So...Taylor Hall...another great game.

41 points in 33 games.

6th in the league. In 2-4 games less than everyone else in the top 30.

Comments???
- Iggysbff

He is doing very well against Van Cgy Col teams that struggle defensively. Lets see howhe does against better teams

Ouch, Justin Schultz 1 assist and -1 in an 8-2 beating of the Flames.

Lu gained more respect today and hopefully the fans, myself included, will finally stop blaming him for the cup final loss.

There is not another athlete who has ever handled this type of situation like Lu has. I hope AV has the balls to give him the start Thursday. Lu deserves it. The fans will support him like crazy and the team would play it's best game of the year.
- therealagent

He was as much to blame for teh loses as anyone. He let in 11 goals from behind the red line in the playoffs and sucked in game 6 in Boston. He chocked in Chicago.

He has grown up since then but was a huge part of the failures in those cup runs .

So...Taylor Hall...another great game.

41 points in 33 games.

6th in the league. In 2-4 games less than everyone else in the top 30.

Comments???
- Iggysbff

Hall is a legit first liner, can't argue that anymore IMO.

Hall is a legit first liner, can't argue that anymore IMO.
- Nucker101

blasphemy

What's the deal with the Yahoo pool, I'm matched up against DK again?

Hall is a legit first liner, can't argue that anymore IMO.
- Nucker101

He is a 1st liner (on edmonton)

He is very skilled.. no doubt about it... but he won't play a full season very often.

He was as much to blame for teh loses as anyone. He let in 11 goals from behind the red line in the playoffs and sucked in game 6 in Boston. He chocked in Chicago.

He has grown up since then but was a huge part of the failures in those cup runs .
- VANTEL

His meltdown in the finals included 2 shutouts and a 3-2 win. Grossly exaggerated. He flat out stole games against SJ to get us there.

I keep asking this question.. and no one seems to want to answer it.

Lets say Gillis signed Luongo to a normal contract... lets say 6-7 year deal.. at 7 million per ( he was making 6.75, cap was going up and it could be even more potentially). Would Luongo at 7 million cap hit for the next 3-4 years be anymore attractive? I believe his contract now.. is at least equal to.. if not.. more appealing than that sort of deal. Probably the best option for Gillis was to sign Lu to something like 3 years at 7 million and pray that Schneider will make that jump. Goalies can be tricky and there is no guarantee that Schneids was going to be an elite goalie. This was also during a time where these kind of contracts were becoming popular (cap circumvention)

So again, whats more appealing... 3-4 years left at 7ish million or 9 years with a nice cap hit of 5.3?

I keep asking this question.. and no one seems to want to answer it.

Lets say Gillis signed Luongo to a normal contract... lets say 6-7 year deal.. at 7 million per ( he was making 6.75, cap was going up and it could be even more potentially). Would Luongo at 7 million cap hit for the next 3-4 years be anymore attractive? I believe his contract now.. is at least equal to.. if not.. more appealing than that sort of deal. Probably the best option for Gillis was to sign Lu to something like 3 years at 7 million and pray that Schneider will make that jump. Goalies can be tricky and there is no guarantee that Schneids was going to be an elite goalie. This was also during a time where these kind of contracts were becoming popular (cap circumvention)

So again, whats more appealing... 3-4 years left at 7ish million or 9 years with a nice cap hit of 5.3?
- kneughter

Neither is ideal. If Lu's current contract had 7 years left it would be fine.

His meltdown in the finals included 2 shutouts and a 3-2 win. Grossly exaggerated. He flat out stole games against SJ to get us there.
- golfingsince

I'm starting to think Vantel doesn't know much about the game of hockey... It seems no one can remember that this team COULD NOT (frank)ING SCORE.. the PP was atrocious and half the team was injured. We were going to be the lowest scoring team in post-expansion history to win a cup.. and LUONGO IS THE PROBLEM??!?!?!

The Sedins, Kesler, and Burrows.. the true leaders of this team (or so we are told) need to show up for big games.. big series.. and produce when it matters. Get those chincy, dirty, playoff type goals and do whatever it takes to win. I don't need/expect the Sedins to fight.. but I want them standing up for themselves in a reasonable manner and show some emotion.

This team has the skill to win.. but do they have the determination and the will to do whatever it takes.

This team made it to the finals because of one incredible round by kesler... guys like Torres, Lappy and Higgins getting the job done and because LUONGO kept them in it.

I keep asking this question.. and no one seems to want to answer it.

Lets say Gillis signed Luongo to a normal contract... lets say 6-7 year deal.. at 7 million per ( he was making 6.75, cap was going up and it could be even more potentially). Would Luongo at 7 million cap hit for the next 3-4 years be anymore attractive? I believe his contract now.. is at least equal to.. if not.. more appealing than that sort of deal. Probably the best option for Gillis was to sign Lu to something like 3 years at 7 million and pray that Schneider will make that jump. Goalies can be tricky and there is no guarantee that Schneids was going to be an elite goalie. This was also during a time where these kind of contracts were becoming popular (cap circumvention)

So again, whats more appealing... 3-4 years left at 7ish million or 9 years with a nice cap hit of 5.3?
- kneughter

At the time, it would have been more I think. His first year was 10m! I agree though, I don't think (personally) that his contract is that bad, but it seems that everyone else out there does, so it must. A lot can change in 5 years, I think he has at least that long left as a quality starter, no reason for a team looking for a #1 not to take a chance. I'm open to trading Schneider, but I just don't see Gillis being able to repair the damage he's done in this relationship.

Neither is ideal. If Lu's current contract had 7 years left it would be fine.
- golfingsince

And I just don't think Gillis is able to get that deal at that cap hit for that length.

