So how would you guys compare these two players? This will be the most logical choice for roster spot battles in training camp to watch imo. Anyways how do these two players compare besides bringing up Hodgson's lack of NHL experience and Wellwood fat jokes.
So many people are concerned about Hodgson's first few steps so how does his skating compare with Wellwood? I never got the impression that Wellwood was an explosive nor fast skater either so how come no one brings that up as something that holds him back? Is Wellwood the superior skater?
How do these two player differ from how they play the game? Both seem to have a good head for the game and obviously use their hockey sense to their advantage but other than that are these two players completely different?
Maybe you guys could list the pro's and con's of each player in comparison with the other.
So how would you guys compare these two players? This will be the most logical choice for roster spot battles in training camp to watch imo. Anyways how do these two players compare besides bringing up Hodgson's lack of NHL experience and Wellwood fat jokes.
So many people are concerned about Hodgson's first few steps so how does his skating compare with Wellwood? I never got the impression that Wellwood was an explosive nor fast skater either so how come no one brings that up as something that holds him back? Is Wellwood the superior skater?
How do these two player differ from how they play the game? Both seem to have a good head for the game and obviously use their hockey sense to their advantage but other than that are these two players completely different?
Maybe you guys could list the pro's and con's of each player in comparison with the other.
I think so. Wellwood, imo, is a very deceptive skater and can really motor when he needs to. I really want to see what he can do if he shows up to camp in shape this year.
But to take a pure speculative guess, I think they are very similar players.
Skating is equal, maybe a slight edge to Wellwood at this point. Wellwood would probably provide more for the team this year but you have to go with Hodgson unless he proves he's not ready.
Hard to list pro's and con's untill we see what Hodgson can do.
Hodgson is definitely stronger on his skates. We have clips of Hodgson on breakaways as well, though I would think that much of that is due to sensing when to cheat from the defensive zone. I don't think Wellwood is a bad skater, but is often uninspired.
To me, if Hodgson makes the team, Wellwood should be displaced. He's hard working, good in the faceoff, and displays qualities that a 3rd liner should have. I don't think Wellwood has what it takes to be our 2nd line center, mostly because of juxtaposing styles. I could be wrong though.
Wellwood
+ Very good head for the game
+ Slows the game down
+ Strong on faceoffs
+ Well liked in the dressing room, rumored to give players wood
- Weak physically
- Inconsistent
- Below average defensive play
Hodgson
+ Multi-dimensional player (shooter/passer)
+ Two-way presence
+ Stong special teams player
- Choppy skating
- Unproven at the NHL level
It's tough to point out Hodgson's faults because he's quite the complete player.
Wellwood is going to have to improve drastically to stay in the line up with more depth in the top 9. If he plays consistently like he did for most of the playoffs we will have one hell of a steal. But if he plays as bad as he did last season for 20 games stretches than we'll see him in the press box regularly. He'll need to produce more than a measley 27 points to keep Hodgson from stealing his job but he definitely has the advantage for the upcoming season.Hard to say with Hodgson but if his speed is not an issue in the NHL this upcoming season I think he'll surprise everyone's expectations of a solid rookie season. He is almost 2 inches taller and has a more balanced approach to playing the game.
+ Very good head for the game
+ Slows the game down
+ Strong on faceoffs
+ Well liked in the dressing room, rumored to give players wood
- Weak physically
- Inconsistent
- Below average defensive play
Hodgson
+ Multi-dimensional player (shooter/passer)
+ Two-way presence
+ Stong special teams player
- Choppy skating
- Unproven at the NHL level
It's tough to point out Hodgson's faults because he's quite the complete player.
disagree with the red. Wellwood plays a very good positional game in his own zone. yes he can get overpowered by some of the bigger forwards, but other than that I have no concerns about his defensive play.
I like them as linemates. I see Wellwood as the perfect tutor for Hodgson on the ice. Wellwood's face-off ability and strong defensive play (imo) can help cover some of Hodgson's inevitable rookie mistakes. I feel letting Hodgson wet his feet on the wing will make for an easier transition. play them with Demitra or Burrows, and you have a very smart, defensively responsible two-way line; add Bernier or Kesler if you want to add a physical element, or Raymond if you want some after-burners.
