True...assuming the run on those four D men (plus Jones) and Drouin, MacKinnon and Barkov are gone:

We're looking (at least 2 out of):

Nichushkin
Lindholm
Shinkaruk
Monahan
Horvat

some nice players right there...
- exlund

Fixed

Have to be all over that.
- stveshdy

He'd be an ideal Kimmo replacement, IMO

I agree...the problem is, they could have done that this year and had a lot of good options to take over the job this summer.
- Jsaquella

I'm not thrilled he is back. However, after thinking about it, I won't kill them for it because we as a fan base preach patience in other areas. In this case they did and I'm assuming the moves Homer will make this offseason will reflect the organization's support of Lava's philosophy.

Fixed
- ob18

BoHo

I'm not thrilled he is back. However, after thinking about it, I won't kill them for it because we as a fan base preach patience in other areas. In this case they did and I'm assuming the moves Homer will make this offseason will reflect the organization's support of Lava's philosophy.
- ravishingone

I won't kill them for it...well, I'll try not to kill them for it.

I understand it, but it's been building for a few years for me.

BoHo
- Jsaquella

Perhaps he should be considered at least before Hunter Shinkaruk

Perhaps he should be considered at least before Hunter Shinkaruk
- ob18

I'd prefer him over Shinkaruk, although I wouldn't be upset with the latter.

I'd prefer him over Shinkaruk, although I wouldn't be upset with the latter.
- Jsaquella

Yeah he can no doubt improve and show why some love his game.

Yeah he can no doubt improve and show why some love his game.
- ob18

I just want a BoHo jersey.

I just want a BoHo jersey.
- Jsaquella

http://www.londonknights....rseys/customizer_2012.asp

I won't kill them for it...well, I'll try not to kill them for it.

I understand it, but it's been building for a few years for me.
- Jsaquella

Getting owned by the Debs and Rangers will do that to a Flyers fan. They stumble out of the block in the first 20 games, I think he will be gone. We'll see if he is stubborn enough to revert back to his old philosophies with a healthier, more experience blue line.

He better figure out how to get this team to score 5 on 5 again. Last year, they were horrible.

I'm not absolving other areas of the organization. I put blame on the players, GM and owner, too.

But I saw too many coaches get more out of less than Laviolette has, and it hasn't just been this season. This season is just when the bottom fell out of the barrel.

The good thing is, it sure seems that the players are still buying what he's selling, because when he finally changed, they did their best to make it work.
- Jsaquella

no question, lavi had as tough a yr as homer did. changes made were overdue.

He'd be an ideal Kimmo replacement, IMO
- Jsaquella

agreed and in his prime. we have luke and (hopefully) nic to handle the heavy lifting of physical play.

Actually, the one guy I have concerns about is Hunter Shinkaruk, but mainly because he's got a rep as being a guy who can be negated by physical play, despite his talent level.
- Jsaquella

I didn't really come across much evidence of that in the stuff I reviewed for the profile...he's fairly strong on his skates for his size and uses his skating, quickness, and body positioning to avoid being physically "negated" ...judging by his performance in the WHL, where goal scoring can be somewhat harder to come by than other leagues, there didn't seem to be that much negating of Shinkaruk going on.

I think he's one guy who often ranks out of the top or even 10, but,loosely speaking, as much pure talent in terms of hands, quickness, agility and hockey IQ, as the top two forwards MacKinnon and Drouin. He's not a small player at 5'11" but like many a young player, could stand to bulk up...when you look at the most recent footage, he doesn't seem particularly small out there, and it certainly looks like he can handle himself against bigger guys who try to get physical with him:

(yes, it's time for youtube videos!)

Our hero, #9, get's nailed along boards but makes the play, then to the slot for the goal.

http://www.youtube.com/wa...&feature=youtu.be&t=1m53s

Battles a big d man for positioning in front, scores goal:
http://youtu.be/iKETR6XjTwI?t=2m

Blows past one d man, get's hooked by the second big d man, still scores, shorthanded.

http://youtu.be/iKETR6XjTwI?t=2m12s


Getting through a sizeable D man who tries to get him physically at the blueline:

http://www.youtube.com/wa...wM&feature=youtu.be&t=45s

BoHo
- Jsaquella

He's certainly peaking into his draft...that can be a good or bad thing. Is he proving he's special or is he just having a run of good luck that makes him overrated going into the draft? I haven't researched or seen enough of him to chime in, really at this point...

He's certainly peaking into his draft...that can be a good or bad thing. Is he proving he's special or is he just having a run of good luck that makes him overrated going into the draft? I haven't researched or seen enough of him to chime in, really at this point...
- exlund

Clutch ability

Have to be all over that.
- stveshdy

Ugh. Vancouver wants to get big and young. I would guess they'd target Simmonds. Bobby ryan would be perfect trade bait for Anaheim.

I could see our first rounder figuring into this

Ugh. Vancouver wants to get big and young. I would guess they'd target Simmonds. Bobby ryan would be perfect trade bait for Anaheim.

I could see our first rounder figuring into this
- Just5

Simmonds is the obvious bait, but if a deal could be struck with Hartnell and Coburn as starting points then maybe we have something very good. Obviously we'd have to add quite a bit on top of that, but preserving our youth core while adding a #1 dman would be a huge victory for the team this offseason.

11th for Edler? Wouldn't the Canucks then have the 11th and 16th? Just spitballing.

11th for Edler? Wouldn't the Canucks then have the 11th and 16th? Just spitballing.
- GirouxForTheShow

I'd rather pick Pulock or Zadorov with the 11th, I imagine both of them will be better than Edler in their primes. If we can get Edler, great, just keep the high pick out of it.