you didn’t much care for that and I can jive with that. I do appreciate the fact that someone took the time to read it, I did go off on a tangent.
Truth is, in Vancouver, the emphasis on the talk radio and in popular opinion is that the Canucks have a piss poor drafting system, which is arguable. Believe me, most of these guys and gals have not done enough studying of other team’s prospects. The Canucks have some beauties if you count Shannon and Raymond, which I still do. They are young guys with speed and skill. Elder is the real deal. But I have eyes on Grabner, Matson, Simek, Hansen, Bourdon, Ellis and Schneider.
You are right, maybe I over-stated on the generous side. I wanted to make this point and maybe I got too long winded. The Canucks have some chips to play and this new regime is exciting in the sense that I hope they revamp the drafting/development system to be much more concise, with the emphasis on taking a chance on those real good gems later on while not wasting high picks.
The concern is that they are too easy to play against. Well, bring in Taylor Ellington for rookie camp and see how he does. Just give some of these kids a chance to gain that confidence. Maybe they only get a sniff at the Moose, maybe a gleam comes into his eye…..just give the kids a chance.
By Tab on May 6, 2008
Steve had a point, “word bird”, you write hockey blogs as if you are composing a sonnet for a lover.
However, I love you work. Both informative and interesting, especially your research regarding potential upcoming NHL players. You keep me coming back each week.
While you were perhaps being a little generous regarding the Canucks draft potential, I am glad to see that you have not jumped on the pity wagon along with so many other so called “fan,” and recognise the many young and up and coming. As well as stressing the need for effective scouting practices.
For instance, it blows my mind that the Canucks scouts have not aggressively pursued young players such as Milan Lucic, who used to play right in Vancouver for the Giants. And I think that the potential for great some amazing draft pick are possible in the near future for the Canucks. I strongly agree with you three step approach to the Canucks drafting system; “accountability…act… (and) to arms.”
By Jason C on May 9, 2008
The Canucks cupboard is bare. Granted, it’s better now than it was when Burke left, but still not substantial enough. Even with mid-first round picks we’ve always managed to go “off the charts.” After being disappointed by our first round picks over the years, it’s hard to sell yourself as a fan to a guy like Patrick White, whom some believed would’ve been available in the later rounds.
Mike Gillis has promised to impose a sort of sabermetric scouting system for future Canucks, and perhaps it could give the organization a bit of a change in direction over drafting strategies. We’ve traditionally gone with the “most NHL-ready” player, and time will tell if we stay true to that course.
By thewordbird on May 11, 2008
I would not say bare.
I am interested in the ’sabermetric’ system you speak of and have not come across that in any research Jason.
Try not to focus just on White’s stats this past year…..
By Tab on May 14, 2008
Sabermetrics is the analysis of baseball through objective evidence, especially baseball statistics. The term is derived from the acronym SABR, which stands for the Society for American Baseball Research. It was coined by Bill James, who was among its first proponents and has long been its most prominent and public advocate.”
By thewordbird on May 14, 2008
Thanks TAB, definately something to ponder
By Steve on May 29, 2008
Sorry to hear about Luc Bourdon’s death moments ago. Tragic loss for the hockey community and the Canucks in particular.
Unfortunately it also means the cupboard just got slightly more bare.
He got the bike 2 days ago and now he’s dead… just sad.