Your Daily Grabner/Shirokov/Desbiens Watch / Grabner Recalled

by Yankee Canuck on Oct 14, 2009 6:51 AM PDT in Manitoba Moose Comment 43 comments

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The Moose dropped a 4-2 game last night to the Abbotsford Heat with former Moose God Jason Jaffray scoring the winner. Cory Schneider played a weak game but, in his defense, he had a good number of newbies in front of him due to injures to Brian Salcido, Lawrence Nycholat and Alexandre Bolduc.

But, since we're on the Grabner/Shirokov/Desbiens watch for Friday, how did those three do? Well Desbiens finished even with a single assist. But the other two? I defer to an eyewitness:

It was actually the second-nicest goal of the night. The nicest one was scored by the Moose's European trio of Austrian Michael Grabner, Russian Sergei Shirokov and Slovak Mario Bliznak, who hooked up on a gorgeous tic-tac-toe second-period goal that made it look like the three had been playing together all their lives instead of a few fleeting moments at the end of a shift.

Shirokov slid the puck through traffic at the blueline to Grabner, who took the pass like the European soccer player he is, dribbling it from his back skate to his front skate to his stick in one fluid motion and then hitting Bliznak in stride, who promptly deked Heat goaltender Leland Irving and slid the puck to the back of the net.

That gives Grabner six points in five games, tying him for the team lead in points and the tenth best scorer in the AHL (and can someone explain why Grabner has an "X" next to his name which "indicates player not on active roster"?).

Shirokov now has four points in three games.

Tick tock tick tock AV...

UPDATE: The mystery of the "X" has been revealed. The Canucks have announced that they have recalled Michael Grabner from the Moose this morning. Grabner continues to impress at the AHL level, but now has a big chance to show us something with the big team. I didn't like his play in preseason, as he didn't find the scoresheet even though he has blazing speed and a wicked shot.

My question to you is: where should Grabner play? My opinion is that Alain Vigneault should leave Line 2 with Samuelsson-Kesler-Raymond intact because it's showing some promise. I wouldn't say Steve Bernier was a huge success on line 1 last game against Dallas, but I'd give him another shot. I think that Grabner could start on Line 3 with Wellwood and Glass and then possibly work his way up higher if he impresses or the Canucks start stinking it up and AV juggles his lines.

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My vote is for Grabner

Start him with Wellwood and Glass, and give him the odd shift with Henrik and Alex.

Or you could call up both Shirokov and Grabner, have them both play with Wellwood, and sit Glass. I still feel the first 2 lines are defensively responsible enough, but not offensively strong enough, that it makes sense to have a 3rd line that can generate some offence.

by Jevant on Oct 14, 2009 7:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Or you could call up both Shirokov and Grabner, have them both play with Wellwood, and sit Glass. I still feel the first 2 lines are defensively responsible enough, but not offensively strong enough, that it makes sense to have a 3rd line that can generate some offence.

Wow, two rookies (one of which has no NHL experience yet) against Calgary? That would be ballsy. There’s also a game a night later in Minnesota to consider as well.

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Oct 14, 2009 7:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you don’t want to gamble with that against the Flames, you could try it against the Wild. But I’m not a big believer in changing strategy (at least in hockey) because of the opposition.

This also stems from a deeply rooted, perhaps somewhat misguided, mistrust of Tanner Glass. Sorry Sean.

by Jevant on Oct 14, 2009 7:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Deeply rooted? Damn!

Well I still think Shirokov is the pony to bet on. I don’t think AV trusts Grabner any further than a four year old could throw the kid. Which is slightly annoying because it would be nice to give him a handful of NHL games to see what he can do.

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Oct 14, 2009 7:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grabner’s been called up! Aww yeeeah!

by Fran-ki on Oct 14, 2009 9:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i was wrong

Grabner has been recalled, not Shirok. At long last Grabs will slot in.

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Oct 14, 2009 9:38 AM PDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

I guess this explains the ‘x’ I saw on the moose site this morning.

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Oct 14, 2009 9:40 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

OK, it’s Grabner. I hope he does great (and Shirok too, when his turn comes) … so now, where does Grabner fit in on the lineup? Wellwood’s line?

by casual on Oct 14, 2009 10:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

haha, I just updated the post and asked the same thing.
I say line 3 with the possibility of getting bumped up as the game goes on.

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Oct 14, 2009 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My vote is for Grabner

Start him with Wellwood and Glass, and give him the odd shift with Henrik and Alex.

