I doo see flashes of vision & touch from him... But obviously not enough to help his teammates on a regular basis.
- DrChristianTroy

He's still got lots of room to improve, but he's been contributing pretty much every game.

IMO, he's been the best on his line since being moved from the Sedin line.

If I have to watch a Booth Kesler Kassian line get in each other's way all (frank)ing season I will lose my sh!t.
- DrChristianTroy

I'm with you.

Dump Booth, add Raymond and see what happens

If I have to watch a Booth Kesler Kassian line get in each other's way all (frank)ing season I will lose my sh!t.
- DrChristianTroy

The team is playing well now. Booth and Kesler have to learn how to play nice with others not vice versa

I'm with you.

Dump Booth, add Raymond and see what happens
- IanEsplen

We are hooped if Raymond is top 6 .I have said that 1000 times. Leave Raymond on the third line thank you.

He's still got lots of room to improve, but he's been contributing pretty much every game.

IMO, he's been the best on his line since being moved from the Sedin line.
- Fosco

I agree with that, but let's be real... How hard is it to be the best on a line with Higgins & Lapierre?

Gillis press conference seems to confirm they are clearing a roster spot .

I don't like to say I told you so ,but we all know I did

I agree with that, but let's be real... How hard is it to be the best on a line with Higgins & Lapierre?
- DrChristianTroy

True but he was also the best on the Sedin line. They needed Burrows to jump start them.

True but he was also the best on the Sedin line. They needed Burrows to jump start them.
- VANTEL

The reason the Sedins were struggling was because they made Kassian better, but he doesn't have the complete game to make THEM better as Burrows does. No way he was the best player on the top line during his stint there. He did take full advantage of the Anson Carter position though.

I agree with that, but let's be real... How hard is it to be the best on a line with Higgins & Lapierre?
- DrChristianTroy

Higgins and Lapierre are struggling now, but both have been effective players (in some capacity) for the majority of the time they've been Canucks.

I still think its impressive that a 22 year old sophomore is the best player on any NHL line, especially considering the criticism he's received in the past.

Phaneuf: Non-playoff and lottery teams with next to 0 support
Bieksa: Back-to-back President's Trophy teams littered with individual awards

You think these two points might have an impact on Phaneuf's and Bieksa's stats JUST A LITTLE?

I think it's also safe to say that with the exception of Vancouver, the Northwest has been the weakest division in the league in recent years.
- As_I_See_It

You could make the same argument for the Northeast and the Southeast...

Higgins and Lapierre are struggling now, but both have been effective players (in some capacity) for the majority of the time they've been Canucks.

I still think its impressive that a 22 year old sophomore is the best player on any NHL line, especially considering the criticism he's received in the past.
- Fosco

As far as I'm concerned, Higgins is infuriating 90% of the time... and awesome the other 10%. I can see why every GM wants to trade him after 1 or 2 years. Lapierre is my dream 4th line C, but there's no way he shoud be expected to outperform a young blue chip prospect. I expect Kassian to outshine players like those 100% of the time.

As far as I'm concerned, Higgins is infuriating 90% of the time... and awesome the other 10%. I can see why every GM wants to trade him after 1 or 2 years. Lapierre is my dream 4th line C, but there's no way he shoud be expected to outperform a young blue chip prospect. I expect Kassian to outshine players like those 100% of the time.
- DrChristianTroy

Agreed. I think Higgins is a bit miscast, as well, due to the times when he does play above his normal level.

I don't really EXPECT any 22 year old with under 100 games to regularly outplay any established veteran NHLer, but it's a bonus when they do. I think this is where our opinions differ.

Either way, the Canucks are getting contributions from a couple if young players, which is something to be optimistic about.

Agreed. I think Higgins is a bit miscast, as well, due to the times when he does play above his normal level.

I don't really EXPECT any 22 year old with under 100 games to regularly outplay any established veteran NHLer, but it's a bonus when they do. I think this is where our opinions differ.

Either way, the Canucks are getting contributions from a couple if young players, which is something to be optimistic about.
- Fosco

Honestly, I think Crawford & AV have conditioned Canucks fans not to trust and/or to expect nothing from young players. Every season you see breakout youngsters across the league (who are put in positions to succeed by their coaches). Hell, Hodgson is almost a PPG player in Buffalo. It has more to do with coaching than whether or not young players are capable of making an impact. The only reason we're all impressed with Kassian & Schroeder right now is because it's the first time AV's ever given players that age 1st & 2nd line opportunities with offensive players & some PP time.

