How can u feel sorry for a canucks fan in Alberta? At least he gets to watch his team in the playoffs, unlike most in Alberta
- Bieksa#3

And spring is here so there's all those lovely shades of brown.

AV can always go back to his mixmaster when they're on the road and don't have last change but at home when you do, put your opponent back on their heels in whatever way you can. His blended lines never look dangerous ... except in their own zone.
- YeOldTimer

Marwood needs to send him a book on Mixology.

And spring is here so there's all those lovely shades of brown.
- A_SteamingLombardi

My in Laws are going out to see my wife's sister at Stampede time. Hopefully they find it nice enough to stay

Marwood needs to send him a book on Mixology.
- A_SteamingLombardi

IF liquor is involved I will take a book also

My in Laws are going out to see my wife's sister at Stampede time. Hopefully they find it nice enough to stay
- Bieksa#3

My in Laws are going out to see my wife's sister at Stampede time. Hopefully they find it nice enough to stay
- Bieksa#3

Game after game we see the guy with the best shot on the team trying to take a one-timer while he's on his weak side. Is it any wonder he misses the net so often?

Pair Garrison with a right-hander instead of Hamhuis and get him blasting away from the center blueline on his strong side. I agree with keeping Edler with the Sedins' unit as they do have a history of some chemistry. I agree with all your suggestions here perhaps with the exception of Kassian in front on the second unit. If they ever get a powerplay they could maybe try him there and see how he does, but there's more of a skill to being the net guy than just being large. I suspect they'd be better off to go with a second unit PP of Roy, Raymond and Burrows plus Garrison and Bieksa or Tanev on the back end.
- YeOldTimer

What about Kesler on the point on a PP?

What about Kesler on the point on a PP?
- golfingsince

If I was the defenders and Kesler got the puck at the point, I would all 4 of us skate at Kesler. 1st 2 guys go down to block the shot, 3rd guy take Kesler, 4th guy take the breakaway.

Anybody else hear Jay Janower (Global News guy) on 99.3 this morning say that one of the reasons Kassian was sent down was because he was enjoying the night life in Vancouver too much?

Not sure what kind of inside information the Global News sports guy has, so I don't know how much stock I put into the report...

Not too happy if it's true. He is a young kid, I guess...

I heard Cody only drinks virgin cocktails...

Anybody else hear Jay Janower (Global News guy) on 99.3 this morning say that one of the reasons Kassian was sent down was because he was enjoying the night life in Vancouver too much?

Not sure what kind of inside information the Global News sports guy has, so I don't know how much stock I put into the report...

Not too happy if it's true. He is a young kid, I guess...

I heard Cody only drinks virgin cocktails...
- Fosco

Cody doesn't go to the bars. He's to shy. That's also why he doesn't go near anybody in the defensive end

I am hoping when it comes to playoffs and we lose a game you start the other goalie next game. You win you stay in. I think if Luo gets the chance he will make it easier for MG to move him with a 'better' return than what he was offered yesterday.

Cody doesn't go to the bars. He's to shy. That's also why he doesn't go near anybody in the defensive end
- Bieksa#3

I meant when he's over at his grandmother's house—she puts club soda in her drinks, but it's too fizzy for Cody.

I am hoping when it comes to playoffs and we lose a game you start the other goalie next game. You win you stay in. I think if Luo gets the chance he will make it easier for MG to move him with a 'better' return than what he was offered yesterday.
- immature_male

That's an awful way to split time. How many goaltenders sweep a series all by themselves? So you're saying that a loss means the other guy comes in cold? Say hi to 2 straight losses. Chances are, the other guy would have bounced back.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE LOSSES. The only way you should lose your starting job is if you look disoriented/intimidated and downright awful.

Really glad all of these fans from other teams are here classing up the blog ....
- Fosco

I'm enjoying the displays of ignorance. They hear one sound bite on the sports highlights and believe that proves everything the talking heads in Toronto have said about Luongo's contract is fact. Then they come skipping along here to spout off about it.

Luongo's contract may not seem very favorable to trade for, but don't be surprised when the 'listen-to-me, I'm-at-a-desk' gang starts singing a different tune.

It's a short season and (most) fans have no expectations. Will they really care if their team loses this year? It's a mulligan season. But you get to a full 82 game schedule where there's the opportunity to fall out of the playoff race in a market that doesn't have a full-house season ticket base, and GM's will get desperate for any slim margin of improvement. Luongo's a proven, elite goaltender who's still in his prime. He can change the fortunes of a struggling team all by himself. In a normal season he's a highly desirable asset.

As for his contract 'sucking', that's also a gross oversimplification. Would he be more appealing if he had one year left on his deal? Of course. But he he was signed to a long term deal because he was one of the elite players in the NHL at the time and would have been offered even more on the open market if he'd gotten to UFA. Over the next 5 years, while still at the top of his game, his contract is actually very cap-friendly. (You think that won't be more appealing next season?) After the five years are up it becomes attractive for cap-floor teams as the cap dollars and actual dollars out invert. There won't be many of those contracts left floating around by that then so he'll still be a valuable commodity. He'll fetch good draft picks and prospects in 5 years time for whatever team makes him available then.

