Geoff Courtnall on Canucks/Oilers, Pettersson and playing against Rick Tocchet
Former Canucks Forward Geoff Courtnall joined the show and talked about what he is seeing from the Canucks against the Oilers, Elias Pettersson and how tough it was to play against Rick Tocchet.
I feel like last night, a number of players seemed to think "Well we already got back home ice advantage, so we don't really need this game". There were a few times this regular season if the team won most of their games during the start of a road trip, the last game was usually a complete dud.
Best assessment of EP40. It's confidence….it's his first real playoffs and even he is surprised to see his confidence go… thats really tough. Anyone writing him off might look as foolish as those who wrote him off as a rookie getting pushed around physically. He'll figure it out. He's still very effective on D, breaks up plays… and wow when he does get some confidence back, look out. I bet Lindholm went through similar and look at him now. Have faith everyone!
I'm still a huge EP40 fan but you got to call it like it is: Pettersson is soft and the rough and tumble playoffs are too much for him. But that doesn't mean he can't change starting tomorrow.
The Canucks did not seem to be skating for the first two periods. Then they just had a collective brain fart for 30 seconds at the end of the game. Everything just seemed to slow down a few times with everyone waiting for someone to do something.
I have felt for a while now that Pettersson's problems is between his ears – his confidence has been 100% shot. The playoffs is a different animal, and he is naturally not accustomed to that pressure. The hesitation, the body language, etc., all suggest that he is currently not playoff-ready. This is the reason why I was initially very skeptical of the Canucks taking an all-in approach this year – guys like Pettersson needs to experience the playoffs and take that back to the drawing boards to learn what it takes to win in the post-season. He and the team almost needs to lose to learn how to win. The Canucks have opted to push all the chips to the middle of the table, and I don't know if this is a good thing for Petey… Trust that he will come around eventually, but I think this year's playoffs is likely a lost cause for him.
All these ‘94 guys in great shape looking like they could still play. Maybe teach Petey how to bend his knees, engage his core and be a bit harder to push around than a daffodil on a windy day?
Or lend him an old pair of skates? His ankles will collapse but it will force him to build real balance and strength. Tired of the Bambi on stilts act, if it’s not clear.
Good to hear he has advice for Petey. Geoff would know as a smaller skilled guy what it takes in the playoffs. And for him to offer encouragement for Pettersson, it would be a huge confidence booster.
geoff courtnall is a good guy but hes also full of it. I met him before he couldnt help but tell me how great he was. Just in love with himself. I think he means well but he comes across as a real prima donna
The 94 Nucks team was the greatest. They were big and gritty and goony. Gilmour was the best player in the league back then, and every time he was on the ice, the Nucks would absolutely erase him. He ran out of gas fast against them. This Canucks team needs to replicate that against McDiver and just physically nullify him every. single. time. if they want to win it
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I feel like last night, a number of players seemed to think "Well we already got back home ice advantage, so we don't really need this game". There were a few times this regular season if the team won most of their games during the start of a road trip, the last game was usually a complete dud.
Best assessment of EP40. It's confidence….it's his first real playoffs and even he is surprised to see his confidence go… thats really tough. Anyone writing him off might look as foolish as those who wrote him off as a rookie getting pushed around physically. He'll figure it out. He's still very effective on D, breaks up plays… and wow when he does get some confidence back, look out. I bet Lindholm went through similar and look at him now. Have faith everyone!
I'm still a huge EP40 fan but you got to call it like it is: Pettersson is soft and the rough and tumble playoffs are too much for him. But that doesn't mean he can't change starting tomorrow.
The Canucks did not seem to be skating for the first two periods. Then they just had a collective brain fart for 30 seconds at the end of the game. Everything just seemed to slow down a few times with everyone waiting for someone to do something.
Wow, that rare episode where Don brings up 1994!
I have felt for a while now that Pettersson's problems is between his ears – his confidence has been 100% shot. The playoffs is a different animal, and he is naturally not accustomed to that pressure. The hesitation, the body language, etc., all suggest that he is currently not playoff-ready. This is the reason why I was initially very skeptical of the Canucks taking an all-in approach this year – guys like Pettersson needs to experience the playoffs and take that back to the drawing boards to learn what it takes to win in the post-season. He and the team almost needs to lose to learn how to win. The Canucks have opted to push all the chips to the middle of the table, and I don't know if this is a good thing for Petey… Trust that he will come around eventually, but I think this year's playoffs is likely a lost cause for him.
All these ‘94 guys in great shape looking like they could still play. Maybe teach Petey how to bend his knees, engage his core and be a bit harder to push around than a daffodil on a windy day?
Or lend him an old pair of skates? His ankles will collapse but it will force him to build real balance and strength. Tired of the Bambi on stilts act, if it’s not clear.
Good to hear he has advice for Petey. Geoff would know as a smaller skilled guy what it takes in the playoffs. And for him to offer encouragement for Pettersson, it would be a huge confidence booster.
Canucks…..Zero Stanley Cups in 54 years and counting.
Remember 2011, Bettman and the NHL don't want Vancouver to win the Stanley Cup.
Best eyes in hockey lol 😂 😂😂
Great interview guys thank you . I remember him and his brother playing for the nucks I’m pretty sure
EP40 has long needle poisoning.
Fans will remember petterson , petterson happy with 8 yrs signing toward mega bucks. Management looks stupid
geoff courtnall is a good guy but hes also full of it. I met him before he couldnt help but tell me how great he was. Just in love with himself. I think he means well but he comes across as a real prima donna
Its been 30 years.
great show guys Geoff was one hell of a player, such a joy to watch.
Feel old, guys?
Is Suter or lafferty good enough to handle the 3rd line role? Then we should be moving Petey as a winger on the top 2
The 94 Nucks team was the greatest. They were big and gritty and goony. Gilmour was the best player in the league back then, and every time he was on the ice, the Nucks would absolutely erase him. He ran out of gas fast against them. This Canucks team needs to replicate that against McDiver and just physically nullify him every. single. time. if they want to win it
Courtnall was my favourite Canuck. That Gretzky-esque slapshot was a thing of beauty.
Seemed like in the playoffs, when the Canucks needed a big goal, Courtnall would get one.
"You can't grow grass on a busy street"