Copycat :)

by Jevant on Oct 14, 2009 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was at the Moose game last night as well

and Grabner definately looked the best of the three. Desbien looked sluggish although he has played quite a few games lately and Shirokov looked decent, at times he stood out, but msot of the game was overshadowed by Grabner.

by 49er4life on Oct 14, 2009 10:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh nice. Is that the first Moose game you saw this year? Was Grabs really that much of a standout?

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Oct 14, 2009 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was my second game...

I saw Shirokov’s first game and he looked really good. I had tickets to last nights game as well, but I couldnt go. Grabner did stand out in the game, especially when it came to puck control and setting the tempo of the play. I should be able to comment on quite a few games as my gf works at a restaurant in the MTS center and gets free tickets regularly.

by 49er4life on Oct 15, 2009 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice. Very nice!

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Oct 15, 2009 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another possibility is to try him in Samuelsson’s place, just cuz the resulting line…

Raymond-Kesler-Grabner

… would be fun to watch for their speed. Might be interesting to see what that could open up.

by casual on Oct 14, 2009 10:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah right? This line would fly.

Problem with putting him on the third line is Wellwood hasn’t done anything yet and only has four shots on net too boot. Maybe drop Bernier back to third, move Grabner to the second and Sammy to the first. That gives good scoring on the first (well good for us), good speed on the second and good grit on the third.

'Nucks Misconduct - Housing Swedish Millionaires Since 2000.

by Yankee Canuck on Oct 14, 2009 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My guess though is AV will just slot him in the line 3 role to start and then if bad things happen, the juggling will start.

by Beantown Canuck on Oct 14, 2009 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like that. It gives:

Burrows-Sedin-Samuelsson
Raymond-Kesler-Grabner
Glass-Wellwood-Bernier
Rypien-Johnson-Hordichuk

Wellwood and Bernier already know each other well as players, so … good 1st line, fast 2nd line, a close-to-familiar 3rd line and the usual 4th. Decent scoring punch, and the new guys each play w/a pair of vets who can help them out.

We’ll see what AV does. A lot might depend on how the guys look together in practice.

by casual on Oct 14, 2009 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I kinda like that line-up, but wouldn’t mind Grabner startng on Line 3 with Welly and Glass either.

by cyxj on Oct 14, 2009 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I suspect that the 3rd line is where AV will put him, but I like Yankee Canuck’s suggn better…

… cuz I would like to see what the “speed line” could do

… cuz it’d give Grabner a chance to shine w/some offensively-talented linemates

… cuz those same linemates are also defensively responsible and can help Grabner thru what is bound to be an adjustment phase in that regard

… and cuz it doesn’t put both the newbies, Glass & Tanner, on the same line at the same time. Let them play w/vets while they’re breaking in to the league.

Then again, I ain’t AV. He’s a much better coach than I could ever be, so we’ll just have to wait and see what he does.

by casual on Oct 14, 2009 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My question is what is the point of calling up Grabner if you are going to play him on the third line? If you want someone to play on the third line call up a third liner. Grabner is supposed to be a top 6 guy. That is the role he is best suited for, the role he has played on every team he has ever been on so why not put him in the top 6 at the NHL level? We want to see if this kid can make it at this level then we should be putting him in a position to succeed. A position he is comfortable with and a position that will give him some confidence. To me the best way to handle Grabner is to play him on the top 2 lines some where and see if he sinks or swims.

by Section 312 on Oct 14, 2009 12:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep, you are correct, and that is what AV was thinking.

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Oct 14, 2009 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jevant found a link: Grabner is skating with Burrows and Hank. It’s now posted on the main page

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Oct 14, 2009 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It certainly is sink or swim

Burrows-Sedin-Grabner
Raymond-Kesler-Samuelsson
Johnson-Wellwood-Bernier
Hordichuk-Rypien-Glass

Huge vote of confidence. Let’s see if he responds with a big game.

by Jevant on Oct 14, 2009 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There must be a lot of pressure where your future with this team seemingly comes down to the next game or two depending on how well you play.

And regardless of how well Grabner plays this is the right move. Play a top 6 skilled guy with other top 6 skilled guys. If he doesn’t perform then we can wash our hands with him. I am super excited for our next game now.

by Section 312 on Oct 14, 2009 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Called up for a big game with a spot on the top line with the top playmaker; it’s up to Grabner now to make the most of it. I hope AV tells him to just turn it loose and doesn’t overcoach him for this one, cuz I think at this stage in his career Grabner is the kinda guy who can miss out on being “in the zone” by thinking too much.

Less analysis, more flow, Michael. Just use your talent during the game. Love to see him pot one, too.

by casual on Oct 14, 2009 2:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

casual…you could say..

“do or do not, there is no try”

A wise little anamatronic puppet said that on a somewhat popular movie said that.

