[PGT] Vancouver Canucks at Nashville Predators // December 19, 2023

[BPA]

2 minutes ago, Cocanuck said:

This is a very well coached team!  Big z is a perfect addition and what the team needed.  Guys are playing hard.. miller is having an amazing year and doing everything asked of him..  now the question is, with all that being said, when does petey re sign?  What is the hold up?  

$$$ vs $$$$$

[Dr. Crossbar]

1 hour ago, Hairy Kneel said:

Defensive improvements have helped a lot. Our larger d has helped control our puck possession in our own zone and clearances.  Zad is a ingredient we needed.

 

Great addition by Allvin. Zad has had a positive ripple effect throughout the lineup. We're also playing with more confidence overall. 

[NHL Tyranny]

I'm still buzzing from last night's win. This is a special year.

 

I expect the team will be very different in 3 years, given the OEL penalty, flat cap, and high number of UFAs to contend with. It may be that this is the Nucks' year before taking a small step back, followed by a sustainable resurgence...  I would love to hear the what the 5 year plan is for this roster.

 

GCG

[Ghostsof1915]

12 minutes ago, NHL Tyranny said:

I'm still buzzing from last night's win. This is a special year.

 

I expect the team will be very different in 3 years, given the OEL penalty, flat cap, and high number of UFAs to contend with. It may be that this is the Nucks' year before taking a small step back, followed by a sustainable resurgence...  I would love to hear the what the 5 year plan is for this roster.

 

GCG

Thank you Captain Morale.

[Alflives]

11 minutes ago, NHL Tyranny said:

I'm still buzzing from last night's win. This is a special year.

 

I expect the team will be very different in 3 years, given the OEL penalty, flat cap, and high number of UFAs to contend with. It may be that this is the Nucks' year before taking a small step back, followed by a sustainable resurgence...  I would love to hear the what the 5 year plan is for this roster.

 

GCG

Willander will be playing an important role on our D on an ELC when the OElevator cap costs are highest. 
Benning is gone. We have Gillis like greatness in our management again. 

[canucks curse]

28 minutes ago, NHL Tyranny said:

I'm still buzzing from last night's win. This is a special year.

 

I expect the team will be very different in 3 years, given the OEL penalty, flat cap, and high number of UFAs to contend with. It may be that this is the Nucks' year before taking a small step back, followed by a sustainable resurgence...  I would love to hear the what the 5 year plan is for this roster.

 

GCG

In 2-3 yrs 

 

Reinhardt EP Letteremaki 

hoglander Miller Brock 

Joshua Suter Pods

Bains  Aman Karlsson

Raty

hughes Wallander

Zads Hronek 

Soucy McwRd

hirose Bruster 

 

demko

silvovs 

[Grandmaster]

Now that there is a roster freeze as of last night, it looks like Kuzy is staying till after the holidays. Freeze is over on the 28th. 

[AmyTheGma]

9 hours ago, jannick_handsome said:

This pains me to say. I like admiring the female form as much as anyone, and I know that is something that straight men enjoy until they put us in the cold hard ground. But I’ll tell you for a fact that neither of my daughters is cool with having to hang out here if it’s gonna be a bunch of dudes posting pinup material. Maybe we can try to make this a place where women feel welcome instead of creeped out. End rant. 

As a woman who hangs out here, I have never felt any awkwardness or been treated with any disrespect.  Other women exist and men can find them attractive.  That’s life, your daughters should not need to be coddled and if they are being respectful to other posters I suspect they will be treated with respect too.

[Jaimito]

I'm a fan of this big guy. 

 

 

https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/canucks-qa-engaging-educated-nikita-zadorov-comes-to-the-emotional-rescue?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1703024621

 

 

Canucks Q&A: Engaging, educated Nikita Zadorov comes to the emotional rescue

Nikita Zadorov has opinions, lots of opinions. From the state of the Canucks to the war in Ukraine, he's not afraid to dish as hard as he hits.

 

Ben Kuzma

Published Dec 19, 2023

 

Nikita Zadorov is fresh, frank and funny.

