I think having two legit lines that can score behind them is just as good as one stacked 2nd line. I really hope Booth isn't done for the entire year, but it doesn't sound too good for him, but who knows because no one thought Malhotra would be thrown into the fire of a SCF either. Hopefully Kassian can establish a top 9 role with this team.
- Nucker101

I disagree. The Sedins need LEGIT support (like a clean-up hitter in baseball)... Diluting the offensive talent over a 2nd & 3rd line doesn't provide that.

Luongo said it best "My contract sucks"
- hunter3333

Yes paying someone 64 Million to do something they love is an awful way to treat a person.

If they played Manny in the playoffs that would mean MG was less than sincere about MM injury. He felt it was too much of a risk that Manny would do permanent damage. Gillis is always sincere about these matters
- VANTEL

I highly doubt that they would play Manny and the league would definitely step in and do something about it if they did. It would be like the Flyers playing Pronger only in the playoffs every year. I was more inferring towards the Booth injury since they've been pretty secretive as usual about it.

I disagree. The Sedins need LEGIT support (like a clean-up hitter in baseball)... Diluting the offensive talent over a 2nd & 3rd line doesn't provide that.
- DrChristianTroy

Then the obvious answer is to load up a line with Roy. Kesler needs to play a shutdown role.

I disagree. The Sedins need LEGIT support (like a clean-up hitter in baseball)... Diluting the offensive talent over a 2nd & 3rd line doesn't provide that.
- DrChristianTroy

What lineup are you suggesting Doc? Bringing back Schroeder? I would not mind seeing what Archibald and Lain can do for the last two games on the Canucks if they have a spot clinched.

I think Jensen and Kassian are playing on the same line tonight?

Then the obvious answer is to load up a line with Roy. Kesler needs to play a shutdown role.
- golfingsince

Kes on PP with Roy or first unit?

I disagree. The Sedins need LEGIT support (like a clean-up hitter in baseball)... Diluting the offensive talent over a 2nd & 3rd line doesn't provide that.
- DrChristianTroy

If the Canucks really wanted to stack a second line, IMO putting Kesler on Roy's wing could get that done, but AV would have to trust Schroeder as 3LC or move Higgins to center again. I still prefer either the lineup I posted or the one you suggested yesterday. I'm not saying that this team is up there with the Hawks and Kings, but if I were another playoff team I'd rather play the Wild, Sharks, Wings or Oilers/Jackets than the Canucks.

Kes on PP with Roy or first unit?
- VANTEL

He'll probably get a crack first unit given it's history. The PP is going to need some work to find 1 unit, let alone 2.

Kes on PP with Roy or first unit?
- VANTEL

I think the first unit misses Kesler, it looked a lot more dangerous with him in his first few games back. Roy finally gives the second unit a legit center that it's lacked since the Hodgson trade. The Roy addition plus Kesler return should really help the PP. Newell Brown still needs to make some changes though since everyone in hockey seems to know their tendencies and zone entries by now. He has the players to make this a top 5 PP unit again once Kesler returns so no more excuses.

What lineup are you suggesting Doc? Bringing back Schroeder? I would not mind seeing what Archibald and Lain can do for the last two games on the Canucks if they have a spot clinched.

I think Jensen and Kassian are playing on the same line tonight?
- VANTEL

With Roy ?

Yes paying someone 64 Million to do something they love is an awful way to treat a person.
- VANTEL

Yeah, he was obviously emotional and the team should have let him speak about it later. He could have instead tried to do a decent sell job and said that he intends to play for as long as he can at a high level, saying "my contract sucks" might be true, but won't help his or the team's cause.

Do you feel this team is good enough to go past first round?
- VANTEL

Talent wise? Yes.

How the coaching staff will use the talent? Probably not.

With Roy ?
- golfingsince

I am not sure but I think so

He'll probably get a crack first unit given it's history. The PP is going to need some work to find 1 unit, let alone 2.
- golfingsince

True enough

Talent wise? Yes.

How the coaching staff will use the talent? Probably not.
- DrChristianTroy

I think AV is going to use Roy the same way as Hodgson minus the random benchings. I'm more interested to see how AV handles the line combos, how Brown handles the PP and if Kassian(or Jensen) will get a legit shot as a top 9 forward, because with Booth gone one of them has to be a top 9 winger unless AV moves Weise up to the third line again.

Yes paying someone 64 Million to do something they love is an awful way to treat a person.
- VANTEL

Yeah -- and stupid

I am not sure but I think so
- VANTEL

I don't think anything has been made official yet. Murph usually tweets it as soon as AV reveals his lineup.

I think the first unit misses Kesler, it looked a lot more dangerous with him in his first few games back. Roy finally gives the second unit a legit center that it's lacked since the Hodgson trade. The Roy addition plus Kesler return should really help the PP. Newell Brown still needs to make some changes though since everyone in hockey seems to know their tendencies and zone entries by now. He has the players to make this a top 5 PP unit again once Kesler returns so no more excuses.
- Nucker101

I would try Burrows Hank Kesler 1 st unit with BieksaGarrison

Daniel Roy Kassian / Hansen with Edler and Tanev second unit

Reason to split the Sedins is they spend too much time passin on a two minute chance.

I don't think anything has been made official yet. Murph usually tweets it as soon as AV reveals his lineup.
- Nucker101

True but the afternoon show was saying that.

Booth is gone for the year including playoffs are the reports
- VANTEL

He's hoping to be back in time for woolly mammoth season.

He's hoping to be back in time for woolly mammoth season.
- we_are_all_canucks

Should be a good game tonight. My advice: just lose. You guys are good and these two games against Edmonton are kinda meaningless for you so yanno...just coast.
- sanfordnson

Ha ha ha ha I like u

Should be a great game who in goal tonite has been announced.

I think AV is going to use Roy the same way as Hodgson minus the random benchings. I'm more interested to see how AV handles the line combos, how Brown handles the PP and if Kassian(or Jensen) will get a legit shot as a top 9 forward, because with Booth gone one of them has to be a top 9 winger unless AV moves Weise up to the third line again.
- Nucker101

What I would like to see in the playoffs

Sedin / Sedin / Kassian
Burrows / Roy / Kesler
Raymond / Schroeder / Hansen
Higgins / Lapierre / Weise

What we will probably see in the playoffs

Sedin / Sedin / Burrows
Raymond / Kesler / Higgins
Weise / Roy / Hansen
Sestito / Lapierre / Pinizotto

Serious question, how is Cam Barker doing with you guys? Any semblance of the guy who got 40 points in Chicago a few years back? I know he's got 2 points in 7 gp and is a +2, but I want to know moreso how he looks.