Bout f'n time Juice gets some good recognition. Bieksa and Kesler are my 2 favorite Canucks. Love the way he plays on the ice and while he may not always be on as far as intensity during the regular season(which player is?) he really comes up big when it counts...the playoffs. As far as toughness goes I love watching him hit and fight when he decides to do it. I was listening to the Ducks feed a couple weeks back and the announcers asked Parros a year or 2 back who is one of the toughest players pound for pound in the NHL and he said Bieksa. Juice is one bad mother(frank)er!
- CanUSA17

Same here. Bieksa is a horse. Easily my fav player in the league. With Kesler being 2nd. Bieksa is a great big game player.

Agreed. I think Higgins is a bit miscast, as well, due to the times when he does play above his normal level.

I don't really EXPECT any 22 year old with under 100 games to regularly outplay any established veteran NHLer, but it's a bonus when they do. I think this is where our opinions differ.

Either way, the Canucks are getting contributions from a couple if young players, which is something to be optimistic about.
- Fosco

I hear what your saying and I know power forwards do take long to find their game . But don't forget he was a first round 13th overall player taken . Most gm's would hope a player taken that high would be the best player on the third line . After saying that I think he needs more time and ice

tough to say: currently undefeated, but they haven't won a game yet either.

How's your team - M's? - doing?
- 1979AD

Braves and Nationals are the 2 best teams in baseball. Both with amazing young pitching staffs. The Nationals starters are better but Atlanta's bullpen might be the most dominate of our generation.

I hear what your saying and I know power forwards do take long to find their game . But don't forget he was a first round 13th overall player taken . Most gm's would hope a player taken that high would be the best player on the third line . After saying that I think he needs more time and ice
- way out west

I would agree with players taken 1-5ish overall; 10-30 is a bit of a crapshute.

Players develop at a different pace. Too many factors to consider—team depth, and being put in a position to succeed.

Honestly, I think Crawford & AV have conditioned Canucks fans not to trust and/or to expect nothing from young players. Every season you see breakout youngsters across the league (who are put in positions to succeed by their coaches). Hell, Hodgson is almost a PPG player in Buffalo. It has more to do with coaching than whether or not young players are capable of making an impact. The only reason we're all impressed with Kassian & Schroeder right now is because it's the first time AV's ever given players that age 1st & 2nd line opportunities with offensive players & some PP time.
- DrChristianTroy

I don't really think it's fair to compare Kassian and Hodgson—their style is too different. I think most realize the Canucks gave up a bit of offensive potential and leadership for Kassian's physical edge. Plus, Hodgson is a year older.

My biggest issue with AV's treatment of rookies in past is his impatience—a player can't get comfortable on a line if they're afraid they'll be benched or in the pressbox after one mistake.

Bieksa for Hickey

Anyone that has nhl 13 want to start a be a gm connected league?

Gillis press conference seems to confirm they are clearing a roster spot .

I don't like to say I told you so ,but we all know I did
- VANTEL

Hey, just listened to the press conference, I have to agree, it sure sounds like Gillis is looking for a way to take Malhotra off the ice. There must be some medical backing of this decision. I'm not 100% sure on how the new CBA deals with IR and LTIR, but this is my understanding:

- If the plan is to place Manny on LTIR, I believe that insurance would pay the remainder of his salary, and it wouldn't count against the cap. Insurance companies don't like to spend money if they don't have to, so the Canucks doctors must have informed Gillis' decision.

- If the plan is to leave Manny on IR, then they can fill in his roster spot on the 23 man roster, but his salary is still being paid by the team, and still counts against the cap. From the NHL and NHLPA perspective, there would still need to be medical support for this decision. The PA would never allow one of their members to be deprived of the opportunity to a) earn their living and b) have an opportunity to earn future contracts (see Gomez, Scott). From the NHL perspective, the league would never allow a team to fudge their roster to gain an advantage over other teams.

So while I agree that the timing and the language used is suspect, I still think there is a medical basis for the decision, even if it is from the doctor that is paid by the team...

Bieksa for Hickey
- TheNugeIsHuge

Bieksa for Eberle

Bieksa for Eberle
- vancity787

Please don't teese the monkeys

Please don't teese the monkeys
- Bieksa#3

THEY'RE ON MY TURF

THEY'RE ON MY TURF
- vancity787

And throwing their poo.