I'm willing to cut the team some slack given their injuries and the dominance their opponent went on to display throughout the rest of the playoffs.

I could blame AV for how the lines rolled or blame Gillis for not making our team better, but I really don't have the whole story behind the scenes, so it feels pretty fruitless to rage at them. We lost 3 games by 1 goal and were in all of them. LA beat us. Our players couldn't score on Quick. I think we still have a team that can compete for a Cup if they are healthy when the playoffs come around.

Put it this way: If Brown was playing injured and Kopitar wasn't in the lineup, do you think we would has lost the first 3 games?
- micah555

I don't know. Hard to know what was inside the heads of the players? Game 1 has Burrows in front of the Kings bench chopping snow lines and pretending to snort them as a taunt towards Richards and Carter. When I see the Canucks going down this road, I come to expect huge embarrassment on the way.

If I follow the GM and coaches logic which was that a forward like Pahlsson is a much better fit over a player like Hodgson on the 3rd, then I don't see how Schroeder is a better fit than Arnott on the 3rd. I'm all for giving Schroeder a try on the 2nd line while Kesler is out and if he works out well, try and keep him on the 2nd line when Kes returns. More AHL will only help Schroeder's D game anyways. I still believe this team needs size and leadership added with or without Doan.

So what if Schroeder doesnt look like he's ready or a fit in Oct and Gillis never added another C? People would be poopting bricks around here demanding a desperate trade.

Hank, Ebbett or Higgins, Lappy, Malholtra is our 1 through 4? Why wouldnt Kesler rush back to save his team AGAIN? What happens if we have an additional injury down the middle early? This team needs to sign a center plain and simple. Schroeder will get his shot regardless.
- boonerbuck

Simply put I don't think Arnott has it anymore. Or, at least, not enough to make me think he'd represent a serious upgrade on Lappiere at 3rd line C.

One thing I've learned long ago is that it's one thing to identify an upgrade is required somewhere, it's another to be able to land that upgrade without giving up something else of value in return creating another hole. I realize Arnott is UFA but he takes cap space.

Pahlsson didn't work out. I give Gillis more credit than to bang his head on the same wall by trying it again with Arnott.

Why is a referee trolling a canucks thread? Seriously?
- rune_74

I think it was a joke.

Anyone know if the Olympics are even on TV today? If so, what channel?

Why is a referee trolling a canucks thread? Seriously?
- rune_74

That's hardly trolling, Francis

I think it was a joke.
- micah555

Oh, like the leafs

Totally missed it.

yah but, he is younger than Raymond and I believe has some upside to be a 60 point guy. He has good size and he had only 6 turnovers last year. 6 turnovers is a good game for Mason, lol.

I'd take him in a deal and then move Raymond.

If the Hawks had an interst in Raymond maybe

to Van- Niklas Hjalmarsson, McNiell, Frolik and a 2nd...
for
to Chi- Luongo and Raymond
- IanEsplen

Oh, like the leafs

Totally missed it.
- rune_74

Now that's trolling

Simply put I don't think Arnott has it anymore. Or, at least, not enough to make me think he'd represent a serious upgrade on Lappiere at 3rd line C.

One thing I've learned long ago is that it's one thing to identify an upgrade is required somewhere, it's another to be able to land that upgrade without giving up something else of value in return creating another hole. I realize Arnott is UFA but he takes cap space.

Pahlsson didn't work out. I give Gillis more credit than to bang his head on the same wall by trying it again with Arnott.
- AlexF

I hear what you are saying but Arnott is still capable of scoring near 20 goals where as Pahlsson has never been that kind of player. Arnott will pound someone's head in from time to time and Arnotts cap hit will not be much higher than Schroeder's (you were concerned about the hit)... under 2 mil... A great depth move down the middle that should still provide Schroeder with a top six shot.

I hear what you are saying but Arnott is still capable of scoring near 20 goals where as Pahlsson has never been that kind of player. Arnott will pound someone's head in from time to time and Arnotts cap hit will not be much higher than Schroeder's (you were concerned about the hit)... under 2 mil... A great depth move down the middle that should still provide Schroeder with a top six shot.
- boonerbuck

I'm not opposed to it, but not excited by it either. He'd be a reasonable guy to get.

“trade Lu for prospects” If they sign Doan? perhaps. Things are suspiciously quite the last little while. I think once Doan makes up his mind the rest of the dominos will fall. The will need the cap space if he signs in Van so prospects coming back make sense, although I suspect we will need to take another (not so great) contract back as well.
- VanHockeyGuy

If the Canucks sign Doan they will win the cup.

I'm not opposed to it, but not excited by it either. He'd be a reasonable guy to get.
- micah555

I agree, hardly an exciting move. At this point of his career, he's playing the depth role.

I'm not opposed to it, but not excited by it either. He'd be a reasonable guy to get.
- micah555

Hi micah

I would appreciate it if you didn't delete legitimate posts.

Thank You and have a wonderful day

If the Canucks sign Doan they will win the cup.
- Reveen

That's overstating Doan's impact IMO. He's a solid guy and would no doubt improve the squad but I think a bit too much has been made over the player he is today. The product of a dull off-season I would think.

Hi micah

I would appreciate it if you didn't delete legitimate posts.

Thank You and have a wonderful day
- Reveen

Out of curiosity which Oilers from this past NHL season would you want on the roster three years from now?

I hear what you are saying but Arnott is still capable of scoring near 20 goals where as Pahlsson has never been that kind of player. Arnott will pound someone's head in from time to time and Arnotts cap hit will not be much higher than Schroeder's (you were concerned about the hit)... under 2 mil... A great depth move down the middle that should still provide Schroeder with a top six shot.
- boonerbuck

I also hear what you're saying and you raise some fair points. I just think if Gillis were of the same mindset he'd have done it already. He's been a UFA for almost a month. Curious as to why no one else has picked him up either.

