Would like to see Luo get another shutout and really get the goalie issue going even crazier. Have not heard enough Schneider for ... talk. I agree Schneider needs a start soon, but I also like how AV is going with the hot hand, we need the points.
Want to see Kassian keep up his play. Trying to figure out if I like Kickassian or Kassassin more.
- immature_male

Kickassian is great! love it

What a great blog and if I have said you're biased in the past, I need to eat my words. I think you are bang on with the young Oilers needing to grow (literally, physically grow) a bit before they can win the board battles. Hall-Nuge-Eberle have been watching videos of the Sedins to try to be at least half as good at cycling the puck down low, but yeah, boys vs. men along the boards just doesn't add up.

I was surprised that you think the Oil can pull this one off, it's going to be a tough one. I think it will come down to goaltending and I don't have as much confidence in Dubnyk as Luongo. Sedin line gets two goals, one more from secondary scoring and Luongo shuts the door for the rest. Oil #1 line gets one, #2 line gets the other, and maaaaaybe one more. The difference, sadly, might be the 'sh1tter that Dubnyk lets in.

I also have figured out why I like the Canucks more this season....it's a bit of Kassian, a bit of Luongo handing of a tense situation like a pro...but it is A LOT of "no Kessler". He has to be one of the least likeable guys in the league. I saw an interview with him recently and I remembered where my distaste for the Canucks came from. lol

Anyway, good luck tonight guys. It should be a good one. If you can believe it, I'd like to see young Kassian smack old cocky Hordichuk around tonight. lol
- JLO961

That seems to be a popular sentiment.

If he's playing at his best, it's enough for us to overlook his character flaws.

I'll go out on a limb and say Sedins finally click and the PK goes a perfect 4 for 4, 6-0 Canucks, S-S-K line with 10 points.

Does Kessel resign in TO this summer? And if he does, can he expect to get "Grabovski money"?
- fiveandagame

He's American, he will go to a US based team & pay less taxes. The leafs should trade him and get some assets. He definitely wont be resigning. Being forced to play under Carlyle's system will ruin his game and his value.

That seems to be a popular sentiment.

If he's playing at his best, it's enough for us to overlook his character flaws.
- Fosco

It's been a Long Time since we've seen that, I forget what Kesler at his best looks like and can only envision him tumbling everywhere, a la the many .gifs around.

He's American, he will go to a US based team & pay less taxes. The leafs should trade him and get some assets. He definitely wont be resigning. Being forced to play under Carlyle's system will ruin his game and his value.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Imagine the rebuild Toronto could orchestrate by aquiring 2 1sts and 2nd.

Who would you take in the playoffs for the canucks, Ovi or Kes?
- RF_4eva

Ovi, no contest.

It's been a Long Time since we've seen that, I forget what Kesler at his best looks like and can only envision him tumbling everywhere, a la the many .gifs around.
- 1970vintage

It's been a while, but it's also been a while since he's been healthy. He's had so many surgeries now that it's difficult to say if he'll ever get back to where he was.

I'm just hoping he can get back to the Kesler who was strong defensively and wasn't afraid to pass the puck to his linemates.

That seems to be a popular sentiment.

If he's playing at his best, it's enough for us to overlook his character flaws.
- Fosco

Yeah, so true. Trust me....we had Esa Tikkanen! lol Kessler at the absolute TOP of his career could land you what though? A pretty damn good return in a trade. I just think Kessler has one of those cancer-spreading-type attitudes that ruins the room. To win a cup you have to have EVERYONE on the same page, right down to the stick boys. I saw Kessler hog the puck and take selfish penalties against Boston. He is a legend in his own nose...I mean mind.

You're on Mr Vantel, but I'd prefer my payment in Canadian Tire dollars....
- chompsey

Imagine the rebuild Toronto could orchestrate by aquiring 2 1sts and 2nd.
- fiveandagame

They could have 3 Kadris.

Throw in Wellwood too?

