You are allowed to say what ever you want Fosco and I'm not putting words in your mouth. You keep making a black and white statement about what happened, not me. I believe it is you that has had it with what I've said... but I'm catching flack for stuff you admit I havent said in this thread. In fact, I'm catching flack for stuff I never said to the degree you are claiming at all. What kind of negative things have I said about Kassian that are not in headlines? Also, what praises have I missed an opportunity to give? I really don't understand what you are talking about. The best you could probably come up with is I havent made excuses for his bumps along the way ...thats a far cry from being low on a player. I'm guilty of not being an apologist, thats all.

If Kassian gets benched and I tell people on here he's been benched...it's hardly fair to score that as a negative. Don't be so narrow minded.

I was only comparing the need for a playmaker in the mix and stated my dislike of the idea of replacing Cody with old washed up players... and with only Schroeder as the only young playmaker possibly making the jump any time soon. Somehow you think I'm trying to block your opinion. Wasnt it you that put your foot down...end of story?
- boonerbuck

"You are more or less saying Gillis had *no choice but to trade Cody on that very day for that very player*.... and you keep saying it."

To me this seems like putting words in my mouth as much as I did to you...

and it's absolutely not what I said, in fact it's the opposite.

I think it's worth noting that Gillis was under some pressure to trade Cody, and his desire to leave was a factor. It's not like it was a cut-and-dried decision where Gillis just decided he'd rather have Kassian than Hodgson. There were a number of factors involved.

I'm not saying you have to praise Kassian either. I'm using you're previous comments as justification for why I THOUGHT you didn't think too highly of him.

Some of your negative comments are correct, and totally justifiable. But I do think you are overly critical at times

Here's the kind of post you must be referring too. It's an honest opinion is all. It was in response to Lefty's post about Arneils comments...which is all I was saying aside from comparing the two players. Forever the two players will be compared and I've made it clear where I stand.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...012/12/05/hockey_hearsay/

Booner:



I even say Kassians scratch was a bit drastic in this thread in a later post. So the coach apparently thinks lower of him than I.

Here I'm blaming AV for Kassian not being dressed in the playoffs and admitting I fancied Kassian as a TDL pick up. I don't shy away from the fact I think we should have gotten more but clearly my stance on Kassian isnt what you make it out to be.



I also defend Kassian against the punk saying hes going to be the next Ben Eager. You were all over this thread Fosco...you seem to only pick out what you want to see.

You are not going to see me rag on Kassian unless he deserves it and this is far from ragging on a player. Historicly, I've been in most prospect's corners. The thread this is from has people saying worse than I. The next blog was in response to the discussion about Kassian. I made not a single post because I felt I said it all the day before... there was lots of opportunity to though.

It's clear I havent liked the trade since day 1 but it's nothing personal against Kassian. I'm not wired that way. Gillis could find a 3rd line C that is successful on the 2nd unit and bury the critics providing Kassian learns how to bring his physical game on a regular basis. At this point, he hasnt done much to change that rep though... I hate to say. I'll be as patient as the situation allows. At this point, the hole from that trade hasnt been filled yet and Kassian is not dominating anything in the AHL.
- boonerbuck

You are correct. I think we're all guilty of this at times.

The negatives seem to stick out more than the positives--which is one of the reasons Edler gets unnecessary criticism on these boards.

You are correct. I think we're all guilty of this at times.

The negatives seem to stick out more than the positives--which is one of the reasons Edler gets unnecessary criticism on these boards.
- Fosco

You are right, we are. I still would like to hear some of the positives I'm not recognizing? I'm not one for repeating what others keep saying...whats the point? Kassian is not at all impressing me down in the AHL right now. What is there really to say? It's a waiting game and this team needs impact players yesterday.

Hey Lefty! I just booked a flyfishing trip in some very remote country around Punta Allen Mexico. Ascension bay in the Sian Ka'an reserve to be exact. Tarpon, Bonefish, Cuda and the most prized fish of the tropics, Permit!

Just reading it makes my flyrod stiff....

Someone should arrange some kind of intervention. I'm out of control...

Hey Lefty! I just booked a flyfishing trip in some very remote country around Punta Allen Mexico. Ascension bay in the Sian Ka'an reserve to be exact. Tarpon, Bonefish, Cuda and the most prized fish of the tropics, Permit!

