<p>On today’s episode of <em>Canucks Conversation</em>, David Quadrelli and Harman Dayal were joined by <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/">CanucksArmy</a> prospect analyst Dave Hall to discuss the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/farmies-arshdeep-bains-punches-abbotsford-calder-cup-finals-two-goals-4-2-win-texas">Abbotsford Canucks&#8217; dramatic Western Conference Final win</a> over the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/texas-stars-head-coach-lashes-out-officiating-after-game-2-loss-abbotsford-canucks">Texas Stars</a>, and what lies ahead in the Calder Cup Final against the Charlotte Checkers.</p>
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<p>“It was a jam-packed series,” Hall said of the six-game thriller. “It was getting a little nerve-racking. I have to credit Magnus Hellberg who came in relief in game four and gave Abbotsford some work there. It came down to the wire. It felt like that second goal- when they were celebrating and everyone was jumping on each other- that entire third period, you felt it was going to go their way, which was the opposite of the first half.”</p>
<p>Abbotsford trailed 2–0 through the first half of Game 6 before flipping the script.</p>
<p>“In the first half of the game, they were down two nothing, Hellberg was stopping everything, and they just couldn’t get anything going,” Hall explained. “When they scored those goals, were celebrating, and the barn was rocking like that – you had a sense they were going to shut it down. That was kind of the whole series; it was exciting. Every single game had its ups and downs, plot twists, and goal scoring. It was a great series. Huge clutch victory for them.”</p>
<p>Asked what turned the tide, Hall pointed to composure and confidence.</p>
<p>“They just needed that one goal. Their ability to be unfazed when down in that situation was huge; for them to continue on playing their game, not get down on themselves, and Arshdeep Bains with a huge goal – his first of the Calder Cup Playoffs the game before – so monkey off his shoulder and the floodgates open.”</p>
<p>Looking at standout performances, Hall singled out two names in particular.</p>
<p>“Before Game 4, Arshdeep Bains and Max Sasson needed to do more,” he said. “With Bains, statistically he wasn’t putting up goals, but he was playing pretty well, racking up assists and driving play. I thought Sasson had a lot more to give based on how high regard I place him, so those two guys needed to step up – and they both did. Sasson may have been the best player on the ice. His entries last night were excellent. Phil Di Giuseppe as well – those veterans stepped up for them.”</p>
<p>As for the upcoming Calder Cup Final, Hall thinks it’s time to reinsert <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/vancouver-canucks-lekkerimakis-low-shot-volume-starting-hinder-playoff-success">Jonathan Lekkerimäki.</a></p>
<p>“Going forward, it’s probably time for Lekkerimäki to step back into the lineup and they need some offence from him. Yes, he’s a rookie, but he’s a goal scorer. They need more of that and he’s going to have to find a rhythm here.”</p>
<p>Hall also praised defenceman Kirill Kudryavtsev, calling his playoff run quietly dominant.</p>
<p>“Kudryavtsev is one of those guys who isn’t the sexiest player out there- sometimes you go a game without even noticing him, and that’s a compliment in this sense. He just doesn’t make a lot of mistakes,” Hall said. “He co-leads the Calder Cup in plus-minus right now as a 21-year-old rookie. He’s only been on the ice for two five-on-five goals this entire Calder Cup run. He’s so smart and calm in his own zone, he makes transitioning the puck look like a piece of cake.”</p>
<p>Hall added: “He’s not the biggest kid on the ice either, so for him to be that calm and collected in a playoff game is great. He’s been as underrated as they come. It’s one hell of a push up in Vancouver for next training camp, so I don’t expect him to be in the main running, but don’t sleep on this kid next year.”</p>
<p>Finally, on Lekkerimäki’s recent absence from the lineup, Hall struck a balanced tone.</p>
<p>“We’re talking about a very young kid who had never played North American hockey, let alone a Calder Cup Finals run. He’s going through the motions right now and has had one long season,” Hall said. “You have to give him a little bit of leeway. At the same time, I see this as a bit of a reset — based on what we’ve seen from Manny Malhotra all season, I could see him slotting back in for game one.”</p>
<p>He continued: “But Klimovich has also played well in his absence. If you’re going to have both of them, they both play similar styles for what the team needs them for. Where would you put Lekkerimäki with Klimovich playing so well? It’s been evident Lekkerimäki needs to put on some weight. He’s been pushed around and looks hesitant in a way we haven’t seen this season. I still think he slots back in, but he needs some work. And it’s a good lesson for people who think these kids can slide into Vancouver’s top six. He’s a work in progress, and I think some AHL time next year is in the cards.”</p>
<p>You can watch the full segment below:</p>
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On today’s episode of <em>Canucks Conversation</em>, David Quadrelli and Harman Dayal were joined by <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/">CanucksArmy</a> prospect analyst Dave Hall to discuss the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/farmies-arshdeep-bains-punches-abbotsford-calder-cup-finals-two-goals-4-2-win-texas">Abbotsford Canucks' dramatic Western Conference Final win</a> over the <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/texas-stars-head-coach-lashes-out-officiating-after-game-2-loss-abbotsford-canucks">Texas Stars</a>, and what lies ahead in the Calder Cup Final against the Charlotte Checkers.
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“It was a jam-packed series,” Hall said of the six-game thriller. “It was getting a little nerve-racking. I have to credit Magnus Hellberg who came in relief in game four and gave Abbotsford some work there. It came down to the wire. It felt like that second goal- when they were celebrating and everyone was jumping on each other- that entire third period, you felt it was going to go their way, which was the opposite of the first half.”

