[GDT] Vancouver Canucks @ Chicago Chicken Hawks, Oct 22, 8:15 EDT (5:15 PST), The PLUCK THE FEATHERS & BEAT THE STUFFING OUTTA DA HAWKS Game!!!

[Rocket-68]

A Random Hockey Story

Spoiler

2024-25 Season Predictions for New Vancouver Canucks

July 27, 2024 by Matthew Zator

 

The Vancouver Canucks will have at least six new faces in the lineup when the puck drops on Oct. 9 against the Calgary Flames. General manager Patrik Allvin was busy early on in free agency improving the team (at least on paper) from what skated off the ice at Rogers Arena after their 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers. While they lost two big pieces in Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov to the Boston Bruins, they replaced them with cheaper options and now have way more depth up front and on the blue line. So, with that said, let’s take a closer look at the new additions and what we can expect from them in 2024-25.

 

 

Note: I am not including Abbotsford-bound Nathan Smith and Jiri Patera since they likely won’t see many games in Vancouver this season.

Jake DeBrusk

Jake DeBrusk was signed to play with Elias Pettersson (at least to start), so assuming they gain quick chemistry together, he could hit the ground running with goals and points right out of the gate. With his size, speed, and two-way game, he might be exactly what Pettersson has been looking for on his wing since he entered the NHL in 2018. He has succeeded with the likes of David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, David Krejci, and Patrice Bergeron in the past, so he’s no stranger to playing with elite players. He will also take up shop on the first-unit power play alongside Pettersson, JT Miller, Brock Boeser and Quinn Hughes, giving him a great opportunity to improve on the 19 goals and 40 points he put up last season.

Prediction: 30 goals and 70 points playing primarily with Pettersson and on the first power play unit.

Danton Heinen

Joining DeBrusk from the Bruins and yet another player with ties to Pittsburgh, Danton Heinen will be a Swiss Army knife for head coach Rick Tocchet and his staff this season. Capable of playing in all situations and up and down the lineup, I anticipate he will be a valuable piece of the Canucks’ efforts to repeat as Pacific Division champions. He is also joining his hometown team as a native of Langley, BC, so he should be extra motivated to perform in front of the Rogers Arena faithful. Coming off a season where he was nominated for the Bill Masterton Trophy and scored 17 goals and 36 points after joining the Bruins on a professional tryout contract (PTO), his confidence should be sky-high as well.

 

While Heinen is not guaranteed to play in the top six with an elite center like Miller or Pettersson, he will likely be given an opportunity with both of them in training camp. He played 153:24 at even strength with DeBrusk last season, so he might partner with his former Bruins teammate and give Pettersson two new linemates instead of one. He could also be a good fit with Miller and Brock Boeser as he plays a high-energy style that will dig into the corners and retrieve the puck for the two 30-goal scorers. Even if he doesn’t start the season in the top six, he will still be a valuable piece of the roster playing on both the power play and penalty kill ala the recently-traded Ilya Mikheyev – hopefully with way more production.

Prediction: 20-25 goals alternating between the top-six and bottom-six. He will also see plenty of time on special teams, most likely the second power play unit.

Daniel Sprong

There’s a new combatant for the top of the lineup in training camp, Daniel Sprong. The latest signing by Allvin and the Canucks might turn out to be one of the best as he has been a very effective forward in the NHL over the past two seasons. A veteran of 344 games and joining his sixth team at the age of 27, it’s surprising he wasn’t one of the first players off the board on July 1. Even he was confused by the lack of interest in his services.

 

“It’s kind of a wake-up call, but at the same time, I think it’s also good motivation and kind of put some fuel to the fire”

 

 

Sprong has been criticized for his defensive game in the past, and that is probably why teams were hesitant to sign him. But, if any coach is going to turn that part of his game around, it’s Tocchet. It’s also a good sign that he knows it’s a weakness and is committed to improving it. Having said that, the biggest reason he was signed was his ability to put the puck in the back of the net. In limited ice time (he has never hit more than 12 minutes) in 2022-23 and 2023-24, he had 39 goals – 30 of them at even strength – and has never really played with a lot of talent. Now he is a candidate to play on Pettersson or Miller’s wing and his shot could translate to a monster season in Vancouver at a budget-friendly number of $975,000.