 

The hulking Vancouver Canucks’ defenceman considers himself a fashionista — yes to turtlenecks, yes and no to chains — and his quick wit is a delight amid the daily drone of locker-room cliches.

 

Zadorov has come to the emotional rescue to ensure nobody messes with star players — like Sunday in Chicago when he fought to answer a hard hit on Elias Pettersson — and as a well-educated citizen of the world, the Moscow native also has strong opinions on the war in Ukraine.

 

All this is bundled up in a 6-foot-6, 248 pound frame that addresses a continuing need for size, bite and possible offensive potential. Zadorov has played just nine games since being acquired from Calgary, but has lit a flame about parameters of a possible contract extension.

 

Zadorov, 28, will have a lasting place in the North American game that captured his imagination after competing in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament in 2008. And when he hangs up the skates, there could be a place for him in world diplomacy.

 

Zadorov was asked in September about the continuing war and Russian atrocities in Ukraine, and his responses were like punches to the face of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

 

“I’m a pretty straightforward person,” Zadorov told Postmedia News. “As hockey players, we can use our platform. If people ask me a question, I’m going to give an honest answer.

 

“They (Russia) call it an invasion but it’s not an invasion. That’s bulls–t. It’s a war. They’re sending rockets and killing people and when you cross the border first, that’s a war. They make up cool words so it doesn’t look so bad, but that’s part of propaganda.

 

“They’re literally killing people who we have lived beside. I don’t know what (Putin) is trying to do or the U.S. (financial and arms support). There’s a lot of stuff that goes into politics and I’m trying to educate myself.

 

“With his regime, it’s impossible to go back to Russia. I don’t see a future of myself or my kids in that country.”

 

Here’s the hockey side of Zadorov, a 2013 first-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres, in our weekly Canucks Q&A:

 

Q: What was the famous Quebec pee-wee tourney like?

 

A: It was more like we’re not good enough. We got smoked. L.A. Selects and Detroit Honeybaked were the two best teams and we got beat 4-1. It was just a crazy and cool experience with 17,000 fans. That’s when I realized I wanted to come over and play here.”

 

Q: You played defence, so why idolize Steve Yzerman?

 

A: He was my favourite player growing up. A lot of Russians grew up with the Red Wings — The Russian Five (Sergei Fedorov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Slava Kozlov, Slava Fetisov and Igor Larionov) — but I didn’t like the Russians. I liked Yzerman, I don’t know why. I liked Darren McCarty, too, because he was fighting a lot (1,447 penalty minutes).

 

Q: How did figure skating factor into the development?

 

A: I worked with a coach from age seven to 13. It’s impossible to change your skating after you’re 18. You can add some skill stuff, but it’s important at a young age. I played a little basketball in middle school, but you have to commit to one sport if you want to be good. My parents always invested. I had 6 a.m. practices.

 

 

Q: What do you recall about first NHL goal on Oct. 19, 2013?

 

A: With Buffalo against Boston and (goalie) Chad Johnson. It was a backhand. I went around Brad Marchand and put a backhander far side. I was a rookie. Marcus Foligno and Steve Ott got the apples (assists).

 

Q: Ted Nolan was a tough Sabres’ coach. Hurt or help you?

 

A: I had a really good relationship. One GM drafted me and new GM had different goals. I got traded for (Ryan) O’Reilly and that’s what Buffalo wanted. So, that was cool. My first year in Colorado, I was up-and-down because coach (Patrick) Roy liked veterans more than young guys.

 

Q: How do Adam Foote and Sergei Gonchar aid your game?

 

A: Foote had a coach on top of him all the time, so he knows how to treat players, what we want to hear and what we don’t. He helps my style for sure. And Gonchar is saying stuff I’ve never heard. He shows where to create more shooting lanes and where to put your feet and body to make better passes.

 

There are so many coaches. You can learn a lot from this staff.

 

Q: You’re still finding your way. What’s the potential?

 

A: I’m not even close to what I can do and what coaches want to see. I can skate more and make more plays. When I get used to it (systems), it will show for sure.