I don't see any reason that it is Hodgson vs Wellwood. there's room (and need) for both.
disagree with the red. Wellwood plays a very good positional game in his own zone. yes he can get overpowered by some of the bigger forwards, but other than that I have no concerns about his defensive play.
I like them as linemates. I see Wellwood as the perfect tutor for Hodgson on the ice. Wellwood's face-off ability and strong defensive play (imo) can help cover some of Hodgson's inevitable rookie mistakes. I feel letting Hodgson wet his feet on the wing will make for an easier transition. play them with Demitra or Burrows, and you have a very smart, defensively responsible two-way line; add Bernier or Kesler if you want to add a physical element, or Raymond if you want some after-burners.
I don't see any reason that it is Hodgson vs Wellwood. there's room (and need) for both.
That's your opinion and I respect that. On the third line, I don't see it being too much of a defect due to him facing mostly 3rd/4th liners, but the way he shies from physical contact at both ends of the ice, it just makes me cringe. He doesn't stick check much either, so I don't see him being a good defensive player. It might not hurt the team aforementioned, but it doesn't make him a good defensive player.
On the other front, I mostly see Wellwood as insurance. If Rypien makes it full time and Grabner plays well enough to wrestle a spot, Wellwood looks to be on the outs. I don't really see Wellwood on the team beyond this year either way.
I disagree with this thread, for one thing Wellwood plays on the wing now and Hodgson will most likely play center. Wellwood used to be a 1st or 2nd line forward, he has now regressed into just a part time player. Hodgson however has alot of good ahead of him I believe.
Hodgson is definitely stronger on his skates. We have clips of Hodgson on breakaways as well, though I would think that much of that is due to sensing when to cheat from the defensive zone. I don't think Wellwood is a bad skater, but is often uninspired.
To me, if Hodgson makes the team, Wellwood should be displaced. He's hard working, good in the faceoff, and displays qualities that a 3rd liner should have. I don't think Wellwood has what it takes to be our 2nd line center, mostly because of juxtaposing styles. I could be wrong though.
Wellwood
+ Very good head for the game
+ Slows the game down
+ Strong on faceoffs
+ Well liked in the dressing room, rumored to give players wood
- Weak physically
- Inconsistent
- Below average defensive play
Hodgson
+ Multi-dimensional player (shooter/passer)
+ Two-way presence
+ Stong special teams player
- Choppy skating
- Unproven at the NHL level
It's tough to point out Hodgson's faults because he's completely untested in the NHL.
Fixed....
We all hope Hodgson does well as a rookie, and there is a chance he will. To say what he has done so far makes him the superior of Wellwood is yet to be seen.
I think posts like this just set up Hodgson for failure. When you compare an NHL regular to a rookie who hasn't played an NHL game and you imply he is superior, you expect according results. When have the Canucks EVER had a first round pick that exceeded or even met expectations his first year in the NHL? You guys are shooting for the fence when you should be happy with a stand up double.
We all hope Hodgson does well as a rookie, and there is a chance he will. To say what he has done so far makes him the superior of Wellwood is yet to be seen.
I think posts like this just set up Hodgson for failure. When you compare an NHL regular to a rookie who hasn't played an NHL game and you imply he is superior, you expect according results. When have the Canucks EVER had a first round pick that exceeded or even met expectations his first year in the NHL? You guys are shooting for the fence when you should be happy with a stand up double.
As one of his negatives, I pointed out that he is unproven at the NHL level, nor did I say that Hodgson was superior. All I said was that Hodgson is better suited for the 3rd line by definition. It's not like I even disagree with you, but you sure as hell can't quote me when you are doing so since the basis of the argument is unfounded, unless your argument is that Wellwood's defensive game is better than Hodgson, which was my only point.
I disagree with this thread, for one thing Wellwood plays on the wing now and Hodgson will most likely play center. Wellwood used to be a 1st or 2nd line forward, he has now regressed into just a part time player. Hodgson however has alot of good ahead of him I believe.
What?
Wellwood played as the no 3 center through the last 30 games of the season, since when is he a winger.