Maybe at like 6 million for 8-10 years... (maybe) but its hard to say in that position.

Its always a tough call... most people loved the signing when it happen.. god knows I did.

I'm starting to think Vantel doesn't know much about the game of hockey... It seems no one can remember that this team COULD NOT (frank)ING SCORE.. the PP was atrocious and half the team was injured. We were going to be the lowest scoring team in post-expansion history to win a cup.. and LUONGO IS THE PROBLEM??!?!?!

The Sedins, Kesler, and Burrows.. the true leaders of this team (or so we are told) need to show up for big games.. big series.. and produce when it matters. Get those chincy, dirty, playoff type goals and do whatever it takes to win. I don't need/expect the Sedins to fight.. but I want them standing up for themselves in a reasonable manner and show some emotion.

This team has the skill to win.. but do they have the determination and the will to do whatever it takes.

This team made it to the finals because of one incredible round by kesler... guys like Torres, Lappy and Higgins getting the job done and because LUONGO kept them in it.
- kneughter

Lu also crapped the bed in one or two games against the Hawks. I'm not putting the loss in the finals on him, but he was certainly hot and cold throughout the playoffs.

And I just don't think Gillis is able to get that deal at that cap hit for that length.

Maybe at like 6 million for 8-10 years... (maybe) but its hard to say in that position.

Its always a tough call... most people loved the signing when it happen.. god knows I did.
- kneughter

Never liked the length, but was glad to have the deal done. At the time he was one of the best 3?, maybe 5 goalies in the world.

Lu also crapped the bed in one or two games against the Hawks. I'm not putting the loss in the finals on him, but he was certainly hot and cold throughout the playoffs.
- 1970vintage

He lost some games, but the Canucks failed to win 1 in the finals without him being on top of his game. To pin the finals loss on him is unfair.

Never liked the length, but was glad to have the deal done. At the time he was one of the best 3?, maybe 5 goalies in the world.
- 1970vintage

Yeah, as i just said, I don't think it was Lu's "fault", he could certainly have played better in the three games in Boston, but then so could everyone else as well.

blasphemy

What's the deal with the Yahoo pool, I'm matched up against DK again?
- 1970vintage

It's the playoffs, round one this week!

Lu also crapped the bed in one or two games against the Hawks. I'm not putting the loss in the finals on him, but he was certainly hot and cold throughout the playoffs.
- 1970vintage

Ya Lu is apart of the team.. so essentially he is apart of the "blame" for losing.

But if I was giving out percentages for each player based on how much blame I would put on them for losing.. Lu would be a very low percentage. Goalies are easy to blame.. and tend to always be the scapegoat. No wonder Van is considered a goalie graveyard... best goalie in franchise history.. helps pull this team out of oblivion.. and gets poop on by the fans on a nightly basis.

He is a 1st liner (on edmonton)

He is very skilled.. no doubt about it... but he won't play a full season very often.
- kneughter

He may be injury prone, but IMO he's good enough to be a first liner on a playoff team. Edmonton just lacks grit, depth and a top d-man, Hall and Eberle are not the problem.

The Gill Brothers are going to have their work cut out for them in the off season. 14 players under contract for $62 million. 24 FA's (RFA + UFA) between AHL and NHL, some of those guys are going to get one way deals (Schroeder etc) and anything over 900k means cap hit if they don't make the team. The philosophy of best players playing regardless of salary isn't going to work.

It's the playoffs, round one this week!
- Nucker101

DK with RNH on the bench, 1g 3a

The Gill Brothers are going to have their work cut out for them in the off season. 14 players under contract for $62 million. 24 FA's (RFA + UFA) between AHL and NHL, some of those guys are going to get one way deals (Schroeder etc) and anything over 900k means cap hit if they don't make the team. The philosophy of best players playing regardless of salary isn't going to work.
- 1970vintage

Yup, exactly why I wanted Gillis to actually go "all-in" this season. Next year will be cap hell.

Yeah, as i just said, I don't think it was Lu's "fault", he could certainly have played better in the three games in Boston, but then so could everyone else as well.
- 1970vintage

the coach could have done a better job. they weren't scoring so how about splitting up the sedins. how about putting in schneider in game 6 like he did in chicago. how about not playing edler with a broken hand when he couldn't hold a stick. how about playing hodgson more if they needed offense. how about splitting up the sedins now for christ sakes. when danny was out a couple years ago hank and kes tore it up. put roy with daniel. through kes on hanks wing and see what happens. i know we won't score less.

lu will be the #1 by the playoffs by the way.

DK with RNH on the bench, 1g 3a
- 1970vintage

I'm starting to think Vantel doesn't know much about the game of hockey... It seems no one can remember that this team COULD NOT (frank)ING SCORE.. the PP was atrocious and half the team was injured. We were going to be the lowest scoring team in post-expansion history to win a cup.. and LUONGO IS THE PROBLEM??!?!?!

The Sedins, Kesler, and Burrows.. the true leaders of this team (or so we are told) need to show up for big games.. big series.. and produce when it matters. Get those chincy, dirty, playoff type goals and do whatever it takes to win. I don't need/expect the Sedins to fight.. but I want them standing up for themselves in a reasonable manner and show some emotion.

This team has the skill to win.. but do they have the determination and the will to do whatever it takes.

This team made it to the finals because of one incredible round by kesler... guys like Torres, Lappy and Higgins getting the job done and because LUONGO kept them in it.
- kneughter

Dude, this guy has scored some of the biggest goals in franchise history. I think he needs to play with someone else and the twins need to learn to play with Kassian( or someone else). Honestly, Hank is the captain and needs to accept this. He above all else knows how valuable Burrows is. It's not like they're splitting him from his brother.