I thought he looked pretty solid last game. There was only one real bobble with the puck I noticed, and it didn’t end up costing us.
For better or worse, Tocchet has made it clear that he prefers our depth defensemen to add some grit to the table though. So onwards we continue with Friedman and Juulsen, at least until Bear probably signs.
electricnux
Friedman was a scratch last game so looks like he could be in tonight with McWard sent down. We might see this tonight again: Hughes-Hronek / Cole-Juulsen / Friedman-Myers or they split Hughes Hronek
Friedman is also annoying to play against and can draw penalties, makes sense to have him in a game like this.
> Tocchet notes that Christian Wolanin is set to return from injury and will play for Abbotsford this weekend. Says Wolanin *could* be an option for big league Canucks soon
ebb_omega
Yeah, that’s fine. We’ve got a decent rotating cast of D, I think it’s good to get him up here, see where he’s at insofar as playing in meaningful games at the NHL level goes, and then get him back down to keep developing. I’m liking this approach to our prospects instead of “Oh, this guy had a good game, let’s ride him until he sucks”
Icy-Pomegranate-5644
Didn’t think he looked NHL calibre myself
MTLItalian
For A second I read D Ian Cole and almost had a heart attack lol
Vanilla_009
He looked like an AHL defenceman but what do you expect when it’s his first and only game in the NHL this season. He needs time to find his rhythm and the Canucks can’t afford to give him that type of opportunity at the moment.
I think the Canucks are going to quickly find themselves in a situation where they’re stuck overpaying for an immediate fit.
Nervetron
Gotta say, awfully nice to have the farm team so close to home.
stronklikebear
Glad McWard got a game in.
Better for he and Hirose to get reps in Abby and let Irwin sit in the press box.
I think Friedmans ability to draw penalties is going to help against VGK. Would expect Irwin to get a game over this homestand after another practice or two. He’s got size and physicality, which Tocc values in a defender. If he can learn to fit the defensive system I could see him fitting in well enough. He’s certainly got the experience
Feralwestcoaster
Glad he got a game up, decent paycheque and some more inspiration for what he needs to work on while in the A. I’m impressed with how management has patched up the disaster that was our prospect pool, still needs work but miles better than where it was a few years back
9 Comments
I thought he looked pretty solid last game. There was only one real bobble with the puck I noticed, and it didn’t end up costing us.
For better or worse, Tocchet has made it clear that he prefers our depth defensemen to add some grit to the table though. So onwards we continue with Friedman and Juulsen, at least until Bear probably signs.
Friedman was a scratch last game so looks like he could be in tonight with McWard sent down. We might see this tonight again: Hughes-Hronek / Cole-Juulsen / Friedman-Myers or they split Hughes Hronek
Friedman is also annoying to play against and can draw penalties, makes sense to have him in a game like this.
[Confirmed](https://x.com/batchhockey/status/1730299689642422550?s=46&t=7fabqgtgp69dNA1d51vxFw) by Tocchet:
> Rick Tocchet says Mark Friedman will go back into the lineup in place of Cole McWard. Same forward group plays tonight, and Demko will start.
> Tocchet notes that Christian Wolanin is set to return from injury and will play for Abbotsford this weekend. Says Wolanin *could* be an option for big league Canucks soon
Yeah, that’s fine. We’ve got a decent rotating cast of D, I think it’s good to get him up here, see where he’s at insofar as playing in meaningful games at the NHL level goes, and then get him back down to keep developing. I’m liking this approach to our prospects instead of “Oh, this guy had a good game, let’s ride him until he sucks”
Didn’t think he looked NHL calibre myself
For A second I read D Ian Cole and almost had a heart attack lol
He looked like an AHL defenceman but what do you expect when it’s his first and only game in the NHL this season. He needs time to find his rhythm and the Canucks can’t afford to give him that type of opportunity at the moment.
I think the Canucks are going to quickly find themselves in a situation where they’re stuck overpaying for an immediate fit.
Gotta say, awfully nice to have the farm team so close to home.
Glad McWard got a game in.
Better for he and Hirose to get reps in Abby and let Irwin sit in the press box.
I think Friedmans ability to draw penalties is going to help against VGK. Would expect Irwin to get a game over this homestand after another practice or two. He’s got size and physicality, which Tocc values in a defender. If he can learn to fit the defensive system I could see him fitting in well enough. He’s certainly got the experience
Glad he got a game up, decent paycheque and some more inspiration for what he needs to work on while in the A. I’m impressed with how management has patched up the disaster that was our prospect pool, still needs work but miles better than where it was a few years back