I agree with the sentiment though. He does seem to be a natural player. Still, the Canucks identity is also rooted in being responsible defensively.

Should be fun to see him dangle with Hank….

geez, that almost sounds dirty…

;-)

vancitydan

by vancitydan on Oct 14, 2009 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I want him to be defensively responsible. But I want him to think about it and ingrain it during practice. Then, come game time, he should just let it flow and if he makes defensive errors, then he should work on those – next practice.

Some guys think too much during a game and it hurts their play. Grabner might be such a guy. Even Gretzky just flowed during the game; he didn’t have to calculate or worry cuz his skills were so ingrained he just did. No try, just do.

I bet if we could have scanned Gretzky’s brain at the time it would have been relatively quiet except for the motor area near the back of the head. Even savants, we now know, don’t really light up their brains when they do their magic; they do their amazing feats more because other areas of their brain, which interfere, are suppressed.

/oversimplifying, I know, but you get my point

by casual on Oct 14, 2009 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I get you toatally casual.

I agree with tha talent flowing. I feel the same about Grabner. I have been secretly rooting for this guy. Bringing him up casually in conversation with friends to gauge their feelings.

You can see the flashes, he just needs to play. The talent is there…its just the will that has been questioned in the past.

Relaxing, burying his head and just whipping a Hank set up that anyone above Hordichuk or Johnson could bury.

It would be nice to see something good happen for him after all this time.

vancitydan

by vancitydan on Oct 14, 2009 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This just might be the start of Grabner’s NHL career. He’ll get a good look over the next week or two, and that just might be enough for him to chip in with a few goals and scoring chances.
The guy can flat out put the puck in the net, and right now, his best skill is just what the Nucks need.
And good on Gillis and AV for callin him up, a much smarter choice than bringin up cultureshock Shirokov.

by Nuckels on Oct 14, 2009 2:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Glad to see all the Grabnerites turning cartwheels with his call-up.

I’m not feeling it.

I've seen enough to know that I've seen too much.

by Smoboy41 on Oct 14, 2009 4:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Me neither. He was so shitty in preseason. But at the same time…m’eh.
And I just watched No Country For Old Men again last night. What a classic.

I don’t get why AV is tinkering with the lines again. Well, yeah I do….Lines 1,3 and 4 just weren’t quite good enough last game..but the Canucks won didn’t they?

Nucks Misconduct

by Sean Zandberg on Oct 14, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t get why AV is tinkering with the lines again.

Uh, because he is clueless when it comes to offense, therefore all he has in his toolbox is the roll the dice approach.

by yoata on Oct 14, 2009 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grabnerites turning cartwheels? I just read through all the comments on this story and the most positive one I saw was “I hope he does well.” Seems to me that Canuck fans are being reasonable on this one. He has a chance to impress now and it may be his last. Let’s see what he can do. I don’t think anyone is excited he is in the lineup cause of injuries but he is so let’s see if he sinks or swims.

by Section 312 on Oct 14, 2009 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, that was me who was hoping he does well.

I see a very talented young player who works hard and has been scoring lots of goals for the Moose, so I suspect that he just needs to adjust to the NHL and let his talent flow. When I watched him in the preseason he looked like a guy concentrating on not making a mistake rather than just playing his game.

The exception was on the PP, where he looked a lot looser, so I suspect that he was so worried, 5 on 5, about making a defensive error that he overdid it and held himself back. If he can stick long enough to prove himself, then he can probably get over that hurdle and learn to play loose. He’ll still make defensive errors, all players do, but he’ll also make a lot more good offensive plays and, net, come out ahead.

At least, that’s what I’m hoping for.

by casual on Oct 14, 2009 5:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree casual. He has talent just needs to play hockey. Don’t worry too much about playing the system just play, you know?

by Section 312 on Oct 14, 2009 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

but easier said than done under AV.

by yoata on Oct 14, 2009 10:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well put, couldnt say it better myself.

by Nuckels on Oct 14, 2009 9:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

AV needed scoring. His primary choices were Grabner or Shirokov. He decided to give Shirok more time to adapt to the NHL game, so … it’s Grabner, who can also help man the point on the PP while Salo is out.

This is the best opportunity Grabner may ever have in his career, and it comes shortly after he failed his preseason test. If he plays OK he should be able to stick for several games at least and we’ll see what he can do.

Even better for him, he’s a sniper on a line with a Sedin. Can’t ask for more than that, cuz you gotta know Hank will give him chances and Burrows can cash his rebounds. I bet his orders will include “Shoot the puck! And again!”

by casual on Oct 14, 2009 5:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs