I'm going to warn you that being a jerk to the blogger isn't permitted. If you disagree, articulate why. Calling some one stupid is cheap and easy, but doesn't really contribute.
- micah555

Sorry Micah but I am a huge Nuck fan and this guy is correct. I think he said it the best way! Right to the point. I like Ian and his blogs but a lot of the time they are unfounded or exaggerated with out knowledge of certain situations. Don't get me wrong I appreciate his enthusiasm, it's just misplaced sometimes. And I know he is just a fan like us but to be a respectable blogger you HAVE to know your facts.

Far be it for a 'Nucks-depiser like me to post in a 'Nucks blog, BUT...


I've always thought the shortcomings of this team have been the result of poor leadership from the top down.

And I'm - of course - an outsider looking in, so I may talking in out-of-towner cliches a bit here, but I've always felt this team lacked a sense of accountability.

And I suppose I don't recall a lot of specific comments from the players themselves, but certainly quite a few from AV and Gillis. I know I'm going to rub a lot of folks here the wrong way, but there's just a feeling of entitlement that permeates from these two, and bleeds into the perception of a lot of the players. (And let's call a spade a spade fellas, this team has a lot players who are easy to hate from the outside)

I think that if this team wants to turn a corner with the current personnel, both AV and Gillis have to go, and a more hard-nosed, lunchpail mentality needs to be implemented from the front-office down to the locker room - and thus, onto the ice.
- FredoXV

I totally agree with you, trade Lou for tallon




But seriously stuff has to change. If the Canucks make the playoffs thy are out in the 1st or 2nd. So what's the point. To think the Canucks can and will go through Chicago come playoff time with this team is a joke. And who ever believes that has to get there Canuck glasses off

Far be it for a 'Nucks-depiser like me to post in a 'Nucks blog, BUT...


I've always thought the shortcomings of this team have been the result of poor leadership from the top down.

And I'm - of course - an outsider looking in, so I may talking in out-of-towner cliches a bit here, but I've always felt this team lacked a sense of accountability.

And I suppose I don't recall a lot of specific comments from the players themselves, but certainly quite a few from AV and Gillis. I know I'm going to rub a lot of folks here the wrong way, but there's just a feeling of entitlement that permeates from these two, and bleeds into the perception of a lot of the players. (And let's call a spade a spade fellas, this team has a lot players who are easy to hate from the outside).

I think that if this team wants to turn a corner with the current personnel, both AV and Gillis have to go, and a more hard-nosed, lunchpail mentality needs to be implemented from the front-office down to the locker room - and thus, onto the ice.
- FredoXV

Fair points. The perception of Gillis and AV is that they complain a lot. Hell, a lot of GM's and coaches do. Julien complaining about the Habs diving was laughable. Brad Marchand is almost as bad a diver as Kesler but he seldom gets held to the same standard. Even last night against the Leafs, he seemed to go down rather easily. Don't get me wrong, he's a hell of a player. Canuck fans hate him but he's the type of player they really need desperately. Or take Dustin Brown. Although the 'Nucks have cleaned up their act considerably (with the exception of Kesler of course), the perception still exists. Whether it is warranted, they have to work harder than the other teams to clean up their image. female doging about calls after the game isn't going to give you an advantage in the next game.

Fair points. The perception of Gillis and AV is that they complain a lot. Hell, a lot of GM's and coaches do. Julien complaining about the Habs diving was laughable. Brad Marchand is almost as bad a diver as Kesler but he seldom gets held to the same standard. Even last night against the Leafs, he seemed to go down rather easily. Don't get me wrong, he's a hell of a player. Canuck fans hate him but he's the type of player they really need desperately. Or take Dustin Brown. Although the 'Nucks have cleaned up their act considerably (with the exception of Kesler of course), the perception still exists. Whether it is warranted, they have to work harder than the other teams to clean up their image. female doging about calls after the game isn't going to give you an advantage in the next game.
- Canuckleafer

Brad Marchand is the worst diver in the NHL. He's worse than Kesler.

I think AV is a decent coach but he seems to have problems adapting to a change mid-game. This is why he looks so susceptible to being outcoached. If the opposing coach changes up the script, AV doesn't adapt.