As Meganuck said, Luongo and Mitchell should be there and I would add in Johnson. The guy is a warrior.
It was amazing that Ryan Johnson was even able to play with the mangled finger - that he was even able to grip his stick was unbelievable let alone win face-offs.
He is also one of the most fearless shot blockers in the NHL. He was the top forward in blocked shots despite only playing 62 games with 84. He finished 4th in the league amongst forwards - top was 90 by Chris Drury and Mike Richards and they played a full season. Kesler was second on the Canucks forwards with 70 blocks in 82 games.
His excruciating pain threshold must be off the charts.
The only knock against Johnson is that he does not hit enough.
Both guy's have similar skillsets but Hodgson has the much better shot and at 19 is already physically superior to Wellwood.
They might be fighting for the same roster position but I still think Wellwood has a serious chance at earning the 2nd line centre spot if he shows up to camp in shape and the Canucks want to develop Kesler into a full time winger. Wellwood has proven in the past he's more than capable of being a contributing member in a team's top 6 and he's worked hard at the defensive side of things which will only help his chances.
Sedin Sedin Samuelsson
Burrows Wellwood Kesler
Raymond Hodgson Bernier
IMO that'll be the top 9 on opening night if Pavol Demitra is out with injury. If Demitra's ready to go sub him in on the left wing for Mason Raymond.
It was amazing that Ryan Johnson was even able to play with the mangled finger - that he was even able to grip his stick was unbelievable let alone win face-offs.
He is also one of the most fearless shot blockers in the NHL. He was the top forward in blocked shots despite only playing 62 games with 84. He finished 4th in the league amongst forwards - top was 90 by Chris Drury and Mike Richards and they played a full season. Kesler was second on the Canucks forwards with 70 blocks in 82 games.
His excruciating pain threshold must be off the charts.
The only knock against Johnson is that he does not hit enough.
IMO Ryan Johnson's puck skills are the biggest knock against him. You're not going to get a world-beater on the 4th line but his stickhandling and passing pale in comparison to a guy like Rick Rypien. That's saying something.
I disagree with this thread, for one thing Wellwood plays on the wing now and Hodgson will most likely play center. Wellwood used to be a 1st or 2nd line forward, he has now regressed into just a part time player. Hodgson however has alot of good ahead of him I believe.
A good indicator of where a player fits on the depth chart is Time on Ice per game.
Last season Wellwood was 9th amongst the forwards just ahead of Mason Raymond. From the forwards clocking more TOI/game, Sundin and Pyatt are gone.
IMO Ryan Johnson's puck skills are the biggest knock against him. You're not going to get a world-beater on the 4th line but his stickhandling and passing pale in comparison to a guy like Rick Rypien. That's saying something.
OTOH Johnson is not expected to carry an offensive load. If he can notch 15-20 points then that is a bonus.
OTOH Johnson is not expected to carry an offensive load. If he can notch 15-20 points then that is a bonus.
It's not really the points so much as the impact is has on possession. The fourth line spent too much time in their own zone last season, both because they were ineffective at maintaining possession in the offensive zone and because they weren't very good at getting the play going out of their own zone.
It's not really the points so much as the impact is has on possession. The fourth line spent too much time in their own zone last season, both because they were ineffective at maintaining possession in the offensive zone and because they weren't very good at getting the play going out of their own zone.
Part of the problem for Johnson was when his hand was badly injured he was not winning enough faceoffs in the defensive end. If you have to start out chasing the puck it can make for long shifts.
As he recovered and learned to compensate more for the injury his faceoff percentage began to go back to normal and the Canucks were able to start off with control.
I disagree with this thread, for one thing Wellwood plays on the wing now and Hodgson will most likely play center. Wellwood used to be a 1st or 2nd line forward, he has now regressed into just a part time player. Hodgson however has alot of good ahead of him I believe.
Wellwood is still young and has never been a true top 6 player.. He still has the potential to become one.
I think that 2nd line would be awesome assuming Hodgsons ready. That would be a hard line to play against and Hodgson brings that playmaking center ability to the line that I think would really benefit Kesler and Burrows.
