But in four years, not a single upgrade at that position...
- 1970vintage

And that, along with the goaltending is where Burke has failed.
He tried when he traded Kaberle for Colbourne, but it appears as though he has regressed.

And that, along with the goaltending is where Burke has failed.
He tried when he traded Kaberle for Colbourne, but it appears as though he has regressed.
- BoBBeR56

I think you over estimate the ability of any GM to acquire "that" player. Do you honestly believe that had Burke still been in Vancouver that he would have put it together and Vancouver would have won a cup?

Detroit won a Cup with a small soft Euro line-up, more than one way to skin a cat. Not a valid argument but I agree Gillis has failed so far regarding putting together a second line.
- LeftCoaster

Jesus just looking at our forward lines makes me shiver. Once again we are a 1-line top heavy team backed by an assortment of spare parts, decent defence, and stellar goaltending. This should be interesting...

And that, along with the goaltending is where Burke has failed.
He tried when he traded Kaberle for Colbourne, but it appears as though he has regressed.
- BoBBeR56

Who has the better team in 3 years. Canucks or Leafs?

I think you over estimate the ability of any GM to acquire "that" player. Do you honestly believe that had Burke still been in Vancouver that he would have put it together and Vancouver would have won a cup?
- 1970vintage

Can't really say man...I don't think the team would be in a worse spot than it is now...

Who has the better team in 3 years. Canucks or Leafs?
- fiveandagame

Really?? Where are you going with this?

Jesus just looking at our forward lines makes me shiver. Once again we are a 1-line top heavy team backed by an assortment of spare parts, decent defence, and stellar goaltending. This should be interesting...
- AlexF

We really really really need a second line to get it done! Dan Murphy says he thinks this will be the starting line-up for the year.

Daniel Sedin -- Henrik Sedin -- Zack Kassian

Chris Higgins -- Alexandre Burrows -- David Booth

Mason Raymond -- Manny Malhotra -- Jannik Hansen

Dale Weise -- Maxim Lapierre -- Aaron Volpatti

Jesus just looking at our forward lines makes me shiver. Once again we are a 1-line top heavy team backed by an assortment of spare parts, decent defence, and stellar goaltending. This should be interesting...
- AlexF

I haven't thrown in the towel on Booth yet. Hopefully Kesler will come back at100%. It's too early to judge this roster. I'm waiting for the Luongo trade to go down before getting to worked up

Jesus just looking at our forward lines makes me shiver. Once again we are a 1-line top heavy team backed by an assortment of spare parts, decent defence, and stellar goaltending. This should be interesting...
- AlexF

Oh, come one, Raymond will get back to 25 goals, Kesler will be the beast of 2010, Booth will be a power forward extraordinaire Hansen/Higgy/Lappy will shutdown anyone and our fourth lin... I can't finish, it's just too depressing.

We really really really need a second line to get it done! Dan Murphy says he thinks this will be the starting line-up for the year.

Daniel Sedin -- Henrik Sedin -- Zack Kassian

Chris Higgins -- Alexandre Burrows -- David Booth

Mason Raymond -- Manny Malhotra -- Jannik Hansen

Dale Weise -- Maxim Lapierre -- Aaron Volpatti
- LeftCoaster

Is Kassian on top line to protect the twins a little? Like when Dave Semenko played with Gretz and Kurri? lol

Really?? Where are you going with this?
- BoBBeR56

You keep saying Leafs are finally starting to do things properly, so with your confidence in Burkes tenure as well as Nonis, will the Leafs be as good or better then the Canucks in 3 years?

Oh, come one, Raymond will get back to 25 goals, Kesler will be the beast of 2010, Booth will be a power forward extraordinaire Hansen/Higgy/Lappy will shutdown anyone and our fourth lin... I can't finish, it's just too depressing.
- 1970vintage

How do you think flames fans feel?

Just take a look at Nonis's free agent aqusitions while in Vancovuer and then tell me how optimistic you are about the possibility of Getzlaf and Perry.
- fiveandagame

Carney and Weinrich, guaranteed success.

You keep saying Leafs are finally starting to do things properly, so with your confidence in Burkes tenure as well as Nonis, will the Leafs be as good or better then the Canucks in 3 years?
- fiveandagame

I think it's a distinct possibility, given that we don't exactly have the forward prospects to replace our ageing production. I think our D and goaltending will still be solid but who's going to score all the goals? In three years I expect the Sedins (if they are still here) to be 2nd line players again.

EDIT - you meant will the leafs be as good as the 2015/16 Canucks right, not today's Canucks, i.e. will the leafs be a presidents trophy team challenging for the cup...

How do you think flames fans feel?
- A_SteamingLombardi

It's early January and they're still tied for first, pretty happy I bet.

You keep saying Leafs are finally starting to do things properly, so with your confidence in Burkes tenure as well as Nonis, will the Leafs be as good or better then the Canucks in 3 years?
- fiveandagame

Depends on Reimer/Scrivens, and next summer...but I don't think the Leafs will be Cup contenders in 3years

Is Kassian on top line to protect the twins a little? Like when Dave Semenko played with Gretz and Kurri? lol
- BoBBeR56

I personally think he'd do really well there! Good hands for a big man, has speed and can play a cycle game with the twins. Booth Kesler Burrows would be a good second line.

Depends on Reimer/Scrivens, and next summer...but I don't think the Leafs will be Cup contenders in 3years
- BoBBeR56

No but Burke and Nonis will have a foundation in place that any idiot GM could just step in the Leafs should be a top 4 team in the league right?

I haven't thrown in the towel on Booth yet. Hopefully Kesler will come back at100%. It's too early to judge this roster. I'm waiting for the Luongo trade to go down before getting to worked up
- fiveandagame

I hear you and will also reserve full judgement until the trade is made. Still, I can't see anything coming back that would make me believe we suddenly had a boost of firepower that could turn the tide. I like PHI as a trading partner over TOR and a guy like Brayden Schenn, Couturier, or Matt Read might provide a spark as a 2nd line center. The lack of discussion re Schroeder leads me to believe he's not ready (maybe never will be at this point).

The condensed schedule will create surprises guaranteed (team performances, injuries, etc). I just hope we're peaking come playoff time as opposed to waning like last year.

I think it's a distinct possibility, given that we don't exactly have the forward prospects to replace our ageing production. I think our D and goaltending will still be solid but who's going to score all the goals? In three years I expect the Sedins (if they are still here) to be 2nd line players again.

EDIT - you meant will the leafs be as good as the 2015/16 Canucks right, not today's Canucks, i.e. will the leafs be a presidents trophy team challenging for the cup...
- 1970vintage

Why does it take the players so freaking long to ratify the agreement, don't they have some fancy high powered NHLPA app for their phone?

I personally think he'd do really well there! Good hands for a big man, has speed and can play a cycle game with the twins. Booth Kesler Burrows would be a good second line.
- LeftCoaster

That's true...how long before Kesler is back? I thought I originally heard Dec/Jan...but obviously that isn't accurate, lol

- fiveandagame

A lot can happen in three years, either way. You think our top line of Gaunce with Jensen and Rodin is going to be scoring 80 goals...

Why does it take the players so freaking long to ratify the agreement, don't they have some fancy high powered NHLPA app for their phone?
- 1970vintage

Probably ensuring no Bettman sneakies lying in the fine print.

That's true...how long before Kesler is back? I thought I originally heard Dec/Jan...but obviously that isn't accurate, lol
- BoBBeR56

No timetable according to his agent...

Apparently he is skating on his own now.