Ian's blog isn't off base. Personalities of potential trading partners, other teams having hot goalie prospects in their system, team's wanting to 'punish' the Canucks because they signed too long a contract, or anything else that's been put forth to suggest Luongo is untrade-able is utter nonsense. He'll be moved for assets when one or more of the other 29 GM's decide they need to get better certainty at the goalie position. There just wasn't enough pressure for other teams to make that commitment this year.

Anybody else hear Jay Janower (Global News guy) on 99.3 this morning say that one of the reasons Kassian was sent down was because he was enjoying the night life in Vancouver too much?

Not sure what kind of inside information the Global News sports guy has, so I don't know how much stock I put into the report...

Not too happy if it's true. He is a young kid, I guess...

I heard Cody only drinks virgin cocktails...
- Fosco

I read that somewhere as well. His demotion wasn't a conditioning stint or that he needed to play hockey but a message that he needs to act responsibly on and off the ice. If that is true, I don't blame the organization.

That's an awful way to split time. How many goaltenders sweep a series all by themselves? So you're saying that a loss means the other guy comes in cold? Say hi to 2 straight losses. Chances are, the other guy would have bounced back.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE LOSSES. The only way you should lose your starting job is if you look disoriented/intimidated and downright awful.
- DrChristianTroy

If this method is true then Philly would changed the goalies with the rest of the line change

I meant when he's over at his grandmother's house—she puts club soda in her drinks, but it's too fizzy for Cody.
- Fosco

If this method is true then Philly would changed the goalies with the rest of the line change
- Bieksa#3

Might not be a bad approach in their case

If this method is true then Philly would changed the goalies with the rest of the line change
- Bieksa#3

Maybe they should.

Paul Chapman ‏@PaulC14

Toxic relationship between #Canucks Mike Gillis and #Leafs Dave Nonis boiled over in final hour before trade deadline http://www.theprovince.co...s+Dave/8197268/story.html …

That's an awful way to split time. How many goaltenders sweep a series all by themselves? So you're saying that a loss means the other guy comes in cold? Say hi to 2 straight losses. Chances are, the other guy would have bounced back.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE LOSSES. The only way you should lose your starting job is if you look disoriented/intimidated and downright awful.
- DrChristianTroy

If Schneider falters or gets injured Lou is there. If not, let him roll with it. It would be interesting to see what's offered at the draft for him.

I'm enjoying the displays of ignorance. They hear one sound bite on the sports highlights and believe that proves everything the talking heads in Toronto have said about Luongo's contract is fact. Then they come skipping along here to spout off about it.

Luongo's contract may not seem very favorable to trade for, but don't be surprised when the 'listen-to-me, I'm-at-a-desk' gang starts singing a different tune.

It's a short season and (most) fans have no expectations. Will they really care if their team loses this year? It's a mulligan season. But you get to a full 82 game schedule where there's the opportunity to fall out of the playoff race in a market that doesn't have a full-house season ticket base, and GM's will get desperate for any slim margin of improvement. Luongo's a proven, elite goaltender who's still in his prime. He can change the fortunes of a struggling team all by himself. In a normal season he's a highly desirable asset.

As for his contract 'sucking', that's also a gross oversimplification. Would he be more appealing if he had one year left on his deal? Of course. But he he was signed to a long term deal because he was one of the elite players in the NHL at the time and would have been offered even more on the open market if he'd gotten to UFA. Over the next 5 years, while still at the top of his game, his contract is actually very cap-friendly. (You think that won't be more appealing next season?) After the five years are up it becomes attractive for cap-floor teams as the cap dollars and actual dollars out invert. There won't be many of those contracts left floating around by that then so he'll still be a valuable commodity. He'll fetch good draft picks and prospects in 5 years time for whatever team makes him available then.

Ian's blog isn't off base. Personalities of potential trading partners, other teams having hot goalie prospects in their system, team's wanting to 'punish' the Canucks because they signed too long a contract, or anything else that's been put forth to suggest Luongo is untrade-able is utter nonsense. He'll be moved for assets when one or more of the other 29 GM's decide they need to get better certainty at the goalie position. There just wasn't enough pressure for other teams to make that commitment this year.
- YeOldTimer

Dreger is still Nonis's cousin. They want Lou for free and the TO fans and media are all over it.

I read that somewhere as well. His demotion wasn't a conditioning stint or that he needed to play hockey but a message that he needs to act responsibly on and off the ice. If that is true, I don't blame the organization.
- AlexF

That's been widely reported. Sure made for a very expensive evening at the Roxy for the young lad. He now knows it's cheaper to have hookers hand-deliver booze to your house.

Dreger is still Nonis's cousin. They want Lou for free and the TO fans and media are all over it.
- golfingsince

This could easily backfire in a big, big way on Nonis.

That market will roast him alive if Luongo's traded elsewhere and the Leafs fall back to chasing for a playoff spot next year with merely average goaltending. He could have had an elite goalie with a low cap hit for Scrivens and a couple of seconds.

Honeymoon over Dave.

This could easily backfire in a big, big way on Nonis.

That market will roast him alive if Luongo's traded elsewhere and the Leafs fall back to chasing for a playoff spot next year with merely average goaltending. He could have had an elite goalie with a low cap hit for Scrivens and a couple of seconds.

Honeymoon over Dave.
- YeOldTimer

All no nuts has to do as get them to the play offs once and he will be a Hall of Famer