[RakuRaku]

8 hours ago, I.AM.THE.WALRUS said:

Draft pics maybe?

hmmmmm nahh.... we need more!! a top 6 calibre player making less $ than Kuz!! our offensive output may not stay consistent or 100% healthy for playoffs....

[cuporbust]

[RakuRaku]

18 minutes ago, canucks curse said:

In 2-3 yrs 

 

Reinhardt EP Letteremaki 

hoglander Miller Brock 

Joshua Suter Pods

Bains  Aman Karlsson

Raty

hughes Wallander

Zads Hronek 

Soucy McwRd

hirose Bruster 

 

demko

silvovs 

 

Who is Reinhardt? did we draft him? really top line winger calibre? 

 

And... are we better off keeping Suter over Blueger? and keeping Podz over Miky who's already more than proven??

 

I like Karlsson but he's just not NHL ready and don't think he'll stick... 

[-dlc-]

Things that this organization does for players were called "country club" in the very recent past but if you get the right mix of players who appreciate that rather than act entitled to it, you get something special. The attitude can rub off in the wrong way if players aren't all in. Z's comments have reinforced how special it is to be here, in this city.

 

I remember long ago when they brought in state of the art equipment and services (lockers that had quick dry for equipment, sleep experts, etc.) - stuff to go above and beyond to try to create the best environment possible for success. Many out there poopoo'd it but it's what good employers do to try to get the best out of their employees....they set the stage for that. Give them tools to help them feel good about going to work each day.

 

Players are wanting to come here again, for various reasons. The coaching staff, alone, is pretty stellar. 

 

It's really great that our team shines again....I don't care what the rest of the league thinks/says, our fans deserve this ride. No matter what happens, our team is getting some of the accolades they deserve and are finally gaining some respect. Even though there are still some out there who want to credit our success to luck/scheduling/etc. it's hard to deny the season they're having so far. (We were always told "you have to be good to be lucky").

 

I especially love that the Edmontons of the league are struggling and have to claw their way back in. They've had golden opportunities with #1 picks and still aren't having a great year. Let the negativity cloud other teams for awhile...we're having fun over here.

 

We had a great core and needed the right supporting staff in place...that now seems to be happening. When the big dogs are having an off night, the others are filling in quite nicely. And we even have a big dog (Z) who really will help Petey to an easier time out there. Especially with Petey wanting to hit/play physical...guys won't come back at him quite as hard as they were.

 

It's so fun to be a fan right now. Going into Christmas especially so...the diehards here deserve this. Cheers everyone! It's so fun to share all this with you (y'all).

[spook007]

1 hour ago, Dr. Crossbar said:

 

This is true. I really like Kuz, as we all do, but our place in the standing, goal differential back up his decisions.

 

And I'm rooting for Kuz to succeed ... Joshua was in Tocchet's doghouse and look at him now.

Couldn't have said it any better myself amigo. 

[Rubik]

9 hours ago, jannick_handsome said:

This pains me to say. I like admiring the female form as much as anyone, and I know that is something that straight men enjoy until they put us in the cold hard ground. But I’ll tell you for a fact that neither of my daughters is cool with having to hang out here if it’s gonna be a bunch of dudes posting pinup material. Maybe we can try to make this a place where women feel welcome instead of creeped out. End rant. 

 

how often do you see "pin-up material" being posted here? genuine question

[tas]

11 minutes ago, Rubik said:

 

how often do you see "pin-up material" being posted here? genuine question

even once would strike me as remarkably out of place.  

[-dlc-]

2 hours ago, stawns said:

 

He's having a good season, not a good couple of weeks

He's had moments that put our team behind rather than ahead.

 

No, he hasn't always had a "good" season. Tackling Petey, sliding on the ice and putting himself out of the play when he could use his big body/stick much more effectively. Standing in front of our goaltender (screening him) rather than clearing out the crease.

 

He is NOW having a better season. But you can't ignore the gaffes and blunders....and there have been quite a number.

 

Stating your opinion like a fact doesn't make it so.

[The Arrogant Worms]

19 minutes ago, Rubik said:

 

how often do you see "pin-up material" being posted here? genuine question

Never.

[IBatch]

3 hours ago, Attila Umbrus said:

 

One thing we haven't talked much about is how having one tough mother like Zads on the team makes everyone else play 10 feet tall. 

