I never said it was easy. I said it was hard. I just believe that's why the GM gets paid millions of dollars.

That is exactly my point, I don't expect Schroeder to perform like a vet. I expect him to have struggles and play I consistently. That's why he isn't good enough for this team next season.
- KB3Point0

No offence, but if you honestly think this team is that close to being a cup contender, and you think that the cap issues are realistically fixable to the point where the Canucks aren't going to have to rely on ELC's, rookies, and in-house solutions to fill in, and can bring in proven FAs, then you have no right calling anybody else delusional.

I'm beginning to think that Prock has a new alias, just to frank with you.
- 1970vintage

Never thought I'd miss Prock...

No offence, but if you honestly think this team is that close to being a cup contender, and you think that the cap issues are realistically fixable to the point where the Canucks aren't going to have to rely on ELC's, rookies, and in-house solutions to fill in, and can bring in proven FAs, then you have no right calling anybody else delusional.
- Fosco

I respectfully disagree with you on Schroeder. With regards to the Canucks being close to a cup contender, I do believe they need to make a number of moves to get there, but I think they are close enough that those moves are not out of reach. Gillis has his work cut out for him, but it is possible.

No offence, but if you honestly think this team is that close to being a cup contender, and you think that the cap issues are realistically fixable to the point where the Canucks aren't going to have to rely on ELC's, rookies, and in-house solutions to fill in, and can bring in proven FAs, then you have no right calling anybody else delusional.
- Fosco

And I do think they'll have to rely on a few of those, just not Schroeder.

They've been quietly putting up better point totals than people realize. Read somewhere that H. Sedin is near or at the top for points over the last 3 or 4 playoffs—can't remember the source, unfortunately.

The problem is no secondary scoring, and a horrible PP.

Teams can just focus on shutting down the Sedins with their top F and D, and are also not afraid to take liberties with them when the PP doesn't punish them for it.

Surprised they haven't had major injuries considering the abuse they take in the playoffs.

But yes, it's sometimes difficult to notice them since they're often wearing another team's jersey...(hat tip to Brian Burke).
- Fosco

And the other famous Burke quote... Sedin is not Swedish for punch me, or headlock me in a scrum

Never thought I'd miss Prock...
- Fosco

He's consoling his Jessie Blacker doll and crying about if only Toronto had played him, they'd be in the Cup Finals now instead of Boston.

Lu for CAR's 1st. Edler for TB's first. Kesler for FLA's first. Hodgson for COL's first.

Kesler and Burrows are competing in the summer worlds championships. For diving.
- Allstarzz

if you can't tell by my location. This guy is a TSN insider/scholar/not 13

Ok seriously, someone has to put the allstar out of his misery, the stink is making it hard to breath.

At least im older than your boy RNH. He looks 5.
- Allstarzz

I would bet you're not much older.

Ok seriously, someone has to put the allstar out of his misery, the stink is making it hard to breath.
- 1970vintage

the grammar has me shaking my head at the Ontarian education system

the grammar has me shaking my head at the Ontarian education system
- TheNugeIsHuge

He makes prock look sane by comparison.

He makes prock look sane by comparison.
- DariusKnight

he thinks TO is a #3D away from being a contender

I think they are still trying to win a Cup, but they aren't as all in as they maybe have been in the past.

You look at the roster and I think they are still top-10 in the NHL so I don't see how or why you would break everything up to suck for 3-5 years. This team is still pretty darn good in my books and if you're pretty darn good, you're not that far off winning a Cup.

I think you will see a core player or two being moved out and a core player or two being brought in.
- IanEsplen

I think this team has the assets to acquire some youth for the future (high end youth to eventually replace the Sedins),while still maintaining their competitiveness. Luongo might get a decent pick and a prospect with a little luck, Kesler would be very attractive to many teams,and Vancouver has managed okay while he was on the shelf, and the depth on D and emergence of Tanev makes it possible to move Edler. I would say those three could equal 3 good picks and 3 good prospects,not to mention some decent roster players that can help the team now. With the savings they could bolster line 2 and be a better team with a deeper prospect pool they can slowly develop

Everybody having a good night?

Trading up is a fine move. Probably not worth the price tag, but you never know. That's the thing about potential: it's nice to have but it's useless until it's realized.

Everybody having a good night?

Trading up is a fine move. Probably not worth the price tag, but you never know. That's the thing about potential: it's nice to have but it's useless until it's realized.
- micah555

Honestly, unless there is a player that stands out at 24 i'd rather trade down.

It's gonna take creativity on GMMG's part to plug holes. I can see a situation like this playing out.

Kesler + 1st rounder

For

Gaustad and 4th overall.

That's obviously a framework for a potential deal (maybe it gets it done)
- at this point you see if Nashville wants to hold onto cap. Correct me if I'm wrong, but in the new CBA a team can keep cap space, but the team who receives the player pays the salary? That's how I see it anyway. This would be a boon to teams who only spend to the cap.

Anyway. Trade an asset or two to create cap space, and sign Fillpulla.

When all things are said and done you have depth down the middle, and a rookie centre in either Barkov or the Russian.
- Gullzy

I love how some dismiss the cap issues as minor:

Trade an asset or two to create cap space, and sign Fillpulla.

like it's going to be easy for Gillis to deal away the salaries of booth, ballard and luongo. It makes me realize just how clueless some people are. Kind of shocking really, that some have so very little grasp of how badly Gillis is backed into a corner on this and how extremely good he's going to have to be to get out of it with a playoff capable team.

It's gonna take creativity on GMMG's part to plug holes. I can see a situation like this playing out.

Kesler + 1st rounder

For

Gaustad and 4th overall.

That's obviously a framework for a potential deal (maybe it gets it done)
- at this point you see if Nashville wants to hold onto cap. Correct me if I'm wrong, but in the new CBA a team can keep cap space, but the team who receives the player pays the salary? That's how I see it anyway. This would be a boon to teams who only spend to the cap.

Anyway. Trade an asset or two to create cap space, and sign Fillpulla.

When all things are said and done you have depth down the middle, and a rookie centre in either Barkov or the Russian.
- Gullzy

With all due respect, Gaustad (whose injury woes make Kesler look like an iron man) for Kesler is ridiculous. And I wouldn't consider Filpulla to be any sort of upgrade either.

Edit: my bad, I only focused on the two NHL players and not the draft picks. Still, I don't think I'd do that deal (again, Gaustad is a throw away and, while the number 4 pick could be a good one, you're once again trading away a legit Selke trophy winner for potential only)

I remember a team that traded up a while back. Gave up a decent amount to get the third overall pick to get two small swedish guys. Wierd looking dudes called the sedins. People thought that was odd but the light weights eventually started to grind a little and put their names on the score board a lot.

You are right. Trading up. NOT A GOOD IDEA. I am sure you will get the same quality of player after 15 as you would in the top 4. There is definitely going to be more Mackinnon's, Drouin's, Jone's and Nichuskin's in future drafts. Sure all for of them are probably better than the best player in the last two drafts. I think Hall is the only one that could rival these guys.

Still cool you guys have that one prospect. I forget his name and that other guy might turn out. Plus you have Tanev. He is young. So you got a young guy on your roster doing well already. Why do you need two?