Prediction: 25 goals playing mostly in the top-six and second power play unit.

Kiefer Sherwood

The Canucks not only added more goals and offence this offseason but a lot of physicality. Leading the way on that front is former Nashville Predators grinder Kiefer Sherwood. He was a bee in the bonnet in last season’s first-round matchup and got onto Allvin’s radar as a target once July 1 came around. He jumped at the chance to sign him, inking him to a two-year contract in the opening hours of free agency.

 

“We saw first hand in the playoffs how tough Kiefer is to play against,” said Allvin. “We like his quickness, tenacity, and the way he competes in all situations. Adding another physical player to the mix will work well with the way our forward group is currently constructed.”

 

Kiefer Sherwood, Nashville Predators

 

Sherwood threw 234 hits last season with the Predators, which would have placed him second on the Canucks behind Dakota Joshua, who had 245. He also scored a career-high 10 goals and 27 points, so he could be good for some offence as well. If nothing else, he will make the Canucks harder to play against, especially in the playoffs where the value of physicality and pest-like attributes are magnified.

Prediction: Another season of double-digits in goals, and 200-plus hits.

Vincent Desharnais

After losing the 6-foot-6 presence of Zadorov to the Bruins, Allvin replaced him with another monster in 6-foot-7 Vincent Desharnais. He won’t bring the same mobility or offence to the blue line, but he does hit and block shots. Last season, he had 135 hits and 122 blocked shots, all while playing his first full season in the NHL at 27 years old. He’s a bit of a late bloomer, having bounced around the ECHL and American Hockey League (AHL) before debuting with the Edmonton Oilers in 2022-23.

 

Desharnais’ role on the Canucks will likely be the same as it was in Edmonton. He won’t see time on the power play but will be one of the primary defencemen on the penalty kill. With the Oilers, he was the third-most utilized at 2:02 shorthanded time-on-ice per game (SH TOI/GP), and with workhorse Ian Cole (2:39 SH TOI/GP) now in Utah, he could see a lot more time on the PK this season. He should be up to the task given he’s not afraid to put his body in harm’s way, whether it be physically or dropping in front of a shot.

Prediction: Offensively, Desharnais won’t bring a lot, but the hits and blocked shots categories will hit triple digits, likely 150-plus in both.

Derek Forbort

The Canucks added even more size and physicality to the defence with Derek Forbort. He was plagued by injuries last season that limited him to only 35 games, but usually averages 100 or more hits and blocked shots when he is healthy. He made an unlikely return to the lineup in the playoffs after being shut down for surgery in March, which garnered a lot of respect from his coaches and teammates.

 

“Tremendous work ethic…I mean, he wanted to come back and play you know, dealt with a lot of injuries this year. And just the fact that he’s a great locker room guy, he’s got a great sense of humor, he cares about his teammates. It’s a good add in the locker room.”

– Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery

 

 

So, Forbort won’t only bring hits and blocked shots to the table, but character and leadership as well. Like Desharnais, offence isn’t his calling card, but stout defence and a willingness to block shots and do the little things defensively like boxing out in front of the net and playing physically along the boards. He will also add a lot to the penalty kill, which he was a big part of in Boston recording 3:01 SH TOI/GP in the 35 games he played. In fact, since he joined the Bruins in 2021-22, he saw the highest average ice time on the PK of everyone on the roster at 3:05, just slightly ahead of Brandon Carlo (3:01).

Prediction: Forbort will likely take Cole’s spot on the first-unit penalty kill and see similar average ice time as he saw in Boston. He will also return to the 100-plus blocked shots and hits that he was known for before his bout with the injury bug.

Canucks Will Be a Better & Deeper Team in 2024-25

Some people may think the Canucks are worse off without Lindholm and Zadorov. But, consider this, Allvin wouldn’t have had the cap space to re-sign Joshua, Teddy Blueger, and Tyler Myers, or add two wingers that could possibly thrive with Pettersson. Also, before the Lindholm and Zadorov additions, the Canucks were already an elite team near the top of the Western Conference. If nothing else, they’re returning a similar, and possibly bigger and tougher to play against roster than they had at the outset of 2023-24. Pettersson will also have two goalscorers on his wings in Sprong and DeBrusk, something he did not have on opening night against the Oilers last season. Time will tell, but I see this new and improved lineup accomplishing more great things in 2024-25.