 

Lots of our players are standing up for eachother now. Having a big guy like that who doesn't take crap and hits like a train keeps the other team more honest. They never know who's gonna get popped. And our players feel much more protected on the ice, even when he's not on it. He keeps the game honest and our players probably feel much safer now with him on the team. Since his arrival our team has changed in this department drastically. Everyone is standing up for eachother big time now. And that's the un weighed big Z effect. Something that has lost value in the entire NHL, and this guy brings it in spades. Worth every penny whatever he gets paid imo.

 

No more turning the Horvat cheek anymore. Not to slag on him, or beat a dead horse...but for years our team has been charmin soft.

 

You don't need to fight to be tough, you just need to play hard and physical and that alone will make a lot of teams wilt under the pressure.

Yep.  

[JayDangles]

2 hours ago, Alflives said:

We played 7 games in 10 nights in 7 different cities in one very difficult part of our schedule in November and came through that set of games .500

The travel for us absolutely makes playing at our best every game impossible. To be overly critical of our home club, when there are obvious reasons for their less than stellar play, is foolish. 
We see how great our club is when they get some rest. We dominate. Just accept we are a great team. Look how much of a joke Buffalo and Ottawa are! And the Coilers too! All three are laughably bad. Their top minute and highest paid guys refuse to play defensively. Three joke teams. 
 

But again, you're using information now to bolster your position.  It's much easier to say "hey look, 7 game point streak so i guess you were wrong"

Reality then was this team was slumping. You can point to a number of different reasons or excuses, but thats all they are. On the ice the team was playing poorly and everyone should be in agreement with that. At that point they hadn't rebounded with a 7 game point streak like they just did.

 

For sure if the team slumps again in January I would have a different viewpoint and not be as critical because they have proven they can rebound. They have proven they are more of a .650 team than a .500 team. But 3 weeks ago all they had proven was they had a hot start and reality seemed to be catching up.

But they are growing as a team now and rallying back. Thats good for everyone.

 

I just cant stand the smart assess that use hindsight to act superior. 

 

[CanucksJay]

13 hours ago, WHL rocks said:

7 - 1 - 1 since Zadorov trade.

 

Zad and Myers just don't allow goals against. They're such a solid pairing 

I was thinking this too. 

 

The size , strength, reach, physical toughness both good Skaters.

 

If they keep showing well like this, I wouldn't mind if we Re-signed both and use them as our shut down pair. 

[-dlc-]

14 hours ago, jannick_handsome said:

This pains me to say. I like admiring the female form as much as anyone, and I know that is something that straight men enjoy until they put us in the cold hard ground. But I’ll tell you for a fact that neither of my daughters is cool with having to hang out here if it’s gonna be a bunch of dudes posting pinup material. Maybe we can try to make this a place where women feel welcome instead of creeped out. End rant. 

I really appreciate this post and think I know what prompted it. As a female, I don't feel uncomfortable with the human body and so I let it go...but I imagine if my daughter was here I may feel differently. But that's also in part on me, as a parent, to walk through with my children and help them decide if it's somewhere they want to hang out (or that I want them to). To monitor, have talking points, and then weed through it all. When my son was young we had to do that with wrestling...he loved it. So I watched WITH him and we discussed how it wasn't "reality", etc. Rather than shield him from it, I tried to have an impact on what he took from it because he/our children WILL encounter stuff out there. And the world won't change for us but we can prepare them for the world. I'm not meaning to sound preachy or know it all...just offering a woman's perspective who's had to navigate a man's world with her children.

 

The internet is full of stuff to be creeped out over and  it's a jungle and so I admire your diligence in that. For the most part, I feel the stuff posted here is more tongue in cheek than creepy stalker but that's my perception (as a female posting here).

 

I do take a bit of offence at the description of "a bunch of dudes posting pinup material" as we have quite a few really awesome females (and males) posting here. So to overlook that aspect does us a disservice as women who do contribute here. This forum is for everyone and we've been welcomed here and shown respect.

