Hard to say. I believe Sweden has some rule where they don't like to take guys for NA.
- IanEsplen

Never heard that specifically about Sweden, but it's very possible, since I've heard it about other European teams.

I've seen some propose that both Polasek and Honzik were victims of this in their respective WJC eligible years with the Czechs...

That 2nd line looks like the No Chemistry line but that said I doubt they'll all be healthy for that long to find out.

No love for Schroeder?
- AlexF

It's possible, but Kassian does have decent passing skills.

I know the times that Kassian and Kesler have been on the same line haven't been successful in the past, but they really haven't been given enough time together to get comfortable, either.

And we all know Kesler used to pass, as shown by his 51 assist season, so maybe if he actually has a linemate he feels confident passing to that ability will come back...?

Never heard that specifically about Sweden, but it's very possible, since I've heard it about other European teams.

I've seen some propose that both Polasek and Honzik were victims of this in their respective WJC eligible years with the Czechs...
- Fosco

I think it's one of those unwritten rules.

Zuccarello and Hagelin, as well, although not near the same scale as MSL.

I think it's pretty much a foregone conclusion that Schroeder is with the big club this year, since he's no longer waiver exempt—basically, wherever he starts the year, is where he'll finish, whether it's Vancouver or Utica. Could even try him on the wing again.

Unless he get's traded of course...

I'd definitely wager that Gillis will not risk losing his longest serving 1st round pick for nothing, though.

Really want to see Horvat back with London this season.

Mike Hunter (knights GM) says the plan is to play him on a line with Domi and McCarron this upcoming season.

That will be a hell of a line, and will do wonders for Horvat's offense.
- Fosco

I don't think it is by any means a foregone conclusion that he'll be with the big
club. He has tonnes to prove this year. Tortorella isn't going to keep him with the big club just because of his waiver status. If he has a strong camp and makes the team, absolutely. If Gaunce, Horvat, Lain, or one of the other centers they bring in outplay him, he'll be traded or in Utica.

It's possible, but Kassian does have decent passing skills.

I know the times that Kassian and Kesler have been on the same line haven't been successful in the past, but they really haven't been given enough time together to get comfortable, either.

And we all know Kesler used to pass, as shown by his 51 assist season, so maybe if he actually has a linemate he feels confident passing to that ability will come back...?
- Fosco

Lot of ifs there Fosco. Bottom line is I'm willing to give any combination a shot for more than a few shifts (AV specialty). What better time to do it then the pre-season. I hope Torts brings his thinking cap because there might be some line combos that have chemistry we haven't even considered.

I'm still curious to see if Torts decides to break up the Sedins, even if just for experimentation. They've proven (at least Henrik has) that they can still be effective without the other.

just to make it interesting...

Daniel-Kesler-Burrows
Booth-Henrik-Kassian

I don't think it is by any means a foregone conclusion that he'll be with the big
club. He has tonnes to prove this year. Tortorella isn't going to keep him with the big club just because of his waiver status. If he has a strong camp and makes the team, absolutely. If Gaunce, Horvat, Lain, or one of the other centers they bring in outplay him, he'll be traded or in Utica.
- KB3Point0

Gillis will have some say, as well. And he won't let Schroeder go for nothing...

Like I said, unless he's traded, Schroeder will finish the year in the league he starts, whether that be in the AHL or NHL.

My guess is that it's the NHL, because he had a decent showing last season, and he's more proven than the two OHL centres that everybody is overrating who have only played against 19 year olds and under...

Lot of ifs there Fosco. Bottom line is I'm willing to give any combination a shot for more than a few shifts (AV specialty). What better time to do it then the pre-season. I hope Torts brings his thinking cap because there might be some line combos that have chemistry we haven't even considered.

I'm still curious to see if Torts decides to break up the Sedins, even if just for experimentation. They've proven (at least Henrik has) that they can still be effective without the other.

just to make it interesting...

Daniel-Kesler-Burrows
Booth-Henrik-Kassian
- AlexF

Yeah, I'm a bit apprehensive to break them up. It would spread out the scoring, but regardless of how well Henrik played without Daniel, they've always better together.

If they try it and it works, I'm all for it.

Yeah, I'm a bit apprehensive to break them up. It would spread out the scoring, but regardless of how well Henrik played without Daniel, they've always better together.

If they try it and it works, I'm all for it.
- Fosco

Agreed but in the playoffs they've been marginalized to a pretty significant extent. The last time I can remember them asserting their regular season form in the playoff was the one game we won against LA. Just saying that, unless you can usher in a new top line and roll the Sedins as the 2nd line (against lesser defenders) I think it might be time to at least have a look at the options should the time come to shake things up.

Lot of ifs there Fosco. Bottom line is I'm willing to give any combination a shot for more than a few shifts (AV specialty). What better time to do it then the pre-season. I hope Torts brings his thinking cap because there might be some line combos that have chemistry we haven't even considered.