I don't know enough about Gillis to make any comment on him. I haven't really looked into his FA, trade, and draft records.

Despite the panic I'm seeing from Canucks fans you guys are still sitting at 3rd in the West. All teams go through periods in a season where they look bad or uninspired, just wait and they'll turn it around.

I still think Sharp and Shaw for Kesler . We get a second line center and top 6 winger.
- VANTEL

I doubt the Hawks and Vancouver would be trading partners

Sharp has a NTC and he will not be waiving it to go to the Canucks

Even though I like Kessler he does not look like the same player he was 2 years ago

Florida,Wahington,TBay,Columbus,WPeg and Calgary look like the most likely trading partners
Unless Calgary win the NW

You guys need someone who can win a faceoff and need help up the middle until Kesler comes back. Bozak certainly seems like he'd be a good fit in Vancouver.

I think the leafs need to deal him this year as he doesn't fit into their long term plans. Realistically we wont get much for him as he's an impending UFA but would Vancouver be interested and what do you think he's worth?

I think he'd be worth a 2nd
- Scruffton

Honestly, if I was the Leafs GM I'd buyout/trade Grabo and sign Kadri and Bozak with that money.

And if you are dealing Bozak, I bet there is a team out there who would give you a first for him. I know I'd strongly be considering it with the situation Vancouver is in right now.

I doubt the Hawks and Vancouver would be trading partners

Sharp has a NTC and he will not be waiving it to go to the Canucks

Even though I like Kessler he does not look like the same player he was 2 years ago

Florida,Wahington,TBay,Columbus,WPeg and Calgary look like the most likely trading partners
Unless Calgary win the NW
- PEIHawkFan

Uhhhhh...WTF are you talking about?

Was just looking at CapGeek - what's the Vancouver outlook next season? Assuming Luongo is moved, things still look a bit tight and top-heavy with the cap drop. You guys expecting any other names to be dangled this summer?
- FredoXV

Gilman is a cap expert. I doubt we see Booth and Ballard here next year combined with Lu will be around 12 mil savings next year.

I doubt the Hawks and Vancouver would be trading partners

Sharp has a NTC and he will not be waiving it to go to the Canucks

Even though I like Kessler he does not look like the same player he was 2 years ago

Florida,Wahington,TBay,Columbus,WPeg and Calgary look like the most likely trading partners
Unless Calgary win the NW
- PEIHawkFan

No reason for the Hawks to even think about trading Sharp. Who would want to really do much of anything with that lineup right now. I used to think Wash could be a trading partner as well but they have been playing well as of late. Holtby looked solid again last night. Florida seems so bad right now, a goalie change will not help much. I can't see Calgary either. Maybe T-bay. T.O is out unless the Lu discussion is out of the picture. I wouldn't bring in Lu over the 2 kids right now. I hate to say it, but the trading partners for Lu seem to be decreasing every week.

Was just looking at CapGeek - what's the Vancouver outlook next season? Assuming Luongo is moved, things still look a bit tight and top-heavy with the cap drop. You guys expecting any other names to be dangled this summer?
- FredoXV

Drouin or Jones is the outlook for the summer.

Sorry Micah but I am a huge Nuck fan and this guy is correct. I think he said it the best way! Right to the point. I like Ian and his blogs but a lot of the time they are unfounded or exaggerated with out knowledge of certain situations. Don't get me wrong I appreciate his enthusiasm, it's just misplaced sometimes. And I know he is just a fan like us but to be a respectable blogger you HAVE to know your facts.
- Greg7705

Ian was one of the last guys here to say fire AV... Get your facts straight.

Ian was one of the last guys here to say fire AV... Get your facts straights.
- Scooby_Doo

I was saying it before the first presidents trophy.

I was saying it before the first presidents trophy.
- thundachunk

He was outcoached in every series during the Cup run. If he was fired in 2009, we'd be looking for our 4th straight Cup this year.

Do you know ANYTHING about hockey?

Blaming this coach for this team (and its performance) demonstrates you know nothing about this sport. (Like your trade rumours and playoff predictions, you consistently prove what little you know.)

Your list of "players we should trade for" is another example of your low HIQ. (You remind me of the guy who phoned into one of the radio gab shows a few years ago claiming the best / fairest trade would be Tony Tanti straight up for No. 99.)

Before you even start to discuss trade idea, go to capgeek.com and look at the salaries. Look at the cap numbers. See what you're getting, and what you need to unload to make it work.

On second thought... keep blogging. I live in BC and need a good laugh now and then.
- 2Over1Under

Do you even watch the games?

AV is a huge part of the problem—the largest single part.

The personnel choices he's made/hasn't made have hurt this team for years. Not to mention punishing certain players for minor mistakes while his go-to guys can play a stretch useless games at a position well above their ability and nothing happens...

He's been outcoached nearly every year in the playoffs, alienates at least one player a season, and he's had the GM trade away effective players and failed to use the ones the GM has brought in.

You're absolutely kidding yourself if you think AV is faultless in this.

One problem with the team

Powerplay get that fixed we are great again. Someone was talking about ehrhoff and i agree completely its not a coincidence the twins had their two best years with him here and our pp was top rated. I would have signed him in a heartbeat and got rid of ballard. Ten years I dont care he would be solid for 6 at least

Do you even watch the games?

AV is a huge part of the problem—the largest single part.

The personnel choices he's made/hasn't made have hurt this team for years. Not to mention punishing certain players for minor mistakes while his go-to guys can play a stretch useless games at a position well above their ability and nothing happens...

He's been outcoached nearly every year in the playoffs, alienates at least one player a season, and he's had the GM trade away effective players and failed to use the ones the GM has brought in.

You're absolutely kidding yourself if you think AV is faultless in this.
- Fosco

Yep, based on last nights OT debacle, Henrik should be benched next game or two. How in the hel! do you back of and give a player a straight path to the net and a shot from 10 feet out. I couldn't believe what I saw. Get a stick on him, or better yet check him off the puck before he snipes the OT winner. Instead you BACK AWAY. That was brutal to watch, and even on my rec team, you would get called out on.

I get giving the goalie the line of sight on a shot, but those are from the far outside, not 10 ft in front, right in one of the best scoring zone.

The sky is falling.

Honestly, if I was the Leafs GM I'd buyout/trade Grabo and sign Kadri and Bozak with that money.

And if you are dealing Bozak, I bet there is a team out there who would give you a first for him. I know I'd strongly be considering it with the situation Vancouver is in right now.
- IanEsplen

I really can't see the leafs getting a 1st for him. If it was a draft year other than this one, maybe. Or maybe I'm just overvaluing the depth in this draft. It truly looks to me like it could be one of those huge draft years with a bunch of impact players.

Ian, is #1 the player you want most? What would Van give up for Morrow?

Yep, based on last nights OT debacle, Henrik should be benched next game or two. How in the hel! do you back of and give a player a straight path to the net and a shot from 10 feet out. I couldn't believe what I saw. Get a stick on him, or better yet check him off the puck before he snipes the OT winner. Instead you BACK AWAY. That was brutal to watch, and even on my rec team, you would get called out on.

I get giving the goalie the line of sight on a shot, but those are from the far outside, not 10 ft in front, right in one of the best scoring zone.
- moondawg

Henrik has great vision that was a statement.

It doesn't even matter where the Canucks sit in the standings. It doesn't matter if we make the playoffs. The fact is that Vancouver fans constantly suffer from disappointments season in and season out. When is management going to wake up and find a remedy to add that extra something and take us over the top. It just pisses me off when watching this team play right now!

It doesn't even matter where the Canucks sit in the standings. It doesn't matter if we make the playoffs. The fact is that Vancouver fans constantly suffer from disappointments season in and season out. When is management going to wake up and find a remedy to add that extra something and take us over the top. It just pisses me off when watching this team play right now!
- deuce22

It's true. Sestito looks like he's had the life sucked out of him. AV needs to go, he's suffocating the players.

It doesn't even matter where the Canucks sit in the standings. It doesn't matter if we make the playoffs. The fact is that Vancouver fans constantly suffer from disappointments season in and season out. When is management going to wake up and find a remedy to add that extra something and take us over the top. It just pisses me off when watching this team play right now!
- deuce22

Amen brother, a change is needed. It kinda reminds me of the no nuts nonis days

- Scooby_Doo

Ironic, I've been listening to old REM all morning.