 

Source: https://thehockeywriters.com/new-canucks-2024-25-season-predictions-debrusk-sprong-heinen/

 

*** Let's Check in at the quarter season mark to see how accurate the above is ***

 

Overview

Well, well, it looks like the train is righting itself and starting to pull  away from the station. All aboard, those that were jumping off the Canucks bandwagon just a couple of games ago. 

 

Those that were looking for a statement game got one on Saturday night. Posts, schmosts, you have to be in position to force a shooter to make the perfect shot to beat you. Defence has to be playing well harassing a shooter to rush their shot giving the goalie the best chance to make a stop. Flyers were in prime shooting spots a few times, high slot with puck on a shooter's strong side and the defence goalie tandem worked to reduce the danger probabilities. 

 

JT Miller - OOPHFF - scary right off the opening faceoff wincing at the 19:59 mark and then heading off for a few minutes. Boeser taking all the faceoffs after Miller returns was more of a precaution than JT was hurt, right ... RIGHT!!!! Hockey gods are smiling on us ... I hope, we shall see on Tuesday. 

 

Which gets me to the the meat of this Overview, the 'Nucks vs Hawks game. Canucks are sitting at 2-1-2 versus the Hawks 2-3-1. The couple of days off is fortuitous for our resident pile driver with silky hands - J --- T --- MIIILLLLLEEEERRRRRRRRR - rest, relaxation and treatment should do wonders for his probability of playing Tuesday. Miller's overtime winner is a stark reminder on how valuable he is to our beloved Canucks - a difference maker any time he steps on the ice. Miller is 6 shy of Daniel Sedin's 16 overtime goals record having played about 1/2 the games Danny did. Magic 8-Ball predicts JT breaks the record before he is done as a Canuck.

 

 

 

**** MORE TO COME ***

 

Quote of the day:

“He’s dealing with some stuff. We’ll figure it out in the next couple of days, but we didn’t want him to take faceoffs.” - Tic Toc on Miller's situation.

 

Head to Head Stats

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

Media

 

TV: Sportsnet Pacific, CHSN

Radio: SportsNet 650

Streaming: Fuck Sportsnet+ lots on various Reddit threads, here are a few sites (results may vary)

https://reddit.nhlbite.com/live

https://nhlwebcast.com/

https://v2.sportsurge.to/nhlstreams

https://nhlstream.net/

 

By the Numbers

Spoiler

Letting stats build up a bit. Perhaps at the quarter pole will start posting the numbers.

 

What the Bookies are Saying

Spoiler

 

The Chicago Blackhawks will square off with the Vancouver Canucks in NHL action at United Center on Tuesday, starting at 8:15PM ET.

 

Based on updated simulations, Dimers' proven NHL model (see Dimers Pro for full access) predicts the Canucks as the most likely winner of today's game.

 

"Our team has analyzed the latest data and conducted 10,000 simulations for Tuesday's Canucks-Blackhawks game," said Mac Douglass from Dimers.

"By incorporating recent updates and various factors, our prediction shows the Canucks with a win probability of 62%, compared to 38% for the Blackhawks."

Canucks vs. Blackhawks Prediction: Who Will Win, Cover the Puck Line?

Using trusted machine learning and data analysis, we have simulated the outcome of Tuesday's NHL matchup between the Canucks and Blackhawks 10,000 times as part of our NHL predictions coverage.

Our independent predictive model currently gives the Canucks a 62% chance of defeating the Blackhawks.

According to our model, the Blackhawks (+1.5) have a 60% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of 6 goals has a 53% chance of staying under.

 

 

 

Canucks vs. Blackhawks Picks

Our model's strongest edge in today's Canucks vs. Blackhawks matchup is on the puck line.

 

Canucks vs. Blackhawks Player Props

Who will score the first goal in Canucks vs. Blackhawks?

According to our model, Vancouver's Brock Boeser is most likely to score the first goal in Canucks vs. Blackhawks.

