Mëds wrote:[
Due to the incredibly one-dimensional approach that the Sedins bring to offense, there is a need to revamp the system.....at least through the other 3 lines. The twins have created next to nothing against the Bruins, Kings, and Sharks, since 2011. So long as defenders don't get caught staring at their passing plays and just play the body against the wall or hang back and take away passing lanes into the middle while the wingers worry about staying on the point men.....the Canucks are screwed at that point.
Good post Mëds and you actually do make a lot of sense.
I agree with you about the twins and their predictability.
Having said that - I believe that if the twins are at full health, they would be excellent 2nd line players........and would be able to light up your 3rd/4th defensive pairings and opposing 2nd lines, etc. They might be finished as far as being first line superstars go (for the reasons you stated), but I can still see them being dangerous 2nd liners.
Obviously - having a 14 million+ second line isn't ideal..............BUT..........if Gillis is committed to this current core despite the atrocities of the last two seasons, then I think he'll need to move the twins to the 2nd line while creating a new first line with Ryan Kesler (while making a major trade of sorts to bring in a major piece that can play alongside Kesler on this new first line).
Based on Topper's quotes of Gillis from above, I get a sense that Gillis is still committed to this core..........but wants to go back to our old successful fast tempo puck possession style of play. Perhaps we won't see a rebuild/Kesler trade after all.
Perhaps this will be a 1996/1997 situation part deux where the Canucks miss the playoffs for the first time in awhile, but feel that the 'core' is only one major player away from being a contender...........and so they make a "Mark Messier" type move. Obviously - the experiment back then was a disaster, but would it be a disaster this time around?
:Go back to old fast-tempo style:
*Buy-out Booth*
???-Kesler-Kassian
Sedin-Sedin-Burrows
Higgins-Matthias-Jensen
Gaunce-Richardson-Sestito
Hamhuis-Garrison
Tanev-Bieksa
Edler-Stanton
Lack
Markstrom
Those line combo's are probably quite inaccurate (I haven't watched many games since January), but here's the main-point I'm trying to make:
-If the Canucks go back to their old style of play, and IF the Canucks make a major trade of sorts (i.e. going for it now even if it means moving key prospects/picks) and bring in a superstar player to play with Kesler..............which moves the twins to the 2nd line.............perhaps this team would be an elite team again?