Just reading it makes my flyrod stiff....

Someone should arrange some kind of intervention. I'm out of control...
- boonerbuck

that's awesome! I'm envious. I googled it, you'll have a great time.

Hey Booner, I'm looking at a Lamson fly reel. Know anything about them? I'm somewhat uneducated in the fly fishing department.

Hey Booner, I'm looking at a Lamson fly reel. Know anything about them? I'm somewhat uneducated in the fly fishing department.
- LeftCoaster

Are you guys still able to fly fish out there on the west coast?

Are you guys still able to fly fish out there on the west coast?
- Whiskey-Tango

It just never ends for us.

You are right, we are. I still would like to hear some of the positives I'm not recognizing? I'm not one for repeating what others keep saying...whats the point? Kassian is not at all impressing me down in the AHL right now. What is there really to say? It's a waiting game and this team needs impact players yesterday.
- boonerbuck

The Kassian/Hodgson trade was more complex then Hodgson for Kassian. If you remember going into the TDL the Canucks looked terrible and had trouble scoring. The PP and PK sucked. I think AV reconized that and wanted to go back to his "shutdown" stratagy to give the team a better chance to win games for the playoffs. I really believe that AV really wanted a checking 3rd line and that did not involve Hodgson at all. Gillis then pulled the trigger on Paulsson. With Sedin, Kesler, Paulsson and Lapierre down the middle and AV's trap system, Hodgson was pretty much not going to play. Gillis sent out his memo to the teams that were on his 5 player list and Buffalo jumped on it. While I also don't agree wtih the timing, that is how I think it all went down.

Hey Booner, I'm looking at a Lamson fly reel. Know anything about them? I'm somewhat uneducated in the fly fishing department.
- LeftCoaster

Lamson are quality brand. They also have affordable models that people like or you could soend alot. I don't own one but may buy one for his trip. They sometimes get cleared on ebay and you can find one hell of a deal.

I assume you are looking at a salmon set up? Chucking to feeding coho or trolling a bucktail? Or are you looking at stream/river fishing?

I bought an Orvis Hydros last night. I didnt need it but at half the price of what my fathter paid, I'll go for the upgrade. Sealed carbon disk drag for $200.

Are you guys still able to fly fish out there on the west coast?
- Whiskey-Tango

On the coast yes. Where I live is under snow and ice. I could be steelhead fishing on two of my favourite Vancouver Island rivers right now...the Stamp and Gold. It's one hell of a drive for me though.

The Kassian/Hodgson trade was more complex then Hodgson for Kassian. If you remember going into the TDL the Canucks looked terrible and had trouble scoring. The PP and PK sucked. I think AV reconized that and wanted to go back to his "shutdown" stratagy to give the team a better chance to win games for the playoffs. I really believe that AV really wanted a checking 3rd line and that did not involve Hodgson at all. Gillis then pulled the trigger on Paulsson. With Sedin, Kesler, Paulsson and Lapierre down the middle and AV's trap system, Hodgson was pretty much not going to play. Gillis sent out his memo to the teams that were on his 5 player list and Buffalo jumped on it. While I also don't agree wtih the timing, that is how I think it all went down.
- fiveandagame

AV deciding the teams roster. Sounds right to me.

I've been saying for a while now that Gillis has to take the GM job back from AV....like he did when he arrived.

AV deciding the teams roster. Sounds right to me.

I've been saying for a while now that Gillis has to take the GM job back from AV....like he did when he arrived.
- boonerbuck

You're right. AV has WAY to much input on roster decisions.

You're right. AV has WAY to much input on roster decisions.
- fiveandagame

Agreed.

Botchford pulls few punches here. Well done.

http://www.theprovince.co...rmance/7732029/story.html

He sure mentions alot of AV's mistakes...

You are right, we are. I still would like to hear some of the positives I'm not recognizing? I'm not one for repeating what others keep saying...whats the point? Kassian is not at all impressing me down in the AHL right now. What is there really to say? It's a waiting game and this team needs impact players yesterday.
- boonerbuck

I never said there were positives you weren't recognizing. I assume you recognize when there are positives. I do feel like you are overly critical of Kassian because he was swapped for Hodgson, but I could be wrong.