Our projections give Boeser an 8.0% chance of scoring the first goal at United Center, while the Canucks star is a 36.1% chance of netting an anytime goal.

 

 

 

Conclusion

We predict the Canucks, with a 62% win probability, will likely beat the Blackhawks on Tuesday.

 

Source: https://www.dimers.com/news/vancouver-canucks-vs-chicago-blackhawks-prediction-nhl-ac-october-22-2024

 

Matchup Info

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

Da Zebras

Spoiler

 

 

Now for some fun stuff

 

Canucks vs Blackhawks Mar 29, 2009

 

 

 

Blackhawks vs Canucks scrum May 9, 2009

 

Edited 42 minutes ago by Rocket-68

[Rocket-68]

Lotto Section

Here is the lotto ticket although the draw is this coming Tuesday. While the rules are probably well established, will post for clarity:

 

1) I am the sole arbiter on who gets what if anything, LOL, but I am a generous sort

2) Have to be posting in this thread for a chance at a small piece of the big prize if we should hit 7/7 numbers

3) I reserve the right to add someone to my ignore list retroactively, proactively or for any damn reason at all

4) Those on my ignore list will be properly compensated for posting in this thread even though buckets of shekels shall not rain down on them should the unlikely even happen. So to not have those souls go without, I will cobble together a swag bag consisting of:

• A toilet brush and busted bucket
• A pint of prairie oysters
• An autographed picture of the group cashing in on the lotto game ... woohoo
• A happy meal gift certificate ... hey, the rest will be dining at Joe Forte's pregame so have to at least provide a meal as compensation

 

 

Hockey Ticket Section

Up for grabs is a ticket to the Nov 19th Vancouver Canucks vs New York Rangers game. Yes, for reals. The ticket is in Section 110, Row 16, one of Seats 103 - 106.

 

Spoiler

 

Rules:

1) Most important one - make sure you are able to attend the game if your name is drawn

2) Must be posting in this thread AND answer the poll question in the affirmative ... I would hate to have an empty seat beside me

3) Must have a Ticketmaster account so the ticket can be pushed over 

... that is pretty much it, nothing more ...

 

How the winnner will be decided:

• After the end of the Canucks @ Black Hawks game, a numbered list of all eligible participants will be created. 
• List will be password protected and sent to @-dlc-
• @Ribs will then randomly draw a number between 1 and the number of eligible participants
• Ribs will post the winner and list in the next GDT I will do on Oct 26th
• I will push the ticket over to the winner's Ticketmaster account right away

 

Fairest way I could think of to give away a ticket is to have mods do it ... 

Note: Deb and Ribs might tweak the "how a winner will be decided" slightly but the gist is there.

 

Winner can also post receiving the ticket and preen outrageously at their good fortune to the rest of the CFF gang.

 

Edit: those that cannot make the game will be entered into a Timmies draw ... how much, we'll, more than a few shekels... $50 

 

Just have to figure out the gosh darn digital thingamabob dohickey. I am not very technical ... and to think I was the Senior Biz Analyst for a $600B digital transformation project for a major stock exchange.

Edited 15 hours ago by Rocket-68

[RWMc1]

5-3 Canucks win.

 

Go Canucks Go!!!!!

[helmetparade]

Now this is a game I really want to be a blowout

[GrammaInTheTub]

1 hour ago, Rocket-68 said:

Lotto Section

Here is the lotto ticket although the draw is this coming Tuesday. While the rules are probably well established, will post for clarity apply:

 

1) I am the sole arbiter on who gets what if anything, LOL, but I am a generous sort

2) Have to be posting in this thread for a chance at a small piece of the big prize if we should hit 7/7 numbers

3) I reserve the right to add someone to my ignore list retroactively, proactively or for any damn reason at all

4) Those on my ignore list will be properly compensated for posting in this thread even though buckets of shekels shall not rain down on them should the unlikely even happen. So to not have those souls go without, I will cobble together a swag bag consisting of:

• A toilet brush and busted bucket
• A pint of prairie oysters
• An autographed picture of the group cashing in on the lotto game ... woohoo
• A happy meal gift certificate ... hey, the rest will be dining at Joe Forte's pregame so have to at least provide a meal as compensation

 

**** TICKET TO COME SHORTLY ****

 

Hockey Ticket Section

Up for grabs is a ticket to the Nov 19th Vancouver Canucks vs New York Rangers game. Yes, for reals. The ticket is in Section 110, Row 16, one of Seats 103 - 106.

