The Canucks have a VERY difficult decision to make here….

All right, so the Conucks and Oilers finished off a preseason game last night. A fun game to watch. The Oilers took it by a final score of 4 to3. And heading into the third period, it was a three- nothing game for the Edmonton Oilers. But I got to give hats off to the Vancouver Conucks cuz they battled back in that third period and made it a close score line. I don’t think they played awful in the first two periods. Had a couple of good looks, some posts, even a disallowed goal from Derek Forward for goalender interference, but in that third period, they really turned it on. And for a team that on paper didn’t have that many stars in the lineup. I mean, no one on the power play unit was playing from the other night along with most of the defense score being absent, I was really happy with the way they were creating chances. Honestly, that’s the main thing I’ve really liked about the new coaching system is the fact they’re actually moving their feet and getting to the open areas to create an opportunity. So, it’s promising to see that for sure. Obviously, McDavid and Dry Settle such great players. They’re going to do their thing. They connected for a couple goals in this game past Demco, but Demco actually did have a pretty good game. He made one really nice save here to keep it out with the paddle of his stick. That was incredible. I’d say three of the four goals that were scored on him weren’t really his fault. One of them maybe could have liked to have back, but I have liked what I’ve seen from him for the most part so far. As I said, the Oilers were up three nothing heading into the third period of play. The goals were from McDavid, Dry Settle, and Frederick who was set up by McDavid for that second goal. In the third period though, it’s Atu Ratu who finally gets himself on the board. And thank God he did because man, this guy was not looking that good for the first couple of games and I really want him to make the team because I know there’s a lot of untapped potential there and I do not want to lose to waivers. I think he should be the third line center when the season starts. Good to see him finally get on the board with a snipe pass Steuart Skinner to make it 3 to1. And right after that, it’s Praden Coots who just continues to show well and it’s getting harder and harder to cut this guy because he’s just been so great. Good hockey IQ on this play. Spins it to the slot where it’s going to pinball. It goes off of Ekholm’s foot and pass Skinner to make it a 3-2 game in short order. McDavid and Dell then move in on a twoon-one. And I think you know what’s going to happen there. Clinical goal from those two makes it a 4-2 game. Canucks late in the game. They pull their goalie. They’re down to Phil Heedle. Nice heads up play here. finds Lecher Maki who slaps it in past Steuart Skinner to make it a one-goal game. Leuraki is such a weird player because at the start of training camp, I thought there was no chance he was going to make the team, but he has just looked better and better as it has gone on and this was his best game yet against his toughest task. He’s playing against a very good Oilers squad and he looked great. Really confident with the puck, moving with it, finding himself in good areas to get good chances. Had a couple of good chances and he got himself that goal. Obviously, him and Coots are going to be the two most interesting players to watch as they make more and more cuts to this Vancouver Conucks team. You really don’t know what they’re going to do, but they’re really challenging for spots. Both these young players, you love to see it, but I really don’t know what they’re going to do or who they decide to keep and cut. It’s a good problem to have obviously, but you also have those other guys like the Assassins and the Carlson’s who are also vying for spots, but the difference is those guys are not waiver exempt. So, I don’t know what exactly you do there. The one guy I’m pretty certain I don’t really want to see on the Canucks main roster is RSD Baines. I think he’s had ample time to try and prove himself and he hasn’t really done anything with it. I think he is an AHL player who plays good at that level, but when he gets to the NHL, I don’t know, he just can’t really break through. It’s just my opinion. Obviously, let me know if you think I’m off the mark there. But yeah, that’s the main thing is that these young players, they’re really pushing the older guys for spots and there really is a log jam in that middle six of the forward core. We’re going to see who gets those spots, but Leer Mackey, probably the most volatile stock among any Conucks player, has just risen up after this game. The connection he has with Braden Coots is definitely going to be one to watch. And I want to know your thoughts in the comment section down below. If it were up to you, what is your bottom nine Vancouver Conucks lines with Hoglander out obviously? And assuming that the top line is De Brusk, Person, and Brock Besser, that I’d be very curious to see in the comments. But yeah, that’s all for me in this video, guys. Thank you for watching. Make sure you buy Midday Squares with the link in my description down below. Subscribe if you’re new. Peace out and take care.

