Veteran is not quite the shutdown force he was, but still gets all the tough assignments. More D-zone starts than any other blue-liner. Was second to Edler with 122 blocks, which is partly why he doesn’t stay healthy.Gets lots of criticism and, eventually, Granlund will be replaced. But versatile forward was handy for Canucks this season, helping lead 11th-ranked penalty kill and chipping in 12 goals from bottom of the lineup despite low O-zone starts.
2 faceoff percentage, was vital to penalty kill, and only three of the 584 NHL players who logged at least 41 games started in their own zone as often as Beagle .Wasn’t supposed to even play, but won NHL spot and became most consistent “energy” player for coach Travis Green. Led the team with 200 hits, was good on penalty kill and contributed nine goals without power-play time. Would have graded higher were it not for 43.8 per cent Corsi.
650 imacSportsnet I looked up some of the 3rd line wingers on the playoff teams and their point production is similar to guys like Loui and Grany. Johansson - Bruins - 13-17-30 15 toi Backes - Bruins - 7-13-20 13 toi Brown - Leafs - 8-21-29 13 toi Are we expecting too much out of our bottom 6?
imacSportsnet Not sure i understand how Stecher and Birthday can be in the same tier. Stecher was their best D when Edler was out, and good all season. I like Biega too, but they're not in the same class
imacSportsnet Watching the playoffs they need to get bigger.
imacSportsnet With those marks one might actually mistake them for a playoff team. No way 3 of them deserve As...maybe B+ or A- tops. EP only had 18g in his last 61gp and was injured twice. Bo dried up offensively and Marky had a rough start until December. You got Brock right, Edler maybe B-
imacSportsnet
imacSportsnet Probably should have mentioned the Canucks seemingly won the Gudbranson and Gagger trades. Pearson was a beast and Spooner actually chipped in quite a bit down the stretch. Excited about Pearson.