Isn't Burrows actually a left winger who's been playing on the right for the past few seasons?
- 1970vintage

Burrows is a winger. Close enough... He has 30+ goal seasons on RW, so that qualifies as his natural position. As opposed to having him play center for the first time in his career while a top 6 skillset center played on the 3rd line handicapped by offensively challenged linemates.

Weiss just returned for the Panthers. Perhaps that is the guy van was targeting. Makes sense. I do believe Mike G would be willing to move either goalie. He is pretty coy so I imagine it will be surprising if and when a deal is made.
Schroader has be a decent surprise. Not spectacular but not out of place either. Wish Hansen replaced Raymond on that line though
- Bieksa#3

I like Weiss. Has he ever played wing? Or is he defensively responsible enough to play on an AV 3rd line?

He definitely fits the mould of a playmaker, but I'm trying to think where he would fit when Kesler returns—he or Kesler would either have to drop to the 3rd line, or one would have to shift to wing.

Reimer playing well again for the leafs. Kessel and Neon doing their best not to help out again

I like Weiss. Has he ever played wing? Or is he defensively responsible enough to play on an AV 3rd line?

He definitely fits the mould of a playmaker, but I'm trying to think where he would fit when Kesler returns—he or Kesler would either have to drop to the 3rd line, or one would have to shift to wing.
- Fosco

Kesler belongs on the wing. It'd be the best thing to ever happen to his career (longevity & production wise) if we acquired or established a new 2nd line C by the time he comes back.

Wow. A 2nd line where guys will actually be playing their natural positions... With linemates who have like-skillsets... Where developing some offensive chemistry is actually possible?!? WTF is going on? Who kidnapped AV?
- DrChristianTroy

Yeah. I was thinking the same thing. Kinda was hoping they would try it earlier, but props to AV for actually going with it.

I've actually been pleasantly surprised with the patience he's shown with JS and Kassian.

Because of some internal financial constraints? The Caps currently have over $6 in cap space, they could fit him in this year without losing anyone from the roster, next year is another matter...
- 1970vintage

I just don't see them taking on another expensive long-term contract, regardless of how much cap they have...although that is more than I thought they had.

I like Weiss. Has he ever played wing? Or is he defensively responsible enough to play on an AV 3rd line?

He definitely fits the mould of a playmaker, but I'm trying to think where he would fit when Kesler returns—he or Kesler would either have to drop to the 3rd line, or one would have to shift to wing.
- Fosco

Weiss and Booth had lots of chemistry. Burrows and Kesler do. Perhaps we go with 3 great lines?

Yeah. I was thinking the same thing. Kinda was hoping they would try it earlier, but props to AV for actually going with it.

I've actually been pleasantly surprised with the patience he's shown with JS and Kassian.
- Fosco

And Tanev

Kesler belongs on the wing. It'd be the best thing to ever happen to his career (longevity & production wise) if we acquired or established a new 2nd line C by the time he comes back.
- DrChristianTroy

I don't disagree. I seem to remember both Kesler and AV were opposed to it, though.

And Tanev
- Bieksa#3

Tanev won AV over a while ago. Any defense-first coach would be a fan of Tanev. Kid does everything right in his own end.

Burrows is a winger. Close enough... He has 30+ goal seasons on RW, so that qualifies as his natural position. As opposed to having him play center for the first time in his career while a top 6 skillset center played on the 3rd line handicapped by offensively challenged linemates.
- DrChristianTroy

Yeah, I was just being nit-picky

Weiss and Booth had lots of chemistry. Burrows and Kesler do. Perhaps we go with 3 great lines?
- Bieksa#3

That would work, but it would go against AV's usual mentality of having the third line as a checking line. It would likely mean Kesler/Burrows are on the third line—not sure if Weiss is up to snuff defensively to play on AV's 3rd line.

Or they could scrap AV's method and go with something different?

I don't disagree. I seem to remember both Kesler and AV were opposed to it, though.
- Fosco

Didn't AV pull the "why move a Selke winner to another position"?

Tanev won AV over a while ago. Any defense-first coach would be a fan of Tanev. Kid does everything right in his own end.
- Fosco

Tanev looks really comfortable with Ballard, always has. More so then he does with any other canucks d(AV seemed to try him with everybody last yr)

I just don't see them taking on another expensive long-term contract, regardless of how much cap they have...although that is more than I thought they had.
- Fosco

I think us know it alls make too much of the long term contracts. It seems to me that the new CBA was, in part, designed to save GM's from themselves in this regard. There are a lot of teams out there that would be happy to have Luongo on his contract me thinks. What they would have to give up to get him may be something altogether different however.

That would work, but it would go against AV's usual mentality of having the third line as a checking line. It would likely mean Kesler/Burrows are on the third line—not sure if Weiss is up to snuff defensively to play on AV's 3rd line.

Or they could scrap AV's method and go with something different?
- Fosco

If AV had a 3rd line as good as the 2nd I believe he would excel. The man loves to roll the lines over as much as any coach. Kesler would still get his pp time and Pk time

Tanev won AV over a while ago. Any defense-first coach would be a fan of Tanev. Kid does everything right in his own end.
- Fosco

Very poised in his own end. I have not seen any panic.

Didn't AV pull the "why move a Selke winner to another position"?
- 1970vintage

Yeah, that's what I was referring to. I think Kesler said something about not wanting to move to the wing, as well, at some point.

I think us know it alls make too much of the long term contracts. It seems to me that the new CBA was, in part, designed to save GM's from themselves in this regard. There are a lot of teams out there that would be happy to have Luongo on his contract me thinks. What they would have to give up to get him may be something altogether different however.
- 1970vintage

I'm thinking more along the lines of Ted Leonsis not wanting to have so much money locked up long term in 3 players.

Who knows, though? Could be wrong. It's all speculation.

Yeah, that's what I was referring to. I think Kesler said something about not wanting to move to the wing, as well, at some point.
- Fosco

Why mess with a good thing. I now I only play beer league we still have teammates that get in fights over who plays where especially centre. We even get the dippoops that can't win a faceoff to save their life who refuse to play anything but centre and they have to skate more because of the position and are gassed before the rest of the line which ends up being costly.

Why mess with a good thing. I now I only play beer league we still have teammates that get in fights over who plays where especially centre. We even get the dippoops that can't win a faceoff to save their life who refuse to play anything but centre and they have to skate more because of the position and are gassed before the rest of the line which ends up being costly.
- thundachunk

If the Canucks were to acquire another offensive centre, preferably a playmaker (like Weiss, who KB3 suggested), I think it would be worth trying Kesler on the wing. He's excelled there before. It's not like they can't switch him back to centre if it doesn't work out.

If AV had a 3rd line as good as the 2nd I believe he would excel. The man loves to roll the lines over as much as any coach. Kesler would still get his pp time and Pk time
- Bieksa#3

Well, he had another good offensive centre in Hodgson, and he was traded because AV wanted a checking 3rd line. Although, there were other factors involved.

Just hope it's a good game. Gotta be better than that Leaf game I just watched

Just hope it's a good game. Gotta be better than that Leaf game I just watched
- blahman20

Riemer played solid. For the love of god is Neon horrible. And Kessel looks like he has given up

Just hope it's a good game. Gotta be better than that Leaf game I just watched
- blahman20

You want lu?
Guess what?! You cant have him now