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Canucks News: Brendan Gaunce Blossoming, No to Duchene Trade

By Janik Beichler

Dec 23, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks center Brendan Gaunce (50) and Calgary Flames defenseman Tyler Wotherspoon (26) battle for the puck during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Vancouver Canucks center Brendan Gaunce (50) and Calgary Flames defenseman Tyler Wotherspoon (26) battle for the puck during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Vancouver Canucks may not be as successful as they hoped they would be, but the season is having some bright spots nonetheless.

Why is it that we have sky-high expectations for Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser, Jake Virtanen or Jared McCann, but not for Brendan Gaunce? Those players were all drafted in the first rounds of their respective years by the Vancouver Canucks. Yet, we seem to get angry about Virtanen’s development and be totally fine with that of Gaunce.

The reason for that phenomenon is probably that, with time, we accept players for what they become. Don’t get me wrong, looking back at past drafts and analysing what could have been is a lot of fun (check out our redrafts here). But in the end, that doesn’t change the present and does no good for the future.

So, what can we say about Gaunce in his first full NHL season? Iain MacIntyre’s got the scoop.

Judging Players too Early

Iain MacIntyre (The Province) — If we’d judged Gaunce back when, he wouldn’t be with the Canucks now

"Gaunce doesn’t know what kind of player he will be in the NHL and neither do we. But if you had asked us two years ago, when Gaunce was Virtanen’s age, how he projects at the NHL level, we’d have projected law school or drama classes or a future in the German League for Gaunce."

In 2015-16, Gaunce had a solid first NHL stint. The only downside was his low production — one goal and no assists in 20 games. In a full season, he could only get better.

Now 48 games (for Gaunce personally) into the 2016-17 season, however, Gaunce has no goals and just five assists. Sure, five assists are better than last year’s zero, but still far from what we were hoping for.

Still, I think it is fair to say that Gaunce is blossoming. He isn’t putting up big numbers (yet) but he is becoming a solid NHL forward who looks like he will have a future in this league.

And he is doing that just a couple of years after we thought he might be just about ready to either hang up his skates or leave the continent.

Sometimes, we should just wait and see how things turn out before we judge someone way too early. Iain MacIntyre has some more info on Gaunce’s past and present, so give it a read!

No to Duchene

Alex Hoegler (The Canuck Way) — 3 Reasons Not to Trade for Matt Duchene

"The Canucks would be better off passing on Duchene and looking at other options. That may sound ludicrous taking his skill level into consideration, but here are three reasons why general manager Jim Benning should avoid the temptation of landing Duchene."

I’m going to make this one short. I’ve always been a Duchene fan and would love to see him on the Canucks’ top line. But our very own Alex Hoegler disagrees.

I feel betrayed.

Nah, not really. Alex’s got a point… or three.

Next: 3 Trade Proposals for Duchene

So, as much as I would love Duchene in Vancouver, give Alex’s post a read. Because he’s probably right.

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