I obviously think Hughes is a better defenceman, but they play different roles as defenders. So I will not be evaluating Hughes against Hronek because they play vastly different styles while also depending upon each other.
- Makita

One has been doing the heavy lifting in the Dzone largely error free. Hughes has made plenty of mistakes so far. So Hughes is better and they play different styles so you won’t analyze them against each other? If that’s the case, why offer an opinion in the discussion ?

One has been doing the heavy lifting in the Dzone largely error free. Hughes has made plenty of mistakes so far. So Hughes is better and they play different styles so you won’t analyze them against each other? If that’s the case, why offer an opinion in the discussion ?
- CanuckDon

Simply because you offered up an opinion that Hronek was vastly better and my opinion is to disagree with that opinion. So because they play different styles I’m not sure how you can compare the 2. That’s like comparing Miller to Pettersson 2 centers that play totally different styles.

Pay attention to the D zone tonight and let’s recap later. Of course Hughes is a better player. To date, Hronek has been better overall
- CanuckDon

Better yet watch Soucy. He's a much bigger concern for me right now because he gets far more D-zone starts than those 2.

Hronek needs to tame down the giveaways a bit. Hughes is the better player, period.

Hronek has been fantastic imo. Better than Hughes most nights
- CanuckDon

Haha yeah, I was just jokingly zero'ing in on goal scoring with all the attention to the goose eggs ... but look at the debate it started on a boring Monday!

Better yet watch Soucy. He's a much bigger concern for me right now because he gets far more D-zone starts than those 2.

Hronek needs to tame down the giveaways a bit. Hughes is the better player, period.
- Load Management

Soucy yeah not great but Desharnais ... woof! What was he doing on that Malkin goal. Hronek not a great play either, but Desharnais took himself out completely ... and then just gave up too.

Curious how the lineup fares swapping mustard boy for Forbert.

- NorthNuck

Myers

- NorthNuck

This is from Drance's article today, some good quotes in there, but about Brannstrom:

How Brännström can stay in the lineup

After Friday’s practice at UBC, Rick Tocchet was asked what Brännström needs to do to stay in the lineup once Derek Forbort rejoins the team. It’s no secret his puck-moving ability has been a revelation for the third pair — it’s something Tocchet has gushed about as well — but Vancouver’s head coach pointed to another area the coaching staff will be keeping an eye on.

“Footey (Adam Foote) showed a clip today where he had a bigger guy going to the net and he boxed the guy out. If he can do that, he’s going to stay in the lineup,” Tocchet said on Friday. “Just because he’s a smaller guy (it doesn’t mean he can’t do it), you can still get in front of people. I just think he’s improved every game.”

Brännström had another strong showing against the Penguins. He continued making smart, dynamic plays with the puck, but his defensive play was sharp, too. In the clip below, watch how he assertively pinned Michael Bunting against the defensive zone boards to help the Canucks steal possession back. He didn’t get an assist on the play, but it directly sparked the counterattack rush for Arshdeep Bains’ game-winning goal.

Brännström wasn’t on the ice for a single high-danger chance against in 13:13 of five-on-five action against Pittsburgh. The Canucks outshot the Penguins 15-6, had an 8-0 edge in high-danger chances and outscored them 2-0 during his minutes. For the most part, Vancouver has had concerning offensive metrics this season whenever Quinn Hughes has been on the bench. Brännström’s play is one of the reasons why Vancouver generated so many offensive looks and scored four even-strength goals without needing a superhero performance from Hughes, who still played well but didn’t score a point and was only on the ice for one of the Canucks’ four goals.

Tocchet also seems open to shifting Brännström to the right side once Forbort returns. He mentioned on Friday he checked the analytics of Brännström’s performance on the right side in Ottawa and that the numbers were fine. Whether it’s on the left or right side, Brännström needs to stay in the lineup so long as he’s performing at this level. Vancouver clearly needs what he provides on the back end.

Myers



- NewYorkNuck

This is from Drance's article today, some good quotes in there, but about Brannstrom:
- NewYorkNuck

Brannstrom is winning his easy minutes by a significant degree. If the top pair does their thing, and the bottom pair is gaining the team that much momentum, it's okay to have an sub-par middle pairing for the time being.

Pay attention to the D zone tonight and let’s recap later. Of course Hughes is a better player. To date, Hronek has been better overall
- CanuckDon

Pettersson has scored so we are clear of any issues there. Let's focus on Debrusk.

- Load Management

Tocchet appears happy with Myers.

Tocchet appears happy with Myers.
- LordHumungous

Why wouldn't he be happy? The guy plays some of the toughest minutes out there.

Oddsmakers have Carolina favoured tonight. Disrespectful.

Oddsmakers have Carolina favoured tonight. Disrespectful.
- bloatedmosquito

They're on the tail end of a long road trip, Andersen is out with an injury too...

Oddsmakers have Carolina favoured tonight. Disrespectful.
- bloatedmosquito

Looking forward to 45 low danger shots against from the perimeter. Carolina is a joke

Better yet watch Soucy. He's a much bigger concern for me right now because he gets far more D-zone starts than those 2.

Hronek needs to tame down the giveaways a bit. Hughes is the better player, period.
- Load Management

No one is disputing Hughes is the better player.

No one is disputing Hughes is the better player.
- CanuckDon

This is where we agree, and this comment below was why others replied to your statement.

“[quote=CanuckDon]Hronek has been fantastic imo. Better than Hughes most nights”

Just needed more context, why Hronek was better than Hughes most nights.

Pettersson has scored so we are clear of any issues there. Let's focus on Debrusk.
- LordHumungous

Hahaha like let's berate him until he scores? Canucks fandom for ya, not for the lighthearted.

This is where we agree, and this comment below was why others replied to your statement.

“
- Makita[quote=CanuckDon]Hronek has been fantastic imo. Better than Hughes most nights”

Just needed more context, why Hronek was better than Hughes most nights.

Hughes has had some really bad moments defensively while Hronek has been steady. Not to mention his offence is back. The wrist must be healed. Not sure why this is controversial

Hughes has had some really bad moments defensively while Hronek has been steady. Not to mention his offence is back. The wrist must be healed. Not sure why this is controversial
- CanuckDon

I don’t believe it is controversial at all, Hronek has made some terrible decisions himself, it’s just that you made a blanket statement.
Glad they are both on the team, glad they both play 90% of the game together, glad they are both unique and different to what they bring to the team.

I don’t believe it is controversial at all, Hronek has made some terrible decisions himself, it’s just that you made a blanket statement.
Glad they are both on the team, glad they both play 90% of the game together, glad they are both unique and different to what they bring to the team.
- Makita

I'd like to see them split up and Myers get his rightful promotion to the first pairing.

I'd like to see them split up and Myers get his rightful promotion to the first pairing.
- Load Management

Ok, you're not being funny anymore.

Ok, you're not being funny anymore.
- Danny Bomber

Ok, you're not being funny anymore.
- Danny Bomber

I'll be the judge of that. Besides, he has as many points as Hronek with less icetime and tougher zone starts.