I'm still curious to see if Torts decides to break up the Sedins, even if just for experimentation. They've proven (at least Henrik has) that they can still be effective without the other.

just to make it interesting...

Daniel-Kesler-Burrows
Booth-Henrik-Kassian
- AlexF

The thing about the Sedins is they have trouble maintaining their chemistry once the playoffs start. I say splitting them up can't hurt since there will only be one Sedin to pick on for the top 2 lines. I really wish they would bulk up and take some MMA classes one offseason. They aren't known for their speed anyway right?

Agreed but in the playoffs they've been marginalized to a pretty significant extent. The last time I can remember them asserting their regular season form in the playoff was the one game we won against LA. Just saying that, unless you can usher in a new top line and roll the Sedins as the 2nd line (against lesser defenders) I think it might be time to at least have a look at the options should the time come to shake things up.
- AlexF

The Canucks don't need to split up the Sedins, they need to get some scoring out of the 2nd and 3rd lines in the playoffs. They should be able to do that without splitting up the twins. If they can't do it without splitting up the Sedins, we're screwed anyways.

The thing about the Sedins is they have trouble maintaining their chemistry once the playoffs start. I say splitting them up can't hurt since there will only be one Sedin to pick on for the top 2 lines. I really wish they would bulk up and take some MMA classes one offseason. They aren't known for their speed anyway right?
- CanUSA17

I disagree with this entirely.

We're going to hide the Sedins on different lines so they don't get picked on? They need to take MMA? They lose their chemistry in the playoffs?

The Canucks don't need to split up the Sedins, they need to get some scoring out of the 2nd and 3rd lines in the playoffs. They should be able to do that without splitting up the twins. If they can't do it without splitting up the Sedins, we're screwed anyways.
- KB3Point0

Then we're screwed, because we haven't been able to get consistent scoring out of those 2 lines in the playoffs for a long time now with this cast. There's still a lot of summer left however...

Then we're screwed, because we haven't been able to get consistent scoring out of those 2 lines in the playoffs for a long time now with this cast. There's still a lot of summer left however...
- AlexF

Kesler basically started the playoffs last year after not playing for a year. Booth missed the playoffs. Higgins was apparently hurt. Kassian was stuck on the 4th line.

That represents the majority of your secondary scoring.

Don't forget the Canucks are also a team that is built to generate offense from their D-men too. Their performance should improve greatly this year under Tortorella.

I think it's one of those unwritten rules.
- IanEsplen

I don't know Ian. I think it's more to do with the fact that 99% of the good Swedes stay in Sweden. Same poop with the Finns. I mean the two guys I can think of off the top of my head are Landeskog (OHL) and Lindholm (AHL), both were injured during/before the WJC's. Jacob de la Rose was just drafted extremely high in the CHL import draft, but said he won't come over much like most top-end Scandinavians. I mean hell, you guys have one of the prime examples, Edler played in Kelowna and went to the WJC's. Oscar Moller too.

Kesler basically started the playoffs last year after not playing for a year. Booth missed the playoffs. Higgins was apparently hurt. Kassian was stuck on the 4th line.

That represents the majority of your secondary scoring.

Don't forget the Canucks are also a team that is built to generate offense from their D-men too. Their performance should improve greatly this year under Tortorella.
- KB3Point0

Everything you list there is pretty much normal for NHL teams, and especially normal when you're talking about Kesler and Booth. The dream of heading into the playoffs with every one of these guys 100% fit is unrealistic. Our issue is that we don't have true scoring lines in the bottom 9 as much as a few individuals that can generate offense. Throw in the fact that 2 of those are injury prone and ...

Anyone think Torts might really look to shake things up and break up the Sedins?
- AlexF

No.

The Canucks don't need to split up the Sedins, they need to get some scoring out of the 2nd and 3rd lines in the playoffs. They should be able to do that without splitting up the twins. If they can't do it without splitting up the Sedins, we're screwed anyways.
- KB3Point0

Agreed.

If a team has a 2nd and 3rd line that are a threat to score, the opposition can't focus on the top line.

Henrik's playoff stats the last 5 seasons; 56gp - 12g - 42a - 54p (0.96p/game)
Daniel's playoff stats the last 5 seasons; 53gp - 18g - 31a - 49p (0.92p/game)

Burrows's playoff stats the last 5 seasons; 56gp - 18g - 13a - 31p (.55p/game)

Kesler's playoff stats the last 5 seasons; 56gp - 12g - 26a - 38p (0.68p/game)

Booth's playoff stats for his career; 5gp - 1g - 0a- 1p....(small sample...)

Higgins playoff stats with the Canucks; 34gp - 4g - 4a - 8p (0.23p/game)

Hansen's playoff stats the last 5 seasons; 48gp - 5g - 8a - 13p (0.27p/game)

...not gonna do anybody else, but the point is clear—the Sedins aren't the problem.

True, some of the other players have had lesser roles, and mitigating circumstances, but it's clear that the Canucks have not had sufficient secondary scoring to be a real playoff threat in the last 5 years—it's actually quite surprising they made it to game seven of the SCF in this time with such a lack of scoring...