Hi micah

I would appreciate it if you didn't delete legitimate posts.

Thank You and have a wonderful day
- Reveen

I'd appreciate it if you read the CoC, stopped posting with a dozen accounts and didn't insult the blogger, but it looks like we don't always get what we want.

I would have thought you'd be better behaved this time around.

That's overstating Doan's impact IMO. He's a solid guy and would no doubt improve the squad but I think a bit too much has been made over the player he is today. The product of a dull off-season I would think.
- AlexF

I disagree... He had a very solid showing in the playoffs. He would be a great fit with Kesler in more of a support role instead of being the main man like he is in Phoenix.

That's overstating Doan's impact IMO. He's a solid guy and would no doubt improve the squad but I think a bit too much has been made over the player he is today. The product of a dull off-season I would think.
- AlexF

his gritt leadership and heart are what will aid the canucks the most. Especially playoff time.

But AV didn't really use players like linden and Nolan well in that way either. So its up to him to screw up up the season again.

I'd appreciate it if you read the CoC, stopped posting with a dozen accounts and didn't insult the blogger, but it looks like we don't always get what we want.

I would have thought you'd be better behaved this time around.
- micah555

I never insulted Ian... I simply stated that I thought a blogger with Ian's level of hockey knowledge was alot better than the silly statement that he made.

I see you're a little sensitive today, so I won't touch the dozen account accusation.

Out of curiosity which Oilers from this past NHL season would you want on the roster three years from now?
- Shorty's ritalin

D.Dubnyk (depends on how he handles the starting roll this season)
L.Smid
J.Petry
N.Schultz
RNH
Hall
Eberle
Gagner
Hemsky (assuming his injury troubles are behind him)

I'd appreciate it if you read the CoC, stopped posting with a dozen accounts and didn't insult the blogger, but it looks like we don't always get what we want.

I would have thought you'd be better behaved this time around.
- micah555

Why dont you go on Clouts blog and see how your beloved Esplen behaves there?

Why the double standards?

his gritt leadership and heart are what will aid the canucks the most. Especially playoff time.

But AV didn't really use players like linden and Nolan well in that way either. So its up to him to screw up up the season again.
- numbear

A lot gets made on these threads about grit, leadership, and sometimes mentorship, the later two when we're talking about veteran players.

Grit is a style of game and (barring serious injury) that stays with you wherever you go so I won't touch that.

Mentorship (and I realize you didn't mention that but Ek does ad nauseum) I find a bit simplistic. "The guy was good here, he will naturally aid the development of youngsters there." Some people aren't or have any interest in being glorified teachers to the youth.

Leadership is complex. I'm not sure if you've ever played sports at a competitive level but someone who is a leader develops that role over time usually being within the same group of core players for years. In Doan's case he's played for one franchise his whole life. His word in that locker room would be law. You simply don't move to an established team and start "leading" everyone. The best he can do is perform on the ice and if he's consistent his voice will get heard over time. But he's hardly going to give pointers on what playoff hockey is all about to a team that's gone deeper than he ever has.

I like Doan and would love him on this team. But back to my original point, I don't think him being on the Canucks by itself will make us shoe-ins for the Cup.

Why dont you go on Clouts blog and see how your beloved Esplen behaves there?

Why the double standards?
- Iggysbff

I have no power over how Esplen behaves (nor Cloutier). Mods can't affect bloggers. I'm also a volunteer with a day job and a family. I'm not here all day everyday and dealing with the trolls nest Cloutier has created takes more time than I have to spend. When you're in a Canucks thread, you need to follow the CoC.

A lot gets made on these threads about grit, leadership, and sometimes mentorship, the later two when we're talking about veteran players.

Grit is a style of game and (barring serious injury) that stays with you wherever you go so I won't touch that.

Mentorship (and I realize you didn't mention that but Ek does ad nauseum) I find a bit simplistic. "The guy was good here, he will naturally aid the development of youngsters there." Some people aren't or have any interest in being glorified teachers to the youth.

Leadership is complex. I'm not sure if you've ever played sports at a competitive level but someone who is a leader develops that role over time usually being within the same group of core players for years. In Doan's case he's played for one franchise his whole life. His word in that locker room would be law. You simply don't move to an established team and start "leading" everyone. The best he can do is perform on the ice and if he's consistent his voice will get heard over time. But he's hardly going to give pointers on what playoff hockey is all about to a team that's gone deeper than he ever has.

I like Doan and would love him on this team. But back to my original point, I don't think him being on the Canucks by itself will make us shoe-ins for the Cup.
- AlexF

(played in higher level sports on a national level)
I agree with you somewhat here. I'm not saying it as a team leader role, thats earned over time. I hate when teams give the new High paid player the C. But as a on ice leader while he plays. Like you said, its the best he can do. but its whats sorely missing on the canucks. That's something that is a sore spot on the team, but a strong veteran player that will shut someone up with a big hit, or simply by overworking the other team rather then yapping is starting to be lost on the canucks.

And it starts with the coach. He yaps as big as a game as the players on the ice, so I do think he is the one driving them in that direction as well (I'm not an AV fan at all, wish MacT took over)

No he won't make them a shoe in. But he gives them an element that they hadn't had in the last few tries, and that small tweak might be all it takes.

And someone brought up kesler. I do think Doan on keslers line would hopefully let Kesler concentrate on playing and not doing what he did last year (yes he was hurt, but still I'm sure his injury was aggravated by the huge chip on his shoulder)