There certainly aren't as many positives as I hoped, but there are some;

-came into the season in excellent condition
-is tied for 2nd in scoring on the Wolves (edit: 3rd)
-showing he's got extremely good hands for such a big player
-has some playmaking ability
-is showing flashes of physical dominance along the boards and around the net

He's definitely struggling with consistency in most aspects of his game, but the skill and ability are definitely there.

You may disagree, but I think he'd be doing much better under a different coach (evidence of this is play with Rochester); however, he does need to get used to this type of treatment, since he'll eventually be graduating to AV...

One thing to remember is that he is only a 21 year old kid. Maturity is an issue, and is even more evident due to how mature Hodgson was, but I'm willing to give him time.

This phrase has become cliche, but power forwards do traditionally take longer to develop.

I never said there were positives you weren't recognizing. I assume you recognize when there are positives. I do feel like you are overly critical of Kassian because he was swapped for Hodgson, but I could be wrong.

There certainly aren't as many positives as I hoped, but there are some;

-came into the season in excellent condition
-is tied for 2nd in scoring on the Wolves (edit: 3rd)
-showing he's got extremely good hands for such a big player
-has some playmaking ability
-is showing flashes of physical dominance along the boards and around the net

He's definitely struggling with consistency in most aspects of his game, but the skill and ability are definitely there.

You may disagree, but I think he'd be doing much better under a different coach (evidence of this is play with Rochester); however, he does need to get used to this type of treatment, since he'll eventually be graduating to AV...

One thing to remember is that he is only a 21 year old kid. Maturity is an issue, and is even more evident due to how mature Hodgson was, but I'm willing to give him time.

This phrase has become cliche, but power forwards do traditionally take longer to develop.
- Fosco

He'll be 22 in a month.

I don't think there is anything there that I havent mentioned at one time or another. If I say he's taking bad penalties and then add..."but he's big and skilled", it just sounds like excuses. Besides, his size and skill go without mentioning. He will be big and skilled tomorrow as well. There's not much to mention as far as progress goes. He showed up in good shape, but it's hard to say if slimming down has improved his performance much. I've not watched him in the AHL outside of this season on the Wolves.

Really, I think the case here is admittingly I am hard on Gillis for the trade, but you've translated it to hard on Kassian. You'll know if I have a low opinion of Kassian... believe me. I will speak my mind.

He'll be 22 in a month.

I don't think there is anything there that I havent mentioned at one time or another. If I say he's taking bad penalties and then add..."but he's big and skilled", it just sounds like excuses. Besides, his size and skill go without mentioning. He will be big and skilled tomorrow as well. There's not much to mention as far as progress goes. He showed up in good shape, but it's hard to say if slimming down has improved his performance much. I've not watched him in the AHL outside of this season on the Wolves.

Really, I think the case here is admittingly I am hard on Gillis for the trade, but you've translated it to hard on Kassian. You'll know if I have a low opinion of Kassian... believe me. I will speak my mind.
- boonerbuck

I have no doubt

And you can be sure I'll be lurking about ready to give my input.

22 is still young. I was pretty immature and crazy at that age. As long as Kassian keeps the bar fights to a minimum, and doesn't go falling asleep in any stolen cars

I have no doubt

And you can be sure I'll be lurking about ready to give my input.

22 is still young. I was pretty immature and crazy at that age. As long as Kassian keeps the bar fights to a minimum, and doesn't go falling asleep in any stolen cars
- Fosco

Good memory.

Metro is crazy busy! God I hate shopping during the Holidays.

The Kuzma video won't play for me.

Rapz on a f***ing 5 game win streak!!!!!!!!
Mayan calender is there good luck charm?
N ross got major hops

Metro is crazy busy! God I hate shopping during the Holidays.
- Nucker101

I remember on my 1st boxing day, it was so crowded ppl were moving like turtles...
I thought was some kind of break in n enter cuz theres so many ppl n u couldnt get through fast

Rapz on a f***ing 5 game win streak!!!!!!!!
Mayan calender is there good luck charm?
N ross got major hops
- RF_4eva

I think I am hooped .I thought the mayan calander was true so I too a 100 000 loan last week and spent it on hookers and blo

And to top it all off, without making a dime on the ice this season they are ponying up 26 million dollars in signing bonuses to their captain.

wow, yeah hadn't thought of that...ouch...that's practically half a payroll paid out for nothing...the owners deserve to eat it when they hand out such ridiculous contracts, but I feel bad for Nashville fans