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

Rules:

1) Most important one - make sure you are able to attend the game if your name is drawn

2) Must be posting in this thread AND answer the poll question in the affirmative ... I would hate to have an empty seat beside me

3) Must have a Ticketmaster account so the ticket can be pushed over 

... that is pretty much it, nothing more ...

 

How the winnner will be decided:

• After the end of the Canucks @ Black Hawks game, a numbered list of all eligible participants will be created. 
• List will be password protected and sent to @-dlc-
• @Ribs will then randomly draw a number between 1 and the number of eligible participants
• Ribs will post the winner and list in the next GDT I will do on Oct 26th

 

Fairest way I could think of to give away a ticket is to have mods do it ... 

Note: Deb and Ribs might tweak the "how a winner will be decided" slightly but the gist is there.

 

Winner can also post receiving the ticket and preen outrageously at their good fortune to the rest of the CFF gang.

Bless you @Rocket-68! 

[Reg]

Liking the combative tone of the GDT however I always want to show some respect for our opponents. My expectation is that the boys start the next game all business, and are methodical about executing the game plan. GCG!

[Dumb Nuck]

@Elias Pettersson will Petey ever score again?

[Elias Pettersson]

33 minutes ago, Dumb Nuck said:

@Elias Pettersson will Petey ever score again?

Yes…

 

[RichterBelmont]

 

Go Canucks Go! Let's make it a streak!

[-dlc-]

Awesome GDT, thanks for doing this (and early too!!)

 

I have an update on Miller.  

 

[Jaimito]

Get that 3 game win streak.  

 

No easy games.  Can't take them lightly.  

[Harvey Specter]

Stick to the fundamentals and ride the high (momentum) of the Flyers defeat. However, do not discount Chi-Town. 

 

Hit hard, hit often, and show them the Northwest hospitality in their building. Sherwood and Co. bringing the boom in the Windy City. Go Canucks Go!

[RWJC]

1 hour ago, Elias Pettersson said:

Yes…

 

Hopefully on ice and not after a night at the Roxy 

[GrammaInTheTub]

2 hours ago, -dlc- said:

Awesome GDT, thanks for doing this (and early too!!)

 

I have an update on Miller.  

 

Reminds me of Sopel bending over to pick up a cracker explanation haha!

[Slegr]

This is a game we should and will win. Stick to the system, and we will prevail.

[-dlc-]

14 hours ago, GrammaInTheTub said:

Reminds me of Sopel bending over to pick up a cracker explanation haha!

My Mom and my daughter in law both LOVED Sopel. It was quite funny to learn that both of them were inflicted.

[GrammaInTheTub]

14 hours ago, -dlc- said:

My Mom and my daughter in law both LOVED Sopel. It was quite funny to learn that both of them were inflicted.

Sami Salo getting bitten by a snake on the preseason boys trip has to take the cake though. I don’t know if we’ll ever know if there was truth to it - but gosh is the message delivery funny 

[Alflives]

Still bothers Alf we gave the Hawks Curt Fraser for a marshmallow. 

[Gawdzukes]

Keep it steady in the dzone. No mistakes and cover Bedard. The goals will come.

[Ghostsof1915]

After the game Bedard demands a trade to Vancouver. 

 

Ok, so we can dream.....

[swimmer]

Keep improving and keep working hard. I predict another W

[Jaimito]

 

 

[Silent Man]

5 hours ago, GrammaInTheTub said:

Bless you @Rocket-68! 

I second that!

[viking mama]

1 hour ago, GrammaInTheTub said:

Sami Salo getting bitten by a snake on the preseason boys trip has to take the cake though. I don’t know if we’ll ever know if there was truth to it - but gosh is the message delivery funny 

 

Sammy Salo truly was the most snake-bitten Canucks’ player ever!

Edited yesterday at 04:33 AM by viking mama

[PeteyBOI]

Nice GDT....

lets hit em up!!!