Everything you list there is pretty much normal for NHL teams, and especially normal when you're talking about Kesler and Booth. The dream of heading into the playoffs with every one of these guys 100% fit is unrealistic. Our issue is that we don't have true scoring lines in the bottom 9 as much as a few individuals that can generate offense. Throw in the fact that 2 of those are injury prone and ...
- AlexF

Don't give me the injury prone Kesler bull. He got injured in the playoffs and rushed back which led to him getting injured again. He should not have been allowed to come back early. Big mistake. And the broken foot from blocking a shot in his first game back was just a fluke.

Booth on the other hand needs to focus on getting himself in better shape and stop focusing all his time on hunting and power walks.

Injuries often dictate who wins the cup. It's a part of the game. Look at the Kings 2 years ago. What changed between them and last year? Injuries.

Don't give me the injury prone Kesler bull. He got injured in the playoffs and rushed back which led to him getting injured again. He should not have been allowed to come back early. Big mistake. And the broken foot from blocking a shot in his first game back was just a fluke.

Booth on the other hand needs to focus on getting himself in better shape and stop focusing all his time on hunting and power walks.

Injuries often dictate who wins the cup. It's a part of the game. Look at the Kings 2 years ago. What changed between them and last year? Injuries.
- KB3Point0

This year they didn't get a 1st round bye.

Don't give me the injury prone Kesler bull. He got injured in the playoffs and rushed back which led to him getting injured again. He should not have been allowed to come back early. Big mistake. And the broken foot from blocking a shot in his first game back was just a fluke.

Booth on the other hand needs to focus on getting himself in better shape and stop focusing all his time on hunting and power walks.

Injuries often dictate who wins the cup. It's a part of the game. Look at the Kings 2 years ago. What changed between them and last year? Injuries.
- KB3Point0

Not sure if you're referring to from here on, or you're referring to past issues, but I know a girl who saw Booth at the gym somewhere in Vancouver while he was injured during the season, and apparently the guy was absolutely jacked.

Not sure how his overall fitness is, but I'm going to guess that upper body strength isn't really an issue.

I've also heard that he's quite the fitness nut—wasn't his original injury last season due to overdoing it with his workout routine....?

This year they didn't get a 1st round bye.
- DrChristianTroy

Not sure what you mean by this.

The Canucks put up more of a fight than any other team the year LA won the cup.

I can even remember at least one or two fans of other teams making this comment, as well.

Doesn't mean much in the long run, but if anything it means that LA had a "bye" every other round as well as the 1st...

Not sure what you mean by this.

The Canucks put up more of a fight than any other team the year LA won the cup.

I can even remember at least one or two fans of other teams making this comment, as well.

Doesn't mean much in the long run, but if anything it means that LA had a "bye" every other round as well as the 1st...
- Fosco

True enough.

Agreed.

If a team has a 2nd and 3rd line that are a threat to score, the opposition can't focus on the top line.

Henrik's playoff stats the last 5 seasons; 56gp - 12g - 42a - 54p (0.96p/game)
Daniel's playoff stats the last 5 seasons; 53gp - 18g - 31a - 49p (0.92p/game)

Burrows's playoff stats the last 5 seasons; 56gp - 18g - 13a - 31p (.55p/game)

Kesler's playoff stats the last 5 seasons; 56gp - 12g - 26a - 38p (0.68p/game)

Booth's playoff stats for his career; 5gp - 1g - 0a- 1p....(small sample...)

Higgins playoff stats with the Canucks; 34gp - 4g - 4a - 8p (0.23p/game)

Hansen's playoff stats the last 5 seasons; 48gp - 5g - 8a - 13p (0.27p/game)

...not gonna do anybody else, but the point is clear—the Sedins aren't the problem.

True, some of the other players have had lesser roles, and mitigating circumstances, but it's clear that the Canucks have not had sufficient secondary scoring to be a real playoff threat in the last 5 years—it's actually quite surprising they made it to game seven of the SCF in this time with such a lack of scoring...
- Fosco

Exactly, everyone seems to think they disappear come playoffs, it's the rest of the team that disappears, actually under AV's system he just wanted everyone else to check and try to win 1-0.

Exactly, everyone seems to think they disappear come playoffs, it's the rest of the team that disappears, actually under AV's system he just wanted everyone else to check and try to win 1-0.
- A_SteamingLombardi

And doing so with rapid fire changes to the D pairings...

The rankings were based on a 30ish year old player who was going to sign a contract for the next few years (say 3) and takes into account the team's ability to win the cup in those years, the city, the arena, the fan base etc.

I think the author probably hasn't actually been to Calgary, as there are plenty of "big city" amenities, but from the perspective of a player wanting to compete for the cup, there's not a lot there in the next few seasons.
- 1970vintage

The author is from BC , so he has probably been to Calgary, but they are at or near the bottom in regards to the outlook for the next few years.