Abbotsford trailed 2–0 through the first half of Game 6 before flipping the script.

“In the first half of the game, they were down two nothing, Hellberg was stopping everything, and they just couldn’t get anything going,” Hall explained. “When they scored those goals, were celebrating, and the barn was rocking like that – you had a sense they were going to shut it down. That was kind of the whole series; it was exciting. Every single game had its ups and downs, plot twists, and goal scoring. It was a great series. Huge clutch victory for them.”

Asked what turned the tide, Hall pointed to composure and confidence.

“They just needed that one goal. Their ability to be unfazed when down in that situation was huge; for them to continue on playing their game, not get down on themselves, and Arshdeep Bains with a huge goal – his first of the Calder Cup Playoffs the game before – so monkey off his shoulder and the floodgates open.”

Looking at standout performances, Hall singled out two names in particular.

“Before Game 4, Arshdeep Bains and Max Sasson needed to do more,” he said. “With Bains, statistically he wasn’t putting up goals, but he was playing pretty well, racking up assists and driving play. I thought Sasson had a lot more to give based on how high regard I place him, so those two guys needed to step up – and they both did. Sasson may have been the best player on the ice. His entries last night were excellent. Phil Di Giuseppe as well – those veterans stepped up for them.”

As for the upcoming Calder Cup Final, Hall thinks it’s time to reinsert <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/vancouver-canucks-lekkerimakis-low-shot-volume-starting-hinder-playoff-success">Jonathan Lekkerimäki.</a>

“Going forward, it’s probably time for Lekkerimäki to step back into the lineup and they need some offence from him. Yes, he’s a rookie, but he’s a goal scorer. They need more of that and he’s going to have to find a rhythm here.”

Hall also praised defenceman Kirill Kudryavtsev, calling his playoff run quietly dominant.

“Kudryavtsev is one of those guys who isn’t the sexiest player out there- sometimes you go a game without even noticing him, and that’s a compliment in this sense. He just doesn’t make a lot of mistakes,” Hall said. “He co-leads the Calder Cup in plus-minus right now as a 21-year-old rookie. He’s only been on the ice for two five-on-five goals this entire Calder Cup run. He’s so smart and calm in his own zone, he makes transitioning the puck look like a piece of cake.”

Hall added: “He’s not the biggest kid on the ice either, so for him to be that calm and collected in a playoff game is great. He’s been as underrated as they come. It’s one hell of a push up in Vancouver for next training camp, so I don’t expect him to be in the main running, but don’t sleep on this kid next year.”

Finally, on Lekkerimäki’s recent absence from the lineup, Hall struck a balanced tone.

“We’re talking about a very young kid who had never played North American hockey, let alone a Calder Cup Finals run. He’s going through the motions right now and has had one long season,” Hall said. “You have to give him a little bit of leeway. At the same time, I see this as a bit of a reset — based on what we’ve seen from Manny Malhotra all season, I could see him slotting back in for game one.”

He continued: “But Klimovich has also played well in his absence. If you’re going to have both of them, they both play similar styles for what the team needs them for. Where would you put Lekkerimäki with Klimovich playing so well? It’s been evident Lekkerimäki needs to put on some weight. He’s been pushed around and looks hesitant in a way we haven’t seen this season. I still think he slots back in, but he needs some work. And it’s a good lesson for people who think these kids can slide into Vancouver’s top six. He’s a work in progress, and I think some AHL time next year is in the cards.”

You can watch the full segment below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oA4Ld3CS4s

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Dave Hall breaks down Abby Canucks’ Western Conference Final win: Canucks Conversation

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