The Vancouver Canucks fall to the Edmonton Oilers 4-3. Braeden Cootes and Jonathan Lekkerimaki both played great. Thatcher Demko also showed well with a really nice save. The Canucks young guns put up a good fight to keep up with a strong Oiler side, promising stuff for sure.

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43 comments

  1. I’m thinking the same thing with it being now or never I was expecting raty to be one of the best players and this is the only game he was alright so I hope he finishes strong because I agree there is a lot of potential there

  2. I want to know what people think the canucks are gonna do about garland/lekkermaki and that 2nd line rw spot? cause putting garland on the 3rd line but paying him 6 mil wouldnt be wise but i dont see the canucks putting lekkermaki on a bottom 6 role

  5. Kudryatsev flying under the radar being very solid. Unfortunately you are right about Bains, great guy for Abbotsford but just never seems to offer much at the NHL level.

  6. Canucks need to shoot shoot shoot,last year there were too many games where they didn't even get 20 shots. Tochet was a quality over quantity coach which I didn't like. You need to get rubber on the net.

  7. Kane Chytil Lekkerimäki
    O’Connor Cootes Garland
    Räty Blueger Sherwood

    I think they give Cootes the 9 game trial then Räty takes that 3C. Hopefully a healthy forward crew can be

    DeBrusk Petey Boeser
    Kane Chytil Lekkerimäki
    Höglander Räty Garland
    O’Connor Blueger Sherwood

  9. I though that these last 2 games lekkerimaki is looking good on AND off the puck. He is wining puck battles on the wall, pick pocketing people, and also playmaking and setting up others. Bains needs to go back to the AHL and try to see if he can get going down there

  11. Bottom 6 is…
    Hogs Raty Sherwood
    O’Connor Bleuger Karlsson

    With hogs injured Sasson takes his spot. He doesn’t have the same finish as Hogs but he’s fast and can play PK. Unless they go on a losing streak or they get another injury at RW, I don’t see their call up getting much ice time and I’d rather have Lekkerimaki, Cootes and baines continuing to build chemistry in Abby over sitting in the pressbox. I’d rather call up Aman if they just need the extra body.

  14. Was at the game. Cootes deserves a spot more than anyone else on the ice. He was giving his all every shift and was great!

    Forbort was the biggest let down. He shouldn’t make the team

  22. They should keep him for 10, reevaluate. If he's grown keep, if he stagnates send back to Jrs. He won't learn much more in Jrs, and with the CBA's AHL clause not kicking in til next year. the kid's best place is in the show.

  28. cootes needs to get at least middle 6 minutes if we're not sending him down to juniors to make sure he's developing well imo but i think it's worth it. he reminds me of wyatt johnston.

  30. A big question becomes which players make this Canucks’ team for the opening game of the coming regular season because coming back from large deficits is a risky strategy. They were after all 3-0 down after 40:00 and almost came back to tie the game up, but didn’t in the end tie that game up.

  31. I think the calder cup really helped develop our depth. Huge experience and confidence. I also think we won the calder cup because we had so many injuries that tons of those ahl guys got big experience time up in the NHL.

  39. I think the Canucks should just keep Lekkerimaki & Cootes on the main roster and just live with the growing pains they will endure during the season. Rather have potential star players than veteran role players that may or may not even be on the team past the trade deadline. Real NHL experience is what these players need to become better players, let them endure the grind of the season.

  40. As a habs fan if we didnt trade pick 16 and 17 i really wanted them to pick Cootes and Nesbitt these guys are made to be an nhl player and i do think they will be studs

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