They were going to include Clitsome, but the guys had trouble finding him.
- immature_male

Yeah, so true. Trust me....we had Esa Tikkanen! lol Kessler at the absolute TOP of his career could land you what though? A pretty damn good return in a trade. I just think Kessler has one of those cancer-spreading-type attitudes that ruins the room. To win a cup you have to have EVERYONE on the same page, right down to the stick boys. I saw Kessler hog the puck and take selfish penalties against Boston. He is a legend in his own nose...I mean mind.
- JLO961

I don't think it's that bad. All signs point to him being a pretty well liked guy in the locker room. It's some of his on-ice antics I'm not a fan of—mostly the diving.

I wouldn't be distraught if MG traded him, if the return benefitted the Canucks, but I'd rather see if he can regain his form first; but it's kind of a double-edged sword—if he doesn't regain his form, the Canucks don't get much in return, but if he does regain his form, he's the kind of player you don't want to trade.

When Kesler is playing at his best, the Canucks are at their best....but I guess you can say that about any team's top players.

It's been a while, but it's also been a while since he's been healthy. He's had so many surgeries now that it's difficult to say if he'll ever get back to where he was.

I'm just hoping he can get back to the Kesler who was strong defensively and wasn't afraid to pass the puck to his linemates.
- Fosco

And kept his mouth shut and quit whining and diving.

I would like him to make sure he is 100% before returning, and not come back too soon. I would like to see Kesler and Burrows together on a line, maybe put a passer with them if Kesler isn't going to.

If you can wait until July I can collect enough bottles to take that bet.
- VANTEL

July 1st!!!
You have just shattered my perception of you, I thought you could have consumed $50 worth of empties within a 3 week period, you do get a nickle for every empty you know.

I don't think it's that bad. All signs point to him being a pretty well liked guy in the locker room. It's some of his on-ice antics I'm not a fan of—mostly the diving.

I wouldn't be distraught if MG traded him, if the return benefitted the Canucks, but I'd rather see if he can regain his form first; but it's kind of a double-edged sword—if he doesn't regain his form, the Canucks don't get much in return, but if he does regain his form, he's the kind of player you don't want to trade.

When Kesler is playing at his best, the Canucks are at their best....but I guess you can say that about any team's top players.
- Fosco

It would be tough to trade away a 40 goal scorer Selke winner, would like to see how he does this season, hopefully he is motivated.

Ovi, no contest.
- JLO961

Debatable without kesler our defence is taken down a huge notch though so take that into consideration

It would be tough to trade away a 40 goal scorer Selke winner, would like to see how he does this season, hopefully he is motivated.
- immature_male

Agreed. As I said, when he's at the top of his game, he's the type of player you don't trade. Hopefully he can still be the same player when he's fully recovered and in mid-season form.

July 1st!!!
You have just shattered my perception of you, I thought you could have consumed $50 worth of empties within a 3 week period, you do get a nickle for every empty you know.
- Makita

Thought it was a dime?

If it's only a nickel, I'm drinking twice as much as I thought

I would be surprised to see Schneider play another game for Canucks. I think a deal is close.
- VANTEL

What?! You jest.

I don't think it's that bad. All signs point to him being a pretty well liked guy in the locker room. It's some of his on-ice antics I'm not a fan of—mostly the diving.

I wouldn't be distraught if MG traded him, if the return benefitted the Canucks, but I'd rather see if he can regain his form first; but it's kind of a double-edged sword—if he doesn't regain his form, the Canucks don't get much in return, but if he does regain his form, he's the kind of player you don't want to trade.

When Kesler is playing at his best, the Canucks are at their best....but I guess you can say that about any team's top players.
- Fosco

I would trade anyone including Sedins if it meant the return would benifit the canucks.

I would trade anyone including Sedins if it meant the return would benifit the canucks.
- pker2theend

I have a few players on the team who my loyalty for is too strong to see them in another jersey.

The Penguins could offer Crosby, Malkin, Letang, and three 1st rd picks, and I'd turn them down if it were up to me

if cory starts we get a shutout....
if lu starts we blow a 5 goal lead and a lose in a shutout
- RF_4eva

cory blows

cory blows
- TheNugeIsHuge

You must have really enjoyed that.

cory blows
- TheNugeIsHuge

Top shelf insight right there...