 

This place has a bit more freedom and the rules aren't as rigid as the other team associated site. For the most part, I think people enjoy the rules being loosened a bit but we still do moderate inappropriate content if deemed so. My rule of thumb is let the consensus rule (to some degree). Let the people decide...and your comment will be included as part of that.

 

Thing is, it IS a hockey site and that comes with a bit of testosteroney fried bologna. With that, if you see anything you see as inappropriate, please use the report button as it's the most effective avenue to make sure your point is heard and then mods can weigh in and take action if deemed necessary.

 

Thanks for your input, it is appreciated.

[Barnstorm]

17 minutes ago, -dlc- said:

Things that this organization does for players were called "country club" in the very recent past but if you get the right mix of players who appreciate that rather than act entitled to it, you get something special. 

 

 

We had a great core and needed the right supporting staff in place...that now seems to be happening. 

I  think you have mis-interpreted the “country club “ analogy . 
 

I don’t know of anyone, particularly in the “very recent past”, that has begrudged the players being treated well and receiving anything possible from management to help the team succeed.
 

In fact, most contributors here acknowledge the difficult schedule , extenuating travel and lack of practise time. They agree with any ideas and perks available in terms of making the player’s better able to compete. 
 

Country club was referencing the fact that rarely were the players held accountable. Coaching staff,  ie Green, Boudreau  and their support staff were quick to make excuses for losses. That’s a good team over there. 

Players were becoming frayed at the edges due to poor organizational skills  and it showed in both on and off ice performance. No one was able or willing to grab the bull by the horns and rein things in.  
 

Your own post describes the absence of the “right supporting staff”. 
 

This country club environment description was never about good meals, state of art health care, better travel or day to day perks. 
 

Fans are not opposed to treating the players well. 
 

Problems arise when inmates run the asylum. Miller screaming across the ice “ we don’t know what we’re doing” indicated the coaching staff had no control of the players direction. 
 

We have solid leadership in coaching now which translates to solid player leadership and results on and off ice. The coach’s have taught them

that the game is fun but it’s not a holiday camp either.

Hard work/ commitment  is required everyday, playing or not. 

You can have all the luxuries in the world. It’s not a holiday camp if you have to work your ass off and adhere to policy to retain your membership. 
 Kuzmenko seems to be the only one not learning you now have to both listen and adhere in this environment.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

[-dlc-]

Just now, Barnstorm said:

I  think you have mis-interpreted the “country club “ analogy . 
 

I don’t know of anyone, particularly in the “very recent past”, that has begrudged the players being treated well and receiving anything possible from management to help the team succeed.
 

In fact, most contributors here acknowledge the difficult schedule , extenuating travel and lack of practise time. They agree with any ideas and perks available in terms of making the player’s better able to compete. 
 

Country club was referencing the fact that rarely were the players held accountable. Coaching staff,  ie Green, Boudreau  and their support staff were quick to make excuses for losses. That’s a good team over there. 

Players were becoming frayed at the edges due to poor organizational skills  and it showed in both on and off ice performance. No one was able or willing to grab the bull by the horns and rein things in.  
 

Your own post describes the absence of the “right supporting staff”. 
 

This country club environment description was never about good meals, state of art health care, better travel or day to day perks. 
 

Fans are not opposed to treating the players well. 
 

Problems arise when inmates run the asylum. Miller screaming across the ice “ we don’t know what we’re doing” indicated the coaching staff had no control of the players direction. 
 

We have solid leadership in coaching now which translates to solid player leadership and results on and off ice. The coach’s have taught them

that the game is fun but it’s not a holiday camp either.

Hard work/ commitment  is required everyday, playing or not. 

You can have all the luxuries in the world. It’s not a holiday camp if you have to work your ass off and adhere to policy to retain your membership. 
 Kuzmenko seems to be the only one not learning you now have to both listen and adhere in this environment.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Mostly that was intended toward the media, NOT the people here.

 

 

[Barnstorm]

2 minutes ago, -dlc- said:

Mostly that was intended toward the media, NOT the people here.

 

 

Curious what media was calling this organization a country club or suggesting things are easy here recently. I’m not hearing that anywhere nor have I been.